COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.: Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College (FAC) has announced that Pirronne Yousefzadeh will be the producing artistic director of the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company, effective Dec. 1.
As producing artistic director, Yousefzadeh will lead the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company’s direction, implementing the artistic agenda of the theatre seasons as well as community and campus projects.
“Pirronne is one of the most exciting theatre professionals working today, “ said FAC executive director Idris Goodwin in a statement. “A born leader, she brings significant experience as a director, producer, educator, champion of new and canonical work, and advocate for theatre professionals of all walks. For a multidisciplinary, civic-minded institution that is part of a college, I can’t think of anyone better suited. Colorado Springs, get ready!”
Yousefzadeh previously worked as associate artistic director and director of engagement at Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, N.Y., a position in which she was key to season planning and artistic programming, and also directed numerous productions annually.
“With the visionary leadership of Idris Goodwin and the energy and passion of a dynamic and committed staff, this position is a dream come true for me,” said Yousefzadeh in a statement. “I am excited to steward the theatre during the 2021–22 season and build programming that includes both reimagined classics and new work by some of the boldest and most innovative artists in our field today. Through our programming and transformative community engagement efforts, the Fine Arts Center will be a nexus for civic discourse, a beacon of hope, and a national model for equity, inclusion, and justice in the arts.”
Yousefzadeh has a Master’s degree in directing from Columbia University, where she was a Shubert Presidential Fellow and Matthews Fellowship recipient. As a professional stage director, Yousefzadeh helmed projects at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Actors Theatre of Louisville, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and other regional theatres across the country. She also brings extensive teaching experience through work with the theatre departments of University of Rochester, New York University, University of Texas at Austin, Fordham University, and Rutgers University, among others. Yousefzadeh is also a founding member of Maia Directors, a consulting group for artists and organizations engaging with stories from the Middle East and beyond.
The Fine Arts Center is a multidisciplinary arts organization featuring a museum, a performing arts program, and a community art school. As producing artistic director, Yousefzadeh serves as a part of FAC’s leadership team in plan implementations and collaborations with the museum and art school.
Yousefzadeh will transition to join the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company mid-August in advance of her official start date of Dec. 1, 2021.
