ATLANTA: Alliance Theatre has announced that Brandon Kahn will be its new managing director, beginning Aug. 1. Kahn steps into the position previously held by Mike Schleifer for 11 years, who announced his departure in March to become Lincoln Center Theater’s managing director. He will serve alongside artistic directors Christopher Moses and Tinashe Kajese-Bolden.
“Being named the next managing director of the Alliance Theatre is truly a dream come true,” said Kahn in a statement. “I’m humbled and honored to step into this role in partnership with Christopher and Tinashe, two of the most visionary artistic directors working today…With its rich history as a national leader in American theatre, the Alliance is uniquely positioned to shape the future of the field. I look forward to collaborating with the dedicated staff, board, Woodruff Arts Center, and the vibrant Atlanta community, to ensure the Alliance continues to thrive and inspire for generations to come.”
Kahn has more than two decades of theatre management experience in company leadership and stage management. He has played key parts in developing world premiere works that transferred to Broadway and beyond. Since 2018, Kahn has served as the general manager of Houston’s Alley Theatre, where he focused on improving operational systems to enhance the workplace environment. He was instrumental in multiple transfer productions, including Born With Teeth, which runs in the West End this fall, the multi-city co-production of Cambodian Rock Band, and the recently announced Off-Broadway transfers of Thornton Wilder’s The Emporium and Torera.
Prior to the Alley, Kahn worked with the Williamstown Theatre Festival for six seasons as producing manager, associate line producer, and resident production stage manager. During his time at Williamstown, three productions moved to major New York City nonprofits, including Martyna Majok’s Pulitzer-winning play Cost of Living, and five productions transitioned to Broadway. Kahn worked as a freelance stage manager for 10 years, on five Broadway shows, six Off-Broadway shows, and many regional productions. He is the board secretary for the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and has served on multiple committees and as a mentor in the LORT EDI Mentorship Program.
“We cannot wait to welcome Brandon to Atlanta and to the Alliance Theatre,” said artistic directors Kajese-Bolden and Moses in a joint statement. “He brings not only a depth of professional experience to the job, but a genuine and enthusiastic belief in our particular mission and community. His expertise and aspirational outlook are the perfect match for the Alliance and this city, as we continue to imagine bold new ways to grow our impact both here at home and on the national stage.”
The Alliance’s national executive search was led by Corps Team, with support from Woodruff Arts Center leadership and the Alliance board’s search committee. Kahn will relocate to Atlanta with his wife, Jennifer Kahn, founder of Scenery Bags, and their two sons, Hudson and Judah.
Founded in 1968, Alliance Theatre is the leading producing theatre in the Southeast, reaching more than 165,000 patrons annually. The theatre values community, curiosity, collaboration, and excellence, and is dedicated to representing Atlanta’s diverse community. Alliance Theatre has a budget of $25 million.
