American Stage Theatre Company Names New Artistic Director

ST. PETE, FL —The American State Theatre Company and its Board of Trustees announced Thursday that Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj will be the theater group's next producing artistic director. Majaraj, who was selected after a national search, succeeds Stephanie Gularte.

According to the biography on his website, Maharaj is an artist - director, choreographer and playwright - administrator and activist, who was twice hailed in the The New York Times as a Critics Pick for his work in the theater.

Maharaj recently served as the associate artistic producer of Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

Previously, Maharaj has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway and at several prominent regional theaters, winning numerous theater awards, including: the Woodie King Jr. Award (St. Louis), four Vivian Robinson AUDELCO Awards for direction and choreography (Off-Broadway) and a Barrymore Award (Philadelphia).

Additionally, Maharaj is the former third vice-president for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for the Borough of Brooklyn.

"I am excited to bring ambitious, innovative new works to the Tampa Bay region that will feature talented, diverse artists and theatre-makers, as well as find continued opportunities for theatre-practitioners from across the country to develop their work at American Stage," Maharaj said. "I look forward to meeting and working with the artists and audiences who already love this great theatre while also attracting new patrons and collaborators."

Maharaj continued: "I am committed to ensuring American Stage upholds its mission and values as it enters a dynamic new chapter. During a time when there has been significant loss and pain for the theatre industry and the world, I look forward to charting a course for the future that positions American Stage as an institution that inspires meaningful civic change in its community and across the nation."

Members of American Stage's Board of Trustees hailed Maharaj's hiring as the beginning of an exciting new era.

"We are confident that Rajendra will thrive in our rapidly growing and evolving community, continuing American Stage's commitment to excellence while expanding the theatre's regional and national footprint," said Annie Hiotis, vice chair of the Board of Trustees.

According to a release, Maharaj will join American Stage this month and reside in St. Petersburg full-time at the start of American Stage's 2021-2022 season, after serving as assistant director for Terence Blanchard's "Fire Shut Up In My Bones" at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City