Theater News

Josie Rourke to Succeed Michael Grandage as Artistic Director of Donmar Warehouse

Josie Rourke (foreground)
(© Bush Theatre)
Josie Rourke (foreground)
(© Bush Theatre)

Josie Rourke has been named the new artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse in London. She will assume the position on January 1, taking over from Michael Grandage, who as previously announced, will be stepping down from his leadership role at the theater at the end of the year.

Rourke is currently Artistic Director for the Bush Theatre where she has directed How To Curse, Tinderbox, 2000, Feet Away and Like a Fishbone, among others. During her tenure at the Bush, she has overseen the company’s move to old library building in Shepherd’s Bush, which will open in Autumn this year.

Her productions at the Donmar have included Frame 312, World Music, and The Cryptogram. In addition, she has worked at such theaters as the Sheffield Theatres, where she was associate director, the Royal Court, the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and The Old Vic. Among her credits in the U.S. are The 24 Hour Plays in New York and Twelfth Night and The Taming of the Shrew for Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Among her upcoming projects is a West End production of Much Ado About Nothing, which stars Catherine Tate and David Tennant.