LOS ANGELES: The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (UCLA TFT) has named Brian Kite the interim dean. Kite, who currently serves as the special academic senior associate dean at the School and chair of the theatre department, will succeed Teri Schwartz Jan. 1, 2020.

“Chancellor Block and I appreciate Brian’s willingness to serve as interim dean, and we have every confidence in his ability to provide strong leadership and continuity for the school,” said Emily Carter, UCLA’s executive vice chancellor and provost, in a statement.

Kite previously served as the producing artistic director of La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts before joining the UCLA faculty as chair of the department of theatre in 2015. He received an Ovation Award for his direction of Spring Awakening at La Mirada, and has directed touring productions nationally and throughout China and Bermuda. Kite is currently the artistic director of Buffalo Nights Theatre Company and is a visiting professor at Shanghai Theatre Academy.