Florida Rep Names Next Artistic Director

After a months-long internal search, the Board of Directors of Florida Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce the selection of founding company member Greg Longenhagen as the organization's new Artistic Director. Greg is currently an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Florida Gulf Coast University and the President, Owner, CEO, and Senior Creative Director of Abbott Productions in Fort Myers. He will assume leadership as Artistic Director and join the theatre's board and staff on October 15.

"The Board of Directors is very pleased to have Greg at the helm as our new Artistic Director," said Chairperson, Marc Laviolette. "Greg believes in Florida Rep's mission and has contributed to the theatre's success over the past twenty seasons. We are confident he will continue to deliver the extremely high-quality productions that Florida Rep is known for."

Longenhagen is embarking on his 21st season with the company. He has worked on 59 productions as an actor, director, fight choreographer, or dialect coach, including the company's inaugural production of "Noises Off." An accomplished actor, director, producer, teacher and coach, Greg has enjoyed a 30-year professional career in theatre, radio, television, and film. He was seen most recently in Florida Rep's nationally acclaimed production of "The House of Blue Leaves" in 2017 and directed "The Last Night of Ballyhoo" last season.

Greg holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and his extensive professional resume includes work onstage with Charlotte Repertory Theatre, Riverside Theatre, Arrow Rock Lyceum, Florida Stage, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Pirate Playhouse, Pennsylvania Stage Company, Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre, Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival, Philadelphia Shakespeare, The Fulton Theatre, Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, Opera Delaware, St. Vincent Theatre, Theatre Row, and more. Greg was born and raised near Allentown, Pennsylvania. His career in regional theatre has taken him all over the country. In the 1990's, he settled in Southwest Florida where he met his wife, Liz Abbott.

"My goal is to honor the amazing 20-year contributions by Robert Cacioppo and Carrie Lund while conforming to the mission statement approved by our board of directors," Longenhagen said. "As Artistic Director, I will enhance the Rep's traditions of excellence in entertaining, enlightening, and enriching our audiences. With the continued generous support of our donors and patrons, I will strive to advance our educational program for the youth of the community."

In addition to selecting Longenhagen as Artistic Director, Florida Rep is also proud to announce the promotion of longtime staff and ensemble member, Jason Parrish, to Associate Artistic Director. Parrish entered his fourteenth season with Florida Rep this summer, after seeing the company through this leadership transition as Interim Artistic Director. He joined the staff in 2005 and worked in many capacities before becoming Associate Director in 2007. His over thirty appearances with Florida Rep include "Cabaret," six years in "The Santaland Diaries," "How the Other Half Loves," and 2014's nationally acclaimed production of "Arsenic and Old Lace." He has overseen the company's PlayLab Festival of new works since 2014 and has directed numerous plays and musicals including the upcoming mainstage production of "Steel Magnolias."

"It has been an honor to see Florida Rep through this period of transition," Parrish said, "and I look forward to working with Greg to enhance and strengthen the company's mission and to nurturing its artistic growth into this next phase of development."

To read more information about Florida Rep's new leadership, visit Florida Rep online at www.FloridaRep.org. Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre and the ArtStage Studio Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry in the Fort Myers River District.