Seacoast Rep Names New Artistic Director

Seacoast Repertory Theatre has named Miles Burns as their permanent Artistic Director. The decision came as Seacoast Rep had been planning its new season and solidifying its management structure. Burns had previously served in the position in an interim capacity after a management shakeup in late 2014, and headed the theatre's youth program before that.

The decision to make Burns permanent came from Executive Director Kathleen Cavalaro with the full support of Seacoast Rep's board of trustees.

"In the past year we've learned to keep what works and lose what doesn't." said Cavalaro of her decision. "Miles works. He's an inspiring leader and a talented and prolific artist. He's earned my full confidence."

The move makes Burns, age 29, one of the youngest artistic directors of a regional theatre in the United States. Burns has been at Seacoast Repertory Theatre in varying capacities since he played the role of Jean Valjean in a youth production of Les Miserables. Since then he has performed in countless plays, written over 15 original shows and penned more than 75 original songs for Seacoast Rep's youth programs.

"Miles has extraordinary passion, enthusiasm and creativity," stated board of trustees president Alan Gold. "Through his work over the past year as interim artistic director Miles has brought new life to our main stage and has reenergized our PAPA programming as well. After thoughtful board discussions it became clear that naming Miles our permanent artistic director was the best decision we could make. He has shown his mettle over the past year in this role and we look forward to his continued contributions."

In addition to guiding the Rep artistically, Burns will continue to work with the Portsmouth Academy of Performing Arts program as a writer, director, and co-leader with director of education and youth Seraphina Caliguire.

"I'm thrilled and humbled," said Burns. "It is nice not to have the word 'interim' hanging over my head. I've never been so excited for the future of this place, and I think I speak for everyone who works here when I say that. I think Seacoast Rep is a great place for telling great stories with heart, and I look forward to working with everyone to bring those stories forward."

Burns looks forward to growing audiences for the Rep's Mainstage program, which he oversees, but also fine-tuning the Portsmouth Academy of Performing Arts, Red Light, and Senior Moments programs, which are targeted towards youth, adults and seniors respectively. Additionally, next year the Rep plans to pilot a theatre for young audiences program - shows performed for children by adults.

"We've learned so much about the space and what we can do in it in the past year, and we've discovered some amazing talent," said Burns. "The Seacoast and New England have some great storytellers and artists, and we're making this a home for them."

Burns is also directing Seacoast Rep's winter production of Oliver! which opened on November 13th and plays through December 20th.

Photo credit: Michael Winters

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