Columbus, 40, is currently the associate artistic director of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, artistic director of Chicago's Theater on the Lake and an artistic associate at Victory Gardens Theater. A Yale graduate, he teaches at the University of Chicago and DePaul University. He is a director, writer, dramaturg and translator/adaptor of major Russian works. His Steppenwolf credits include translating Maria Arndt and directing The House of Lily, Division Street: America and Our Town. Columbus' appointment is a dual one: Trinity Rep's artistic director also serves as chair of the Brown/Trinity Consortium's graduate programs in acting and directing. Columbus will begin working in January and will choose the plays for Trinity's 2006-2007 season, which will be announced this winter.
"Curt Columbus is one of America's finest theater leaders, with a great depth of experience," Jack McConnell, chair of the search committee and a Trinity trustee, said in a statement. "We were struck by his passion for creating environments where both resident company members and national artists can excel; programs that engage the community; teaching that inspires and challenges both students and faculty; and creating and adapting new works. He embodies a collaborative leadership style that builds a compelling sense of community around the theater. All of this makes him the right artistic leader for Trinity Rep."