Stages Houston names Derek Charles Livingston as new artistic director – Houston Public Media

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Stages Houston announced that Derek Charles Livingston will become its new artistic director, succeeding Kenn McLaughlin, who is retiring in June after 23 years with the performing arts group.

Livingston is an award-winning actor, director and producer who grew up in Sacramento, California, and currently serves as director of new play development for the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

Livingston, in an exclusive interview with Houston Matters producer Michael Hagerty, says he was drawn to Stages by something he saw at The Gordy, the organization’s three-theater space just south of Buffalo Bayou Park which opened in 2020: a sign on the wall reading “We sit together in the dark to learn how to love each other in the light.”

Livingston said it immediately spoke to him.

“This idea, this philosophy, this vision of what theater can do, allowing us to learn about each other, share each other’s experiences, and then have a community conversation about it or an experience community on this subject is an integral part of what I think. I’ve been there as an artist but also as a social justice advocate outside of that,” he said.

Livingston was also drawn to Houston’s vibrant arts scene and cultural diversity.

“Having a diversity of people around me, a diversity of experiences and a diversity of cultures nourishes me as a human being and is important to me,” he said.

Michael Hagerty/Houston Public Media

Livingston said he’s eager to mount more productions that take new angles on familiar issues or stories, like Othello: The Remixwhich is currently screening on Stages until June 9. The production retells the Shakespeare classic The tragedy of Othello with a new contemporary storyline and modern music – namely rap – and features a 360-degree rotating stage.

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“At the same time, I want to make sure that the people who come to see every five years Always Patsy Cline I always know that being behind this show is something we are always very proud of at Stages,” Livingston said. “And this type of work will also be very common on our stages.”

Livingston is expected to take over as artistic director of Stages starting in August.

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