Gloucester Stage Announces New Artistic Director and 2023 Season

The Gloucester Stage Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Rebecca Bradshaw as the Company’s new Artistic Director after an extensive nationwide search process.

As Artistic Director, Rebecca will join Managing Director Christopher Griffith in working with GSC’s Board and staff on shared goals that strengthen the theater’s commitment to presenting socially relevant and intellectually stimulating works with powerful, uplifting, intriguing, and inspiring productions and performances. Rebecca takes over the role from the Award-winning Actress and Director Paula Plum, who has been serving as the theater’s Interim Artistic Director since Robert Walsh stepped down following the 2021 season.

“Rebecca has been appointed from an exceptionally strong array of candidates.” shared Managing Director Christopher Griffith. “We are incredibly pleased to have Rebecca leading the artistic vision of Gloucester Stage, bringing the experience of an acclaimed directing and producing career. I am especially grateful to have a business partner with such a strong commitment to the artistic community, championing diverse voices, and theater education.”

“I am thrilled to be back in a theatre community I hold so dear and to have the opportunity to become part of the thriving arts and culture scene in Gloucester. As a leader, I hope to build upon the foundation of GSC’s past while continuing to challenge and inspire audiences to come,” said Rebecca Bradshaw on her appointment as Artistic Director.  

Rebecca Bradshaw built her career in Boston as a theatre director, producer, educator, casting director, and advocate. She has directed full productions for the Huntington Theatre Company, Kitchen Theatre Company, Lyric Stage, The Nora Theatre Company, SpeakEasy Stage, Greater Boston Stage Company, A.R.T. Institute, Emerson College, Bridge Rep of Boston, Central Square Theatre/MIT, Weston Drama Workshop, The Umbrella Center for the Arts, Fresh Ink Theatre, among others. Bradshaw spent eight seasons at the Huntington Theatre Company, where she handled line producing, casting, and developing new work. She is a part of the Affiliated Faculty of Emerson College teaching directing and producing, and has taught casting seminars at Harvard University, Suffolk University, Boston University, Brandeis University, Lesley University, and Boston Conservatory. She comes to Gloucester Stage after most recently acting as the Producing Artistic Director at the Kitchen Theatre Company in Ithaca, NY.  Bradshaw is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers union. 

“I have worked with Rebecca Bradshaw as a director and colleague and we could not have asked for a more savvy, capable and artistically gifted person to lead Gloucester Stage.  She is a person of experience, talent and integrity,” shared Paula Plum, Gloucester Stage’s Interim Artistic Director. “Along with Rebecca’s appointment, I am also beyond thrilled with our selection of plays this year for Gloucester Stage which were chosen with JOY in mind — joy in the narrative, and joy in the process of storytelling. Each play has wit and humor that will entertain and also provoke and inspire.” 

From a classic comedic masterpiece to a contemporary thriller to a compelling Pulitzer Prize finalist drama, and world premiere of epic proportions, Gloucester Stage’s 2023 season mixes diverse storytelling and representation of multiple voices designed to engage and entertain audiences while expanding the boundaries of the local theater landscape.