"In this new role, we were looking for someone who brings experience in both the worlds of directing and administrative leadership, while sharing in the Playhouse's deep commitment to new work and our eclectic artistic aesthetic. Jaime does all of these things brilliantly," artistic director Christopher Ashley said in a statement. "As a director, he's given vibrant life to plays by writers such as Raúl Castillo (Playhouse's upcoming Border Crossing), Idris Goodwin, Mike Lew, Kristoffer Diaz, Fernanda Coppel and many other exciting voices. He brings a tremendous passion, strong artist relationships and a youthful energy to the institution, and it gives me great joy to welcome him to the Playhouse family."

Castañeda served for five years as artistic associate of Off-Broadway's Atlantic Theatre Company. He was the founding artistic director of FireStarter Productions in Texas, as well as an ensemble member with American Theater Company in Chicago.

His directing credits include The Royal Society of Antarctica at Portland Center Stage/JAW, Tiger Style! at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at Dallas Theater Center, Chimichangas and Zoloft at Atlantic Theater Company, How We Got On at Cleveland Playhouse, Welcome to Arroyo's at The Old Globe and American Theater Company, Red Light Winter at Perseverance Theatre, The Motherf**ker with the Hat at Kitchen Dog Theater, A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant at Circle Theatre and Blue/Orange and Sonnets for an Old Century at FireStarter Productions.

Castañeda will direct several projects, including the final subscription show for the Playhouse's 2015-16 season.

Visit LaJollaPlayhouse.org for more information.