NOVATO, CALIF.: The Novato Theater Company (NTC) has chosen Jase Smith as its new producing director. Smith comes to NTC from the Firehouse Theatre in Richmond, Va. where he served as artistic director.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the dynamic team at Novato Theater Company,” Smith said in a statement. “The theatre has an incredible 95-year history and is on the cusp of an exciting transformation from community to professionally oriented theatre. I have been very impressed by the production value of recent shows and am excited to add my expertise in this area, among others.”

Smith work on the Virginia theatre scene for a number of years, lending his hand to award-winning productions and earning 30 Richmond Theatre Critic’s Circle Awards nominations and eight awards in various categories. His directing credits are heavy on musicals, from The Rocky Horror Show and Rent to The Great American Trailer Park Musical and A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant.

The mission of NTC is too “present quality theatre to Bay Area audiences and offer theatrical training and mentoring opportunities in a creative and supporting environment for performers of all ages.” Said Alison Peltz, the board vice president, in a statement: “With Jase Smith’s amazing experience and enthusiasm, NTC will continue to grow, attract exceptional talent and deliver top-notch theatre to our community.”