Waters staged Sarah Ruhl's Tony-nominated comedy In the Next Room at Berkeley Rep prior to its Broadway bow in 2009. He also collaborated with Ruhl on Three Sisters at Yale Rep this fall.

He will begin the transition to the Actors Theatre Jan. 9, 2012, and will assume full-time responsibilities there in March. Masterson stepped down as artistic director last May to perform the same role at the South Coast Repertory Theatre.

"It is an honor and a privilege to take up the reins at Actors Theatre of Louisville, an organization I’ve long admired," Waters said in a statement. "I've had the opportunity to direct twice at Actors Theatre, and I was deeply impressed with the theatre, its staff and the community at large. I am excited to begin working with the board of trustees, staff, volunteer core and Actors Theatre's extended family of theatre artists. I am committed to making theatre here that is passionate and intelligent, funny and heartfelt and to leading Actors Theatre to new artistic endeavors. I look forward to being a part of this community, to making a new home in Louisville, and to continuing Actors Theatre's incredible legacy of local and national acclaim."

Waters has staged the world premieres of Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West, Fêtes de la Nuit, Finn in the Underworld, Girlfriend, and To the Lighthouse, as well as the American premiere of TRAGEDY: a tragedy; the West Coast premieres of Ruhl's Eurydice and Three Sisters.

For information, visit actorstheatre.org or call (502) 584-1205.