rewrite this title Manhattan Theater Club Names Nicki Hunter Its First New Artistic Director in 53 Years

New York’s venerable Manhattan Theatre Club has selected Associate Artistic Director Nicki Hunter to take over as Artistic Director when Lynne Meadow steps aside on December 1. Meadow has held the position of Artistic Director at the nonprofit theater for 53 years.

The appointment of Hunter was announced today by MTC’s Board of Directors. Meadow, as previously announced, will assume a new role as Artistic Advisor.

Hunter first joined MTC in 2009 as an intern. In the 16 years since, she has held several key positions, including Artistic Associate, Line Producer, and Artistic Producer before being promoted to Associate Artistic Director.

“I’m elated and deeply honored to be stepping into the role of Artistic Director of MTC,” said Hunter. “I’m inspired by the unparalleled body of work Lynne Meadow has created for the last 53 years as Artistic Director. She is a titan in our industry. I look forward to building on the theatre’s legacy to see it through to a successful and bold new era, working together with Chris Jennings, our Board of Directors, and the theatre’s dedicated staff.”

During her five-decade tenure at MTC, Meadow has guided acclaimed shows by such playwrights as Christopher Durang, John Guare, Beth Henley, Terrence McNally, Eureka Day‘s Jonathan Spector and many others. MTC produces both Broadway and Off Broadway productions. The company’s current Broadway staging is Punch by James Graham, in previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater.

“I am thrilled that Nicki Hunter has been chosen to be my successor,” said Meadow. “I believe that she has the skills, talent and vision to lead us into an exciting new era and to create a vibrant repertoire for our three theatres. I have treasured 16 years of working closely with her and have been consistently impressed by her ability to identify talent, by her gifted producing instincts, and by her passion for new ideas.”

The search for MTC’s new Artistic Director was conducted by Diane Carlyle Executive Search, a firm specializing in nonprofit arts leadership.