Cherry Lane Theatre Founding Artistic Director Angelina Fiordellisi has announced that she is stepping down after 21 years and handing over leadership to her longtime associates, Seri Lawrence and Janio Marrero. Fiordellisi founded the Off-Broadway theatre in 1996 and has served as its artistic director for 20 seasons, often appearing as an actor in productions as well.

Lawrence and Marrero will serve as Cherry Lane’s new co-artistic directors beginning with the 2017–2018 season, while Fiordellisi will transition to the theatre’s Board of Directors. She will also continue to produce the company’s annual Founder’s Project production, which recently commissioned and developed Israel Horovitz’s Out of the Mouths of Babes, as well as the revival of Horton Foote’s The Traveling Lady.

“It has been an honor to serve as artistic director for 20 seasons and I've decided to step aside and allow the next generation of leadership to inspire our resident company,” commented Fiordellisi in a press statement. “On behalf of the Cherry Lane Board of Directors, it is with great joy and complete confidence that I welcome Serafina Lawrence and Janio Marrero as the new Co-Artistic Directors of Cherry Lane Alternative.”

Lawrence has served as a literary manager, associate producer, and executive assistant to Fiordellisi; while Marrero has worked at the Cherry Lane since 2004 in the positions of facilities director, technical director, and production manager. The pair has served as interim co-artistic directors for the past year.

In a joint statement, Lawrence and Marrero said, “For more than a decade, we have been privileged to call Cherry Lane Theatre our home. It is an honor to serve this special community, and we are thrilled to embrace this great opportunity to lead our company forward. Cherry Lane's groundbreaking history inspires our future, and as we stand on the shoulders of a century of unforgettable innovators, we are grateful for the work ahead and the challenge of continuing this theatre’s long tradition of forever emboldening the voice of Off-Broadway. Heartfelt thanks to our inimitable Founding Artistic Director, Angelina Fiordellisi, and Board of Directors.”

For more information on the Cherry Lane Theatre, visit CherryLaneTheatre.org.

LOOKING TO CAST OR BE CAST IN A SHOW YOURSELF? TRY PLAYBILL JOBS NOW!