Ruggiero has been involved with the artistic leadership of Theaterworks since 1992. In March 2012 he was appointed interim artistic director after founding artistic director Steve Campo resigned his position due to medical reasons. Ruggiero will now assume full-time duties as producing artistic director beginning Jan. 1, 2013. "I am thrilled by this opportunity," Ruggiero said in a statement. "It's a very emotional and personal thing for me to be assuming the role of producing artistic director. I have been associated with TheaterWorks in some capacity for nearly 20 years, and being at the helm as we come out of this very challenging time is particularly meaningful. I love this theatre, I believe in what we do and in our future. I am extremely touched by the faith and support shown to me by the board of directors, this wonderfully dedicated staff and the Hartford community during this interim period. I look forward to serving our loyal audience and shepherding the theatre in new and positive directions as we embrace the next chapter at TheaterWorks."

Ruggiero directed the world premiere of Matthew Lombardo's High at TheaterWorks and on Broadway in 2011. He also staged Lombardo's Looped, about Tallulah Bankhead, on Broadway in 2010. He has also directed the Goodspeed Musicals productions of Carousel, Camelot, Annie Get Your Gun, 1776, Big River and Show Boat.

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