Christopher Ashley Appointed Artistic Director of Roundabout Theatre Co.

In the third major leadership change in recent months in New York’s nonprofit theater world, Roundabout Theatre Company Tony Award-winning director Christopher Ashley He will become Artistic Director in July 2026 for the 2027-28 season.

Ashley, who was Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse in California for 17 years, will work alongside Roundabout’s Interim Artistic Director Scott Ellis for the 2026-27 season, fulfilling Ashley’s previous commitment to La Jolla. Ellis, who has filled the void since the death of colleague and friend Todd Haimes in 2023, will continue solo through the 2025-26 season.

The changes were announced today by the Roundabout Board of Directors. The news comes just 15 days after Lincoln Center Theater, one of the city’s largest nonprofit theater companies and producers, announced the appointment of director Lear deBessonet as Artistic Director. This will take effect next June, after longtime AD André Bishop completes his 33-year tenure. Director Bartlett Sher will assume the newly created role of Executive Producer of Lincoln Center Theater alongside deBessonet.

In June, another major nonprofit, Second Stage Theater, announced that Evan Cabnet of Lincoln Center Theater would become the company’s new Artistic Director in the fall of 2025. The news was particularly surprising: Cabnet will replace Second Stage’s Carole Rothman, who founded the company in 1979. Rothman told The New York Times in an interview that she had been “bargained out” of the company. When asked what she thought of the development, she said, “Let me put it this way. Five minutes after I won the Tony Award Suitable, “I got a message from my friend Michael R. Jackson saying it was a great mic drop.”

Commenting on today’s Roundabout news, Ashley said, “I am honored and excited to step into the role of Artistic Director at Roundabout Theater Company. Under the leadership of Todd Haimes, Roundabout has become home to an extraordinary community of artists working intermittently across five beautiful theaters. BroadwayI look forward to collaborating with Scott Ellis on programming the 2026-27 season and joining Sydney Beers, Chris Nave and the excellent team full-time in July 2026.

“As we navigate this moment of monumental change in American theater,” he continued, “I hope Roundabout can be a town square where urgent questions can be explored, the joy of live theater can be shared, and together we can find community and hope.”

Roundabout operates three Broadway venues – the Todd Haimes Theatre, Studio 54, and the Stephen Sondheim Theatre – and two Off Broadway venues – the Laura Pels Theatre and the Roundabout Underground Black Box Theatre.

Ellis will continue his leadership responsibilities alongside the artistic team, including Executive Producer Sydney Beers, Chief Development Officer Chris Nave, Chief Administrative Officer Steven Showalter and Artistic Production Director Nicole Tingir MacMillan and Director of Game Development Abigail Katz.

The Board of Directors said in collaboration with Ashley, Ellis, Sydney Beers and Chris Nave, the next step is to find a General Manager who, together with Ashley, will lead Roundabout “forward through these ever-changing, ever-challenging times.”

Ashley’s selection follows a year-long international search conducted by the Board of Directors in collaboration with Management Consultants for the Arts. “The goal was to find a passionate Roundabout leader who would enhance and build upon what Haimes has created.”

The goal, according to the board of directors, was to “identify someone who will help chart Roundabout’s continued course as a theater company, a leader in arts and culture in New York, and an important member of the New York City community.” The Roundabout search committee consisted of Board members Kitty Patterson Kempner, Thomas E. Tuft, Lawrence Kaplen, Stephanie Kramer, Johannes Worsoe, LaChanze, and Mary.
C. Suleyman.

Ashley’s impressive new works premiering at the La Jolla Playhouse include her current Broadway success Outsiders And There Are Blueberries Herethe latter was a hit Off Broadway last spring. Under Ashley’s leadership, La Jolla has also staged works by Tina Landau, Lisa Sanaye Dring, Joe Iconis, Sonya Tayeh, Anna Deveare Smith, Kimber Lee and Charlayne Woodard.

As a director, Ashley led La Jolla productions: Come From Away, Untitled Hunter S. Thompson Musical, Babbitt, Memphis, His Girl Friday, Glengarry Glen Ross, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, Freaky Friday And XanaduSome of Ashley’s Broadway directing credits include Tony award-winning work. Come From Far Awaytogether Diana, Memphis, Xanadu, Leap of Faith, Escape to Margaritaville, All Shook And The Rocky Horror Show.

During his tenure, 22 of La Jolla Playhouse’s shows transferred to Broadway.

In La Jolla, Ashley also spearheaded the Playhouse’s Without Walls (WOW) initiative, creating a free, immersive, site-specific festival each year. She founded the DNA New Work Series, the Resident Theatre program, and the BIPOC Directing Fellowship. During her tenure, the Playhouse presented the LatinX New Play Festival, transitioned to a paid internship program, and launched the Accountability and Inclusion Alliance, a staff-led group with a mission to create impactful solutions for a safe, equitable, and anti-racist community.

Ashley recently managed Come From Far Away For AppleTV+ and Diana: The Musical for Netflix. Other screen credits include feature films Jeffrey And Lucky Hard, and American Playhouse production Being Swayed Sideways in Life For PBS.

“We are grateful to Scott Ellis, who stepped in immediately after Todd’s passing and produced the first Roundabout production. He Loves Me “In 1993, more than 30 years ago, our trust in Christopher Ashley is boundless,” said Board Chair Kitty Patterson Kempner. “And we extend our deepest gratitude to the entire Roundabout staff for their dedication and care during these difficult times.”

The Todd Haimes Theatre on 42nd Street, the Roundabout’s flagship Broadway home, is currently home to David Henry Hwang’s comedy Yellow Face Starring Daniel Dae Kim and Ryan Eggold, directed by Leigh Silverman. Opening night is October 1.