Emily Shooltz, who spent 14 years as the associate artistic director of Ars Nova, has been named the new artistic director of Off-Broadway's Signature Theatre.
Shooltz, who will step into the role November 1 following a nationwide search, will succeed Paige Evans, who has led the Off-Broadway company since 2016, when she succeeded company founder James Houghton.
At Ars Nova, Shooltz fostered the work of dozens of early-career playwrights the organization commissioned and developed for production, and over 100 others through the organization’s Play Group and roster of artist residency programs. Following her tenure at Ars Nova, she worked for two years as a freelance creative consultant, seeking a way to continue to grow her relationships with artists beyond early career.
With its slate of residency programs, Signature supports writers at multiple phases of their careers, presenting audiences with both never-before-seen works and new takes on earlier material.
“My mission at Ars Nova was to foster the skills of a deep generational well of talent as they were starting their careers. It’s incredibly gratifying to now see those people lighting up the industry at a time of vibrant cultural change," Shooltz says in a statement. "I cannot wait to put Signature’s resources to work shepherding their next brilliant ideas alongside a wealth of new collaborators. I’m honored to build on the legacy of James Houghton’s beautiful vision and Paige Evans’ keen artistic eye in leading Signature’s next chapter.”
Shooltz adds, “The deep dive approach to a playwright's work that Jim Houghton envisioned for Signature is so singular and special. I can’t imagine a bigger professional thrill than being in extended conversation with the great storytellers of our age, especially at a time when artists are thinking about playmaking in increasingly porous and fluid ways. I am deeply committed to our contemporary playwriting community, and particularly love supporting writers alongside composers, outside-the-box thinkers, and theatre-making multi-hyphenates. Working with Signature’s unique model to champion playwrights and an expanded circle of visionary artists will be a privilege and a joy.”
Signature Theatre Board President Douglas E. Chittenden states, “The artistic stewardship of Signature Theatre is paramount to its ongoing success, and we couldn't be prouder that Emily Shooltz is joining us at this significant juncture. She is a creative powerhouse, a beloved colleague to and champion of many of today's most compelling theatre artists, and a natural, joyous leader. I'd be remiss to not to thank our Board Selection Committee and search firm Arts Consulting Group for their indefatigable efforts. These are exciting days, and we are thrilled about this new chapter.”
Director, Signature Theatre Board Member, and Signature Resident Playwright (with The Mad Ones) Lila Neugebauer adds, “Jim Houghton built Signature Theatre around the uniquely vital mission to invest in an artist’s body of work, and under Paige Evans' tenacious leadership, Signature has continued to serve an essential role in the American theatrical landscape. I’m thrilled to see Emily Shooltz take the helm of this storied, beloved institution. In her tenure as associate artistic director of Ars Nova, Emily distinguished herself as a leader possessing brilliant instincts when it comes to identifying early-career talent. Her artistic practice is characterized by rigorous thinking, genuinely collaborative spirit, and far-reaching empathetic imagination. I cannot wait to see where Signature goes under Emily's leadership.”
Shooltz arrives at Signature amid the final season programmed by former Artistic Director Evans, who produced nine seasons at Signature. The current season features three Signature commissions—Dominique Morisseau’s Bad Kreyòl, co-produced with Manhattan Theatre Club, October 8–December 1; Samuel D. Hunter’s Grangeville February 4–March 16, 2025; and invite-only presentations of Melis Aker’s Fish, September 20-22, 2024—and a revisiting of a previous work—Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice, May 13–June 22, 2025.
