NEW YORK CITY: Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) has announced Chris Berry as its new managing director. An artist, educator, and arts leader, Berry joins CTH’s executive team at a moment of growth, as the organization aims to advance its “vision of becoming the next great American theatre company, rooted in Harlem and reflective of the African diaspora,” said the company in a statement. Berry brings more than a decade of leadership experience across nonprofit theatre, arts education, and national cultural organizations. Most recently, he served as executive director of the Playwrights Realm, where he led strategic growth initiatives and strengthened the organization’s artistic and institutional infrastructure. He also served as arts director at the Penumbra Center for Racial Healing, president and national conference planner of the Black Theatre Network, and director of education and humanities as well as program director of the Black Arts Institute at the Billie Holiday Theatre. As an educator, he has served as assistant professor of theatre at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Florida A&M University. Berry received his BFA in acting from North Carolina A&T State University and his MFA in acting from Brown University/Trinity Rep. As a dialect coach, he contributed to Signature Theatre’s production of The Hot Wing King and the television series P-Valley.
PHOENIX: Childsplay has named TYA theatre leader Anthony Runfola as its new artistic director after a nationwide search. He will be the company’s third artistic director, succeeding Dwayne Hartford and founder David Saar, and will begin his tenure on June 1. Runfola began his career at Childsplay, and returns to the company after serving as artistic director of Magik Theatre from 2019 to 2025. Previously at Childsplay, he spent two decades as the director of production, among other positions. He oversaw over 150 productions, contributed to new play development (including Tomás and the Library Lady and The Sun Serpent), directed national tours of Rock the Presidents and Schoolhouse Rock Live!, and helped shape Childsplay’s ensemble culture through significant periods of organizational growth. At Magik Theatre, Runfola led the company in inclusive, socially relevant storytelling through new play development and community partnerships. He commissioned and directed the world premieres of Lyric and the Keys and Eddie & Vinnie, and directed productions including ¡Lotería: Game On!, The Lightning Thief, and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. Under his leadership, Magik Theatre was named “Best Theatre” by the San Antonio Current from 2022 to 2024. Runfola will oversee Childsplay’s artistic programming with managing director Steve Martin. Responsibilities include developing new productions, strengthening relationships with artists and the community, and advancing the company’s commitment to education, access, and equity.
PASADENA, CALIF.: A Noise Within has announced that the company’s current general manager, Conner Criswell, will be its new managing director. He succeeds Douglas Love-Ramos, who also came to A Noise Within from Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Criswell holds an MA from the University of Denver in art and culture management and a BA in theatre arts from the University of Oregon. Prior to joining A Noise Within, he served as executive associate and rental manager at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. His background includes producing and managing live events, contract negotiation, marketing, sales, and fundraising. He has an extensive guest service background, having worked in several roles at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Back home in Eugene, Oregon, Criswell also worked with the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts and Upstart Crow Studios.
PORTLAND, ORE.: Portland Center Stage at The Armory has announced that Heather de Michele is its new managing director, effective April 6. She succeeds Liam Kaas-Lentz, who worked at Portland Center Stage for over a decade prior to becoming managing director in 2023. A seasoned arts administrator with experience at Live Wire Radio, The Groundlings Theatre and School, and American Girl Theatre, de Michele will oversee strategic, financial, and operational leadership as the company enters its next phase of growth. de Michele is a theatre artist-turned-nonprofit arts leader with over 15 years of experience driving organizational growth, community partnerships, and advancing equity in the arts. She spent six years as executive director of Live Wire Radio, where she led donor stewardship and fundraising campaigns, built deep ties across the Portland arts community, and championed the organization’s mission to amplify underrepresented voices to a national audience. Previously, for over a decade, she was the managing director of The Groundlings Theatre and School in Los Angeles, where she significantly grew the organization’s patron base and student enrollment and developed a nationally recognized diversity, equity, and inclusion program in partnership with NBC Universal that provided scholarships to hundreds of students annually.
