Karen Azenberg

On July 1, 2012, Karen Azenberg succeeded Charles Morey, who stepped down at the end of the 2011-2012 season after a 28-year tenure as PTC’s artistic director.

She began her career in New York as a freelance director and choreographer. Her work there includes Lyrics and Lyricists (92nd St. Y), Blocks (a collaboration with Jonathan Larson), Prom Queens Unchained and choreography for Richard Greenberg’s The Dazzle (Roundabout Theatre Co.).

Prior to becoming artistic director, Karen directed and/or choreographed a number of shows at PTC, including Next to Normal, Rent, Miss Saigon and the musical staging for Les Miserables. Since 2012, she has continued to direct and choreograph over 20 PTC productions, most recently the regional premiere of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Newsies and the world premiere of i, while also collaborating with guest artists and working with the theatre’s managing director to bring varied, entertaining and thought-provoking professional productions to Utah audiences.

In the national theatre circle at large, Karen is well-known for her efforts as a past president of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, the national union for professional directors and choreographers, and as a current Board member of the New York Musical Theatre Festival, a preeminent launching pad for new musicals. She is also a voter for the Tony Awards, and has directed over 70 musicals and plays at theatres across the country.