Diane Quinn Chosen as A.R.T. Executive Director

Diane Quinn will take on the role of executive director of the American Repertory Theater beginning Dec. 1, joining Diane M. Paulus '88, who will continue as the A.R.T.’s artistic director.

Most recently, Quinn acted as senior vice president of creative and artistic operations at Cirque du Soleil in Canada. Previously, Quinn has served as founding producer of Soulpepper Theater Company, Canada’s largest urban theater. She has also held roles as the coordinator of the arts administration program at the University of Toronto and executive director of Toronto Women in Film and Television.

Quinn graduated from the University of Toronto’s Honors Arts Specialist degree program with a concentration in Arts Management and Drama, and she wrote "The Indie Theatre Producer’s Guide.”

Steve Johnson, A.R.T. board chair, described the search for a new executive director as both “extensive” and “international” in nature in a press release. He and the board expressed faith that Quinn could “step in seamlessly” and “continue all of the extraordinary work of the institution.”

Quinn said that she looks “forward to continuing with the important work of this organization and the strong partnership with Harvard."

Quinn will be working with Diane Paulus, the current artistic director. During Paulus’ tenure, the A.R.T.’s Oberon, a club theater, has operated as an “incubator for local and emerging artists.”

Since its founding in 1980 by Robert S. Brustein, the A.R.T has worked closely with the Harvard’s theater community. The A.R.T is a central professional theater on Harvard’s campus, facilitating many students' entry into the theater world through an offering of internships and production assistant roles.