Joel Bassin Named Producing Artistic Director of Firehouse Theatre

Firehouse Theatre has announced the appointment of Joel Bassin as Producing Artistic Director. He will take over leadership of the theatre at the end of Artistic Director Jase Smith's term in January 2015. Joel is the current Chair of Theatre at Hunter College in New York City. He has previously served as Managing Director of The Wooster Group, Producing Director of Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Company Manager of Mabou Mines, and a theatre producer working with many artists and arts organizations in New York City and around the world. Joel studied acting with William Esper and participated in directing workshops with Joseph Chaikin at Rutgers University, where he received his M.F.A. in Directing. He has directed and acted in new plays and musicals at theatres in Minnesota, Illinois, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York. "I'm thrilled to be joining Firehouse Theatre and working with the Richmond community to help lead the theatre towards its bright future," says Bassin on his appointment.

"We are excited to welcome Dr. Joel Bassin to the Firehouse family. Joel comes to us with an amazingly broad background in theatre, having worked across artistic, administrative, educational and technical areas. He is a collaborative, team-oriented leader who is ideally suited to lead Firehouse Theatre to continued success," says Jo Kennedy, Firehouse Theatre Board Chair. "Firehouse Theatre is deeply grateful to Jase Smith for all that he has done to strengthen the organization through this transitional period. His passion for Firehouse and his wonderfully creative spirit have been an inspiration to all of us. While we are sad that he will be leaving his position as Artistic Director, we are excited that he has begun a new chapter of his life on the West Coast, and we wish him well in his future endeavors. Regardless of where he resides and works, Jase will always be part of the Firehouse family."

Jase Smith began working with Firehouse as Artistic Associate in 2007 and was appointed Artistic Director in January 2013. Smith brought big musicals to Firehouse in Summer 2008 with the success of Reefer Madness: The Musical. As Artistic Director he has expanded Firehouse's musical programing to include holiday season offerings with The Wild Party in 2013 and A Civil War Christmas opening November 20th. He produced and directed Firehouse's top three grossing shows in its twenty-one year history; RENT, The Rocky Horror Show, and HAIR.

"I am so excited to see Firehouse continue to grow under Joel's leadership," says Smith. "I signed on as Artistic Director in the midst of a huge transition with the intention to stay on long enough to stabilize and strengthen the organization. In two years our staff, board, and the hundreds of artists who have worked on our shows have accomplished just that." Jase will continue his work as a theatre director and producer in San Francisco where he will join his husband Terence Sullivan who was appointed Executive Producer at West Studios, LLC.

Firehouse Theatre will celebrate the achievements of Artistic Director Jase Smith this Friday October 24th at its 21 and Legal Party. The evening will include small plates from local restaurants, wine and craft beer, live music and a live and silent auction. Tickets to the event can be purchased online at www.firehousetheatre.org or by calling the Firehouse box office at (804) 355-2001.

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