Nicholas Martin to Exit Williamstown Theater Festival Post

The New York Times is reporting that Nicholas Martin, the artistic director of the Williamstown Theater Festival, will step down from his post following his third season.  The search for his replacement has begun by the Festival's board. Spokesman Rick Miramontez comments that Martin's reign at the Festival was always expected to be short-lived, given his outside directing obligations.

In a statement, Martin says:

"I've had a great time as artistic director, and have extended my contract to handle next season," he said. "One, however, can't do everything, and the demands on my time are, happily, extraordinary. I look forward to welcoming the next artistic director to the Williamstown family, and to working with him or her."

Martin's Broadway production of Present Laughter is slated to open in January of 2010. Previously the head of the Huntington Theatre Company, his other credits include Match, Butley, and Hedda Gabler. He previously headed Boston's Huntington Theatre Company.

Williamstown Theatre Festival, located on the campus of Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, is one of America's preeminent regional summer stock theatres. Founded in 1955 by Ralph Renzi (news director for Williams College) and David C. Bryant (chairman of the school's drama program), it was conceived as a way to use the Adams Memorial Theatre on the Williams campus for a resident summer theatre company. At the request of Renzi and Bryant, established Actress and Broadway Theatre World Award winner raised in Williamstown on Meacham Street Marcia Henderson returned to Williamstown to open and perform in the first opening play at the festival. She was the first major celebrity to perform at Willaimstown. Since then, and throughout its over four decades in existence, many celebrated American actors of stage and screen have worked as acting apprentices or company members at Williamstown. Recently, the festival has transferred several successful shows to Broadway, and was awarded the Regional Theatre Tony Award in 2002.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.

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