Seattle Rep enters its next chapter following a season of audience growth, acclaimed productions, and expanded investment in new work and education.

Seattle Rep announced this week that the contracts of Artistic Director Dámaso Rodríguez and Managing Director Jeffrey Herrmann have been extended through 2030 as the theater continues a period of major artistic and institutional momentum. The announcement follows a landmark 2025/26 Season marked by strong ticket sales, expanded artistic partnerships and education programs, and a historic year of community support and fundraising.

^{Seattle Rep Artistic Director Dámaso Rodríguez and Managing Director Jeffrey Herrmann. Photo by Sayed Alamy.}

“This is a moment to celebrate,” said Seattle Rep Board Chair Donna Cochener. “Extending the contracts of both our Artistic and Managing Directors reflects the Board’s deep confidence in the vision, leadership, and future of Seattle Rep. Dámaso and Jeff continue to strengthen the role of theater at the heart of our community while inspiring artists, audiences, and staff through ambitious productions and meaningful artistic leadership.

“Their partnership is grounded in trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to raising the bar for what Seattle Rep can be. This is not only an investment in the future of the Rep, but in the future of theater in Seattle.”

The announcement comes during a period of significant growth and achievement for Seattle Rep during the 2025/26 Season, including a 21% increase in attendance over the previous season, continued subscriber growth, and two of the highest-grossing productions in the theater’s history: the 10th anniversary production of Come From Away and The Play That Goes Wrong. The season also coincided with Seattle Rep’s most successful fundraising Gala in its 63-year history, which raised a record-breaking $1.9 million in support of artistic programming, education initiatives, new work development, and the long-term sustainability of the theater.

^{Seattle Rep Education & Community Programs Director Deanna Martinez at Revel + Raise Gala 2026. Photo by Sayed Alamy.} 

“This season has been an encouraging reminder of what makes Seattle Rep so special — a community that continues to believe in the power of live theater to bring people together,” said Dámaso Rodríguez, Artistic Director of Seattle Rep. “As Seattle Rep looks toward its next chapter, we are deeply thankful to everyone who supported and helped us raise a historic $1.9 million. Their generosity allows us to continue producing ambitious work, investing in future generations of theater makers, and creating a space where audiences can gather, connect, and experience stories together.”

The 2025/26 Season also included the theater’s first-ever all-youth production on its professional Leo K. stage, The Outsiders, presented through its new Young Rep program. The world premiere of Larissa FastHorse’s Fancy Dancer in Fall 2025 marked Seattle Rep’s first mainstage collaboration with Seattle Children’s Theatre, further expanding investment in new audiences and intergenerational theater experiences.

^{The cast of Young Rep's The Outsiders (2025). Photo by Sayed Alamy.}

Seattle Rep has also continued expanding its national footprint through collaborations with fellow flagship regional theaters on productions that will appear on its stages over the next 12 months, including American Conservatory Theater, Center Theatre Group, Portland Center Stage, Cleveland Play House, and others.
 
As Seattle Rep looks toward its 2026/27 Season and beyond, the organization continues to deepen its role as one of the region’s leading cultural institutions—investing not only in productions on stage, but in the long-term sustainability and future of American regional theater itself.