John Langs has served as Artistic Director since 2016. He joined ACT in 2013 as Associate Artistic Director. Langs’ 16–year freelance career afforded him the opportunity to work with many prestigious theatre companies across the country. He has directed productions at Playwrights Horizons NY, Ensemble Studio Theater NY, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Lookingglass Theater Company in Chicago, Circle X in Los Angeles, The Resident Ensemble, New Century Theatre Company, Washington Ensemble Theatre, and Seattle Shakespeare Company. Langs received his directing degree from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Some of his favorite directing credits include The Shaggs Philosophy of the World (Los Angeles Drama Critic Circle Award for Best Original Musical), and Brothers Karamazov (seven LADCC Awards including Best Production of the year and Best Direction) and directing Kurt Beattie in King Lear. Langs received the first annual Seattle Gregory Award honoring excellence in direction for The Adding Machine. As a dedicated fan of original work, Langs has shepherded over a dozen projects to their premier production.

Anita Shah is a recent transplant to Seattle from New York City where she worked with organizations such as Lincoln Center, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Good Morning America, New York Live Arts, and Blue Man Group. Anita has had a long career in the theatre, beginning as a technician and then transitioning into production management, producing, and organizational leadership. Anita is an experienced team-builder and brings a strategic and hands-on organizational planning and venue management background to ACT. Anita received her BFA from Emerson College.

“I am excited to be joining the passionate team of theatre-makers at ACT. ACT has a rich history and I am honored to be a part of its ongoing story. I am grateful to the entire ACT family for such a warm welcome. I look forward to working with my dedicated colleagues as we rethink what it means to make theatre, as we challenge ourselves and our audiences, and find new ways to deepen connections to our community.”