Mandy Greenfield has resigned as artistic director of Williamstown Theatre Festival, the organization said Monday.
Greenfield stepped down from her position in late October. Her departure follows reports of poor working conditions and a walk-out staged by the sound crew on a production this past summer.
In a statement, Greenfeld said that in 2019 she did not renew her multi-year contract and instead agreed to stay with the festival for two more years.
“I also publicly committed to leadership transition as I deeply believe, influenced by the British tradition, that theatrical institutions must empower new, diverse leaders in regular, shorter intervals than is the custom in the United States,” Greenfield said in the statement. “My goal as artistic director was to swing for the fences, make art and try to improve and evolve every day.”
Jenny Gersten, who previously held the position, will act as interim artistic director. She will hold the position through the 2022 season, while the board of directors conducts a search for a permanent artistic director.
Greenfield had been the festival’s artistic director since 2014, when she succeeded Gersten. Prior to joining the festival, Greenfield served as artistic producer of Manhattan Theatre Club.
Gersten, who is now a producer at New York City Center and a line producer on “Beetlejuice,” served as artistic director of the festival from 2010 to 2014 and associate producer from 1996 to 2004.
“This is such a meaningful opportunity to address some of the valuable and honest feedback already received from the Festival’s staff, artists, and the broader Williamstown community, and to continue to listen and absorb,” Gersten said in the press release. “I look forward to being part of the ongoing evolution at Williamstown Theatre Festival, and working with the board, staff and community to imagine a paradigm shift which fosters values to make the theatre a thriving home for artists and audiences for many years to come.”
