Shakespeare & Co. was founded by Tina Packer and colleagues in 1978. Simotes became artistic director in early 2009, having also been a founding member of the troupe.
Simotes' departure follows the arrival of Rick Dildine, the former executive director of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, who took over as executive director and president of Shakespeare & Co. in recent weeks.
Dildine declined to answer questions regarding a replacement or Simotes' next steps. He, however, remained positive about the future for Shakespeare & Company, stating that the organization had been "reviewing programmatic and administrative matters."
Reached by email, Simotes told the Times that he did not want to discuss his leaving.
