John Langs

Alumnus John Langs joined UNCSA as Dean of the School of Drama in July 2024, overseeing the high school and undergraduate drama programs and bringing more than 30 years of industry leadership to the position. As artistic director of the ACT Contemporary Theatre in Seattle since 2016, Langs oversaw eight successful mainstage seasons, presided over 60 productions as artistic director, and led collaborations across the community.

Langs was deeply involved as director and creative force with The Seagull Project, New Century Theater Company and Seattle Shakespeare. He has prioritized the values of equity and belonging and consistently fostered new work centering global majority voices. He has also overseen robust education and community partnership programs.

There is an incredible opportunity for the School of Drama to play a leadership role in the much-needed evolution of our industry. This is a moment to define a more human-centered training paradigm, to prepare for the new technologies that will act as a force multiplier for artists everywhere, and to explore a deeper definition of inclusion in the arts.

John Langs

Credentials

• Served as guest faculty at UNCSA from 2005-12, teaching, directing and guiding the graduating class through their professional showcase in front of industry representatives. 
• Member of the board of the Semans Art Fund since 2019.
• Collaborated with the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts to build a one-of-a-kind directing fellowship for UNCSA alumni. 
• Managed a $5.8 million annual operating budget at ATC, consistently ending the fiscal year in the black, and helped cultivate a donor network that raises approximately $2.1 million in contributed annual revenue.
• 20 years of experience directing more than 100 professional productions at theaters across the country. 
• Previous positions include artistic director for Golden Mean Productions in Los Angeles, interim artistic director for Maui Onstage and associate director for Neurotic Young Urbanites in Los Angeles. 
• Served as guest faculty and guest artist at The Studios of Seatle, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Washington in Seattle and the Skirball-Kenis In-School Playwrights Program in Los Angeles. 
• Prior associate artist at New Century Theatre Company in Seattle and Seattle Shakespeare Company.