Silbert New Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep
Roxana Silbert will replace Rachel Kavanaugh as the artistic director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company it was announced today (31 May 2011).
Kavanaugh, who has been the creative leader of the theatre since 2006 and has played a significant part in the plans to integrate The Rep with the new Library of Birmingham, announced she was stepping down in December to pursue her freelance directing career.
An RSC associate, Silbert directed David Grieg‘s Dunsinane – a sequel to Macbeth – for the company which is currently on tour in Scotland. It was announced last week that the show will return to the RSC’s Swan Theatre from 15 June to 2 July, following the success of its run at the Hampstead Theatre in spring 2010.
Silbert also recently directed Rona Munro‘s Little Eagles at the Hampstead for the RSC, and will helm the company’s upcoming production of Measure for Measure which opens at the Swan Theatre in November 2011.
Prior to joining the RSC, Silbert was artistic director and chief executive of Paines Plough Theatre Company for four years where she built on the company’s new writing credentials and ran an award-winning writers programme. She has also worked at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre as literary director and as an associate of the Royal Court.
In a press statement Silbert said today: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work at this extraordinary theatre. The Rep is one of Britain’s leading producing companies with a proud legacy of nearly 100 years of great theatre. I’m excited about ushering it into its new century – introducing a new mid scale auditorium for new work and a unique, creative relationship with its neighbouring flagship library. 2013 will be a formative phase in the life of The Rep and one which I look forward to celebrating with the company and its audiences.”
The Rep is currently producing work from a range of different venues across Birmingham, part of the plans which see the theatre sharing a facility with the Library of Birmingham and a new purpose-built 300-seat auditorium from 2013.
Silbert will be combine her associateship at the RSC with her new artistic director role at Birmingham REP ahead of the company’s Centenary celebrations and move back into its newly-developed building in 2013.
Birmingham Rep’s upcoming revival of Broadway musical The Wiz, starring Treyc Cohen alongside Clive Rowe and Peter Straker will run at Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre from 10 to 18 June before transferring to the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
