Christie Brown is named the new Executive Director of New Dramatists, beginning on July 1, 2023. She joins veteran Artistic Director Emily Morse to lead the organization. Brown’s cumulative service to New Dramatists spans 15 years in various leadership roles, from her first assignment as Literary Director to her leadership of our fundraising efforts. In her most recent position as Finance and Human Resources Director, she was a key part of the leadership team that engineered New Dramatists’ successful navigation of the COVID shutdown.
“It’s an honor to join Emily at the helm of this magnificent organization, dedicated to supporting a group of extraordinarily talented playwrights,” Brown says. “We are ready to chart New Dramatists’ course forward with our unique mission: empowering playwrights to develop their work on their own terms. I feel proud to take over from Joel Ruark, who has elevated New Dramatists substantially over decades.”
“Christie’s immense creativity and impressive managerial acumen makes her infinitely suited to step into the position of Executive Director,” says Morse. “She is exactly the leader we need at this moment, and I am eager and honored to collaborate with her to steward this exceptional organization, and work dynamically in service of the visionary artists comprising New Dramatists’ playwright company.”
This leadership transition occurs at a significant moment, as New Dramatists prepares to embark on the next step of its real estate strategy to provide a workspace that will offer greater inclusiveness for the entire New Dramatists community in the 21st Century. Denham Wolf Real Estate Services, a trusted advisor and expert in non-profit real estate, is representing New Dramatists in the sale of its current building on West 44th Street and the selection of a new artistic home.
Brown assumes the Executive Director role from Joel K. Ruark, who departs New Dramatists after 26 years of distinguished leadership.
Ruark said, “There is simply no-one more qualified to take the position of Executive Director at New Dramatists than Christie Brown. The New Dramatists community is quite fortunate that she will join Emily Morse. There is great light in the possibilities these two extraordinary women bring to the American theatre. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve New Dramatists and proud of our numerous accomplishments.”