"I am honored to join this extraordinary company, and to build upon the vision of its legendary founder, Terry O'Brien," said McCallum, who will join the HVSF team in May, in a statement. "I was fortunate to see Terry's production of Hamlet in 2011, and I left the theatre feeling thrilled and inspired.

"What makes HVSF so special is the magical connection between the acting company and the audience under that tent. It's a real gift to be invited to be a part of something so unique in the American theatre.

"I'm deeply grateful to the board and the search committee for the opportunity, and I look forward to partnering with executive director Maggie Whitlum in extending the tradition of excellence in the summer season, as well as advancing the theatre's celebrated education and outreach programs."

Founding artistic director O'Brien added, "Davis' aesthetic and genuine love of Shakespeare resonates completely with what I have always tried to achieve at the Festival. I believe he has all the qualities to guide the Festival to new levels of achievement while preserving its unique connection to the Hudson Valley community that has contributed so much to the Festival. I look for great things in coming years."

McCallum is an award-winning theatre director. Last season, he directed Sam Hunter's The Whale (Playwrights Horizons), which won the 2013 Lucille Lortel Award for Best Play, followed by Quiara Hudes' Water by the Spoonful (Second Stage), which won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival is a "nonprofit professional theatre company that performs each summer under a beautifully designed tent on the grounds of the Boscobel House and Gardens, overlooking the Hudson River in Garrison, NY. In addition to the summer season, HVSF supports a year-round education and outreach program, which annually serves over 40,000 students and teachers."

Visit HVShakespeare.org.