Oscar and Peabody Award Winner Will Lead Esteemed Theater
By Dolores Quintana
Tarell Alvin McCraney, renowned for his Academy Award-winning work on “Moonlight” and his Peabody Award-winning series “David Makes Man,” has been appointed as the new Artistic Director of Geffen Playhouse, as announced today by the theater’s Board of Directors. Effective immediately, McCraney assumes his role and will embark on crafting the 2024/2025 season, working closely with the theater’s board.
In his capacity as Artistic Director, McCraney will curate a compelling repertoire of new productions and reimagine classics, emphasizing innovative storytelling, community engagement, and audience interaction. He will chart the artistic direction for the Geffen’s Gil Cates and Audrey Skirball Kenis Theaters while providing leadership to the theater’s artistic and production teams.
Adi Greenberg, Chair of the Board of Directors, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, saying, “We are thrilled to have Tarell Alvin McCraney join the Geffen Playhouse family as our new artistic director. As an award-winning writer, producer, and educator, he is a force of creativity uniquely suited to lead our theater’s artistic vision. Alongside Gil Cates, Jr., they form a powerhouse team that will embrace industry evolution, make bold, innovative choices, and position Geffen Playhouse for a promising future.”
Geffen Playhouse Executive Director/CEO Gil Cates, Jr. remarked, “I am delighted to welcome and partner with Tarell. From ‘Choir Boy’ to the Cast Iron residency, and now as our new artistic director, Tarell has come full circle with the Geffen, and we couldn’t be more excited. First and foremost, he is an exceptional artist and storyteller, a true visionary with extraordinary ideas for where we can go as a theater, as a home for artists, and as part of the cultural landscape in Los Angeles.”
McCraney’s formal connection with Geffen Playhouse began in 2014 when his critically acclaimed play “Choir Boy” made its West Coast debut at Geffen’s Gil Cates Theater. Since then, he has been integral to the theater’s Cast Iron Entertainment residency program alongside artists like Sterling K. Brown, Glenn Davis, Brian Tyree Henry, Jon Michael Hill, and André Holland.
McCraney stated, “It’s an honor to take on the mantle of artistic leadership at Geffen Playhouse. My connection to the Geffen began with an introduction via the Lower Depths Theater Ensemble in 2012. It continued through a production of ‘Choir Boy’ and into a residency with Cast Iron Entertainment.”
He continues, “I see my role as continuing a legacy of exceptional artistry, reinvesting in the Geffen’s unique capability to nurture and support artists, building upon collaborative partnerships, including with UCLA, and reaching audiences that we share a community with across Los Angeles. I am excited to foster intimate innovation in performance, digging deep into our collective need for live connection here at Geffen Playhouse.”
Tarell Alvin McCraney, a Miami native and a distinguished writer, producer, and educator, is best known for his celebrated trilogy, “The Brother/Sister Plays.” His script for “Moonlight,” which he co-wrote with Barry Jenkins, served as the foundation for the Academy Award-winning film. McCraney holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Warwick and is associated with renowned institutions like the Royal Shakespeare Company, London, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
