CINCINNATI: Know Theatre of Cincinnati has named Bridget Leak their new producing artistic director. She assumed her role this week, succeeding previous producing artistic director Andrew Hungerford.

Said the theatre’s board president, Kathryn Hoffman, in a statement, “Bridget is the most prepared person in the room at all times. She possesses the talent, organization, and relationships with other artists and organizations that will allow Know to grow our community. Her collaborative leadership style will create a new chapter for the organization.”

Leak is the co-founder of Queen City Flash, a new-works development and flash-mob theatre group. Her directing credits include work at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, among others, and she has taught theatre at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Leak has directed 10 Cincinnati Fringe Festival productions and two mainstage productions at Know Theatre. She is a former artist-in-residence at the Watermill Center and holds an MFA from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University.

“As Know’s next producing artistic director, I am ready to collaborate with our local artists and audiences alike,” Leak said in a statement. “I want to continue Know’s long legacy of connecting our region to stories risky and beautiful, told both at the cutting edge or too close for comfort. I want to use our talents and resources to lift up our own artists so that their stories can flourish and take root.”

Leak’s appointment follows an eight-month local and national search led by Hoffman.

Know Theatre of Cincinnati, founded in 1997, produces award-winning mainstage seasons, the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, works by local artists, and post-show programming. As of 2022, the theatre had a budget of approximately $710,000.