Thomas Cote Named New Artistic Director of WorkShop Theater Company

The WorkShop Theater Company has announced that after five seasons, Scott Sickles will leave the position of Artistic Director. The board has named the director Thomas Coté to succeed him, effective July 1.

Mr. Sickles, an internationally produced, award-winning playwright and an Emmy-nominated scriptwriter for ABC'S "General Hospital," will remain an active member of the company. Under his tenure the WorkShop produced 23 full-length plays, 11 short play festivals and hundreds of readings. Two of those productions have been named a Critic's Pick by The New York Times; the company has been nominated for two Drama Desk Awards; and WorkShop shows have received 16 nominations at the New York Innovative Theater Awards, winning two. Mr. Sickles has also established relationships with theaters in Singapore, Italy and England.

Mr. Sickles said, "During my five years as artistic director, as well as the nine years I spent as the company dramaturg, it has been my great privilege to help our playwrights bring their stories to life. It's time for the company to reinvigorate itself and for me to enjoy being a playwright again. I look forward to our mutual evolution."

Thomas Coté has directed dozens of plays in New York at the Abingdon Theater Company, the Samuel French festival, the SoHo Playhouse, for the HBO Reading series and elsewhere.

Mr. Coté said, "I look forward to continuing and enhancing the WorkShop as a place for the nurture and incubation of new writing."

Now entering its 21st season as one of Manhattan's most active theater companies, the WorkShop has ushered in hundreds of full productions and staged readings. "Finding Neverland," the Academy Award-winning film, began its early life on the WorkShop stage, as did Eddie Antar's Drama-Desk nominated "The Navigator," as well as plays by New York Times editor Ken Jaworowski, Rich Orloff and other emerging and established writers.

The WorkShop is located at 312 West 36th Street. For more information visit workshoptheater.org.