Blake Robison Named Next Artistic Director of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

Blake Robison, a highly accomplished director and producer, has been named the next artistic director of the two-time Tony Award-winning Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in a unanimous vote by The Playhouse's board of trustees.

Blake Robison, currently the producing artistic director at the Round House Theatre in Bethesda, Md., will assume his full-time duties at The Playhouse on July 1, 2012. Robison has more than 20 years experience as a director and producer. He has an impressive track record of leading theatres to increased success with acclaimed artistic programming, creative community partnerships and innovative audience development and education programs.

"The search committee undertook a very wide search with more than 100 applicants from four countries, and I'm confident that we selected the strongest candidate in Blake to lead the theatre to continued growth," said Playhouse Search Committee Chair Jack Rouse. "Blake's artistic vision, strong commitment to community and education and his experience in expanding audiences will build on the theatre's rich history and take The Playhouse to new artistic heights. He's articulate, enormously congenial and has a wonderful sense of humor. I know the Cincinnati community will embrace him as the new artistic leader of The Playhouse."

Robison will inherit a history of consistent institutional and artistic growth that is the legacy of current Producing Artistic Director Ed Stern and Executive Director Buzz Ward's tenure. Over the past 20 years, The Playhouse has solidified its leadership in the Cincinnati arts community and has become recognized as a regional and national cultural asset. 

"It's an honor and a privilege to follow in Ed Stern's footsteps," said Robison. "I have long admired the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and am excited to work with Buzz Ward, the board of trustees, staff and artists to guide the theatre to its next level of achievement. For me, theatre and community go hand in hand. My family and I look forward to meeting new friends, being part of this community and making Cincinnati our home."

During his tenure at Round House Theatre, Robison has produced a wide variety of literary works, refined its educational programming and commissioned new plays from some of the country's most exciting up-and-coming playwrights. He reconceived the Round House's Second Stage as a community arts center serving the theatre as well as nine partner organizations, created a laboratory to support local artists and developed a council of local artists as an advisory body to the theatre. He also launched the critically acclaimed Literary Works Project that reinterprets modern and classical novels through a theatrical prism for contemporary audiences. At the same time, he has kept the organization on a sound financial footing by increasing both earned and contributed revenue and growing its endowment funds. Prior to seven years at the Round House Theatre, Robison held leadership positions at The Clarence Brown Theatre (Producing Artistic Director, 2000-2005), National Shakespeare Company (Producing Director, 1998-2000) and Vermont Stage Company (Co-Founder/Artistic Director, 1994-1999).

Directing credits at Round House Theatre include Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's modernized The Picture of Dorian Gray (world premiere); Karen Zacarias' How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents (world premiere) adapted from Julia Alvarez's celebrated novel; The Talented Mr. Ripley adapted by Phyllis Nagy from the original Patricia Highsmith thriller; a rock music and dance infused Lord of the Flies; Ken Ludwig's new adaptation of Treasure Island; a three-actor treatment of Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment; the Helen Hayes-nominated production of John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany; and the American premiere of Neil Bartlett's Camille. Robison guest directed Pride and Prejudice at Utah Shakespeare Festival. He has also guest directed at Folger Theatre, PlayMakers Repertory Company and National Shakespeare Company. Last spring, he traveled to Berlin to direct the Tennessee Williams classic Summer and Smoke at English Theatre Berlin. He has also worked several times at the renowned Avignon Festival in France.

As an adapter, Robison has created stage versions of Alice McDermott's beloved novel Charming Billy and Jay Parini's historical novel The Last Station (recently seen as an Oscar-nominated feature film).

"In a very strong field of candidates, Blake quickly distinguished himself as our top choice," said Playhouse Board President Victoria Buyniski Gluckman. "The Playhouse board of trustees is delighted to have attracted a person of his caliber, experience and expertise to Cincinnati. Blake's infectious energy and extraordinary artistic vision will take The Playhouse to the next level. He will have the opportunity to lead The Playhouse to continued growth and impact that has been the hallmark of its artistic success for many decades."

Buzz Ward, who is currently in his 20th season as executive director, is to become The Playhouse's managing director and will work with Robison in a co-CEO partnership structure. "We are thrilled to welcome Blake as our new artistic director," said Ward. "He is one of the most respected directors in the United States today, with a deep respect for The Playhouse's history and past successes. He undoubtedly brings to the table an exciting vision and fresh perspective on how to move The Playhouse forward in the coming years. I am excited to partner with him."
Blake Robison takes the artistic helm from current Producing Artistic Director Ed Stern, who is leaving at the end of the 2011-12 season after 20 years with The Playhouse. According to Stern, "I am delighted that Blake has been chosen as the new artistic director of The Playhouse. I know he is the right man at the right time for the right theatre. The growth at the Round House Theatre, both artistically and in community-driven projects, assures me that The Playhouse has an exciting and bright future. I also know how personable Blake is. I am confident that the Cincinnati community will embrace this wonderful and talented artist. I am looking forward to working with him in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition and help move The Playhouse forward."

Robison will work with The Playhouse on a part-time consulting basis until June 30, 2012, in order to plan the 2012-13 season, get to know The Playhouse's audience and to engage with the Greater Cincinnati community before assuming his full-time responsibilities on July 1, 2012.

Robison, a graduate of Williams College, the British American Drama Academy and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is married to Connan Morrissey and has two sons.

The selection follows a 12-month national search that began in the fall of 2010. The Playhouse worked with the search firm of Albert Hall and Associates, LLC.

The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to ArtsWave.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund The Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

About Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park has been offering the finest in professional theatre to its regional audience for more than 50 years. Nationally known for its excellence and commitment to new plays, while providing an artistic home for some of America's best actors, directors and designers, The Playhouse focuses on serving its Tristate audience by producing the finest in classic and contemporary works: dramas, comedies, musicals and world premieres.

In 2004, The Playhouse was honored with the Regional Theatre Tony Award© for displaying a

continuous level of artistic achievement and contributing to the growth of theatre nationally.

The Playhouse's 2006 production of Stephen Sondheim's Company, directed by John Doyle with a cast of actor/musicians, transferred to Broadway and won the 2007 Tony Award© for Best Revival of a Musical.
For more information, visit www.cincyplay.com.

Photo Credit: Sarah Bradley

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