Theatre for a New Audience has announced that Dorothy Ryan will step into the position of Executive Director, following over two decades of transformative leadership as the acclaimed organization’s Managing Director. As Jeffrey Horowitz, TFANA’s Founding Artistic Director, steps down on August 31, 2025, TFANA adopts a shared leadership model, with both an Artistic Director and an Executive Director. Horowitz is succeeded by Ryan and OBIE Award-winning current Director-in-Residence and former Associate Artistic Director Arin Arbus, who (as announced in April) will be the organization’s Artistic Director. Ryan and Arbus begin their respective new roles on September 1, 2025. With two accomplished leaders who have deep histories with the organization, TFANA will be well-positioned to weather the turmoil facing the American theater and cement a long-term future of innovation and impact. Ryan’s appointment follows a national search led by Arts Consulting Group.
As TFANA’s new leaders, Arbus and Ryan will together carry forward Horowitz’s legacy and steward TFANA’s mission of producing Shakespeare alongside other classical and contemporary authors, while deepening the Theatre’s civic engagement and educational impact. Ryan will ensure the financial health and sustainability of the organization while guiding all operational and administrative functions. She and Arbus will collaborate on season planning and the development of budgets and educational initiatives, and jointly partner with the Board in the formulation of long-term strategic goals. Ryan will also be responsible for the management and operation of Polonsky Shakespeare Center, whose planning, fundraising, and construction she and Horowitz teamed to oversee. (The building is TFANA’s first permanent home; opened in 2013, it was the first classical theatre built in New York City since the Vivian Beaumont at Lincoln Center in 1965.)
Ryan says, “I am thrilled to continue my immensely fulfilling work with TFANA in this new and expanded role, and to be partnering alongside such an inspired and compelling Artistic Director as Arin Arbus. I look forward to further collaboration with Arin, the Theatre’s Board, artists, audiences, and generous supporters. Together, along with our talented and dedicated staff, we will build on Jeffrey Horowitz’s magnificent accomplishments, which have made TFANA the dynamic theatre and vibrant artistic center that it is today.”
Since she first joined TFANA as Managing Director in 2003, Ryan has been an instrumental force of change and growth for the organization. Beyond her work developing Polonsky Shakespeare Center, under her leadership, TFANA has expanded its reach and impact, including its renowned arts education programs serving New York City public schools. In this prolonged era of industry-wide hardship, Ryan’s experience fearlessly and dexterously navigating the financial crash of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic—and helping bring the organization healthily through its ongoing aftermath—makes her uniquely positioned to continue to ensure the company’s success and impact, even in the most challenging moments.
Before joining TFANA, Ryan held senior fundraising roles at leading New York cultural institutions including the 92nd Street Y and Brooklyn Museum. She also served as Visiting Assistant Professor at Pratt Institute’s Arts and Cultural Management Program. A graduate of Brown University (A.B. Music), she began her career in classical music artist management and has held management positions at Chautauqua Opera, Opera Ensemble of New York, and Eugene Opera. A longtime Brooklyn resident, she was honored as a Brooklyn Woman of Distinction in 2014.
Jeffrey Horowitz has led and grown the not-for-profit organization since 1979. When Horowitz accepted the Obie Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2019, he said that founding TFANA in 1979 was “one of the best decisions [he] ever made.” He says now, “I have been fortunate to have worked closely with Dorothy for over two decades, and she has been essential in building TFANA. I am excited now to see how TFANA will evolve under Arin’s and Dorothy’s partnership.”
Arbus says, “I’m delighted to welcome Dorothy Ryan as our new Executive Director and my partner. Having collaborated with her for many years, I’ve seen firsthand her integrity, wisdom, and passionate dedication to our mission. Over her 22 years with TFANA, Dorothy played a pivotal role in the capital campaign that led to the creation of our first permanent home and has been instrumental in the organization’s extraordinary growth. She brings a profound understanding of TFANA’s history, values, and future potential—as well as a deep knowledge of and love for Brooklyn. As we step into this new chapter, I’m so excited by the possibilities ahead—and honored to walk this path alongside her.”
Search Committee Chair Josh Weisberg says, “The search committee was delighted to recommend Dorothy as the winning candidate for the position after a rigorous and competitive process that took place over many months. During the process, Dorothy made it clear, through her insights and analysis, that she had a strong vision for how to lead the organization forward in collaboration with Arin.”
Robert E. Buckholz, TFANA’s Board Chair, adds, “With completion of this search process and two exceptionally strong hires, we have taken a very meaningful step forward in building the Theatre’s institutional capacity. This will be critical as we move into TFANA’s exciting next phase, deepening our engagement with audiences, artists and Brooklyn’s communities.”
Read more in Playbill.com, Brooklyn Eagle, and American Theatre.