Staff Shuffle
Fort Worth's Amphibian Stage welcomes first new leadership in 25 years
Cheers to 25 years, Kathleen.
Big theater news: Amphibian Stage's founding artistic director Kathleen Culebro is stepping down from her current position at the end of the company's 25th season. Current co-artistic director Jay Duffer, who joined the nonprofit in 2019 as managing director, will then assume the new solo position.
“For 25 years Kathleen has poured her heart and soul into establishing this organization as a creative force in the national theater landscape," states board president Jennifer Jolin. “Although her departure is tinged with sadness, all of us on the board at Amphibian are cheering her on as she pursues new artistic endeavors.
"Jay has been a vital part of the staff for five years now and is very familiar with the arts scene in Dallas-Fort Worth and the inner workings of the theater,” Jolin continues. “The board at Amphibian is absolutely thrilled that Jay has agreed to transition to artistic director and we know that he will take Amphibian to new heights while honoring its proud history.”
Culebro has spent the last 25 years building the small powerhouse theater company into a thriving, well-respected organization, both regionally and nationally.
Amphibian Stage was born on the campus of Texas Christian University, whose support the company lauds as a great reason for its early success. After eight years of producing theater during the summers at TCU, Amphibian shifted to year-round programming at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. Following four years of performances at the Sanders Theatre, Amphibian Stage purchased a building of its own, a former nightclub where Nirvana played in the '90s.
In 2012, this black box theater was one of very few operating businesses on South Main Street, and the company's presence is credited with initiating the area's resurgence. The company’s presence on South Main is credited with the neighborhood's resurgence that quickly followed.
One of Culebro’s most recent contributions to the national arts scene is SparkFest, an annual performing arts festival that returns to Fort Worth for the fourth time this June. Aiming to shine a light on art and artists that aren’t historically well represented within the industry, SparkFest’23 celebrated Middle Eastern, North African, and Middle Eastern (MENASA) art. SparkFest’24 will uplift the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
Culebro is also a playwright whose work has been seen across the United States and beyond. Her most recent work, The Amazing, Fabulous, and Spectacular Untruths of Juan Garcia, is receiving its world premiere at Amphibian Stage this fall.
"After profound soul searching and thoughtful planning alongside Jay Duffer, I've made the decision to embark on a new chapter outside of my role at Amphibian Stage,” Culebro says. “While this change will be bittersweet, I'm genuinely excited about the prospect of exploring fresh horizons in the arts. I will always be a part of this company that means so much to me, but soon it will be as an enthusiastic donor and patron watching with pride as it continues to grow and evolve with fresh talent and leadership.”
As managing director, Duffer guided the company through the COVID-19 shutdown. Today, Amphibian Stage is shattering box office and attendance records despite a nationwide trend of lower theater attendance. In 2023, it implemented a ticketing model that allows patrons to decide what they pay.
Duffer says he isn’t interested in reinventing the wheel; rather, he wants to offer a smooth transition when he takes the baton. “Kathleen has been an incredible leader of the organization for 25 years," he says. "The singularity of her vision has established Amphibian Stage as a prominent theater in DFW and beyond. Her mentorship over the last five years has truly been a gift. I’m honored to carry on this vibrant legacy and excited to lead Amphibian Stage to continued success and growth in a trajectory already set at its origin."
