Season Announcement

Dallas' Second Thought Theatre returns to stage and screen with 2021 season

Kat Lozano in a developmental Zoom reading of Libra Season.

Photo courtesy of Second Thought Theatre

While COVID-19 scuppered what would have been her first season as Second Thought Theatre's new artistic director, Carson McCain now gets a do-over with the 2021 season — and she's making it count.

It includes three new plays, two of which are world premieres by women. One might even be a little familiar to audiences that followed along with STT's S.T.E.P. (Second Thought Emerging Playwrights) program.

"These plays are about the tension between what we want and what we have," says McCain. "They all share that deep pain that unites us; the pain of knowing where we want to be, and not being there yet. Together, we will breathe again, through the pain we’ve experienced in this last year. This season, we will ask ourselves what price we are willing to pay for our jobs, our art, our relationships? What should it cost us to live a life we enjoy? And is the price ever too high?"

The season begins with Goat Song, a play that investigates how art made for one time can be enjoyed in another. Specifically written for the pandemic, playwright Matt Harmon asks audiences to consider whether it is fair to ask artists to revisit their pain each time they perform. Caroline Hamilton makes her professional directorial debut, with STT director of operations Drew Wall in the cast. Goat Song will be a filmed and virtually streamed production, running July 2-17, 2021.

Next up is Libra Season by award-winning playwright and actor E.E. Adams. This history play for and about 2020 was commissioned and developed under Second Thought's S.T.E.P. program earlier this year, and is intended for live productions over Zoom. The play explores the shifting foundation of American culture, asking what we, and more specifically black women, have to sacrifice. Tiana Kaye Blair directs (she also directed the S.T.E.P. development readings). It will be presented in late summer 2021.

Finally, Second Thought anticipates a return to in-person theater with the world premiere of Sweetpea by Janielle Kastner, which was postponed from the 2020 season. Sweetpea explores the (im)possibility of sharing space — a theme that has become even more relevant in the last year. McCain directs this new work by a local DFW playwright, which will run in late 2021 in Bryant Hall.

All unused STT 2020 subscription tickets will be eligible for use during STT’s 2021 season.

To purchase season subscriptions now and single tickets for Goat Song (specific production dates for Libra Season and Sweetpea will be announced at a later date), visit www.secondthoughttheatre.com, email info@secondthoughttheatre.com, or call/text 214-897-3091.

theater

A Familiar Face

Dallas Theater Center names Jaime Castañeda as new artistic director

Photo courtesy of Dallas Theater Center

Jaime Castañeda is the Tony-winning theater's new artistic director.

The Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center has found its next artistic director: Jaime Castañeda, who has a long history with both DTC and North Texas, will become the regional theater's sixth artistic director beginning July 2026. The 2026-27 season will be the first chosen by him.

Jonathan Norton, DTC’s resident playwright, is currently serving as interim artistic director and will continue to lead the remainder of the 2025-26 season, which culminates in the world premiere of his play Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem in May.

“DTC is committed to artistic excellence and community engagement, and we believe Jaime’s experience, creativity, bold vision, and proven leadership, coupled with his dedication to innovation, will guide DTC into an exciting new chapter in the life of the theater," says board chair Lynn Pride Richardson in a release.

In 2012, Castañeda directed DTC’s production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz. But he began his career more than 20 years ago in Dallas-Fort Worth by founding Firestarter Productions while still attending Texas Christian University. In addition to directing at DTC, other local theater credits include Kitchen Dog Theater, Amphibian Stage, and Circle Theatre. Castañeda is a recipient of the Princess Grace Award, the Drama League Directing Fellowship, and holds a BFA from Texas Christian University and an MFA in Directing from University of Texas at Austin.

Most recently, Castañeda directed at such leading theaters across the country as American Conservatory Theater, South Coast Repertory, Huntington Theatre Company, and La Jolla Playhouse, where he previously served as associate artistic director from 2014-2018. He was also artistic associate at Off-Broadway's Atlantic Theater Company from 2009-2014.

"Jaime brings a bold, visceral artistic vision, a deep commitment to new voices, and a collaborative leadership style that inspires artists and audiences alike,” says DTC executive director Kevin Moriarty. “With his Texas roots and national experience, I am thrilled to welcome him home as DTC’s new Enloe/Rose artistic director. I have known and admired his work since 2007, when he was already one of the most exciting emerging directors in North Texas, and I later saw him create unforgettable work for DTC on the Wyly stage and at leading theaters nationwide.”

As artistic director, Castañeda will lead the theater’s artistic vision, direct and produce plays and musicals, oversee DTC’s Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company, and partner with Moriarty, the staff, and the board of trustees to advance DTC’s mission, vision, and values.

Castañeda joins a distinguished line of artistic leadership at Dallas Theater Center, including founding artistic director Paul Baker, Adrian Hall, Ken Bryant, Richard Hamburger, and Moriarty, who served as artistic director from 2007-2022.

“We are extremely pleased with a successful national search that brings Jaime to Dallas Theater Center,” says DTC board member Chris Luna. “His energy is contagious and he understands Texas and Dallas. We look forward to collaborating with Jaime as he continues his innovative approach to regional theater.”

Castañeda was selected for the role following a national search led by Management Consultants for the Arts. The search committee was co-chaired by Luna and Richardson, and included Moriarty, Norton, Jennifer Altabef, Diane Brierley, Lauren Embrey, Sam Holland (Dean, SMU Meadows School of the Arts), Sharron Hunt, Randy Kender, Julie Kosnik, Deborah McMurray, Sam Megally, Liz Mikel (DTC Brierley Resident Acting Company member), Andy Smith, Lily Weiss (executive director, Dallas Arts District) and Donna Wilhelm.

“Growing up in Texas, Dallas Theater Center was one of the first places where I saw what professional theater and excellence looked like,” Castañeda says. “I’m thrilled to come back and build on the history of artists and leaders who have been a part of this organization. I’m eager to join Kevin, the board, and our staff to create lasting theatrical experiences for our audiences.”

Dallas Theater Center's current production of A Christmas Carol runs through December 27 at the Wyly Theatre.

dallas theater center jaime castañeda kevin moriarty theater