Building a Legacy

Theater fund and memorial concert set to honor late Dallas composer

Donald Fowler unexpectedly passed away in May.

Photo by Mei-Chun Jau

The Dallas arts community lost Donald Fowler in an unexpected accident in May, but now several plans are in place to honor the late actor, composer, playwright, and former director of retail at the Nasher Sculpture Center.

Christened the Donald Fowler Theater Arts Memorial Fund, it will provide annual support in the form of seed grants to artists living in Dallas-Fort Worth, supporting their creation of new works of theater. The grants will assist with early costs of creation for individual artists whose work-in-progress is not yet financially supported by a theater or presenter.

An online campaign for additional gifts to the fund, which has its home at The Dallas Foundation, is open through Fowler's November 13 birthday.

"During the years leading to the premiere of Donald's musical Creep, and as he worked on his new piece Oregon, we talked about the financial challenges playwrights and composers face, particularly prior to obtaining a production agreement with a theater," says Fowler's friend Nick Even in a release. "I suggested the creation of this fund to Donald's family and they agreed it was a very appropriate way to honor him."

"We are grateful that The Dallas Foundation quickly stepped in to provide a home for this fund, assuring that gifts in Donald's memory are directed to a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable institution," says Lynn McBee. "Donors will become part of his ongoing legacy in Dallas."

In January 2021, the fund will open the application process for its first grant cycle, which it expects to award in May 2021.

The inaugural grant presentation will be made at a memorial celebration and concert honoring Fowler's two decades of theatrical work in DFW, scheduled for Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Theater Three.

The concert will be free and open to the public and will feature performances by Fowler's friends from the theater community, including the first public performance of a selection from Oregon, the musical Fowler was composing at the time of his death.

WaterTower Theatre will later conduct a workshop of Oregon, which will culminate in the first public reading of the completed show in July 2021, with invited audience, if possible.

Singer/actress and close friend of Donald's, Patty Breckenridge, says, "Donald was loved by so many people from so many different sectors of life: theater, art, design. After his passing, it was very difficult not being able to have everyone at his memorial. This concert, which will include many people he loved and admired, is the perfect way to celebrate his life and the impact he had on so many lives."

Additional details regarding the May 8 memorial celebration will be shared in the spring.

More information about the Donald Fowler Theater Arts Memorial Fund, including how to donate and how to apply for a grant, may be found on the fund's website.

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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.

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