Sharon Ott, MFA has been announced as the new Chair of TheatreVCU.

 

She began her 25-year career in theater in Milwaukee with the experimental theater ensemble, Theatre X. She shared an Obie award for their production of A Fierce Longing.

 

She later served as resident director at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, where she directed the world premiere of Amlin Gray’s Obie award winning, How I Got That Story.

 

She became Artistic Director of Berkeley Repertory Theater in 1984 and built that company into a major national institution. It was recognized in 1997 with a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater.

 

As the Artistic Director of Seattle Repertory Theatre, she oversaw the completion of a 15-million-dollar endowment.

 

She is currently an Associate Professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design and serves as the Artistic Director for the performing arts department.

 

Ott has directed in theaters across the country, including the Mark Taper Forum, Arena Stage, La Jolla Playhouse, Manhattan Theatre Club, The Public Theater, Playwrights Horizons and many others.

 

Start starts at VCU in the Fall.

 

In related news, they’ve announced their season for 2017-2018, which features 4 shows with women in pivotal roles. Is this coincidence or a tribute to Ms. Orr?

 

Boy Gets Girl: A thriller about a couple that has an ill-fated blind date, but the relationship doesn’t end there.

 

Legally Blonde, the Musical: Based on the movie hit. Choreographed and directed by Patti D’Beck

 

Top Girls: About a career-driven woman’s drive for success.

 

Blues for Mister Charlie: The James Baldwin classic about the murder of Emmiett Till. It’s co-produced with UR and will involve the community.

 

Into the Woods: The Sondheim favorite choreographed and directed by Kikau Alvaro.

 

Alvaro just mounted his first show for the department, Spamalot. I saw it last weekend and it’s a rollicking delight. The young cast is uniformly entertaining. They captured the dry British delivery of Monty Python’s style with assurance and aplomb. It runs thru this weekend, so get tix if you can.