Gareth Nicholls Appointed Interim Artistic Director Of The Traverse Theatre

The Board of the Traverse Theatre has today announced that it has appointed Gareth Nicholls, previously the organisation's Associate Director, to the position of Interim Artistic Director. He will assume the role, working with Executive Producer Linda Crooks, from 5th December, the date on which Outgoing Artistic Director Orla O'Loughlin departs from the organisation to take up the post of Vice Principal and Director of Drama at Guildhall School of Music and Drama full time from the beginning of 2019.

Gareth joined the Traverse in May 2017, having previously been in post as the Citizen Theatre's Main Stage Director in Residence. Since joining the organisation he has directed the award-winning, sell-out Festival production of David Ireland's Ulster American as well as the world premieres of Gary McNair's Letters to Morrissey, Morna Pearson's How to Disappear and Clare Duffy's Arctic Oil.

Sir John Elvidge, Chair of the Traverse's Board of Trustees said: "We are delighted that Gareth Nicholls will be the Traverse's Interim Artistic Director. He has already played an important role in leading progress within the organisation and contributed to the most successful Festival in our history. The programming of the Traverse will continue to be a collaborative effort between many members of the team, and we are excited about the new perspectives and ideas that Gareth will bring while the Board takes this opportunity to undertake a period of consultation to explore how the Traverse can increase the number of exciting new plays produced on our stages and make itself truly fit for the future."

Gareth Nicholls says: "I'm thrilled to be able to contribute further to the Traverse at this exciting time as its Interim Artistic Director. Orla has created a vibrant and bold organisation, full of enthusiastic and creative individuals who are passionate about telling important stories and representing the dynamism of modern Scotland. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on this mission, and to collaborating with a wide range of visionary playwrights, innovative theatremakers and excited audiences to expand the Traverse's stellar work."

Gareth joined the Traverse in May 2017 as its Associate Director, and has since directed the award-winning, sell-out Festival production of David Ireland's Ulster American as well as the world premieres of Gary McNair's Letters to Morrissey, Morna Pearson's How To Disappear and Clare Duffy's Arctic Oil.

He previously held the post of Citizens Theatre's Main Stage Director in Residence (2014-16), where his shows included Into That Darkness, Vanya, Blackbird and a sell-out production of Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting, which remounted the following year before transferring to the Kings Theatre Edinburgh.

Other directing credits include: The Scottish Premiere of Yasmina Reza's God of Carnage and Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas (Tron Theatre) Donald Robertson Is Not A Stand-Up Comedian, A Gamblers Guide To Dying by Gary McNair (Traverse Festival) Voices From The Black That I Am by Karl O'Brian Williams, Moby Dick by Herman Melville and Prom by Oliver Emanuel (Play, Pie and a Pint). Educating Ronnie by Joe Douglas (Utter), The Little Boy That Santa Clause Forgot (Macrobert), The Tin Forest South West (National Theatre of Scotland) Tis Pity She's A Whore, Coriolanus, and The Burial At Thebes (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland).

He has won several awards including the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award in 2018 for Ulster American, four Fringe First awards (Ulster American, Letters to Morrissey, Educating Ronnie and A Gambler's Guide To Dying), a Scottish Arts Club award (Donald Robertson Is Not A Stand-Up Comedian) and The Arches' Platform 18: New Directions award (2011).

The Traverse is Scotland's new writing theatre: more here.

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