OPC Announces Jeremy B. Cohen as New Producing Artistic Director
Ojai Playwrights Conference is thrilled to share that Jeremy B. Cohen, nationally known and respected theatre leader and artist, has been named producing artistic director. He replaces Robert Egan who successfully led the organization for 21 years.
Board President Mark Helm, who helped lead the national search, said of Jeremy and OPC’s future under his leadership, “He has a powerful ability to engage and inspire, and proven talents as a director with new plays. His artistic and strategic leadership make him the perfect person to continue and expand the artistic vision that has made OPC a star in the world of new play development. OPC’s future is in good hands.”
Steeped in experience as a director, playwright, and arts leader, Jeremy is well-known for his work leading new play development at such places as Hartford Stage, Naked Eye Theatre, and for the last 13 years as producing artistic director for Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis (where he will continue through June 2024). He has directed at notable theatres including Steppenwolf Theater, Baltimore Center Stage, Guthrie Theater, Goodman Theatre, Hartford Stage, and more. His off-Broadway production of Jonatha Brooke’s “My Mother Has 4 Noses” recently finished touring the U.S. (FULL BIO BELOW)
Artists in the national new play community are also sharing their excitement about Jeremy leading OPC’s next chapter. Playwright, director, and friend of OPC Luis Alfaro said, “A visionary leader, Jeremy is also a mentor to playwrights across the United States. His desire and ability to champion new and veteran artists in the making of new plays align beautifully with the mission of the Ojai Playwrights Conference. In these complicated times, mission and vision are essential. Here is an artist who has proven himself in bringing both to the field. Welcome aboard!”
Jeremy has already hit the ground running alongside new and returning OPC colleagues to plan this year’s programming. The 2023 Summer Conference and New Play Festival (July 24 – August 6) will welcome playwrights to workshop their new plays with artistic teams from across the country, and share them with the public.
In speaking about his new role, Jeremy said, “It is an absolute honor to be leading this organization, legendary in its scope and reach, into its next era. Playwrights and theatre-makers are craving a safe haven right now—not only to make new theatrical work, but also to be in conversation and community with one another. I’m beyond excited to work with the artists, board, staff, and larger community to welcome everyone back to the OPC table, set it with the resources to meet these brilliant artists and plays exactly where they are, and share their stories with audiences in Ojai and around the world.”
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BIO
JEREMY B. COHEN, producing artistic director for Ojai Playwrights Conference, is a nationally renowned director, playwright and leader in the field of theatre. He has served for 13 years as producing artistic director at Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis and will continue in that role until 2024. Previously he served as associate artistic director/director of new work at Hartford Stage (2003-2010), where he also directed several premieres. As founding artistic director of Naked Eye Theatre Company in Chicago, Cohen developed/directed more than 15 plays, including several premieres. Other Regional/NYC directing credits include productions at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Alley Theatre, Alliance, Baltimore Center Stage, Dorset Theatre, The Duke on 42nd Street, George Street Playhouse, Goodman, Kansas City Rep, McCarter, Mixed Blood, New Victory, Olney Theatre, Open Fist, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Royal George, Steppenwolf Theatre, Theater J, Theater Latté Da, Victory Gardens and Workhaus Collective; workshops at O’Neill Playwrights’ Conference, New York Stage and Film, Pasadena Playhouse, Denver Center, Portland Center Stage, A.C.T./New Strands, New Harmony, Bay Area Playwrights Festival and Woolly Mammoth. He has received numerous directing awards, an NEA/TCG Directors Fellowship, and a commission on a co-written play (with Dipika Guha) for “Malicious Animal Magnetism” at A.C.T./ZSpace in San Francisco. His Off-Broadway production (at The Duke on 42nd Street) of singer/songwriter Jonatha Brooke's “My Mother Has 4 Noses” recently finished touring the U.S., and he's currently writing the book for “Playing With Fire” with music and lyrics by JC Chasez and Jimmy Harry, and developing the musical adaptation of the award-winning documentary “The Gospel of Eureka” with Emily Saliers (of Indigo Girls).