Melia Bensussen appointed guest artistic director for O’Neill playwright conference
— The Eugene Waterford O'Neill Theater Center has appointed Melia Bensussen as guest artistic director for the 2023 National Playwrights Conference.
Bensussen takes over from longtime artistic director Wendy C. Goldberg, who stepped down last fall. A search for a permanent artistic director for the National Playwrights Conference will occur at a later date.
Bensussen currently serves as artistic director of Hartford Stage, where she will maintain her responsibilities in tandem with those at the O'Neill.
She will immediately join the submission review process to select the six plays that will be workshopped during the summer conference, to be held June 17 to July 9.
“I'm honored and excited to continue in the amazing work of the National Playwrights Conference. As an Artistic Director in Connecticut, this is a great opportunity to further develop relationships with new plays, playwrights, and another vital theater organization in the state,” she said in a statement.
Bensussen is an OBIE Award-winning director with an extensive list of directing credits at prestigious theaters across the nation, including Huntington Theatre Company, La Jolla Playhouse, Baltimore Center Stage, and many more. She was previously chair of the performing arts department at Emerson College.
She has directed several productions at the O'Neill and has been a guest artist at the center's National Theater Institute.
“We are incredibly fortunate to welcome Melia back to the O'Neill in this role,” O'Neill Board Chairman Tom Viertel said in a statement. “Her vast experience in both new play development and artistic leadership will be of immense value to both the O'Neill staff and artists during our upcoming season.”
“I am thrilled Melia will be sharing her artistic eye and expertise with us for the 2023 National Playwrights Conference,” stated O'Neill Executive Director Tiffani Gavin. “I am confident she will curate an exciting season of new plays, and I look forward to working with her to support the artists who will be in residence for this year's conference.”