Home American Shakespeare Center announces leadership transition with high-profile departure
Schools, Arts, Media

American Shakespeare Center announces leadership transition with high-profile departure

Chris Graham

American Shakespeare CenterAmerican Shakespeare Center announced today that artistic director Ethan McSweeney had resigned effective Feb. 11.

The Staunton-based theater said per a release that with McSweeney’s departure it will be returning to an actor-led model consistent with how productions were done in Shakespeare’s time.

The plans are for a three-play summer season led by ASC actors of Macbeth, Henry V, and All’s Well that Ends Well.

Details about the upcoming season, per the release, will be available in the coming weeks at www.americanshakespearecenter.com.

The release didn’t address any reasons for McSweeney’s departure, but an article in the Washington Post published today cited “festering tensions over his treatment of actors and staff.”

Lots of detail in that article, which is worth a read (you may need a subscription to be able to access).

Story by Chris Graham

Support AFP

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

Latest News

donald trump
Politics

Easier to die, harder to vote: The rigged architecture of the Warfare State

virginia tax
Virginia

State income tax filing deadline is Friday: Officials pushing you to file electronically

The filing and payment deadline for Virginia state income taxes is Friday, and Tax Commissioner Kristin Collins is saying it’s best at this stage to file electronically, if you can.

tony elliott gator bowl
Football

UVA Football: Finally, we have the details on Tony Elliott’s extension

UVA Football coach Tony Elliott got himself a million-dollar-a-year raise after his team’s 11-win season in 2025, with a total compensation package at $5.4 million a year, with $100,000 raises over each of the next five years of the deal.

uva football chandler morris
Football

UVA Football: Morris, Taylor among 10 ‘Hoos signing NFL rookie deals

football money
Football

UVA Football: Details on fresh extensions for Kitchings, Rudzinski, Gaither

rob tracinski podcast
Politics, Virginia

Podcast: Rob Tracinski discusses his Sixth District congressional campaign

ryan odom uva basketball
Basketball

UVA Basketball: Odom lands first transfer commitment for 2026 class