Alex Wright Appointed Interim Producing Director
The MTC Board of Directors announced changes to its leadership team today. Beth Craven is departing after three seasons as Producing Director. Alex Wright has been appointed Interim Producing Director for the remainder of the 2025 season. The Board plans to make a permanent hire before the end of the year. “While we are sad to see Beth go, we are extremely fortunate to be working with Alex. He brings a depth of experience, a range of artistic sensibility, and the commitment and temperament this position needs to succeed”, says Jeff Rowlings, president of the Board.
Wright has been serving the theatre as Assistant Producing Director for the past few months. He directed this season’s opening hit, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery and performed in last season’s 1000 Clowns. Alex brings a deep well of experience. He founded and managed several small theatres in Los Angeles; he served on the California Arts Council; he worked as a director and actor in TV, films and theatre; and he is an accomplished musician and composer. Alex and his wife Christina, a costume designer, “retired” to Mendocino with their dogs and horses about three years ago.
During Beth Craven’s tenure, MTC brought in a bevy of new artists to MTC, including many new local artists and crafts persons. She is credited with helping improve production values and artistic quality. She also directed the highly successful Born with Teeth; the record-breaking Woody Guthrie’s American Song, which had an extended run two years ago and remount last summer; and MTC’s latest offering, What the Constitution Means to Me. Beth will direct Always, Patsy Cline, in February 2026, when MTC opens its 50th anniversary season. “It was a huge honor to work with Beth. She brought all her experience from running theatres in Sonoma County and we really benefited from that. She was 150% committed to MTC, the mission, and the artistic community”, said Rowlings.
We also need to congratulate one of our Artistic Directors, Lucas Near Verbrugghe. Lucas was hired by Mendocino College Theatre Arts Department to be their new Dean beginning July 1. “We are looking forward to MTC and the College collaborating on an exciting new project in the near future”, Rowlings adds. The search for a successor is underway.
FOR MORE INFO ON THIS PLEASE CONTACT
Jeff Rowlings
415-652-9530
jrowlings@pmd-sf.com
