Ragan to Leave Urbanite

BRADENTON – Brendan Ragan, founding Co-Artistic Director at Urbanite Theatre, has announced that he will step down in mid-April. Ragan, who has led Urbanite Theatre in a partnership with Summer Wallace since its inception in 2014, to assume a new role as Artistic Director of Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, IL.

Together, Ragan and Wallace have produced over 50 plays, three new play festivals, developed five world premieres, two United States premieres, and many regional premieres. The two were named Sarasota Magazine's Localpreneurs of the Year in 2019, and have garnered a number of regional accolades and awards for their work in the 70-seat flexible black-box space in downtown Sarasota.

"We're enormously proud of Brendan and everything he's helped Urbanite accomplish in his nine years here," says Len Goldberg, Board Chair. "He's an immensely talented storyteller and leader and has been a voice for positive change in the industry. While Brendan will certainly be missed as he moves to this important new chapter in his career, the Board is fully supportive and confident in Summer Wallace stepping into the role of Producing Artistic Director. Summer is a splendid leader and accomplished theater artist, and we know she will continue the work that has made Urbanite Theatre so special.“

Ragan directed ten productions for Urbanite, including the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere of the recently opened Backwards Forwards Back(review) by Jacqueline Goldfinger, playing through April 23, 2023. Other notable productions include Sender by Ike Holter, The Burdens by Matt Schatz, The Drowning Girls by Graham, Vlaskalic, and Tomlinson, Breadcrumbs by Jennifer Haley, and The Smuggler by Ron‡n Noone. Ragan also wrote and directed the immersive experience Safe House, which the company produced in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a part of the transition, Summer Wallace will assume the role of Producing Artistic Director at Urbanite Theatre. Wallace has produced the company's yearly Modern Works Festival, a playwriting festival highlighting female writers, and directed several memorable Urbanite productions for the company.

"Sarasota has been a transformative place for me, and I owe an incredible debt of gratitude to Urbanite's passionate patrons and supporters for making Urbanite Theatre what it is today," said Ragan. Their belief in what we do has allowed us to take major theatrical risks and support the growth of countless emerging artists.

So much of the credit needs to go to these adventurous, dedicated theatergoers who've taken the risks with us. Because of the strength of that community, I feel very confident that Urbanite is in a tremendous position to continue to flourish."

Ragan will continue until April 14, assuring a smooth transition of leadership responsibilities. The company plans to hire more staff in the future and will announce those opportunities soon.

"Brendan has been a wonderful artistic partner and collaborator for the past nine years, and while I am saddened to say goodbye to him, we will continue to be close," said Wallace. "I look forward to supporting and strengthening each other as arts leaders in the regional theatre community. I am grateful for the opportunity to deepen the artistic work at Urbanite Theatre and remain very excited about our future."