MINNEAPOLIS: Ten Thousand Things has named Marcela Lorca as its new artistic director. She will begin the post in June, succeeding founding artistic director Michelle Hensley.

“We are profoundly grateful to Michelle Hensley for creating this magnificent company and are thrilled to welcome the talented Marcela Lorca to our staff,” said board chair Cindy Kaiser in a statement. “Marcela’s vibrant vision and commitment to our mission make her an ideal choice to lead this company in the coming years.”

Lorca was born and raised in Chile. She has served on the staff of the Guthrie Theater for more than 20 years as a founding member of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program, and as the director of company development and the head of movement. She has also worked at McCarter Theater, Milwaukee Rep, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Syracuse Stage, and Mixed Blood Theatre. As a choreographer, her work has appeared at the Guthrie Theater, Washington Shakespeare Theater, Goodman Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Brooklyn Academy of Music.

“I’ve known and admired Ten Thousand Things’ work for many years,” said Lorca in a statement. “The company’s imaginative staging of epic stories, its respect for actors, and its commitment to women and artists of color have been a source of joy in our community. I’m honored and excited to work with a company that takes its work to communities that others don’t reach and to audiences that can benefit from the inspiration and deep learning theater can provide.”