LENOX, MASS.: WAM Theatre has named Genée Coreno their new artistic director. Coreno succeeds co-founding producing artistic director Kristen van Ginhoven.

“After a comprehensive nationwide search, we are beyond excited to have Genée Coreno join us as WAM’s new artistic director,” WAM Theatre board of trustees president Toni Buckley said in a statement. “Genée is a cutting-edge, multi-disciplinary theatre artist and producer with a life-long commitment to activism and a deep connection to our mission of gender equality. We’re thrilled she’s making WAM her home.”

Coreno is a director and arts administrator with over a decade of professional experience. She recently spent over four years in development and operations with the maternal health organization Every Mother Counts. She previously served as a company manager at the Public Theater and Big Dance Theater and was an artistic associate at Ripe Time. She worked in marketing at Third Rail Projects and founded the theatre company Fringe and Fur. Coreno holds an MA in performance studies from New York University and a BA in drama from SUNY Purchase.

“It is my honor to be the next artistic director of WAM Theatre,” Coreno said in a statement. “WAM was founded with the aim to invite artists and audiences to end the oppression of girls and women — inspiring a fairer and freer world through pertinent theatremaking and storytelling. As WAM’s next artistic director, I look forward to continuing Kristen’s vision and co-generating an ecosystem where bold, rigorous, women-centered work will flourish.”

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to pass the baton to Genée as WAM’s next artistic director,” van Ginhoven said in a statement. “I am incredibly excited for the fresh energy and vision Genée will contribute to WAM and I look forward to welcoming her and her family to the Berkshires.”

Buckley led the search for van Ginhoven’s replacement along with other board members, managing director Molly Merrihew, and associate artistic director Talya Kingston. Coreno comes to WAM as they prepare to celebrate their 15th season.

WAM Theatre is a professional theatre company based in Berkshire County, Mass., that operates at the intersection of arts and activism. Now celebrating its 15th anniversary season, WAM creates theatre for gender equity and has a vision of theatre as philanthropy. As of 2022, the theatre had a budget of approximately $490,000.