Crowded Fire Theater Announces Managing Director Transition

Crowded Fire Theater, one of the Bay Area's most innovative and critically acclaimed producers of new plays announces an upcoming change in leadership. Since 2007, Tiffany Cothran has has shepherded the organization through three Artistic Director transitions including, Kent Nicholson & Cassie Beck, Marissa Wolf, and Mina Morita. She will be stepping down this 2017 Season after 10 years of advancing the organization.

Under Cothran's leadership, Crowded Fire has grown significantly, moving from a 50K operational budget to 300K. Once a nomadic company, Crowded Fire now shares a three year rehearsal/office space lease with Golden Thread and is a resident company at Potrero Stage. The company gained recognition nationally for its artistic work and deepened its support for new play development through the formalization of The Matchbox: Commissioning and Development Program. Many playwrights forged their first productions with the organization under Cothran's support and are now recognized nationally as significant voices in a new generation of American theater. Her advocacy has made Crowded Fire an artistic home where early career professionals are welcomed and mentored by a Resident Artist company made up of lauded actors, designers, directors, and dramaturgs who share an experimental aesthetic and hunger for new avenues of artistic expression.

"I am incredibly proud of the growth we've accomplished in my tenure with Crowded Fire," said Cothran. "The company, a powerhouse for developing new and exciting work, is poised to continue that trajectory by deepening and strengthening our relationship with Bay Area artists and our loyal audience. Crowded Fire has been an amazing professional home for me--a place of personal growth and powerful friendships. As I look ahead at future opportunities for myself, I am equally excited for Crowded Fire's opportunity to seek new leadership. Change can be a very positive catalyst for growth, and the new Managing Director will find a company that is primed for that challenge!" Cothran is scheduled to depart this fall following the company's final production of the season, the world premiere of resident playwright Christopher Chen's A TALE OF AUTUMN.

"Tiffany has been a pillar of our organization, a closely held member of our creative family, and a friend," says Artistic Director Mina Morita. "Though we will miss her greatly, our staff, board, and Resident Artist company are thrilled that she is taking this opportune moment to explore new possibilities. Crowded Fire is experiencing tremendous growth and financial stability. It is a testament to her, after achieving and surpassing so many of the goals set 10 years ago, that she can transition us so considerately into new hands. From this foundation, Crowded Fire will continue to deepen and cultivate its civic leadership and artistic work as an essential new play organization. We wish Tiffany all the best and will continue to support her in her future endeavors."

Crowded Fire's board, staff, and Resident Artists are working together to hire a new Managing Director overlapping the final months of Cothran's tenure. In addition, Artistic Director Mina Morita will oversee operations with Stephanie Alyson Henderson, Production Manager, and Edith Borrebach, Director of Community Engagement.

The national search for a Managing Director is now posted on the Crowded Fire website and interested parties are welcome to apply here: http://www.crowdedfire.org/opportunities/