Les Waters to Be New Artistic Director of Actors Theatre of Louisville

Les Waters has been named as the new Artistic Director of Actors Theatre of Louisville, and will begin transitioning into the position in January and assuming full-time duties later in March. He replaces Marc Masterson, who stepped down in May after 11 years to become artistic director of South Coast Repertory Theatre.

Waters has served as associate artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre for the past eight years, and has directed numerous productions there, including Sarah Ruhl’s In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), which he subsequently directed on Broadway. He led the MFA directing program at UC San Diego, where he continues to teach, and is an associate artist of The Civilians.

In a statement, Waters remarked, “It is an honor and a privilege to take up the reins at Actors Theatre of Louisville, an organization I’ve long admired. I’ve had the opportunity to direct twice at Actors Theatre, and I was deeply impressed with the theatre, its staff, and the community at large. I am committed to making theatre there that is passionate and intelligent, funny and heartfelt, and look forward to leading Actors Theatre to new artistic endeavors.”