PlayMakers Artistic Director Honored By American Theatre

American Theatre magazine has named Joseph Haj, producing artistic director of PlayMakers Repertory Company, one of 25 theater artists who will have a significant impact on the American theater scene over the next quarter-century.

PlayMakers is the professional theater company in residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

In the magazine’s April 2009 issue, its 25th-anniversary edition, Haj will be among a select group of contributors to the article “An Eye on the Future: What Will the Next 25 Years Bring to American Theatre?”

As one of the 25 artists featured, Haj will be a guest of honor at a gala anniversary benefit for the magazine and its publisher, Theatre Communications Group, on April 20 in New York City.

The group is the national organization whose mission is to strengthen, nurture and promote professional, not-for-profit American theater. Over the last 45 years, it has grown into a network of more than 460 member theaters and more than 17,000 individuals nationwide. The group cultivates and celebrates artistic talent and achievement and promotes public understanding and appreciation of American theater.

“I am flattered by American Theatre magazine’s acknowledgement and recognition of the work we have done at PlayMakers,” Haj said. “This is an honor I share with my PlayMakers colleagues and with our audiences who teach us all we need to know. We’ve learned from them that making plays that are relevant and speak to the lives of those in our community is, and will be in the next 25 years, the fundamental goal of any successful theater.”

Haj, who received a master of fine arts degree from UNC in 1988, has led PlayMakers since July 2006, directing hit productions of “Pericles” and “Amadeus,” among other plays. He also is directing one of its current repertory plays, Lisa Kron’s “Well,” presented in rotating repertory with “The Glass Menagerie” through March 1.

Based in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences, PlayMakers is the Carolinas’ premiere resident professional theater company. For information about PlayMakers, call (919) 962-PLAY (7529) or visit www.playmakersrep.org.

Theatre Communications Group Web site: www.tcg.org

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