Theater News

Woodward and Keefe to Be Artistic Directors of Westport Country Playhouse

Joanne Woodward 
(© Miggs Burroughs)
Joanne Woodward
(© Miggs Burroughs)

The Westport Country Playhouse has announced the return of Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe as co-artistic directors. The pair will provide interim artistic leadership of the Playhouse during the 2008 Season. This change is the result of the departure of Tazewell Thompson as artistic director, effective January 2, 2008.

His departure is, “due to artistic and professional differences regarding how best to fulfill the mission of the Playhouse while serving our community and how to address the challenges of transitioning to a year-round venue while achieving our goal of becoming a nationally recognized theatre,” said Westport Country Playhouse Board President Elisabeth Morten.

Joanne Woodward, acclaimed actress and director as well as a long-time resident of Westport, served as the company’s artistic director from 2000 to 2005. She worked closely with former associate artistic director Anne Keefe during that time period.
For the past two years, Woodward has continued her association with the Playhouse as the artistic director emeritus as well as a member of the board of trustees. Keefe has also been a member of the board since her departure as a staff member at the Playhouse in 2005.

“I look forward to returning to an active leadership role at the Playhouse in January. Annie and I are excited by the opportunity to work closely with the Playhouse staff and artists while the board launches a search for new artistic leadership for 2009,” said Woodward.

As the artistic leadership for Westport Country Playhouse changes, the upcoming season’s roster of productions will also have some adjustments, to be announced in the near future.