The Dallas Theater Center (DTC) has appointed Jaime Castañeda as its new artistic director, effective July 2026. This announcement follows a national search and positions Castañeda as the theater’s sixth leader, succeeding Jonathan Norton, who is currently serving as the interim artistic director. Norton will continue to guide the remaining performances of the 2025-26 season, which includes the world premiere of his play, Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes, scheduled for May 2026.
Lynn Pride Richardson, chair of the DTC board, expressed enthusiasm for Castañeda’s appointment, highlighting his “experience, creativity, bold vision, and proven leadership.” She emphasized that these qualities align with DTC’s commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement. Castañeda, who has a strong connection to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, directed a production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at DTC in 2012, marking the beginning of a significant relationship with the theater.
Castañeda’s career spans over two decades, starting with the founding of Firestarter Productions while he was a student at Texas Christian University. His local theater experience includes directing at Kitchen Dog Theater, Amphibian Stage, and Circle Theatre. His accolades include the prestigious Princess Grace Award and the Drama League Directing Fellowship. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Texas Christian University and a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from the University of Texas at Austin.
In addition to his work in Texas, Castañeda has directed at renowned theaters across the United States, such as the American Conservatory Theater, South Coast Repertory, Huntington Theatre Company, and La Jolla Playhouse. His experience as an associate artistic director at La Jolla Playhouse from 2014 to 2018 and as an artistic associate at Atlantic Theater Company from 2009 to 2014 further illustrate his extensive background in theater.
Executive director Kevin Moriarty praised Castañeda’s “bold, visceral artistic vision” and his dedication to bringing new voices to the forefront. Moriarty, who served as artistic director from 2007 to 2022, expressed excitement about welcoming Castañeda back to Texas, noting that he has been an admired figure in the regional theater scene since 2007.
As the artistic director, Castañeda will be responsible for shaping the theater’s artistic vision, directing and producing a range of plays and musicals, and overseeing the DTC’s Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company. He will collaborate closely with Moriarty, the theater staff, and the board of trustees to advance DTC’s mission and values.
The selection of Castañeda was made after a comprehensive search led by Management Consultants for the Arts. The search committee was co-chaired by board members Chris Luna and Lynn Pride Richardson, alongside a diverse group of art and community leaders, including faculty from local universities and members of the DTC acting company.
In his statement, Castañeda reflected on the importance of DTC in his early artistic journey: “Growing up in Texas, Dallas Theater Center was one of the first places where I saw what professional theater and excellence looked like. I’m thrilled to come back and build on the history of artists and leaders who have been a part of this organization.”
Currently, the Dallas Theater Center’s production of A Christmas Carol is running at the Wyly Theatre through December 27, 2025. The upcoming 2026-27 season will mark the beginning of Castañeda’s influence on the theater’s programming, with expectations of innovative and engaging theatrical experiences for audiences in North Texas.
