NEW YORK CITY: Playwrights Horizons has named Casey York their new managing director. She succeeds Leslie Marcus, who announced she would retire this summer after 30 years with the theatre.
“In this time of seismic change in the economy and culture of theatre, I feel inspired by Casey York’s vision—not just for the financial and artistic well-being of Playwrights Horizons, but for the role that theatre plays in a vibrant and healthy city,” Playwrights Horizons artistic director Adam Greenfield said in a statement. “As Playwrights Horizons faces a new chapter, we are lucky to be equipped with the strength and solidity of Leslie Marcus’s longtime leadership—and with the creativity and might of Casey York’s.”
York returns to Playwrights Horizons, having served as the company’s associate general manager from 2011-2014. She most recently served as the general manager and then managing director at Ars Nova. She has also held the position of president of the Off-Broadway League since 2020 and the vice president of the Association of Not For Profit Theatre Companies since 2019. York is also a member of New York City’s inaugural Live Performance Industry Council.
“I’m humbled and delighted to join the leadership of Playwrights Horizons, one of our nation’s cultural treasures, and to build on Leslie Marcus’ exemplary 30-year legacy,” York said in a statement. “I’ve devoted my whole career to supporting and advocating for new Off-Broadway theatre in NYC, and I’m so excited to work with Adam Greenfield, the Playwrights Horizons board, and the organization’s incredible, hard-working staff toward the advancement of visionary playwrights and theatremakers and the field.”
York’s appointment comes alongside the announcement that Playwrights Horizons laid off five staff members and will institute temporary furloughs for department heads. Greenfield also took a voluntary pay cut. The announcement surprised the theatre community after the Off-Broadway company saw their hit production Stereophonic transfer to Broadway this season, bringing home multiple Tony Awards.
Playwrights Horizons is a writer’s theatre dedicated to the development of contemporary American playwrights and to the production of new works. As of 2022, Playwrights Horizons had an approximate budget of $11.3 million.
