NEA Theater/Musical Theater Director Ralph Remington Departs to Join Actors Equity Association

Washington--The National Endowment for the Arts announces that Theater/Musical Theater Director Ralph Remington will be departing the NEA to join Actors Equity Association as that organization's western regional director/assistant executive director beginning January 2014. Remington joined the NEA on March 15, 2010, and has been a passionate voice for theater inside the agency and in the arts community. During Remington's tenure at the NEA, he oversaw more than $25 million in grants awarded to theaters nationwide, including projects supporting development of new plays that saw more than a 65 percent increase between 2010 and 2012. He led the New Play Development Program and received an NEA Chairman's Award for Distinguished Service. Senior Deputy Chairman Joan Shigekawa said, "While we will miss having Ralph, his energy, and resonant laugh at the agency, we are thrilled that he will continue his work on behalf of American theater and actors." Remington said, "I was humbled by the opportunity to serve the American theater at the NEA, and I continue to be humbled as I am given the opportunity to serve America’s professional actors at Actors Equity Association. I have enjoyed my tenure in Washington, DC, and look forward to a return to Los Angeles." Prior to coming to the NEA, Remington was a city council member of the City of Minneapolis, representing Ward 10. Prior to his political service, he was artistic associate and director of community engagement with Arena Stage in Washington, DC. While at Arena, he led the Living Stage Theater Company. Remington founded Pillsbury House Theatre in Minneapolis out of the settlement house tradition of community collaboration and served as Pillsbury’s producing artistic director. As an actor, Remington has performed with Guthrie Theater and Illusion Theatre, both of Minneapolis.