ANCHORAGE, ALASKA: Cyrano’s Theatre Company has named Teresa K. Pond as its producing artistic director. She succeeds Sandy Harper, who has been with the company since its founding in 1992. Harper will remain with Cyrano’s in an advisory role through 2016.

“Teresa has been chosen to lead Cyrano’s into the next stage of becoming a sustainable theatre beyond its founders,” Harper said in a statement. “I am proud to pass the torch to an experienced, passionate theatre artist who has the skills and experience not only to honor Cyrano’s established values and reputation, but ultimately to make her own mark.”

Pond previously served as producing artistic director of Millbrook Playhouse in Mill Hall, Pa. She also served as executive director of Anchorage Community Theatre. She has worked with New York Classical Theatre, Vital Theatre Company, and the New York Fringe Festival. She holds a BFA in communications from Chapman University, and an MFA in directing from University of California—Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of Arts.

“It is such an honor and a pleasure to return permanently to Anchorage with the opportunity to shepherd Cyrano’s Theatre Company into its next era,” Pond said in a statement. “Thanks to the amazing Sandy Harper—our founder, a treasured theatre colleague, and most importantly to me, a dear long-time friend.”

Founded in 1995, Cyrano’s Theatre Company produces Shakespeare, new plays, and original work.