CPH Artistic Director Laura Kepley Steps Down After 12-Year Tenure
Posted March 17, 2022 in Press Releases
(Cleveland, OH) After nearly 12 years of service, including nine years in executive leadership, Laura Kepley will step down as Artistic Director of Cleveland Play House. She will continue to provide leadership and support for America’s premiere regional theatre through June 2022.
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During her tenure, Laura Kepley’s many achievements have positioned the non-profit arts organization as a leader in the American theatre industry, producing some of the most impactful, socially-urgent, and necessary theatrical productions in the history of the 106-year-old institution.
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Kepley is the ninth artistic director and second woman to hold the executive role at Cleveland Play House. Under her leadership, we are grateful for her numerous accomplishments, which include:
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- producing over 50 productions, including seven world premieres, rn
- directing 18 plays, including four world premieres, rn
- programming seasons with at least 50% female-identifying actors onstage, and with productions led by at least 50% female-identifying directors and creative teams, rn
- programming the 2020-21 (Digital), 2021-22, and 2022-23 seasons that created opportunities for and centered Black, Indigenous, People of Color in at least 50% of all productions, rn
- and creating the Director of Artistic Inclusion position and inaugurating the Equitable Artistic Practices team to promote and maintain a joyful, collaborative, inclusive, and anti-racist culture for artistic processes. rn
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CPH Board Chair Anne Marie Warren says, “Laura’s artistic leadership has transformed Cleveland Play House’s reputation. Her inspiration and season planning have been guided by a spirit of innovation, welcoming and inclusion. We wish her every success in the future.”
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Kepley says, "It has been a true joy to serve CPH and the people of Northeast Ohio." She continues to share, "Serving as Artistic Director of Cleveland Play House has been the honor and privilege of my life. I am enormously grateful to the hundreds of staff, artists, and Board members, whom I have had the great pleasure to collaborate with over my nearly 12 years of service."
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A search for an interim artistic director to bridge to a permanent replacement is underway.
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