Intiman Theatre Formalizes the Transition of Its Artistic Leadership

Bartlett Sher Named Artistic Director Emeritus as Kate Whoriskey Becomes Sole Artistic Director

SEATTLE— Intiman Theatre Board President Kim A. Anderson announces that Intiman is formally accelerating the timeline for its artistic leadership transition and has named Bartlett Sher the Artistic Director Emeritus and Kate Whoriskey the theatre’s sole Artistic Director.

In June 2009, Intiman announced a multi-year transition for the theatre, with Mr. Sher and Ms. Whoriskey sharing artistic leadership for the 2010 Season and the formal succession occurring in 2011. The two have worked together over the past several months on artistic programming and season planning, with the final selection of plays for this year determined by Ms. Whoriskey.

“I am very excited for this season,” says Ms. Whoriskey. “The work that we are doing is designed to carry on Bart’s legacy and simultaneously signal new directions for Intiman. I am very committed to working with Intiman’s Board and staff to promote new and diverse voices, and to finding unique opportunities for us to tell stories that connect us to Seattle ’s natural instinct to be intellectually questioning and adventurous. And I am looking forward to re-engaging with Intiman’s audiences, who are smart, curious and among the best I have encountered working in theatres across the country.”

“All of us at Intiman are thrilled with the success of this leadership succession,” says Board President Anderson. “The Intiman Board began discussing the advantages and challenges of a traditional search process versus a more organic transition nearly two years ago, with the intent of supporting Intiman’s stability and continued growth. Working with Kate over the past months has affirmed for us that that we are ready now to move forward with her vision for the theatre as the sole Artistic Director. We are also delighted to continue our relationship with Bart and overjoyed that he is continuing his relationship with us as Artistic Director Emeritus.”

Intiman’s core commitment is to make theatre that is relevant to our time. It is celebrated as an activist theatre that produces ambitious and exciting productions of classics and new plays. Through its work on stage, innovative community engagement programs and a statewide arts education program, Intiman fosters conversation and debate among its audiences, students and people with limited access to the arts. Guided by the vision of Artistic Director Kate Whoriskey and Managing Director BrianColburn, Intiman supports the development of new works, interdisciplinary and international collaborations, and diverse voices. Founded in 1972, Intiman was awarded the 2006 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre.