| The board of directors for Firehouse Theatre is proud to announce the promotion of Nathaniel Shaw to Executive Director and Katrinah Carol Lewis to Artistic Director, effective July 1, 2026. The two promotions are the result of the organization’s need to keep up with the demands of its rapid growth. Between fiscal year 2022 and 2025, Firehouse saw a 500% increase in total admissions, a 300% increase in individual contributions, and a doubling of its non-COVID-related grant revenue. All told, the organization succeeded in growing total revenue from $376,000 in FY 2022 to $728,000 in FY 2025, and remains growth-focused as it moves into a new 3-year strategic period. “The growth of Firehouse Theatre following the January 2023 merger with the New Theatre has been more rapid than anyone could have anticipated,” Board President Jerry Samford said. “The theatre has come to a point in its development where both the executive and artistic needs require full-time attention and leadership.” “I’m over the moon that the board and staff succeeded in positioning the organization for this important transition,” Producing Artistic Director Nathaniel Shaw said. “If we are going to continue to grow the way we have over the past couple of seasons, this is a necessary evolution in the life of this vital institution. I could not be more thrilled for Firehouse that its creative endeavors will now be led by Richmond’s most beloved and admired theatre artist, Katrinah Carol Lewis.” Lewis has served as the theatre’s Associate Artistic Director since 2024. She first worked with Firehouse in 2012, performing in Ohio State Murders, which earned her first Best Actress nomination from the Richmond Theatre Community Circle. Since then, she has worked both on and off-stage at Firehouse, performing in Dessa Rose, Passing Strange, Berta Berta, Memories of Overdevelopment, and Detroit ‘67, as well as Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 and the developmental premiere of Out the Mud. At Firehouse, she has directed Fires in the Mirror, Water by the Spoonful, and A Strange Loop (a co-production with Richmond Triangle Players that won her Best Director of a Musical). “I am drawn to relevant, diverse, and thought-provoking stories, and am devoted to creating heart-centered work that is emotionally resonant, deeply specific, and infused with a sense of joy and purpose from rehearsal through performance,” Lewis said. “This next chapter is a continuation and an expansion of the work I have long been committed to: cultivating spaces where artists and audiences can meet each other with curiosity, courage, honesty, and care.” Shaw has served as the Producing Artistic Director for the Firehouse Theatre since 2023. He was the Founding Artistic Director for The New Theatre, which merged with Firehouse the same year. He previously served as Artistic Director for Virginia Repertory Theatre, the founding Artistic Director for The Active Theater (NYC), and the inaugural New Play Development Director for Glass Half Full Productions (UK/NYC). Shaw was an Associate Choreographer for Once, supervising both the Broadway production and the First National Tour. Richmond directing credits include the world premiere of Memories of Overdevelopment and the US premiere of The Barber Of Moville, and Peter and the Starcatcher, at Firehouse, Lonely Planet (co-produced with 5th Wall Theatre), the world premiere of The End of War, the world premiere of River Ditty (in collaboration with Glass Half Full Productions), In The Heights starring Arielle Jacobs with Choreography by Karla Garcia, West Side Story, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, The 39 Steps, and Once (Co-Produced with The Fulton Theatre). Shaw is the recipient of the RTCC Award for both direction of a play and of a musical. Equally important to this transition is the leadership and wildly diverse skill-set of Todd LaBelle. “Todd is a theatre swiss-army knife”, said Producing Artistic Director Nathaniel Shaw. “There is nothing in the theatre he cannot do”. While Mr. LaBelle’s title is not changing (Director of Production / Producer of Resident Programming), Mr. LaBelle not only ensures all Firehouse productions are intelligently planned and successfully executed, he is the front-line producer in Firehouse’s partnership with resident companies and fringe artists, and he oversees the care and maintenance of Firehouse’s historic venue. Todd has been working with Firehouse Theatre for the past eight seasons. He received his degree in Directing and Production Management from UArts in Philadelphia. He has worked with many regional companies in a variety of places for a few decades as well as two summers training with the SITI Co. He has worked in a variety of roles on over 150 productions. He has had the privilege of working with companies such as The Lantern Theatre, Walnut Theatre, Lyric Stage, BCKSeat Prod, Theatre Revolution, and The Virginia Opera. As a theatre maker, Todd has functioned as a producer, director, scenic, lighting, and sound designer, and as an actor. Click the button below to read the FULL press release! |