The director will take on the new post for the 2007-08 academic year, the New York institution announced Sept. 10.

"We are fortunate to have such an accomplished director on hand to inspire our students," said New School for Drama director Robert LuPone in a released statement. "His experience in both classic and modern productions will instill in our students the drive and dedication needed to amass a promising body of work. This is an excellent opportunity for our acting and playwriting students in addition to those studying directing. Hughes' range of work complements our degree programs perfectly."  

His work in the new position will include teaching master classes in the fall and spring semesters. He will also "address the school as a whole in a town hall meeting moderated by LuPone, in which he will describe his experiences on the stage and answer student questions," according to the announcement.

Hughes next directs the Manhattan Theatre Club Broadway run of Theresa Rebeck's Mauritius. Among his numerous recent credits include Broadway's A Touch of the Poet, A Naked Girl on the Appian Way, Inherit the Wind, Frozen and Doubt (which earned him the 2005 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play). Off-Broadway he has staged Howard Katz, The Paris Letter, McReele, The House in Town, Defiance, Last Easter and Engaged.

For more information visit www.drama.newschool.edu.