Chelsea Anderson Named Executive/Artistic Director of Fort Wayne Civic Theatre
Anderson will begin the role in May and work alongside Phillip Colglazier through June 2026.
Fort Wayne Civic Theatre has announced Chelsea Anderson as its new Executive/Artistic Director. She will begin the position on Monday, May 4 and will transition into the role alongside current Executive/Artistic Director Phillip Colglazier, who will retire on June 30, 2026.
Anderson is a director, producer, educator, actor, dialect coach, and playwright who has worked with organizations including Indiana Repertory Theatre, Summit Performance, Phoenix Theatre (Indianapolis), Storefront Theatre, Indianapolis Shakespeare Company, Forward Theatre, The Phoenix Theatre Company (Arizona), and Great River Shakespeare Festival. She holds a BS in Theatre from the University of Indianapolis and an MFA in Acting/Directing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Her administrative experience includes serving as Artistic Manager and, most recently, Casting Director at The Phoenix Theatre Company in Arizona. Her directing credits include Daddy Long Legs, Fully Committed, and Miracle on 34th Street at The Phoenix Theatre Company; Curtains at Arizona State University; The Play That Goes Wrong, You Can't Take It With You, and The Explorer’s Club at MCC; and Winston’s Big Day at Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis. Additional work includes Black Hat Duncan, New to You...and Us, Too, and Pilgrims at Storefront Theatre. Anderson has also self-produced multiple independent productions, including her original script All the Best, Jack, which had a sold-out run in Madison, Wisconsin, and a subsequent outdoor production in Indianapolis.
"I have had such wonderful opportunities to learn this industry and how I can best support artists and theatremakers. I hope to use that knowledge and experience to build upon Fort Wayne Civic Theatre's admirable history," Anderson said.
Civic Theatre Board President Stephanny Smith said, "Fort Wayne Civic Theatre is one of the premier arts organizations in our region. As we prepare to celebrate its one hundredth anniversary, we were looking for a leader with a vision for how the organization can continue to grow and remain relevant to new audiences, as well as the experience to build and execute the plan. Chelsea is that person."
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