A few things worth checking out in this week’s paper. I profile the National Book Award-winning novelist John Casey and talk about the release of his new book, Compass Rose; I interview Darcy Larsen for the Amateur Hour Variety Hour in the Feedback column; and we review The Tourist, which stars Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.
Earlier this month we asked whether Producing Artistic Director Satch Huizenga was still at Live Arts. Since then the theater has kept mum about changes in employment. But today word became official: Huizenga has resigned 18 months after taking the post for "personal reasons."
Playbills distributed on opening night of The Drowsy Chaperone on Friday didn’t list Huizenga’s name on the staff list. But Huizenga was not present at the Live Arts Gala fundraiser on November 6 and auditions for Clybourne Park, which he was slated to direct, were postponed. (Live Arts’ website now lists Betsy Tucker as director and the show itself has been postponed, from March to May.) Huizenga did not return calls for comment. Executive Director Matt Joslyn had no comment on the resignation.
Satch Huizenga’s (left) resignation from Live Arts was announced today. More below.
Huizenga was given the post in 2009, after director John Gibson left and his job was split into two positions. Huizenga was charged with keeping the theater’s mission—"Forging Theater and Community"—and Joslyn charged with handling the business aspects of the theater.
"As Producing Artistic Director, [Huizenga] was responsible for all aspects of production," reads the release, "as well as the selection and structure of the season. Since 2008, he has produced the majority of the plays at Live Arts. He carried out these responsibilities extremely effectively, advanced our organization, and helped set our course for the future."
"Mr. Huizenga has been associated with Live Arts for ten years, six years as a volunteer, and four years as a member of the Live Arts Staff," reads the release.
Read a recent cover story on Live Arts here.
