Stages’ new artistic director brings a wealth of knowledge gained over decades to Houston’s iconic theater scene

HOUSTON – If you’ve never visited Houston’s downtown theater district, you’re definitely missing out. But if you have, chances are you’ve come across Stages and been impressed by how it stands out as one of the city’s largest nonprofit performing arts producers.

Founded in 1978, Stages doesn’t just create plays; it tells stories that connect with audiences in vivid and profound ways. Derek Livingston, who will take the helm as Stages’ new artistic director in August, looks to build on that legacy by bringing his wealth of knowledge to Houston’s already iconic theater scene.

“Stages is a regional theater, so it has a national reputation, and the Stages search committee wisely decided to go with a national search firm that has a great reputation in the theater community,” Livingston told me in an interview. “And they knew that I had been an artistic director 20 years ago in Los Angeles. I was interim artistic director of the Utah Shakespeare Festival for two seasons.”

SEE ALSO: “Othello: Remix” at Stages in Houston presents a reimagined version of the Shakespearean classic

True, Livingston said he had never been to Houston before, but he was well aware that he and Stages would have a mutually beneficial relationship.

“The quality of the productions is extremely high. When you go to a Stages production, you can expect your heart and your emotions to be entertained and, in many cases, your intellect as well, and you will hear about other people’s worlds,” he explained. “And even if the play itself doesn’t reach a level of depth, the entertainment value will create a deeply entertaining experience, which I think is just as legitimate in theater.”

“Stages was so relatable to what was important to me that I decided to apply and was fortunate enough to be chosen by the organizers,” Livingston continued. “And I’m still very proud and humbled by that.”

Although Livingston will take on a leadership role, he says his work will be more collaborative, something he’s looking forward to.

“In my interviews, I met with other theater artistic directors and we talked about how we can work together in a collaborative way to raise the profile of theater in Houston, how we can support artists who are making theater and who have lived in Houston as performing artists,” Livingston said. “That involves us collaborating with each other, but also promoting each other’s shows… So it’s just about celebrating this project here in Houston and telling the world that it exists.”

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Livingston will succeed longtime artistic director Kenn McLaughlin, who in a press release said he was confident Stages would be in good hands.

“I will always be forever grateful to my Stages family and for the time I have spent with this incredible company,” said McLaughlin. “While I will miss everyone immensely, I am ready to begin a new chapter in my life and excited to witness the next chapter of Stages. Derek’s credits are extremely impressive and I have been inspired by his great love of theater. For me, perhaps most importantly of all, Derek is a warm and caring man who brings joy, spirit and passion to his engagements. I believe he will connect with Houston audiences in wonderful new ways, and I am confident that Derek will lead Stages into a bigger, bolder and brighter future as Artistic Director.”

Livingston is just one of several new hires at Stages, including Gwen Watkins, who was recently named the theater’s executive director and will co-run it. He will, however, make the full transition in August.