Happy Trails

Dallas Theater Center's managing director announces 2023 retirement

Dallas Theater Center just closed "Clue.

Photo by Karen Almond

Come April 2023, managing director Jeffrey Woodward will retire from Dallas Theater Center after almost eight years of leadership.

Woodward has worked in the American regional theater industry for over 40 years, with management positions at Syracuse Stage, the McCarter Theater Center, Hartford Stage, and the Mark Taper Forum.

He has served on the board of Theater Communications Group, taught at Syracuse University, produced three international exchanges with South African theater companies, and has also been a consultant to a number of organizations.

He currently is on the planning committee for the Nonprofit Professional Theater Alliance and a member of the executive committee for the Dallas Arts District. Two of the theaters he has managed have won the Regional Theater Tony Award: Dallas Theater Center in 2017 and the McCarter Theater Center in 1994.

"While I am retiring as a managing director,” Woodward says “I plan to remain active in the national and local nonprofit community with consulting projects."

Woodward has spearheaded a number of initiatives for the theater, from the further development of Brierley Resident Acting Company to increasing efforts to highlight local talent, plus encouraging Dallas Theater Center to be at the forefront of initiatives for equity, diversity, and inclusion.

DTC Board of Directors chair Jennifer Altabef says, "Jeff Woodward has been an incredible advocate for Dallas Theater Center and we are deeply grateful for his sincere commitment and vast contribution to the organization during his tenure. With his leadership, Dallas Theater Center was able to continue producing inspirational work that touched our community during the most challenging days of the pandemic. Jeff’s management brought clarity to our budgeting and financial results, and the improvements Jeff made helped DTC win the Regional Theatre Tony Award in 2017. It has been my privilege to partner with Jeff over the years and Dallas Theater Center is better because of his passion and leadership."

President of the Board Chris Luna adds, “Jeff has been an outstanding managing director the past seven years. His leadership and financial acumen have allowed us to invest in new plays and to grow our community partnerships. His managerial skills were put to the test during COVID as he captained our response and successful emergence. Our 2017 Regional Tony award is a testament to Jeff’s leadership and commitment to excellence.”

“I have been blessed to have a front-row seat to experience Jeff’s immense dedication to DTC, the art of theater, and most importantly, to our staff,'' says Kevin Moriarty, Dallas Theater Center artistic director. “His level of dedication to DTC and willingness to work through and overcome challenges we have faced as an institution speak directly to his commitment to all of us at the theater. He has many reasons to be proud of all that he has accomplished throughout his career, and we are grateful for his leadership.”

The Board of Directors at Dallas Theater Center is preparing a strategic search process to consider qualified candidates to fill the managing director position once Woodward has officially departed. In the interim, he has agreed to participate in the proper transition of a selected candidate to the role.

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