WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Welders has named Gwydion Suilebhan as its  next artistic director; he will succeed Renee Calarco. The playwrights’ collective transitions the artistic directorship so that each member playwright has the opportunity to lead. As the last founding member to take his turn as artistic director, Suilebhan will serve in the role until mid-2016, before the Welders plan to hand over the company to a new generation of theatre artists.

During his time in the position, Suilebhan will write and perform Transmission (May 2016), a performance essay about the viral evolution of culture spanning from the radio age to the present.

“When we began the company three years ago, 2016 seemed like the distant future,” Suilebhan said in a statement. “As the last artistic director for ‘Welders Originals,’ I’m ready to make the most of my tenure—and I’m looking forward to shaping Transmission with my Welders comrades.”