Arizona Theatre Company Artistic Director David Ivers Named Artistic Director At South Coast Repertory

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) Artistic Director David Ivers is returning to his native Southern California roots after being named Artistic Director at the 55-year old Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory (SCR) in Costa Mesa, Calif. The appointment by South Coast Repertory's Board of Trustees followed an extensive national search.

"I am profoundly grateful and deeply humbled to be SCR's next artistic director," Ivers said. "Returning home to California, to the organization that helped inspire my early desire to pursue a life in the theatre, is both a rare opportunity and a dream come true.'"

Ivers will continue his ATC co-executive leadership responsibilities with Managing Director Billy Russo until assuming the new position fulltime next March. He will direct ATC's upcoming production of The Music Man.

"My tenure at Arizona Theatre Company is not over by a long shot and I'm not taking my foot off the gas," Ivers said. "My relationship with Billy has produced tremendous momentum. What we are doing at ATC is working and has caught the attention of others and Billy and I hope to continue our collaboration across both company's seasons."

"My time here, although brief, has been hugely powerful and I've learned so very much about leadership, vision and collaboration," Ivers said. "I know ATC is in good hands with Billy Russo and very much feel it is poised to capitalize on our proven growth. The move to SCR is simply about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that is best for my family and for my professional development as an artist and administrator.

Susan Segal, chair of the ATC Board of Trustees, said that "we are sorry to see David leave, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him, both professionally and personally, and we wish him great success in his new role. The leadership team of David and Billy has made great contributions to Arizona Theatre Company, creating an exciting foundation to build upon."

She added that the board will meet soon to "determine the most efficient process for David's successor to pick up the mantle of community engagement and artistry with Billy."

Ivers, who was raised nearby in the San Fernando Valley, previously directed shows at South Coast Repertory. In his new role, he will join Managing Director Paula Tomei as co-chief executive officer.

Russo called Ivers a "dream partner and the perfect person to lead the artistic and community revitalization of Arizona Theatre Company. His priority of giving the engagement of community equal weight to the virtuosity of the work on stage propelled the advancement of ATC and gave the organization a firm forward-looking vision."

He added that "we are so proud of the work we have done together. David and I are committed to finding the perfect person to continue this work. Artistic vision and financial health go hand-in-hand, and our promise is to continue with that as our core value."

Prior to assuming the artistic director role at ATC on July 1, 2017, Ivers served more than 20 years as an actor and director at Utah Shakespeare Festival, with the last seven as artistic director. He was a resident artist at Denver Center Theatre Company for a decade, acting in and/or directing more than 40 plays and has helmed productions at many of the nation's leading regional theatres including the Guthrie Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Berkeley Repertory Theatre and South Coast Repertory (One Man, Two Guv'nors, 2015). He has taught at the University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, Southern Utah University and Southern Oregon University.

Ivers earned his BFA from Southern Oregon University and an MFA from the University of Minnesota. He and his wife, Stephanie, have two sons, Jack and Elliot.

Arizona Theatre Company's 2018-2019 season-opening production, Native Gardens, is now on stage at the Temple of Music & Art in Tucson through Saturday, Sept. 29. The show will run at the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix from Thursday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 21.

For more information about South Coast Repertory, visit www.scr.org. For more information about Arizona Theatre Company, visit www.arizonatheatre.org.

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) is the preeminent fully professional theatre in the state of Arizona committed to inspiring, engaging, and entertaining - one moment, one production, and one audience at a time. Boasting the largest seasonal subscriber base in the performing arts in Arizona, ATC is the only resident company in the U.S. that is fully based in two cities providing its wide array of programming and community outreach across the region. Now in its 52ndseason, more than 130,000 people a year attend our performances at the historic Temple of Music and Art in Tucson, and the elegant Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. Each season of home-grown productions reflects the rich variety of world drama-from classics to contemporary plays, from musicals to new works-along with a wide array of community outreach programs, educational opportunities, access initiatives and new play programs. Designated The State Theatre of Arizona, ATC is led by Artistic Director David Ivers, Managing Director Billy Russo and a dedicated Board of Trustees.

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