DENNIS, MA The Board of Trustees of the Cape Cod Center for the Arts, Inc., announced today that Eric Rosen has been named artistic director of the historic Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Massachusetts.
A producer, director, and playwright, Mr. Rosen is known as a transformative leader and artistic innovator who creates acclaimed theater that engages audiences and embraces new communities.
“Eric is a brilliant artistic leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to The Cape Playhouse at just the right time,” said Bill Templeton, President of the Board of Trustees of the Cape Cod Center for the Arts. “Eric’s reverence for the history of our theater is so important as we approach our centennial celebration in 2027. We are grateful to have someone of his caliber joining our leadership team, and we know that his vision, energy, and passion for artistic excellence will be the driving forces as we build on the legacy of this storied institution.”
In accepting his third career appointment as an artistic director, Mr. Rosen said, “It is a tremendous honor to be asked to lead the Cape Playhouse into its centenary. For nearly 100 years, the Playhouse has been a vital and vibrant part of the Cape community and an important force in the shaping of American theater. I’m grateful for the chance to help move the theater forward artistically into an even brighter future, as I am sure the Playhouse’s best days are ahead.”
As leader of Kansas City Repertory Theater (KC Rep) from 2008 to 2018, Mr. Rosen guided the organization through a period of significant change, transforming a 44-year-old company into a respected incubator and engine for the development of stories that reached Broadway and stages worldwide. His programming included large-scale, pre-New York musicals, including the Tony-nominated A Christmas Story, The Public Theater’s Venice, and Lincoln Center’s Clay. During his decade-long tenure in Kansas City, Mr. Rosen transformed educational initiatives; built a diverse national network of talent, producing partners, and institutional collaborators; and shepherded a 50th anniversary campaign that led to expansion and modernization of the theater’s artistic facilities.