Hughes Resigns, Leaming Acting Director At Long Wharf

NEW HAVEN — Long Wharf Theatre has announced the resignation of Doug Hughes from his position as artistic director.

“We have learned with regret of Doug Hughes’s decision to resign,” said Richard Ferguson, the vice-president of the Long Wharf Theatre Board of Trustees. “Doug has contributed a great deal to the success of Long Wharf and we wish him well. We are moving forward with confidence. We have a strong and terrific staff, and we will have a strong and terrific season.”

Managing director Michael Ross and director of artistic programming Greg Learning, who have been close collaborators with Mr Hughes over the past four years, have teamed up to produce the 2001-02 season.

On June 13, Mr Leaming was appointed acting artistic director by the theater’s board of trustees.

“I am thrilled that my longtime colleague is serving the theater in this position,” said Mr Ross. “I have always been impressed with the creative projects he’s developed and the plays he has directed. Greg is a remarkable artist and an incomparable theater professional.”

Mr Leaming has been a member of the Long Wharf staff since 1997. His directing credits at Long Wharf include the world premieres of The Third Army, Syncopation, Abstract Expression, and the upcoming season 2001-02 world premiere of An Infinite Ache.

Before arriving at Long Wharf, Mr Leaming was the producing director of Hartford Stage from 1996 to 1997, and the artistic director of Portland Stage Company from 1992 to 1996.

Mr Leaming has also developed new plays with many other theater companies, including New Dramatists and New York Theatre Workshop. Mr Leaming’s many directing credits include Lips (Primary Stages), Intimate Exchange (Hartford Stage), Private Lives, Mrs Warren’s Profession, The Turn of the Screw (Portland Stage), Hunger (Contemporary American Theatre Company), Syncopation (Florida Stage) and As You Like It (Houston Shakespeare Festival).