Pam MacKinnon will step down as artistic director of San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) at the close of the 2025-2026 season, ending an eight-year tenure with the company. MacKinnon, who's departing to focus on her freelance directing career, was the theatre's fourth leader, joining in 2018.

Under MacKinnon's leadership, A.C.T. premiered works like Kate Attwell's Big Data, Lydia R. Diamond's Toni Stone, Christopher Chen's The Headlands; and also presented such commercial titles as The Lehman Trilogy, Freestyle Love Supreme, Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, and Kim's Convenience. Aside from her work with A.C.T., MacKinnon is a Tony-winning director, for her work on the 2012 Broadway revival of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

“It has been a true privilege to serve as A.C.T.’s artistic director,” says MacKinnon in a statement. “For eight years, I have had the honor of shaping extraordinary work on our stage, that exemplifies the necessity of story in community. The constant highlight for me has been to work with our staff—dedicated theatre makers all—who support and let thrive guest artists, teachers, and students upon whom the present and future of the art form relies. I am proud of the diverse, welcoming, and creative hub for the Bay that A.C.T. is today. I celebrate the curious and loving audiences, faithful subscribers and indefatigable donors, who made their way through the pandemic, cheering on A.C.T. every step of the way. This is your theatre. I am grateful for my personal and artistic growth through heady and demanding times. Lastly, I look forward to what A.C.T. does next and where my work as a director and citizen artist leads.”

“We have had the pleasure of working with Pam for eight years,” adds Jeff Minick, chair of A.C.T.'s Board of Trustees. “Her leadership and impact across the organization have put A.C.T. in a great position to continue to be a leader in new work development, adding to the cannon of American theatre. Particularly, Pam was instrumental in refocusing A.C.T. on telling stories that are from the Bay, by the Bay. She supported local artists and introduced new artists to the impressive team at A.C.T. It is hard to put into words the impact Pam has had at A.C.T. We wish her well as she returns to freelance directing and can’t wait to see what she does next! The only thing more impressive than Pam as an artist is Pam as person. We are forever thankful for Pam’s leadership at A.C.T. and are excited to finish her tenure with a fantastic season that includes her directing Eisa Davis’ ||: Girls :||: Chance :||: Music :||.”

The company's board of trustees will launch a national search to find MacKinnon's successor. Visit ACT-SF.org.