The Flea Welcomes Niegel Smith as New Artistic Director

The Flea Theater has selected Niegel Smith as its Artistic Director. Smith, a director and performance artist with extensive experience at the Public Theater and other venues, will assume the post on May 18. His appointment was announced by Founding Artistic Director Jim Simpson, Producing Director Carol Ostrow, and The Flea's Board of Directors.

Mr. Smith will lead The Flea during its final season of 2015 - 2016 in its current Tribeca premises, and in planning the inaugural season in The Flea's new three-theater performing arts complex at 20 Thomas Street, opening in the fall of 2016.

Niegel Smith was the associate director of the Tony Award winning musical FELA! - restaging that production in London, Lagos and its world tour, assistant directed the off-Broadway The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and both the Broadway and off-Broadway productions of Caroline, or Change. In addition to the Public Theater, Mr. Smith worked on the artistic staffs of Trinity Repertory Company and Providence Black Rep. He is a 35th Anniversary Artist-in Residence at Second Stage Theater, and serves as Associate Artistic Director of Elastic City. A graduate of Dartmouth College, he has received grants and fellowships from Theater Communications Group, the Van Lier Fund and the Tucker Foundation.

Carol Ostrow said, "Everyone in The Flea's extended family is excited and pleased that Niegel will lead our artistic efforts going forward. He stands out for his enormous generosity of spirit, his taste for bold and adventurous works, and his regard and inclusiveness of artists in all phases of their careers. The Flea has important work to do, and Niegel has the energy and passion to do it."

Niegel Smith commented, "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to lead The Flea in collaboration with Carol Ostrow, and to build upon Jim Simpson's legacy. We'll continue to support artists who create bold, innovative work that tests the bounds of theater. I hope to expand that tradition in our gorgeous new home by programming compelling new plays and presenting even more resident companies, performance artists, music-theater makers and immersive performances."

Jim Simpson, with others, founded The Flea in 1996 to "raise a joyful hell in a small space." He will continue his participation with The Flea in an advisory role. The Flea remains a greenhouse that nurtures the work of many notable playwrights, directors, composers and actors. Its ongoing commitment to The Flea's resident acting company, The Bats, provides a stream of learning opportunities for the next generation of theater professionals.

Playing currently at The Flea is the world premiere of the musical theater piece THE NOMAD by Elizabeth Swados and Erin Courtney and THE FEAST by newcomer Cory Finley. Tickets are available at www.theflea.org.

Photo by Zack DeZon

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