LOS ANGELES: LA STAGE Alliance has named Steven Leigh Morris the new executive director of the nonprofit theatre service organization. Morris succeeds Terence McFarland, who left the job in April.

“I’m grateful and honored by the trust LASA has placed in me and I feel privileged to be working with this fine organization to serve such a smart and impassioned community,” said Morris in a statement. “The key word in LASA’s name is ‘alliance,’ and that’s what I hope to accentuate in this new role—how can we work together to forge the kinds of alliances that can help give the L.A. theatre community the traction, recognition, and audiences it needs and deserves?”

Morris is a journalist and the founding editor of Stage Raw, a community-funded online magazine about LA theatre. He’s also been a theatre critic for LA Weekly for 25 years, as well as a frequent contributor to this magazine. His work has also appeared in the New York Times and Los Angeles Times.

“Steven Leigh Morris is an incredible presence in Los Angeles theatre,” said LASA board chair Brian Kite in a statement. “As a community, he has praised us when our work soared and looked us in the eye when we missed the mark. He is a true leader. It is my honor to introduce such a talented, inspiring, and creative force as the new leader of LA STAGE Alliance.”