On July 31, 2022 I retired as Geva Theatre Center’s Artistic Director after 27 years of leading this major regional theatre and was appointed Artistic Director Emeritus. I immediately began another chapter providing interim leadership, being appointed Interim Artistic Director of Cleveland Play House, and then Interim Artistic & Managing Director in October of 2022 - charged with institutional stability, structural analysis and thoughtful transition to a permanent leaders. With wonderful leaders in place, I departed in December 2023.
My work life continues with artistic projects, plus my counseling and coaching service for artistic and executive directors and search process candidates: www.TheaterLeader.com. Please visit to see if I can be a thought partner for you.
I have been fortunate to have forged a career in theater ever since my Greek teacher at Boston Latin School sent me to acting classes at the Boston Children's Theater when I was 14. Supported and encouraged along the way by teachers, parents, friends, colleagues, patrons, and my wife, Christina Selian - I have somehow managed to do what I love, how I love, with whom I love, where I love, for a very long time. More importantly, I still have passion and optimism for our art form, and the pride at being a member of the American arts community.
“…we spend some time in Omaha, Nebraska, at the home of Harold Banks (Mark Cuddy, giving an outstanding performance, in turn funny, arrogant, and tormented over the course of the play).”
“Mark Cuddy, current artistic director of The Geva Theatre Center, is very convincing as the professor who knows he is sinking into illness and ageing, while he mourns the estrangement from his daughter. Taking his cues from the text, he is very subtle in revealing the symptoms and the signs of his encroaching ailment.”
“Cuddy is remarkable. His character begins the play walking around in his underwear while preparing a lecture, but by the end he is a very different man, mentally and physically. Watching Cuddy in these final scenes is deeply moving.”
“…features a top-notch cast.”
“What matters is Payne’s exploration of how our split-second decisions impact our lives, and life’s randomness generally. This production, carried by (Gus) Cuddy and (Mari) Vial-Golden, wonderfully amplifies these themes.
Geva’s production of “Constellations” is intimate and thought-provoking, featuring top-notch acting and directing from (Mark) Cuddy, who Rochester theatre-goers are surely going to miss.”