Know Theatre's Producing Artistic Director Eric Vosmeier Steps Down

Producing Artistic Director, Eric Vosmeier has tendered his resignation to Know Theatre's Board of Directors. His last day at the helm of the organization will be June 30, 2014, just after the 11th Annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival and at the end of the company's 13-14 fiscal year.

Board President Matthew Lafkas says, "Eric has been an asset to Know Theatre and the Board of Directors is grateful for his years of service and dedication. During his time at Know Theatre, he has been a thought leader for the larger theatrical community and the proof can be seen in what he's programmed and created for Know Theatre such as: Calculus: The Musical!, FringeNext, and the Jackson Street Market."

Vosmeier sums up his reasons, "It's simply time to move on and make way for someone else to take the reins at Know Theatre. I believe this place demands a fresh perspective and new ways of thinking. The best way to accomplish this is to step down and allow those different voices the opportunity. I have been absolutely honored to be a part of this phenomenal staff for nearly 8 years, but the time has come to hand the reigns over to someone who can guide the theatre to its next evolution."

To that end, Vosmeier and Know Theatre's Board of Directors have hired long-time resident scenic and lighting designer, Andrew Hungerford as the next producing artistic director for Know Theatre. Andrew has been with the company since 2007 and has been instrumental in not only the ongoing increases in the quality of our production department, but has been a sounding board for many of the company's projects, as well as a partner to Eric in selecting programming over the past several seasons.

Originally from Metro Detroit, Andrew Hungerford has spent the last ten years involved with Cincinnati's theatre scene. After attending graduate school at UC College Conservatory of Music, he quickly became a frequent designer on Cincinnati's stages. He has been resident scenic and lighting designer for Know Theatre of Cincinnati since 2007 and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company since 2010.

Hungerford says, "I've spent most of my professional career as part of the Cincinnati Theatre scene, and given a lot of my life over the last seven years to Know Theatre. When the opportunity arose to lead Know into its next phase, it just made sense as the next step for both the company and me. There was no way I could turn down the opportunity. As someone who cares deeply about Contemporary Theatre, I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the regional and national dialogue with a company that I love, in the amazingly supportive artistic community of Cincinnati."

Along with his design work, Hungerford is a playwright, director, producer, and (infrequently) an actor. He has taken shows to the Edinburgh Fringe on three occasions, and produced work as part of the Cincinnati and Hollywood Fringes. Despite all this time on the road, Hungerford considers Cincinnati as his artistic home.

Vosmeier says, "Andrew is the best person I can imagine handing the reigns over to. He's been part of the company longer than I have and he's a superb choice to take what we've created during my tenure and to continue to build upon it. I have always valued his opinions, many of which have helped informed mine. I have more confidence in his first day at artistic director than I had in mine, so I think that's a good sign."

Lafkas adds, "The Board of Directors and I are simply wowed by Andrew's talent and his passion for Know Theatre. He has a great vision for the theatre's future and we're anxious that he'll be the next artistic leader. We have great faith that he'll be able to take what Jay and Jason and Eric have created over the past 15 years and continue to build upon it."