The board of directors and staff of DC Theater Arts are saddened to announce that Nicole Hertvik will be stepping down as editor-in-chief and publisher of DC Theater Arts on December 31, 2024. We are working with our community to find a way for the site to continue past that date.
Nicole Hertvik was DC Theater Arts’ second publisher/editor-in-chief, having assumed the role in 2017 following the death of founder Joel Markowitz. She has been indefatigable in her advocacy for the writers whose work is featured on the site, for the DC-area theater community, and for the field of theater journalism. In 2022, Hertvik’s coverage of the COVID-19 epidemic’s impact on the local theater community was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2023, Washington City Paper voters named DCTA the DC region’s Best Arts Nonprofit. Throughout her tenure, Hertvik took great pride in building DCTA into a trusted source of local performing arts journalism.
Hertvik says, “When I first moved to the region, DC Theater Arts was my window into my new hometown. Most people think of DC as a political capital, but my time here has taught me that it is a region full of thinkers, artists, and intellectuals whose empathy and insight endlessly inspire me. Although it’s time for me to step down from this leadership role, I can’t wait to become a cheerleader for those who come after me.”
In her typically responsible fashion, Hertvik let us know several months ago that she needed to leave DCTA. We have since been planning this announcement, hoping that we might persuade her to stay on. Hertvik leaves the organization with hundreds of colleagues who value and admire all that she has given of herself and built for the DC theater community.
Funding for nonprofit news organizations is a shadow of what is necessary for sustainable operations, and Hertvik’s absence will leave a large hole in what was an already fragile organization.
We are working, with Nicole, on a plan for a future past her exit, and we hope that that will be possible. For those willing to consider ongoing involvement with the management of the organization, DCTA is currently seeking new board members.
Please consider donating to DC Theater Arts to assist us as we navigate this transition. Tax-deductible contributions to ensure the continuity of operations at DCTA can be made here.
And if you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to DCTA’s free twice-weekly newsletter.
As Nicole prepares to depart DCTA, we hope that you will join us in wishing her thanks and celebrating her accomplishments.
—The DCTA Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and Staff
