![\"Robin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Robin-Plata-headshot-1-edited.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA new year means new leadership at the Dallas Theater Center.<\/p>\n
The Tony Award-winning theater announced Jaime Casta\u00f1eda will become its sixth artistic director in the theater\u2019s more than sixty-year history.<\/p>\n
Casta\u00f1eda\u2019s professional theater career began in North Texas more than 20 years ago when he started Firestarter Production while attending Texas Christian University. In 2012, Casta\u00f1eda directed Dallas Theater Center\u2019s production of Kristoffer Diaz\u2019s The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity. He also directed productions at several North Texas theaters, including Kitchen Dog Theatre, Amphibian Stage and Circle Theatre.<\/p>\n
Beyond Texas, Casta\u00f1eda has directed productions at several leading theaters, including American Conservatory Theater, South Coast Repertory, Huntington Theatre Company, and La Jolla Playhouse. He served as La Jolla Playhouse\u2019s Associate Artistic Director from 2014-18 and worked Off-Broadway as Artistic Associate at Atlantic Theater Company from 2009-14.<\/p>\n
Previous Dallas Theater Center artistic directors include founding artistic director Paul Baker, Adrian Hall, Ken Bryant, Richard Hamburger and Kevin Moriarty, who served as Enloe\/Rose Artistic Director from 2007 to 2022. Moriarty is currently the theater\u2019s Executive Director.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing up in Texas, Dallas Theater Center was one of the first places where I saw what professional theater and excellence looked like,\u201d Jaime Casta\u00f1eda said. \u201cI\u2019m thrilled to come back and build on the history of artists and leaders who have been a part of this organization. I\u2019m eager to join Kevin, the board and our staff to create lasting theatrical experiences for our audiences.\u201d<\/p>\n
“Jaime brings a bold, visceral artistic vision, a deep commitment to new voices and a collaborative leadership style that inspires artists and audiences alike,\u201d Moriarty said. \u201cWith his Texas roots and national experience, I am thrilled to welcome him home as DTC\u2019s new Enloe\/Rose Artistic Director. I have known and admired his work since 2007, when he was already one of the most exciting emerging directors in North Texas, and I later saw him create unforgettable work for DTC on the Wyly stage and at leading theaters nationwide.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jonathan Norton, Dallas Theater Center\u2019s Resident Playwright, is currently serving as Interim Artistic Director and will continue to lead the remainder of the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n
Following a transition period, Casta\u00f1eda will assume his full-time role in July 2026. As Enloe\/Rose Artistic Director, he will lead the theater\u2019s artistic vision, direct and produce plays and musicals, oversee the theater\u2019s Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company and partner with Moriarty, the staff and the Board of Trustees to advance the theater\u2019s mission, vision and values. Dallas Theater Center\u2019s 2026-27 season will be his inaugural season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are extremely pleased with a successful national search that brings Jaime to Dallas Theater Center,\u201d said Chris Luna, chair of the search committee and DTC board member. \u201cHis energy is contagious and he understands Texas and Dallas. We look forward to collaborating with Jaime as he continues his innovative approach to regional theater.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\tDallas Theater Center<\/p>\n
\t\t\tDallas Theater Center<\/p>\n
Robin Plata will begin her new role in early January 2026.<\/p>\n
The theater also announced Robin Plata will return to the theater as Chief Relationship Officer starting January 5, 2026. Plata most recently served as the Director of Development at AT&T Performing Arts Center. From 2010-2022, Plata worked in multiple capacities at Dallas Theater Center in the Development department, including serving as Director of Development from 2020-2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRobin\u2019s return comes at a pivotal moment for DTC,\u201d said\u00a0Moriarty. \u201cHer leadership will be instrumental in galvanizing donor engagement, deepening patron relationships and aligning fundraising efforts across the organization. I\u2019m profoundly grateful to our exceptional Search Committee whose time, insight and unrelenting commitment led us to this outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n
Interim Director of Development Linda Lipscomb, who joined the theater in May, will remain in a consultant capacity for the remainder of the season to support the transition.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I have been inspired by DTC’s vision and innovation since seeing Kevin’s first production of\u00a0Tommy\u00a0in 2008,\u201d Plata said. \u201cSince then, DTC’s productions have helped me connect with total strangers, process difficult emotions, and escape to fantastical worlds. I am thrilled to return home and deepen DTC’s connection to our community.”<\/p>\n