LOWELL, MASS: Sean Daniels will become the fourth artistic director of Merrimack Repertory Theatre when he takes over the position from Charles Towers, who is stepping down at the end of the 2014–15 season.

Daniels is currently the director of artistic engagement/artist-at-large at Geva Theatre Center, though he has already started programming Merrimack’s 2015–16 season. He will officially step into the role full-time on July 15, beginning a five-year contract.

“I’m honored and beyond thrilled to be asked to join the fantastic staff, board and audiences of Merrimack Repertory Theatre,” said Daniels in a statement. “It is rare today to find a theatre where the patrons, staff and community are dedicated to telling great stories by contemporary playwrights all season long. When you come across that type kind of commitment to new voices, you consider yourself lucky to get to be a part of it. I truly believe MRT is prepped for growth and about to become one of the theatres for new play production in the country. Charles has done an amazing job of building this theatre to what it is today, and I’m humbled to take the baton from him and attempt to take us to the next level.”

Daniels cofounded Dad’s Garage Theatre Company in Atlanta, and he has also served as the associate artistic director at Actors Theatre of Louisville and associate artistic director/resident director at California Shakespeare Theater in Berkeley, Calif.

Towers previously announced his decision to step down in May, saying in a statement: “Everything has its season. After 14 years as artistic director, this just feels like the right time for both MRT and me.”