A Brit with an impressive résumé has joined the Arizona Theatre Company as associate artistic director.
Stephen Wrentmore will slip into the position previously held by Samantha K. Wyer, who relocated to Washington last November.
Wrentmore isn't new to ATC - he directed a provocative production of "Macbeth" in 2005, and a clear, moving one of the complex "Copenhagen" in 2003.
As the company's associate artistic director, Wrentmore will direct and help artistic director David Ira Goldstein produce. He will also head up ATC's active educational programs.
"Stephen's breadth is wide enough that he can direct on the main stage, beef up our education program, and continue our program with the University of Arizona theater school," said Goldstein in a phone interview earlier this week. The UA program puts theater students in ATC productions, giving them the opportunity to work with a professional theater company before graduation.
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"Stephen is the kind of person who can really excel in all those areas, as well as help me produce seasons."
Because of Wrentmore's London theater connections, Goldstein is also hopeful that ATC may be able to lure in such companies as the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre for special productions beyond the normal season.
Wrentmore has directed productions around the world, including ones in Moscow and Norway. He was artistic director of Scotland's Byre Theatre from 2004-07, and most recently has been an arts consultant in London.
Wrentmore grew up in London, attended Cambridge and London's Central School of Speech and Drama, and in 2007/8 was a fellow with the Clore Leadership Program in London, which develops leadership skills in arts professionals.
He is moving here from London and is expected to start his new job at the end of this month.
Contact reporter Kathleen Allen at kallen@azstarnet.com or 573-4128.
