Jason Eagan Named as First Ars Nova Artistic Director

Ars Nova announced today that Jason Eagan has been named the award-winning theater company's first Artistic Director, effective immediately.  Eagan has been a Producer at Ars Nova since 2003 where he has developed and programmed hundreds of live events, most recently At Least It's Pink, directed by Michael Patrick King and starring Bridget Everett and Kenny Mellman, and Dixie's Tupperware Party, directed by Alex Timbers and starring Kris Andersson.

"Jason's track record for identifying and developing new artists and projects has been exceptional," said Ars Nova Co-Founder Jenny Wiener.  "Jason is a true advocate for artists and has helped make Ars Nova a home for the next generation of playwrights, composers, directors, performers, musicians and designers.  Being named Artistic Director is a natural extension of the leadership he has provided to the theater."
 
Ars Nova Co-Founder Jon Steingart said, "In just a few short years, Ars Nova has defined itself as a true destination for emerging artists and unique productions.  Our new structure allows Jason to fuel the development pipeline toward even larger and more ambitious productions while still serving our core mission.   Jenny and I will now focus on strategic growth with our Board to make sure that the   next wave of talent will always have a home in New York."
 
"I am grateful for this opportunity to further Jon and Jenny's vision of creating the premier New York home for emerging artists," said Artistic Director Jason Eagan.  "This is a fantastic opportunity for me to deepen my work with a community of artists who come to Ars Nova to take risks and inspire one another.  I want to continue my ongoing search and support of up-and-coming talent, maintain our strong focus on developing new work and expand our efforts so we can produce a larger number of full-scale productions in our 54th street venue and throughout the city."
 
Among the hundreds of live events he has developed and programmed at Ars Nova since 2003, Eagan has co-produced presentations of Sandra Bernhard, Nellie McKay, Justin Bond, The Wau Wau Sisters, Freestyle Love Supreme, Planet Banana, Holy Cross Sucks!, 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, At Least It's Pink and Dixie's Tupperware Party.  Directing credits include "Brilliant Mistake: Broadway Sings Elvis Costello;" Jesse Tyler Ferguson's "Audios Pantalones;" Ana Gasteyer's "Let It Rip!;" Gypsy, starring Andrea McArdle (Houston Ballet & Theater); and the San Francisco production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch starring Kevin Cahoon (Critics' Circle and SF Chronicle Best of 2002 Award).  He also has numerous New York and regional credits as a Stage Manager and Assistant Director.  Eagan began his career with L.A. Opera and subsequently traveled the country, working with multiple opera companies, before coming to New York in 1997 to manage Disney's design studio for the Broadway production of The Lion King.  He is a member of The Improbable Theatre Company and Gotham Stage Company.
 
"Just four years ago, Ars Nova opened its doors in memory of Gabe Wiener with the goal of being a home for artists to develop and perform new works in an intimate audience setting.   Since then some of New York's top writers, directors and performers have walked through their doors with ideas and walked out with projects that were ready to be taken to the next level.  Ars Nova produces theater, comedy and music events, making exciting live entertainment accessible to a New York audience at affordable prices.  In addition to fully staged productions, Ars Nova offers a free play reading series (Out Loud), an alternative music and comedy series (Thursdays at 10), a musical theater series (Broadway Spotlight), a composer series (Uncharted) and in-house writers' workshops," state press notes. 

For more information, visit www.arsnovanyc.com.