New Key Hires Announced At American Conservatory Theater In SF

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The American Conservatory Theater this week announced appointments of three new employees to fill key positions within the Artistic and Conservatory departments at San Francisco’s nonprofit theater organization: Joy Meads as Director of Dramaturgy and New Works; Peter J. Kuo as Associate Conservatory Director; andDanyon Davis as Head of Movement.

“After three rigorous job searches that sparked attention from brilliant candidates around the country, I am beyond excited to begin my tenure at A.C.T. alongside Joy Meads, Peter J. Kuo, and Danyon Davis,” said Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon. “All are artists, practitioners and educators, steeped in theater’s rich traditions and limitless possibilities. They are exciting leaders in the fields of new work, theater history, actor training and EDI.”

Joy Meads, a native of Oakland, comes to A.C.T. from Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, where she is wrapping up her tenure as literary manager/artistic engagement strategist.

Previously, Meads was literary manager at Steppenwolf Theatre Co. and associate artistic director at California Shakespeare Theater. She has also developed plays with Oregon Shakespeare Festival, New York Theatre Workshop, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the O'Neill, Ojai Playwrights Conference, Portland Center Stage, South Coast Repertory, and Campo Santo, among others.

As Director of Dramaturgy and New Works, Meads will lead the day-to-day literary and dramaturgy operations of commissioning and identifying new work, as well as championing classics for A.C.T.’s Geary Theater and Strand Theater. In addition, Meads will provide dramaturgical support for mainstage productions, teach and create curriculum in A.C.T.’s Conservatory, and spearhead A.C.T.’s robust New Works program.

Meads begins her tenure at A.C.T. Aug. 13.

Peter J. Kuo is a director, producer, writer, and educator focused on raising the visibility of marginalized communities. He is currently in the Directing Corps at Williamstown Theatre Festival where he is assistant director to Rachel Chavkin on the new musical Lempicka. He just finished a First Stage Residency at The Drama League and was recently named one of TCG’s Rising Leaders of Color.

Recently, Kuo was the social justice programs coordinator at The New School, where he founded the NSD: Affinity Groups program and was involved with several equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.

As Associate Conservatory Director, Kuo will play a key role on the M.F.A. faculty, directing M.F.A. productions, teaching, and advising students, as well as serve as a liaison between M.F.A. faculty and students and A.C.T.’s artistic team. In addition, Kuo will oversee the day-to-day operations of A.C.T.’s San Francisco Semester and strategize cultivation of Conservatory alumni. He begins his tenure at A.C.T. on Sept. 10.

Danyon Davis is departing the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City, where he also served as head of movement. He trained as an actor at the Juilliard Drama Division as a member of Group 25.

Davis also apprenticed as a teacher at Juilliard under founding faculty member and Head of Movement/Physical Acting, Moni Yakim, at the invitation of the late director of the Drama Division, Jim Houghton. Davis is a former faculty member at the Neighborhood Playhouse, Circle in the Square Theatre School, and HB Studio's Hagen Core Training Program. He has taught workshops in many settings, including community and arts-in-education based work with Stephen DiMenna, as well as workshop intensives with the Bill Reed Voice Studio, Middlebury College, and the Public Theater.

As an actor, Davis has performed in classical, contemporary, and experimental plays in theaters across the US and in Europe.

As Head of Movement, Davis will oversee the movement curriculum in A.C.T.’s MFA program. Additionally, Davis will support A.C.T. developmental projects, coach mainstage works, support student productions, and serve as a student advisor. Davis begins his tenure at A.C.T. Aug. 23.

-----------

ALSO SEE: Beloved East Coast 'Luke's Lobster' Shack Coming To SF

ALSO COMING UP NEARBY:

• 'Hunchback Of Notre Dame' Musical: San Francisco
• Korean War 65th Anniversary Commemoration: USS Hornet, Alameda
• 2018 Kite Festival: Free In Berkeley
• Downtown Art & Wine Faire 2018: Alameda
• Pacific Paradise Gala 2018: Filoli Estate, Woodside

--Images Joy Meads, Danyon Davis, Peter J. Kuo, courtesy of A.C.T.