U.S. Theatre Leadership Shuffles: Renaissance Theaterworks, Old Globe, and Others See New Faces

Clockwise from top left: Trish Santini, new managing director of the Old Globe; Tony F. Sias, new artistic director of Karamu House; Emily Trask, new artistic director of Renaissance Theaterworks; and Kelsey Mesa, new artistic director of Trustus Theatre.

Entrances & Exits

May 15, 2026 American Theatre Editors Leave a comment

Leadership Changes at Renaissance Theaterworks, Old Globe, and More

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

By American Theatre Editors

MILWAUKEE: Renaissance Theaterworks (RTW) has announced Emily Trask as its new artistic director, effective July 13. Trask succeeds longtime artistic director Suzan Fete , whose 33-year tenure shaped RTW into a vital force in Milwaukee’s cultural landscape and a nationally recognized leader in advancing women’s voices onstage and off. Trask joins RTW from Pacific Conservatory Theatre , where she served as associate artistic director and founded the InterPlay Reading Series to amplify women writers and underrepresented voices. A director, actor, dramaturg, and arts leader, she is known for fostering collaborative, artist-centered environments and aligning community engagement with ambitious programming. Trask is a Wisconsin native who grew up in Manitowoc and began her professional career in Milwaukee with Renaissance Theaterworks, Next Act Theatre , Milwaukee Chamber Theatre , and Milwaukee Repertory Theater , where she appeared in more than a dozen productions. As artistic director, Trask will curate RTW’s artistic vision and programming, including season selection, production leadership, and new play development initiatives such as the Br!NK New Play Festival . She will help guide the company’s strategic direction and deepen its engagement with artists and audiences across the region.

SAN DIEGO, CALIF.: The Old Globe has announced Trish Santini as its new managing director, succeeding Timothy J. Shields , who is retiring. A nationally respected arts leader and producer, Santini will work together with artistic director Barry Edelstein to lead the San Diego institution starting July 1. Santini is a co-founder of Empire Training Center for the Arts (ETCA), a nonprofit workforce development initiative that trains technical and administrative performing arts professionals for careers that do not require a college degree. From 2016 to 2023, Santini served as the inaugural executive director of Little Island in New York City, where she led the launch of the $250 million public park and performance venue. Prior to that, she was the external relations director at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis for nine years, overseeing marketing and communications, visitor services, education, retail, and events, and later served as senior producer for productions and fundraising galas. Her previous experience includes leadership roles at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, TMG–The Marketing Group and Dodger Theatricals in NYC, and several projects as an independent producer.

CLEVELAND: Karamu House , the nation’s oldest Black producing theatre, has announced that current president and CEO Tony F. Sias will step into the role of artistic director, returning to the creative work that has long been at the heart of his career, while Aseelah Shareef will serve as interim president and CEO as the board conducts a national search for the organization’s next chief executive. Sias’s goals include honoring and advancing the theatrical qualities that have set Karamu House apart; creating a pipeline for new and emerging creative artists, playwrights, and theatre technicians; and reimagining arts education for lifelong learners. Sias and Shareef joined the theatre 10 years ago. In addition to her leadership experience, Shareef brings a deep background as a performer, educator, and cultural arts leader, ensuring steady guidance for Karamu House during this transition. The board’s search committee has begun its work, including securing an outside consultant to help lead the national search to identify a strategic leader to carry Karamu House into its next era.

COLUMBIA, S.C.: Trustus Theatre has announced that director, playwright, and administrator Kelsey Mesa has been selected as the organization’s newest executive artistic director, replacing former director Jessica Fichter , who stepped down to take on a new role at the Nashville Repertory Theatre . Mesa took over the role on April 27. She hopes to facilitate outreach within the Columbia community, maintain Trustus’ focus on equity, and continue the theatre’s growth. Mesa’s previous full-time role was at the Kennedy Center , where she managed the American College Theatre Festival for 17 years . She started working at the Kennedy Center immediately after graduating from Northwestern. As she planned her exit from the institution during this fraught period, Dewey Scott-Wiley, a longtime member of Trustus and an ACTF leader, encouraged Mesa to apply for the executive director position at a February conference. As Trustus’ executive artistic director, Mesa plans to prioritize Trustus’ equity action plan , which outlines steps toward more intentionality in the theatre’s relationships with its art, artists, and community.

HILLSBORO, ORE.: Native Performing Arts Network has chosen Kiana Younker as its first artistic director fellow. A descendant of Kitzn Jin jn Ghallahd-a-lu’ee (Miluk Coos) and Gishgiu (Upper Coquille), Younker is a citizen of the Coquille Indian Tribe, one of 10 federally recognized Tribal Nations in the state of Oregon. In addition to studying and pursuing arts management, Younker is a performer whose artistic practice includes dance and choreography. The one-year fellowship is part of NPAN’s commitment to leadership development. Younker will work closely with artistic director Jeanette Harrison and take on leadership roles throughout the season. For this year’s National Day of Theater Readings for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives on May 5, Younker served as lead producer for a panel of MMIWR experts, recorded and distributed to theatres nationwide. Younker will also serve as line producer for NPAN’s co-production of Antíkoni by Beth Piatote (June 4-21 at Bag&Baggage), and, as part of next season’s programming, she will take the lead on planning an Indigiqueer theatre festival for 2027.

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Aseelah Shareef Emily Trask Jessica Fichter Karamu House Kelsey Mesa Kiana Younker Native Performing Arts Network Old Globe Renaissance TheaterWorks Suzan Fete Timothy J. Shields Tony F. Sias Trish Santini Trustus Theatre

_Originally reported by [American Theatre](https://www.americantheatre.org/2026/05/15/leadership-changes-at-renaissance-theaterworks-old-globe-and-more/)._