Artists Rep selects Jeanette Harrison as new Artistic Director

Following the departure of Dámaso Rodríguez, Artists Repertory Theater has selected Jeanette Harrison as its new Artistic Director, completing a nationwide search to find the person best suited to fill in the legendary Rodríguez’s footsteps.

“I’m very excited about the synergy that already exists – Artists Rep and I have independently supported many of the same artists and I look forward to what we can do together,” Harrison said in a press release. She added, “I’m particularly looking forward to building more relationships between artist advocates and community groups working to make Portland a better, fairer, fairer place to live and work.”

Harrison, who will transition into her new role beginning October 1 this year, is best known as the co-founder and artistic director of the Bay Area’s prolific AlterTheater (she developed the AlterLab playwright residency program, which has spawned more than 25 new ones pieces to world premieres).

In discussing her vision for Artists Rep, Harrison has expressed a desire to tell stories about a variety of characters.

“Art is one of the most powerful tools for change,” she said. “And how great it is to know that when we’re telling stories of black joy, when we’re laughing with contemporary native characters trying to fall in love, when we’re staged stories that explore the complicated, chaotic lives of three-dimensional humans celebrate that we are helping move this needle to justice, to justice.”

Related: Dámaso Rodríguez talks about the seven things he considers essential