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Actors Theatre of Louisville Bids Farewell to Executive Artistic Director Robert Barry Fleming After Five Transformative Years.
Photo Credit: Yero
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Actors Theatre of Louisville Bids Farewell to Executive Artistic Director Robert Barry Fleming After Five Transformative Years
Louisville, KY – [January 15, 2025] – Actors Theatre of Louisville (ATL) announces the departure of Executive Artistic Director Robert Barry Fleming, who has led the organization with vision, passion, and innovation since June, 2019. Fleming will be moving on to pursue other creative and artistic opportunities. During their tenure, Fleming has solidified ATL’s reputation as a hub for bold, inclusive, and groundbreaking theatre.
“It has been the privilege, honor, and daily joy of my lifetime to work and learn with and from this extraordinary Actors team. Though the challenges of stewarding a regional theater through a global pandemic and the detrimental comprehensive impact it has had on our industry has been formidable for everyone in our field who care about and are dedicated to the American theatre, I’m nothing less than ‘beyond-my-wildest dreams’ grateful for the wonderful partnerships that have emerged and the sense of community and connecting across difference that has manifested from our collective efforts,” offered Fleming.
As the fifth Artistic Director of ATL, Fleming has profoundly shaped the organization, bringing their multifaceted expertise as an artistic and administrative leader, producer, director, choreographer, performer, teacher, and coach to guide ATL toward numerous significant milestones:
● Launching the Storytelling (r)Evolution: The development of groundbreaking world premieres like I AM DELIVERED’T, Grace, Ohio and Still Ready, which exemplify ATL’s commitment to exploring complex identities and contemporary themes.
● Realizing ATL as a Community Convener: A significant expansion of ATL’s engagement with diverse communities through innovative partnerships with local and national organizations.
● Financial Growth: Strategic alignment of capacity and ambition. Honored with a one million dollar grant for their transformative leadership in the American theater by the Mellon Foundation.
● Transmedia Approach During Pandemic: Faced with the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic shutdown, Fleming pivoted ATL to continue serving the community with VR experiences, radio plays, a video game, a podcast, community conversations, and multiple short and full length films - notably The Breasts of Tiresias which Fleming directed and won Best Animated Short at New Orleans Second Line Film Festival. ● Radical Hospitality: Inspired by the thought leadership of Dr. David Anderson Hooker and Dr.
John A. Powell, Fleming initiated an evolution in ATL’s approach that centers radical hospitality and extravagant welcome to create a space of belonging for all.
Mac Thompson, President of the Board of Directors, shared “We are truly grateful for the five and a half years of service that Robert Barry Fleming has dedicated to Actors Theatre of Louisville. Robert furthered and deepened the mission of Actors Theatre of Louisville with bold and exciting artistic programming as well as meaningful community partnerships. They navigated the tremendous challenges of the pandemic shutdown with grace and wisdom, and they have steered Actors Theatre towards a brilliant future. On behalf of the full Board of Directors, I wish Robert all the best in their future pursuits.”
The Board of Directors has reaffirmed its commitment to ATL’s mission of unlocking human potential and building community through theatre by appointing Impact Producer and Co-Director of Artistic Programming Amelia Acosta Powell to Interim Artistic Director and Executive Producer and Co-Director of Artistic Programming Emily Tarquin to Interim Managing Director. Acosta Powell joined ATL in 2021 and most recently directed Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Tarquin joined ATL in 2016 and most recently directed Won’t you be my May-bor? As interim leaders, they will collaborate with the staff to continue the exciting upcoming programming without interruption.
About Actors Theatre of Louisville:
Actors Theatre of Louisville, located in the heart of downtown Louisville, is one of America’s most consistently innovative nonprofit professional theatre companies. Founded in 1964, Actors Theatre serves to unlock human potential, build community, and enrich quality of life by engaging people in theatre that reflects the wonder and complexity of our time.
Media Contact:
Emily Scorgie NEAT The Agency emily@neattheagency.com
Next to Normal
Under the direction of Robert Barry Fleming, Tantrum Theater’s impeccable, wrenching production of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s musical locates the beauty, as well as the hardwon laughter, that coexist with the pain of this story.
-Margaret Quamme, Columbus Dispatch
The greatest gift Robert Barry Fleming gives the piece here is not treating it with kid gloves. With such sensitive material, there can be a temptation to play it safe. Fleming and his cast take a physical, visceral approach to these people and this situation.
This beautiful take lets a phenomenal musical shine anew. Tantrum’s Next to Normal is essential viewing on these hot summer days.
- Richard Sanford, Columbus Underground
Photo Credit: Daniel R. Winters
The Royale
Cleveland Play House associate artistic director Robert Barry Fleming, his superb team of designers and as perfect a cast as anyone could hope for capture the intensity of the sport without anyone landing a punch. No hard rights to the solar plexus or chin... we lean in, pulled by the gravitational force of this gripping, pulse-pounding production, staged thrillingly...actors stalk the edge of the ring, often with their backs to each other and facing the audience, a brilliant use of the always challenging arena theater model...Fleming matches the strength of the playwright's language in every facet of his flawless production...No split decision here. "The Royale" is magnificent, the final moments as startling as the taste of blood in the mouth.
- Andrea Simakis, The Plain Dealer
Everything is propelled forward and given emotional punch by director Robert Barry Fleming, who does not give the audience an opportunity to exhale during this intense, highly sensorial production.
-Bob Abelman, Cleveland Jewish News
The entire cast is sharply driven by director Robert Barry Fleming...At the end of this play you will find yourself wanting to stand up and cheer as well as cry at the same time. This is in your face drama that goes beyond the historical tale and into the nearly overpowering struggles of the African-Americans at the turn of the last century. You will leave the theater a changed person.
- Mark Horning, The Mark of Excellence
The production itself, filled with foot stomps, handclaps and fist bumps, is outstanding, exceeding the material. The cast, the effective directing by CPH’s associate artistic director Robert Barry Fleming and the technical aspects are all of high quality.
- Roy Berko, Cool Cleveland
Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni
Between Riverside and Crazy
Photo Credit: Roger Mastroianni
This is a marvelous production, due in large part to director Robert Barry Fleming recognizing that the play contains social commentary and truth telling on par with the works of Lanford Wilson, employs powerful and poignant language reminiscent of Tennessee Williams and, like Arthur Miller, finds immense heroism residing in broken people.
Fleming respects the work by allowing it to speak for itself without distraction. And he has cast exceptional out-of-town talent who bring both the comedy and the drama to the forefront with remarkable dexterity, realism...
-Bob Abelman, Cleveland Jewish News
In his directorial debut at the Play House, associate artistic director Robert Barry Fleming keeps the nasty wit of playwright Stephen Aldy Guirgis at the center, delivering a corrosive tragicomedy laced with Guirgis' famous profanity (never have so many mothers been verbally defiled) and motor-mouth word play.
- Andrea Simakis, The Plain Dealer
The CPH production, as directed by Robert Barry Fleming, the theater’s associate artistic director, in his local directing debut, is well-paced, nicely nuanced, and plays the humor against the angst. The cast is excellent and nicely textures their performances, walking the thin line between comedy and drama.
- Roy Berko, Cleveland Cool
Caroline or Change
Photo Credit: Daniel R. Winters
Director-choreographer Robert Barry Fleming finds sobering humanity and redeeming humor in author-lyricist Tony Kushner and composer Jeanine Tesori’s moving ensemble piece.
-Michael Grossberg, The Columbus Dispatch
...it’s a testament to Fleming that this production moves as fluidly and naturally as it does, his liquid choreography understands how people move. It slips into dance without ever stooping to a moment of transition, there’s no “We’re dancing now,” suddenly the movements just catch fire. He understands the delicate balance between fantasy and reality this play needs and the micro- and macro-rhythms.
-Richard Sanford, Columbus Underground
Destiny of Desire
Full-blown production numbers break out here and there which features eclectic choreography by Robert Barry Fleming...And, my gosh, even each scene change/transition is an amusing event in itself. The cast doesn't just place a doorway or a curtain or a set piece down at their marks with determined precision, they frikkin ballet dance (!) these things to their places on the stage (the hoisting of the enormous chandelier as the set transforms to the Castillo mansion is a particularly funny, exaggerated sequence).
-Michael L. Quintos, Broadway World
They ...move with lascivious grace through the show’s numerous song-and-dance numbers (per... Robert Barry Fleming).
- Kevin Green, NewCity Chicago
Most of the actors do play more than one role, and there are lots of set changes that are done by the cast, but done as a sort of dance (choreographer Robert Barry Fleming has done a superb job) that is indeed very “camp”!
- Alan Bresloff, Around the Town Chicago
The show is crazy comical, colorful and continually provocative. Jose Luis Valenzuela, assisted by choreographer Robert Barry Fleming and musical director Rosino Serrano, guides this fast-moving production and brings out the best in his gifted acting ensemble.
-Colin Douglas, Chicago Theater Review
The flair of Valenzuela's production is accentuated by Robert Barry Fleming's choreography, which has the actors float across the stage with their arms aloft after finishing a scene.
- Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
If you missed the Juneau run of Perseverance Theatre’s “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and you’re planning on being in Anchorage in April, I highly recommend you catch the production at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. This is a standout show, anchored by riveting performances...directed by Robert Barry Fleming...As Brick says in the second act, “Communication is -- awful hard between people.” For me this is part of what makes this story timeless and accessible. I was grateful to see it brought to life so beautifully.
-Amy Fletcher, Juneau Empire
I
Milvotchkee, Visconsin
Director Robert Barry Fleming has experienced Alzheimer’s firsthand in caring for his ill mother, and his sensitive, nuanced direction is brutally realistic.
-Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune
Stick Fly
I suppose you could call “Stick Fly” an upper-class sitcom, but what sets it apart from most of that genre is playwright Diamond’s facility for clever, intelligent and engaging dialogue of the Aaron Sorkin variety, aided here by terrific production values including Fleming’s excellent direction.
-Jean Lowerison, San Diego Gay and Lesbian News
She Loves Me
In a word, the production, directed by Robert Barry Fleming, is wonderful, and delivers a version of the much-revived show that is about as good as it can be.
-Pat Craig, Contra Costa Times
The Little Dog Laughed
One unexpected delight of the Diversionary production is the speed and expertise with which director Robert Barry Fleming moves his cast from one mode to the other, never skipping a beat or missing a laugh in Beane's crackling, one-liner-strewn writing. Fleming...makes a strong directorial debut at Diversionary.
-Ann Marie Welsh, North County Times
There is much serious (and cynical) commentary about Hollywood and the closet in The Little Dog Laughed, and quite a sweet love story as well, but with Beane writing the lines, you’re never more than ten seconds from the next laugh, especially with a cast as splendid as the one assembled here under the crackerjack direction of Robert Barry Fleming, who never lets them miss a comic beat.
-Steven Stanley, StageScene LA
Ella: The Musical
"Ella"...hits all the right notes [and] is a near-guaranteed pleasure. Cason and most of the company in director Robert Barry Fleming's production rise well above that level.
-Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle