Robyn Goodman Steps Down as Artistic Producer of Roundabout Underground
(© David Gordon)
Roundabout Theatre Company announced today that Robyn Goodman will step down as founding artistic producer of Roundabout Underground. She and colleague Josh Fiedler will continue to consult for Roundabout’s artistic team.
Longtime literary and artistic department team member Jill Rafson will serve as artistic producer of the Underground and continue to serve as the director of new play development. In this position, Rafson will continue to spearhead, alongside Roundabout artistic director Todd Haimes, the Roundabout Underground programming in its expanded two-play season and all the new play development at the company. Rafson — supported by Nicole Tingir, manager of play development — will continue to run the annual Roundabout Underground Reading Series, the multifaceted Space Jam program built to support playwrights' need for work space, 20 playwriting commissions, and 25 annual workshops and readings.
"Robyn's passion and dedication to young writers as well as her extraordinary taste has made the Underground more successful than I ever dreamed possible," said Haimes. "Roundabout is
forever in Robyn’s debt and I am happy she and Josh Fiedler will continue on as consultants to Roundabout. I have no doubt that Jill will continue to find the best new voices in American theater. Over the past 10 years, Jill and her team have tirelessly and successfully worked with me on developing new works with an increasing emphasis on young playwrights and diversity."
"Thirteen years ago Todd Haimes gave me the gift of working with him on new plays produced at the Steinberg Center," added Goodman. "Josh Fiedler and I deeply thank him and the Roundabout for underwriting this very worthy project that has launched many young writers’ careers."
Roundabout Underground showcases new plays that will either give a debut production to an emerging writer or director, or allow an experienced director to go back to their creative roots. Now in its 11th season, Roundabout Underground has produced works by such playwrights as Tony winner Stephen Karam (The Humans), Joshua Harmon (Significant Other), Tony winner Steven Levenson (Dear Evan Hansen), Meghan Kennedy (Napoli, Brooklyn), and Lindsey Ferrentino (Ugly Lies the Bone).
