A.C.T.’s search for a leader is over
The Bay Area’s weekly roundup of arts, culture, and community | October 9 to 15, 2026
Join us and the rest of the Bay Area in welcoming Elizabeth Williamson as American Conservatory Theater’s (A.C.T.) next Artistic Director. Williamson takes the helm after an intense and exhaustive search that began after Pam MacKinnon, who was with the company for eight years, left at the end of last season. She will start her new role in January.
No stranger to the neighborhood, Williamson worked with A.C.T. early in her career in addition to other local pillars like Aurora Theatre Company, Cal Shakes, and Berkeley Rep. “A.C.T. is both one of our country’s great flagship companies, and my hometown theatre,” Williamson shared. “I started my career here (both my wife and I grew up in the Bay Area) and I couldn’t be more honored to be coming home to A.C.T. as its new Artistic Director.”
Williamson is coming to A.C.T. from her position as Artistic Director at Geva Theatre in Rochester, New York. She carries a legacy of developing and staging new works for audiences, while off the stage she is known for her inclusive leadership and building long-lasting partnerships. "Elizabeth is a well-respected artist and leader whose career reflects the qualities that are at the heart of A.C.T.’s mission and purpose,” said Jeff Minick, Chair of A.C.T.’s Board of Trustees. “From developing groundbreaking new work to leading one of the country’s prominent regional theaters, she brings a deep passion for the Bay Area and its local artists, along with strong relationships with artists across the industry.” — Ciara
On the Stage
The Cook
Theatre | Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Now – October 11 | Tickets
A sharp, funny, and quietly devastating play where two worlds are held in tension: the life carefully preserved, and the life that had to be lived.
More Events
- Takács Quartet with Jeremy Denk | Cal Performances | October 11 | View Print Program
- Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances | San Francisco Symphony | Now – October 11 | View Program
- North by Northwest | American Conservatory Theater | Now – October 18 | View Program
- Peter Pan Goes Wrong | San Francisco Playhouse | Now – November 28
Next Line
- You’ve subscribed to the newsletter, now don’t forget to enter to win tickets to Berkeley Rep’s Liberation.
- San Francisco Opera’s The Monkey King has been named by the International Opera Awards as one of eight finalists in the World Premiere category.
- Want to be the one in your group who knows all the up-and-coming artists before they make it big? Check out Stanford Live’s Discover Series.
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