The founding Artistic Director of 4615 Theatre Company, Jordan Friend, has announced his decision to step back from day-to-day leadership responsibilities and will no longer be the artistic director of the company. He will remain involved in a new volunteer role, as chair of the board, to continue supporting the company’s endeavors. The rest of the current leadership team, Gregory Keng Strasser, Paige Washington, Jacob Yeh, and Stevie Zimmerman, will now lead the company together.
In a note sent to 4615’s community of supporters, sponsors, and collaborators, Friend explained his decision as coming at the right time, both for a personal career shift and for the company. “As 4615 has grown over the past few years, it’s been my hope to help build something that could eventually exist without its founder, and have new voices lead its next chapter…” As he hands over the direction of the company to Strasser, Washington, Yeh, and Zimmerman, Friend adds, “while I’m going to miss collaborating with them, I feel honored that they all stepped forward to take this on. In addition to being gifted artists, they are DC area locals who are invested in our theatre community and 4615 is in such good hands with them.”
Strasser, Washington, Yeh, and Zimmerman are in the process of defining their roles as leaders of the company and how this more horizontal model will develop. But regarding Friend’s departure they are unanimous. Zimmerman, who has directed four productions for 4615 Theatre, said, “Jordan has been a phenomenal artistic partner over the last several years. Although I will miss his more immediate involvement in our work, I am thrilled he will continue on as head of our board and I know he will always be a creative sounding board for me, and a true partner in our work as a company.” Infinite Tales director Strasser adds, “I am wishing Jordan the best of luck on his next step. He has been an extraordinary founder, thought-partner, director, and artist to work with. To create and lead a company for 8 years is no easy feat, but Jordan has approached the role with humility, kindness, and an open heart. I know he will be missed, but am certain that his next step will be a great one.”
Coming up next, 4615 will announce a double bill of one-acts, including a world premiere, to be performed at The Writers’ Center in February 2023, with more details to follow.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
4615 Theatre Company began when a group of emerging artists staged a 17th-century tragedy in multiple rooms of a house. The company began producing full-time in 2017 and, in just a few years, has rapidly expanded from backyards and basements into a thriving professional theatre; a hub for both reinvigorated classics and daring new works, and for exploring the connections between stories from across the ages. The company has hosted numerous world and regional premieres, and frequently produces large-scale, narrative-driven work in intimate settings and found spaces. In 2020, the company won the John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre.
