Tucson, Arizona's Invisible Theatre (IT) has announced that Managing Artistic Director Susan Claassen will step down after 49 years with the company. As Claassen moves into emeritus status in December 2024, longtime Associate Managing Artistic Director Betsy Kruse Craig will take over the position.
“Almost five decades ago I began my journey with The Invisible Theatre, a time when women artistic leaders were in the minority," Claassen said in a statement. "Sarah Bernhardt said, 'Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.' My life is indeed 'rich' because I have had the privilege of working with an unequaled 'wealth' of talent from our marvelous staff, inspired board, thousands of amazing creative collaborators, and the greatest audiences and patrons in the world. Being Managing Artistic Director has been a dream job, but I look forward to many new and exciting creative projects!"
During her time at IT, Claassen produced and directed over 600 productions, including over 200 world premieres. These productions created opportunities for more than 1500 theatre artists.
With Claassen as Managing Artistic Director, IT achieved numerous accolades, including receiving the Arizona Theatre Association's first Outstanding Producing Theatre Award. Claassen also worked to create programming including IT's Shakespeare Under the Stars, Theatre Artists in the Prisons, the Sizzling Summer Sounds cabaret series, and more.
“2024 is a perfect time to evolve to an advisory role and pass the 'sequined' torch of leadership to my associate and treasured friend and colleague, Betsy Kruse Craig," Claassen added. "She is a gifted actor, director, educator, and theatre artisan. She is the perfect person to guide our next generation of artistic programming. Betsy has a respect for the past and honors our very 'visible' legacy, is brilliantly active in the present, and will lead IT into the future with her own multi-faceted vision. It is my hope that Invisible Theatre will continue to be a very 'visible' and integral part of Tucson’s rich tapestry of cultural organizations and that I will always be a part of IT.”
Claassen will direct IT's final show of the 2023-24 season, Thriller of the Year. The theatre will also hold a variety of events throughout 2024 to honor Claassen's IT career.
Visit InvisibleTheatre.com for more information.
