By Team ASR
AASC has announced its separation from the visionary actor/director who guided many productions during his 15 years at the helm. A press release from Liam Passmore follows:
SAN FRANCISCO, CA July 29, 2024 – The African-American Shakespeare Company (AASC) today announced that the Board of Directors and Artistic Director L. Peter Callender have mutually agreed to part ways after more than 15 years of consistent artistic excellence.
A Celebrated Tenure
L. Peter Callender’s tenure with AASC has been marked by a rich legacy of innovative productions and artistic achievements. Under his direction, the company has explored a diverse range of plays, bringing classical works to life through the lens of the African-American experience. His contributions have been instrumental in establishing AASC as a prominent cultural institution within the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.
“It’s been a very long and fruitful collaboration,” says Executive Director Sherri Young. “Peter’s understanding of Shakespeare and how to shape it for our audiences is something that is an enduring part of the company’s DNA. Our intention is to take all the time necessary to find a worthy successor, one who will lead the company into the future.”
” … It’s been a very long and fruitful collaboration …”
A Time for New Opportunities
“While we have enjoyed over 15 years of artistic excellence with L. Peter Callender, we both have come to the conclusion that it is time to explore other opportunities,” said Everett “Alx” Alexander, Board Chair of AASC. “We are deeply grateful for his dedication and contributions to our organization and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”
Looking Ahead
Moving forward, the African-American Shakespeare Company will undertake a comprehensive and careful process to identify a new Artistic Director. This process will involve a committee of industry professionals who will explore new opportunities for plays, directors, and artists to collaborate with the organization.
“Our goal is to continue building on the strong foundation that L. Peter Callender has established,” says the board. “We are excited about the future and the potential for new artistic partnerships that will further our mission of bringing classical theater to diverse audiences.”
“During his more than 15-years tenure as Artistic Director, Mr. Callender’s contributions, including numerous roles as actor and director, have been instrumental in establishing the company as a prominent cultural institution both within San Francisco and beyond. The Board of African American Shakespeare Company as well as founder and Executive Director Sherri Young express their deepest appreciation and gratitude for his brilliant and inspiring efforts to always elevate the work that our theater presented. We wish him great success in his future ventures.”
Due to these relatively late changes in organization and direction, the 2024-2025 season will be shorter than in years past with Cinderella being the first in December followed by a Shakespeare play in the Spring.
In addition the company will be hosting an international Shakespeare Theatre Association conference in January with attendees from Europe, South America, Canada and the Caribbean. More information at stahome.org
About African-American Shakespeare Company
Founded in 1994, the African-American Shakespeare Company creates opportunities for actors of color in classical theater.
By offering unique interpretations and innovative performances, the company seeks to educate, enrich, and entertain diverse audiences while addressing social issues and promoting cultural equity in the arts.
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Team ASR.