Ranelli, who took part in the first days of the O’Neill Center, has since directed more than 50 projects at the Waterford, Connecticut venue as well as regionally at The Actors Studio, The American Place Theatre, Baltimore’s Center Stage, Cleveland Play House, Guthrie II, Hartford Stage, The Kennedy Center, Long Wharf Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, Mark Taper Forum, The New Repertory Project, Roundabout Theater Company and the National Theatre of the Deaf. On Broadway, he directed the original plays Herzl and Einstein and the Polar Bear.

In mid-September, the Playwrights Conference at the Center had announced the end of its open submission policy due to a growing debt and a lack of staff to handle the numerous plays submitted every year. The move was not welcome by the playwriting community from unknown and famous playwrights alike.  

At October's end, O'Neill Playwrights Conference artistic director James Houghton announced his resignation, citing exclusion from the board's reorganization plans to consolidate leadership.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center was founded in 1964 and based in Waterford, CT. Programs at the Center include the Puppetry Conference, Playwrights Conference, Critics Institute, Music Theater Conference and the National Theater Institute. The Monte Cristo Cottage, O'Neill's childhood home, is also owned and operated by the group.

For more information on the O'Neill Center, visit the website at www.TheONeill.org or call (860) 443-5378.