Providence’s flagship theater is getting a new leading act at the top. Trinity Repertory Company has named Meredith McDonough its next artistic director, handing the city’s resident company to a director best known for championing new plays and musicals. She steps into the role in August, succeeding Curt Columbus after his more than 20-year run. The handoff lands right in the middle of a major renovation that will reshape Trinity Rep’s main stage and public spaces, and local audiences are being told to expect a stronger emphasis on commissioning and developmental programs under McDonough’s watch.
McDonough, 50, said she is “excited about the opportunity for expansive, creative newness,” and told reporters she plans to relocate to Providence this summer with Ron, her 6-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel. As reported by The Boston Globe, she is currently directing Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Emma at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and described Trinity Rep as a place “built on” community and new work. The Boston Globe also notes that she will begin in the artistic director position in August.
A Director Who Builds New Work
McDonough made her name producing new plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville, where she served as associate artistic director and helped run the Humana Festival of New American Plays. As detailed by Rhode Island Monthly, her résumé includes premieres and commissions at Guthrie Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and a long list of regional houses. Trinity Rep’s board pointed to that background as a strong match for the company’s ensemble-driven, company-centric mission.
Following a Two-Decade Run
McDonough follows Curt Columbus, who led Trinity Rep for more than 20 seasons and steered the organization through the pandemic as well as the early stages of its renovation. The leadership change comes after a nationwide search, and BroadwayWorld noted that McDonough’s appointment marks the first time Trinity Rep’s top artistic and executive leadership will both be women. Board chair Kibbe Reilly praised McDonough’s experience and “joy” as key reasons she rose to the top of the candidate pool.
The Renovation and What It Means for Audiences
McDonough’s hire is timed to sync with a roughly $35 million overhaul of the Lederer Theater Center that will result in a more flexible Chace Theater with about 575 seats and upgraded technical systems. The project, The Boston Globe reports, is slated for completion in mid-2027. The renovated footprint is designed to give McDonough a nimble production platform for premieres and revivals alike, and executives say the new configuration should make it easier to alternate large-scale productions with development workshops and readings.
What’s Next for Programming
Looking ahead, McDonough has said she plans to build multi-year programming arcs, expand pre-production readings and open rehearsals, and place company members’ artistic ambitions at the center of season planning. As BroadwayWorld reported, the search committee singled out her track record in developing new voices and mentoring emerging artists as a strong fit for a theater that wants to deepen community ties while maintaining national reach.
Trinity Rep is expected to roll out specific season plans and public programs in the coming months. McDonough’s first stretch on the job will focus on conversations with company members and local partners about what to stage and how to weave development work into mainstage cycles. For Providence audiences, the transition signals a pivot toward ambitious new work produced in a freshly reconfigured theatrical home.
