LOS ANGELES: The Department of Theater at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has announced the appointment of Brian Kite as their new chair.

Kite formerly served as producing artistic director of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, where he oversaw productions of Billy Elliot, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, and Dinner With Friends, among others. His international work includes productions in China and Bermuda, and his staging of Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers was the first U.S. production to be performed at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing.

“Brian brings an outstanding history of great teaching, mentoring, distinguished creative work, and robust artistic direction and management, especially with the resounding successes of the multi-award-winning La Mirada Theatre Company,” said Teri Schwartz, dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, in a statement. “He will work tirelessly and with great imagination to help bring this jewel in the crown for UCLA TFT to new levels of excellence for now and the future.”