Tony-nominated actor, director, and writer Hunter Foster has been appointed the new artistic director of Syracuse's Redhouse Arts Center. Foster, who recently directed the Off-Broadway return of The Other Josh Cohen at the Westside Theatre, stepped into the leadership position earlier this month.
As an actor, Foster has performed on Broadway in Little Shop of Horrors, for which he received a Tony Award nomination; he originated the role of Bobby Strong in Urinetown and has been seen in The Producers, The Bridges of Madison County, Hands on a Hardbody, Million Dollar Quartet, Footloose, Les Misérables, Grease, Pump Boys and Dinettes, and King David.
Foster joins Redhouse having most recently been the artistic associate at the Bucks County Playhouse, where he directed productions of 42nd Street, Guys and Dolls, Company, The Buddy Holly Story, The Rocky Horror Show, and Million Dollar Quartet, among others. Other directing credits include Our Town at Theatre Aspen, Cabaret and My Fair Lady at the Cape Playhouse, and Million Dollar Quartet at Paper Mill Playhouse.
“Among the pool of impressive and diverse candidates, Hunter immediately stood out,” said Samara Hannah, the executive director of Redhouse. “Hunter’s outstanding work on Broadway and around the country, his reach and accomplishments will propel Redhouse into our next chapter of growth.”
“I was attracted to Redhouse because of the energy of the downtown area and the tremendous potential of the new facility which is one of the most impressive new theatre spaces that I've ever seen," said Foster. "This new space allows us to produce shows in many varied and experimental ways which will make Redhouse a unique cultural destination in Syracuse. My hope is to bring to the forefront and help cultivate new artists in the Central New York region who will have the opportunity to work side by side with established professionals from Broadway and around the country. I also want to make sure we continue the long history of educational opportunity for children and teens."
Foster is the writer of the librettos for Summer of '42 and Jasper in Deadland.
