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21 Practical Tips for New Artistic Directors From Cincinnati Playhouse Leader

The producing artistic director of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park shares leadership advice, offering 21 practical tips for those new to the role.

American Theatre·May 14, 2026·via American Theatre

21 Practical Tips for New Artistic Directors From Cincinnati Playhouse Leader

Opinion

May 14, 2026 Blake Robison Leave a comment

21 Practical Tips for New Artistic Directors

Leadership advice from the producing artsitic director of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

By Blake Robison

There is currently a generational change in our field , as long-time artistic directors retire, paving the way for fresh energy and new ideas.

But stepping into an institutional role is no easy task. It requires a particular skill set to chart a new course while keeping your theatre viable. Alas, there’s no formal training for artistic directors. Many years ago, TCG ran a “boot camp” to help new ADs get their bearings. I never did that. And it’s long gone anyway. Must of us learn as we go.

I hear from new artistic directors regularly, eager to make an impact now that they’re in the driver’s seat. I chat with the old-timers too. “Someone should tell them!” they often say, as they watch the newbies begin their institutional journeys. So I started writing it down.

Advice is cheap, and everyone has an opinion. But I stand by these lessons I’ve learned running theatres for the past 30 years. Take what is useful and discard the rest.

Here are my 21 practical tips for new artistic directors:

- Focus on the things that only you can do. Delegate the rest.

- At some point, you’ll be asked to articulate your vision. Have one.

- Balance is necessary. Push too hard in any single direction, and the boat will capsize.

- Raising money is your responsibility, no matter what the org chart says.

- Learn to read a balance sheet. Speak up at finance committee meetings. The board needs to see that you get it.

- Eventually, someone will ask, “How was the play?” and you will say, “Great! It made 110 percent of goal.” Stop it! That wasn’t the question.

- Surround yourself with artists who are different from you.

- Hire actors who can fill a big space—even if you’re in a small space.

- Avoid directors who just want to get the play to New York. Your audience comes first.

- Note sessions with guest directors should only take a few minutes. Be judicious.

- Did the production work? The audience decides.

- Don’t direct more than two shows in a season or everything else will suffer.

- When you are directing, you still have to do the rest of your job. All of it.

- Co-productions only work when both theatres have similar stages, budgets, and taste.

- Don’t demonize your board. They are the solution, not the problem.

- Strategic planning is tedious but important.

- Humility builds trust. Deliver bad news immediately. Ask for help when you need it.

- Learn HR now. Or learn it the hard way later.

- People will text you at 5:30 a.m. and at midnight. That’s part of the job.

- You can’t hit a home run every time, but you gotta hit doubles and triples regularly. Three strikes and you’re out.

- You get hired for your résumé and fired over money.

Blake Robison has been producing artistic director of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park since 2012. Before that, he was artistic director Round House Theatre in Bethesda, Maryland.