U.S. Theatre Leadership Shuffles at American Stage, GableStage, NEFA, and Others

Clockwise from top left: Helen R. Murray, former producing artistic director of American Stage; Karen Mueller, reitring managing director of History Theatre; Juan José Escalante, new executive director of GableStage; and Sara Nash, new executive director at New England Foundation for the Arts.

Entrances & Exits

June 17, 2026 American Theatre Editors Leave a comment

Leadership Changes at American Stage, GableStage, NEFA, and More

A roundup of comings and goings at the top of U.S. theatre institutions.

By American Theatre Editors

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF .: The Magic Theatre has appointed a new executive leadership team, a notable moment in the organization’s history. Sarah Nina Hayon will serve as the new artistic director, taking over from Sean San José , who has held the job since 2021. In addition to Hayon, Daniel Duque-Estrada will come on as the producing director, and Joan Osato will serve as director of sustainability and growth. San José will continue his position until the end of the July, at which point the new leadership team will assume their roles immediately. Existing projects already in development will proceed as planned, including new works from Home Resident Company Campo Santo.

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: American Stage Theatre Company has announced that producing artistic director Helen R. Murray will step down from her role, effective immediately. To support the transition, American Stage has engaged nationally respected theatre leader Stephanie Gularte, a former CEO/producing artistic director of American Stage, who will offer strategic counsel to staff, including interim artistic director Anthony Gervais, and board leadership to guide the organization through this next chapter. American Stage’s leadership and board are working closely together to ensure a seamless transition, and the upcoming season will move forward as planned.

ST. PAUL, MINN.: History Theatre has announced that after 16 years, Karen Mueller will retire as managing director as of June 30. Current development director Rob Thomas will be the organization’s next executive director, co-leading the organization with artistic director Laura Leffler. Mueller has served as the organization’s executive leader since 2010, guiding History Theatre through a period of growth and stability while advancing its mission to bring Minnesota’s stories to life onstage. Under her leadership, the organization expanded its reach throughout Minnesota, built a strong strategic reserve, which was essential during the pandemic and ensuing years, and deepened community partnerships. Thomas brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising. During his tenure, he was instrumental in establishing strong relationships with donors and securing essential support for the organization’s programming.

BOSTON: Following a national search, the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) has announced the appointment of Sara Nash as its inaugural chief impact officer. Nash joins NEFA’s executive team in driving the organization’s strategic plan implementation, evaluation, and storytelling across NEFA’s grantmaking programs and services, and work to reflect NEFA’s impact. She previously served as NEFA’s program director for dance for seven years, where she oversaw NEFA’s dance programs, including the National Dance Project, the development of the New England Dance Fund, and the Regional Dance Development Initiative in Chicago. Nash is a nationally recognized arts leader who brings more than two decades of national and international experience as a grantmaker, program director, producer, and organizational leader in both the nonprofit and government sectors. Throughout her career, Nash has championed artists, creative process, and equity, and as a disabled leader, has worked to increase access and investment in disabled artists. She most recently served as interim executive director at Dance/USA , where she stewarded the organization through a leadership transition. Nash was the National Endowment for the Arts ’ dance director from August 2018 through May 2025, where she led all aspects of the agency’s grantmaking and initiatives for the dance field.

CORAL GABLES, FLA.: GableStage has announced Juan José Escalante as its new executive director. He most recently served as executive director of Miami City Ballet , and will join producing artistic director Bari Newport in leadership. Escalante brings more than 30 years of experience in arts management to GableStage, with a career distinguished by financial leadership, institutional growth, and deep roots in the South Florida arts community. Prior to his tenure at Miami City Ballet, he served as executive director of the National Dance Institute , the celebrated arts education organization founded by Jacques d’Amboise that has worked with more than two million children through inclusive dance and music programs. Before that, he led the José Limón Dance Foundation as executive director for nine years, where he guided the organization’s fiscal health, cultivated its Board of Directors, and supported its artistic vision. Throughout his career, Escalante has been recognized for his ability to forge lasting relationships with donors, civic leaders, and community partners.

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American Stage Theatre Company Dance/USA GableStage Helen R. Murray History Theatre José Limón Dance Foundation Juan José Escalante Karen Mueller Miami City Ballet National Endowment for the Arts New England Foundation for the Arts Sara Nash

_Originally reported by [American Theatre](https://www.americantheatre.org/2026/06/17/leadership-changes-at-american-stage-gablestage-nefa-and-more/)._