New Century Theatre Company Names Darragh Kennan as Artistic Director

New Century Theatre Company (NCTC) has announced that Darragh Kennan will assume the full position of Artistic Director for the company. He will continue to share leadership duties with Managing Director, Jamie Herlich. Former Co-Artistic Director, Hans Altwies, remains an active company member and now serves as Secretary on their Board of Directors. While he has stepped down as co-Artistic Director, a post which he has had since the company's inception in 2008, he is still very much a part of the company and will continue to be present in everything related to NCTC in the coming years.

Altwies reflects on the Early Stages of NCTC and where the company is heading as he steps away from his former post: "New Centurians all have different memories of the exact beginning of NCTC but I'm here to tell you the truth: it brewed slowly. A few people-with-ideas were influenced by this community of artists: we saw the loss of many of the mid size theatres, the exodus of brilliant artists for other cities, the example of some brave local brilliance to remain and prosper, and the desire to have individual and collective impact on this career that we continue to choose. What now exists is a small, excellent theatre company that has legs. My energy and time does not match the excellent, every-day task of guiding NCTC through its next chapter of growth, so I'm stepping into a new role on the Board, staying involved as a past Artistic Director (perhaps with too much to say!) and continuing to be an active company member. Darragh is a great artist. He has Jamie Herlich as an able Managing Director at his side and a ready company standing next to him; he's already leading us with confidence and energy. His vision is clear and he has our complete trust. It is a very good thing. NCTC will take big strides forward under Darragh's leadership."

Adds Kennan: "Hans will continue to be a voice of New Century Theatre Company in the community, as an actor in NCTC shows, and will serve as the secretary of our Board of Trustees, so in a way he is busier than ever. This was in every way Hans' decision and I want to thank him for his vision for this company and his leadership. I will continue to lean on him in the coming years as we build a more ambitious and sustainable future for this company."

Plans for NCTC in 2013 include the company's first-ever "season" with two mainstage shows: A new adaptation by Kenneth Albers of Franz Kafka's The Trial will be directed by John Langs who directed NCTC's award-winning inaugural production of THE ADDING MACHINE in 2008. It will run from April 5-28, 2013 at Inscape Arts featuring NCTC company members Altwies, Kennan, Michael Patten, MJ Sieber, Amy Thone, and guest artists Sydney Andrews, Tonya Andrews, Marya Sea Kaminski, Hannah Mootz, Sara Mountjoy-Pepka, and Greta Wilson. In October, NCTC will present Enda Walsh's THE WALWORTH FARCE at New City Theatre to be directed by John Kazanjian and featuring NCTC company members Altwies and Kennan, and guest artists Sean Griffin and Allison Strickland.

Tickets will be available for purchase in early 2013, with information at www.wearenctc.org.

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