Darko Tresnjak will conclude his eight-year stint as artistic director of Hartford Stage in June 2019, following the company’s soon-to-be-announced upcoming season.
The Tony Award–winning director, who in 2011 became the fifth person to take the position at the Connecticut company, had extended his contract in 2016 through June 2019.
“I want to thank our staff, our board, our audiences, and all the wonderful artists whose work has graced our stage over the past seven seasons,” he said in a statement. He called the opportunity “the greatest honor and privilege of my career” before adding, “I look forward to welcoming the next Artistic Director who—working alongside our indomitable Managing Director, Mike Stotts—will lead this great American theatre company.”
In his second season with the company (2012–2013, his first season mapping out the full lineup), Tresnjak helmed A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. He won a Tony Award in 2014 for his work on the Broadway transfer. Additional highlights during his time with the company include Anastasia (now playing on Broadway) and the world premieres of Breath and Imagination and Rear Window (starring Kevin Bacon).
Tresnjak, who previously served as artistic director at San Diego’s Old Globe, will make his Metropolitan Opera debut this fall with Samson et Dalila. He is also tapped to helm the final production of Hartford's current season: Athol Fugard's A Lesson from Aloes (running May 17–June 10).
