Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

Micah-Shane Brewer Today Named Artistic Director of Nashville Repertory Theatre

Formerly serving as producer, Brewer becomes the fifth artistic director in the company's 38-year history

Micah-Shane Brewer Today Named Artistic Director of Nashville Repertory Theatre

Micah-Shane Brewer today has been promoted to the role of artistic director of Nashville Repertory Theatre. The fifth artistic director in the company's 38-year history, Brewer previously has served as producer for the company.

"On behalf of everyone at Nashville Repertory Theatre, I am honored to welcome Micah-Shane Brewer to the role of artistic director," said Lorrie Brouse, president of the board of directors of Nashville Rep. "His artistic leadership was instrumental to the Rep's successful return to live programming after the pandemic. His extensive skills as a director, actor, musician and educator will be huge assets to the organization, which is on an aggressive growth path as we head toward our 40th anniversary season. This is truly an exciting time for Nashville Rep."

"I am grateful that Nashville Rep's board of directors has entrusted me with this role," Brewer said. "Nashville is an inspiring place to call home, with so many wonderful opportunities to experience the performing arts. Nashville Rep is one of the leading arts institutions in the city and the honor of guiding its artistic mission is exciting. Nashville Rep is unique among regional theatres in that we are committed to supporting and developing our local artists. I am looking forward to deepening our relationships as we grow our programming."

Brewer initially worked with Nashville Rep as a teaching artist in 2020, and since 2021 has held the title of producer with the company. In that role, he directed the Rep's first production following the pandemic, the musical Ragtime, followed by three of the most successful shows in Nashville Rep history: Mary Poppins, Rent and, most recently, Elf the Musical.

Brewer's theatrical career has spanned some 20-plus years. A native of east Tennessee, he was co-founder of Encore Theatrical Company, where he served in various capacities from 2007 to 2018. He has directed more than 90 productions for theaters throughout the Southeast, including the Clarence Brown Theatre, Cardinal Stage Company, Greeneville Theatre, Encore Theatrical Company, University of Mississippi and more, in addition to Nashville Repertory Theatre.

Brewer has been a member of Actor's Equity Association since 2012 and has worked as a musical director and educator. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in both drama and music from the University of North Carolina and earned his master of fine arts degree in acting from the University of Tennessee. Prior to joining Nashville Rep, he was an assistant professor of musical theatre at the University of Mississippi and was a lecturer at the University of Tennessee.

Brewer joins Nashville Rep executive director Drew Ogle as part of the senior leadership team for the Music City-based professional theater company, which was founded in 1985.

"In his role as producer over the last year and half, Micah-Shane's impact on the organization has been significant, both onstage and behind the scenes," Ogle said. "I have no doubt that he will serve the organization, our artists and our audiences well in the years to come."

Next up for Brewer, recipient of the 2023 First Night Star Award, is directing The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which opens March 24 at Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Johnson Theatre. He is curating Nashville Rep's 2023-24 season, which will be revealed on March 12.

Other productions in Nashville Rep's current season include August Wilson's Fences, directed by Jon Royal and running March 3-5, and the musical Violet, directed by Tracey Copeland Halter, running May 12-21. For tickets and for further details, go to www.nashvillerep.org or www.tpac.org.



Review: Let Studio Tenns SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN Revive Your Spirit Photo
It was in Fall 1995 that I first was introduced to the gospel singing Sanders Family of “up near Siler City, North Carolina,” in a production of Smoke on the Mountain at Nashville's venerable Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre. In 2023, the family returns again, as if by magic or perhaps accompanied by flights of angels, in a warmly nostalgic, sweetly sentimental and altogether lovely production from Studio Tenn -- playing through April 2 -- at the historic sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church in downtown Franklin, which stands in quite nicely for the First Baptist Church of Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, on a Saturday night in 1938.

SPRING AWAKENING Comes to the Roxy Regional Theatre Photo
An electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality and rock ‘n’ roll, Spring Awakening opens at the Roxy Regional Theatre on Thursday, April 6, at 7:00pm.

BWW Review: Street Theatre Companys ORDINARY DAYS Photo
Street Theatre Company makes its long awaited and eagerly anticipated debut as a resident company at Nashville’s Barbershop Theatre with its thoroughly entertaining production of Ordinary Days, the sung-through 2008-2009 work with music and lyrics by Adam Gwon.

Katie Fee Releases New Single HAVENT EVEN POURED THE WHISKEY Photo
Country music singer/songwriter and recording artist Katie Fee has released her new single 'Haven't Even Poured the Whiskey' (co-written with Sammy Kay and Paige King Johnson).


From This Author - Jeffrey Ellis

Jeffrey Ellis is a Nashville-based writer, editor and critic, who's been covering the performing arts in Tennessee for more than 35 years. In 1989, Ellis and his partner l... (read more about this author)


Review: Presented in the Perfect Setting, Studio Tenn's SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN Will Revive Your SpiritReview: Presented in the Perfect Setting, Studio Tenn's SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN Will Revive Your Spirit
March 29, 2023

It was in Fall 1995 that I first was introduced to the gospel singing Sanders Family of “up near Siler City, North Carolina,” in a production of Smoke on the Mountain at Nashville's venerable Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre. In 2023, the family returns again, as if by magic or perhaps accompanied by flights of angels, in a warmly nostalgic, sweetly sentimental and altogether lovely production from Studio Tenn -- playing through April 2 -- at the historic sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church in downtown Franklin, which stands in quite nicely for the First Baptist Church of Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, on a Saturday night in 1938.

BWW Review: Street Theater Company's ORDINARY DAYS Ushers In New Barbershop Theatre Residency in Extraordinary WaysBWW Review: Street Theater Company's ORDINARY DAYS Ushers In New Barbershop Theatre Residency in Extraordinary Ways
March 27, 2023

Street Theatre Company makes its long awaited and eagerly anticipated debut as a resident company at Nashville’s Barbershop Theatre with its thoroughly entertaining production of Ordinary Days, the sung-through 2008-2009 work with music and lyrics by Adam Gwon.

The Friday 5(+1) on Wednesday: The Cast of Street Theatre Company's ORDINARY DAYSThe Friday 5(+1) on Wednesday: The Cast of Street Theatre Company's ORDINARY DAYS
March 15, 2023

Nashville's Street Theatre Company begins its residency at The Barbershop Theatre this weekend with their production of Ordinary Days, running March 17-April 1. Today, the musical's four castmembers - Angela Madaline-Johnson, Sachiko Nicholson, Grant Weathington and Alan Smith - take on our Friday 5(+1) questions to offer you some insight and to tell you why they think you should come see their show.

Review: BUMT's Sparkling and Sophisticated THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND Is Gone Too SoonReview: BUMT's Sparkling and Sophisticated THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND Is Gone Too Soon
February 22, 2023

Sometimes, even imperceptibly and when you least expect it, you may find yourself in search of something that helps to take you away from the rigors of the real world, to transport you to a long-dreamed-of land of fantasy which exists in your heart of hearts. Perhaps that journey is spurred on by a passing thought, a barely realized memory of something lost long ago to the past, or you hear a snippet of a song, a melody that instantly makes your heart fill with emotion, and you are swept away…

Review: The Queens of SIX The Musical Enchant Their Nashville Audience On Opening NightReview: The Queens of SIX The Musical Enchant Their Nashville Audience On Opening Night
February 22, 2023

Make no mistake about it: SIX, the Tony Award-winning musical about six women historically tethered to one another by a common – but not “a commoner” – ex-husband, is raucously funny one moment, remarkably heartfelt the next, with plenty of history punctuating the moments in between. SIX, the high-spirited and energetic take on the lives of Henry VIII’s half-dozen wives, is also totally unlike any musical theater offering that has come before it.