Seattle Rep Welcomes Braden Abraham as Artistic Director

Seattle Repertory Theatre's Board of Trustees announced today that Braden Abraham has been appointed as the official artistic head of Seattle Repertory Theatre, effective immediately.

Abraham has been a member of the artistic staff at the Rep for 13 years, including six as Associate Artistic Director before stepping in as Acting Artistic Director in June 2014, following the sudden passing of Jerry Manning. His appointment is on a four-year contract through 2019.

"This organization has been home to me for over a decade," Abraham commented. "To follow in the footsteps of artistic leaders I've admired and worked with over the years is a deep honor and an inspiring challenge. I'm humbled by the faith and trust of the Board, and I will do my best to build upon the legacy of my dear friend and predecessor, Jerry Manning."

Abraham added, "We have the hardest working staff in American theatre and I'm excited by the prospects of what we can accomplish together. My vision is to invite new artists to the Rep while deepening our investment in the community of actors, playwrights, directors and designers whose extraordinary talents are already familiar to us; to embolden who we are by the breadth of theatre we make together; and to broaden our resources in an attempt to take the Rep to a new level of producing regionally, as well as nationally."

A longtime Washingtonian, Braden Abraham received a B.A. in English from Western Washington University. He has had the unique experience of working for three artistic directors at Seattle Rep. In 2002, he served as an artistic intern and was hired for a full-time artistic position by Artistic Director Sharon Ott the following year. From 2005-2008, Abraham worked closely with her successor, David Esbjornson; and then, when Jerry Manning took the artic helm in 2008, Abraham was promoted to Associate Artistic Director. During his tenure at the Rep, Abraham has helped re-envision the New Play Program, starting the Writers Group for local playwrights and bringing exciting new voices to the stage including Samuel D. Hunter, Laura Schellhardt and Anna Ziegler.

An accomplished director, Abraham's credits at the Rep have showcased his dexterity with both classic texts and new work. Select highlights include Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge (currently onstage until Oct. 18), Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Laura Schellhardt's The Comparables (world premiere), Samuel D. Hunter's A Great Wilderness (world premiere), Anna Ziegler's Photograph 51, Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, Bruce Norris' Clybourne Park, Michael Hollinger's Opus, Harold Pinter's Betrayal and My Name is Rachel Corrie, adapted by Alan Rickman and Katherine Viner. Other directing credits include Marya Sea Kaminski's Riddled (Richard Hugo House), Tommy Smith's White Hot (Marxiano Productions, West of Lenin) and Laura Schellhardt's The K of D, an urban legend (Pistol Cat Productions, FringeNYC Encore Series, Illusion Theater). Abraham has also developed new plays with The O'Neill Playwrights Conference, Ojai Playwrights Conference, The Denver Center, The William Inge Theater Festival, Portland Center Stage and The Playwrights Center.

Over the past year, Abraham has worked on building an artistic staff which now includes Associate Artistic Director Marya Sea Kaminski, Literary Director Kristin Leahey, Casting Director Kaytlin McIntyre and Resident Designer L.B. Morse.

Managing Director Jeffrey Herrmann commented, "I am thrilled that Braden's role as Artistic Director is now finally official. Working alongside Braden over the past year has been such a fantastic and rewarding experience. His work as an artist and his character, integrity and deep knowledge of Seattle's artistic community make him a tremendous asset to the Rep and a wonderful business partner. I look forward to growing our friendship and partnership over the coming years and continuing to pursue our ambition to think big and create astonishing art for our audiences and the Seattle community."

"Braden's long connection to and passion for the Rep made him a natural choice for the position of Artistic Director," said Terri Olsen Miller, the Chair of Seattle Repertory Theatre's Board of Directors. "We are confident that Braden and Jeff, with the full support of the Board and Rep staff, will continue to lead the Rep forward. With their combined vision, love for theatre and strong backgrounds in new play development, the Rep will continue to grow and reach new artistic heights under their leadership."

Board President Tamra Chandler added, "We have long been impressed by Braden's artistic vision, directorial voice and commitment to this organization and its long history in the region. When we appointed Braden as Acting Artistic Director in June 2014, we challenged him to help lead the theatre during this important period of transition, and he has done just that. As we have watched him throughout this past year, it became apparent that he is the right leader to continue to move this theatre forward."

Seattle Repertory Theatre was founded in 1963 and is currently led by Artistic Director Braden Abraham and Managing Director Jeffrey Herrmann. One of America's premier non-profit resident theatres, Seattle Repertory Theatre has achieved international renown for its consistently high production and artistic standards, and was awarded the 1990 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. With an emphasis on entertaining plays of true dramatic and literary worth, Seattle Rep produces a season of plays along with educational programs, new play workshops and special presentations.

Photo Credit: Karen Ripple Chilcote

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