TUCSON, ARIZ.: The Invisible Theatre (IT) has announced that managing artistic director Susan “Suz” Claassen will step down in December 2024, moving to emeritus status. She passes artistic leadership to associate managing artistic director Betsy Kruse Craig.

“Almost five decades ago I began my journey with The Invisible Theatre, a time when women artistic leaders were in the minority,” said Claassen in a statement. “I have had the privilege of working with an unequaled ‘wealth’ of talent from our marvelous staff, inspired board, thousands of amazing creative collaborators and the greatest audiences and patrons in the world. Being managing artistic director has been a dream job, but I look forward to many new and exciting creative projects!”

In her 49 years at IT, Claassen has produced and directed more than 600 productions with more than 200 world premieres, creating thousands of performances and opportunities for over 1500 theatre artisans including world-class guest artists such as Lynn Redgrave, Dame Cleo Laine, John Amos, and Kathleen Chalfant. Under Claassen’s leadership, IT was the first recipient of the Arizona Theatre Association’s “Outstanding Producing Theatre Award” in 1999.  The company’s “Shakespeare Under the Stars” flourished from 1976 through 1982. She directed the last show of the 2023-24 season, Thriller of the Year.

Of incoming managing artistic director Betsy Kruse Craig, Claassen said in a statement, “She is a gifted actor, director, educator, and theatre artisan. Betsy has a respect for the past and honors our very “visible” legacy, is brilliantly active in the present and will lead IT into the future with her own multi-faceted vision.”

Started in 1971 as an arena for local playwrights, IT has expanded its programs to include adaptations of classics and recent Off-Broadway plays and musicals, while continuing to encourage new playwrights through both full productions and stage readings. As of 2022, the theatre had a budget of approximately $360,000.