Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Karen Azenberg loves the entire theater experience, but bringing that experience to others means living her dream.
"I love when a piece of theater particularly touches me and my heart feels like it's exploding out of my chest," she said. "But what I love even more is getting an entire auditorium full of people to feel that way as well."
Azenberg was named the new artistic director of the Pioneer Theatre Company on Wednesday. She will replace outgoing director, Charles Morey, who has led the company since 1984.
"This is my dream job," she said at a press conference in the lobby of the Roy W. and Elizabeth E. Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre.
Azenberg, a New York-based freelance director and choreographer who has directed more than 60 plays across the county, including Rent, Miss Saigon, Next to Normal and the musical staging for productions at PTC. Azenberg will take the helm July 1, 2012.
"I am impressed with Karen as a director and a person. She has a wonderful vision for the theater. I couldn't be more delighted that she has accepted the position as the theater's artistic director," said PTC Board Chairman Paul M. Durham.
Durham said a committee tasked with recruiting and interviewing for the position received more than 80 applications from around the nation. Azenberg is the fourth artistic director for PTC in its 49-years at the University of Utah.
I am impressed with Karen as a director and a person. She has a wonderful vision for the theater. I couldn't be more delighted that she has accepted the position.
–- Paul M. Durham, PTC chairman
"I think she's a very talented director and she's very smart. I think she's going to be an excellent producer," said outgoing director Charles Morey. "She has very high artistic standards."
Morey was applauded for his 28 years of leadership.
"We had big shoes to fill," Durham said.
Morey directed more than 70 productions in his 28-year career, including the first regional theater production of Les Miserables.
Morey said he intends to do freelance directing and pursue his playwriting career. He's set to have a show he wrote open off Broadway sometime next year.
"I'm retiring from Pioneer Theatre, but not from theater and not from the workforce," he said.
Azenberg said she hopes to build on the great tradition already in place.
"As a guest artist, in over 20 years of freelance directing, I've never been treated better or been more proud of the work I put on stage than when I've worked here," Azenberg stated in a press release. "And over five extended stays, I've come to enjoy Salt Lake City and Utah. I'm a born-and-raised New York girl, but my family and I are truly excited about becoming westerners and Utahns."
"While I can't promise you 28 years, I look forward to a long and very successful partnership," she said.
Email:mfarmer@ksl.com
