Ex-La Jolla Playhouse leader Des McAnuff to join UCSD theater faculty

Des McAnuff, the former artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse, who served there from 1983-1994, then returned for a second run in the job from 2001-2007, will be back on the UC San Diego campus this fall.

The two-time Tony Award-winning director is not returning as Playhouse artistic director, but to begin a three-year appointment as a professor in UCSD’s Department of Theatre & Dance. The professorship was established with support from San Diego philanthropist Irwin Jacobs. During the years McAnuff worked at La Jolla Playhouse, he also served as a UCSD adjunct faculty member.

This fall, McAnuff will teach two graduate courses, one focusing on the collaborative process between directors and designers, and the other an advanced acting class. He will also lead a lecture series in the spring, open to all.

It’s just a coincidence that McAnuff will return to UCSD a few months before current Playhouse artistic director and fellow Tony-winning director Christopher Ashley steps down after serving 18 years in the job. UCSD and Playhouse officials said Wednesday that there’s no connection between the two, and McAnuff will not be returning to the Playhouse for a third term.

In a statement, McAnuff said he’s honored to join the university’s theater department because of its growing renown.

“This program has long been respected for its theater training, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with students and faculty as we explore new ways of telling stories and pushing the boundaries of the stage,” McAnuff said.

UCSD Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla expressed gratitude to Jacobs for help in underwriting the professorship and said McAnuff’s appointment will further enhance the department’s theater program, which has been consistently ranked among the best in the United States.

“UC San Diego is a renowned destination for the arts, and we are pleased to welcome Des McAnuff to the campus,” Khosla said in a statement. “Irwin Jacobs’ generous gift strengthens UC San Diego’s ability to recruit the most talented and innovative minds in the performing arts. We are grateful to Irwin and his late wife, Joan, who together have provided long-standing support for the arts at UC San Diego.”

In 1983, McAnuff was named the inaugural artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse after it was resurrected and relocated to the UCSD campus after a 23-year closure. During his first tenure there, McAnuff directed the premieres of “The Who’s Tommy” and “Big River,” both of which earned him Tony Awards for direction when they transferred to Broadway. During his second Playhouse tenure, he directed the world premiere of “Jersey Boys,” which went on to win the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2006.

After McAnuff stepped down from the Playhouse in 2006, he spent four years leading the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Canada, where he grew up. In recent years, McAnuff has returned to the Playhouse a few times as a guest director, including last year, when he helmed the world premiere musical “The Ballad of Johnny and June.” Over the years, he has also directed numerous Broadway musicals, including “Ain’t Too Proud” and “Girl from The North Country,” as well as films and opera.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Des McAnuff, who will share the skills, knowledge and wisdom developed over his illustrious career with both graduate and undergraduate students and the department community as a whole,” Lisa Portes, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, said in a statement. “His history with La Jolla Playhouse will strengthen our already vital partnership, and he will serve as a powerful champion for our high-octane theatre and dance training program.”

Cristina Della Coletta, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, also praised McAnuff’s skills as a storyteller.

“Our theater and dance scholars experiment with storytelling in ways that reimagine our world,” Della Coletta said. “These experiments are inspired by mentorship from distinguished professionals who are redefining what’s possible in the arts, like esteemed director Des McAnuff. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of Irwin Jacobs, whose ongoing support provides these rewarding opportunities for our students.”