Curt Columbus Named as Trinity Repertory Company's New Artistic Director

Curt Columbus will be Trinity Repertory Company's new artistic director. The post has been vacant since Oskar Eustis resigned to become the artistic director of New York's Public Theater.

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."

Amanda Dehnert, who became acting artistic director last year following Oskar Eustis' resignation, will continue during the transition.