Laura Kepley Named CPH Artistic Director
Posted September 23, 2013 in Press Releases
CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE NAMES LAURA KEPLEY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
CLEVELAND, OH (September 23, 2013) – Cleveland Play House (CPH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Kepley as Artistic Director. Kepley has served as CPH Interim Artistic Director since May, following three seasons as Associate Artistic Director. The CPH Board of Directors will introduce Kepley as Artistic Director at a CPH Community Gathering at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2013. The event is free, open to the general public, and will take place in the Second Stage at PlayhouseSquare.
CPH Board Chair Alec Pendleton made the announcement, stating: “Laura is an accomplished and talented theatre artist, leader and administrator. More than that, she is a warm and generous person who is passionate about Cleveland Play House and the important work we do in and for our community. In our discussions with theatre executives from across the nation, it quickly became clear that Laura is a leading light in the American theatre. She is without question the perfect choice to guide America’s first regional theatre through our 2015 centennial and beyond.”
“I am thrilled and honored to serve as Cleveland Play House’s new Artistic Director,” stated Kepley. “Since arriving at CPH three years ago I have been fortunate to participate in the historic transformation of America's first regional theatre. I look forward to working collaboratively to lead us into our centennial season and launch the next hundred years of serving our community by telling provocative, relevant and entertaining stories and through meaningful, innovative, and fun education programs.”
Kevin Moore, CPH Managing Director, echoed Pendleton’s enthusiasm, “I have had the honor of working with Laura for the past three years, particularly during her time as Interim Artistic Director. Her passion for theatre and for engaging with our community through powerful productions and innovative education programs is a joy to be around and support. I look forward to partnering with her as we strive to maximize the positive impact of our work on this great community.”
Kepley is the ninth artistic director in the 98-year history of CPH. The Board of Directors endorsed her appointment at its September 19th board meeting at the recommendation of its Executive Committee and Organizational Review Task Force.
Kepley joined CPH as Associate Artistic Director in 2010, and will direct its upcoming production of Venus in Fur, running November 1-24 in the Second Stage at PlayhouseSquare. Previously, she directed acclaimed CPH productions of My Name is Asher Lev, In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play, Good People and the world premiere of A Carol for Cleveland. She has coordinated programming for CPH’s New Ground Theatre Festival since 2011, including serving as director for readings of new plays by Roe Green Award-winners Quiara Alegria Hudes and Jordan Harrison. Prior to coming to CPH, she was Resident Director and Artistic Associate at Trinity Repertory Theatre in Providence, RI for four seasons, spending a year as interim director of the Brown/Trinity Rep MFA in Directing Program. She has directed at Asolo Repertory Theatre, Trinity Rep, and Contemporary American Theatre Festival, among others. A native Ohioan, Kepley received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and her Masters in Fine Arts from Brown University/Trinity Rep. She is a Drama League Fellow and a recipient of the 2009-2011 National Endowment for the Arts/Theatre Communications Group Career Development Program for Directors.
About Cleveland Play House
Founded in 1915, Cleveland Play House (CPH) is America’s first professional regional theatre. Throughout its rich history, CPH has remained dedicated to its mission to inspire, stimulate and entertain diverse audiences in Northeast Ohio by producing plays and theatre education programs of the highest professional standards. It has produced more than 100 world and/or American premieres, and over its long history more than 12 million people have attended over 1,300 CPH productions. Today, under the leadership of Artistic Director Laura Kepley and Managing Director Kevin Moore, CPH looks toward its centennial while performing in three state-of-the art venues at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund Cleveland Play House with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. CPH is grateful to Cuyahoga County residents for supporting Cleveland Play House through Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
