By Susie Davidson

Advocate Correspondent

CAMBRIDGE - After 22 years at the helm, Robert Brustein will begin his final artistic season at the American Repertory Theatre.

At a May 23 news conference, Harvard University President Neil Rudenstine announced the upcoming structure of the Loeb Drama Center-based theater company and school. Robert Woodruff was named to succeed Brustein as Artistic Director. Gideon Lester, current dramaturg, was designated Associate Artistic Director/Dramaturg, and theater co-founder and current Managing Director Robert J. Orchard was brought forward to the newly-created position of Executive Director. These new appointments will commence with Brustein’s retirement, anticipated to follow the 2001-2002 theater season. In his statement "There's no replacing Robert Brustein," Rudenstine echoed the sentiments of many in the theater and arts community.

The ART’s renowned repertory company, myriad world premieres and $8 million budget contribute to its recognition as a premiere regional theatre company.

Prior to the ART, Brustein, also theater critic for the New Republic, founded a theater company at Yale, where he remained until 1979. At that time, theater in Boston was fairly austere, and Harvard’s link

with the performing arts was marginal. Brustein brought Yale Repertory Theatre’s main personnel (including Managing Director and Yale School of Drama Assistant Professor Orchard) with him, along with his superbly unorthodox, intrepid manner of presentation.

Director, adapter, fundraiser and playwright, he has been nothing short of intrinsic to the Harvard Square institution.

Orchard, director of the Loeb Drama Center since last year, will continue to function as liaison between the theater and the university. According to Rudenstine, he will be the team leader.

Orchard has overseen nearly one hundred and fifty productions (83 world and US premieres), and administered tours to more than 100 cities in 15 countries. A consultant in Russia since 1985, he orchestrated the A.R.T./ Moscow Art Theatre and school collaboration and has been active as a consultant in Russia since 1985. He has received the coveted Elliot Norton Award (Boston's equivalent of the Tony) for Sustained Excellence.

"The A.R.T.," Orchard said, "is privileged to be able to extend the extraordinary legacy of Robert Brustein by engaging the many talents of Robert Woodruff and Gideon Lester.

Orchard acknowledged Rudenstine and Dean Jeremy Knowles’ invaluable assistance in the process.

"Our commitment to professional production and training and undergraduate education will benefit enormously from their vision and experience.

"I can’t wait to get started."

29-year old Gideon Lester has had an active role at the theater as dramaturg and translator.  A graduate of Oxford University and the ART’s Institute for Advanced Theatre Training, he has overseen seminars and programs, and instituted a partnership with the Moscow Art Theatre and school. Lester was delighted with the changes.

"Robert Brustein has established one of the most exciting theater companies in the country," he enthused, "and it will be an honor to preserve and extend his legacy. A.R.T. has been my artistic home and training ground for six years, and I’m looking forward to many more seasons of outstanding, innovative theater."

Robert Woodruff, 54, known for his avant-garde, highly innovative directing style, has extensive theater credits with over 50 international productions. His past ART involvements include directing "In the Jungle of Cities" in 1998 and "Full Circle" in 2000, both of which received an Elliot Norton Award for Best Director, and the currently running production of "Richard II." He founded San Francisco’s Eureka Theatre, has staged world premieres of several of (close collaborator) Sam Shepard’s plays at the New York Shakespeare Festival, and has also directed works at Lincoln Center, the Goodman Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Alliance Theatre, the American Conservatory Theatre, the Guthrie Theatre and Trinity Repertory Company.

Woodruff, one of 20 potential candidates put forth by Rudenstine's office, was Brustein’s top choice. "I am deeply satisfied with the appointments of Robert Woodruff and Gideon Lester as my successors," he stated, "as well as by the promotion of Rob Orchard to Executive Director.

"The appointment of Rob Orchard," he continued, "assures the managerial continuity of the A.R.T. through the agency of a brilliant administrator long associated with the company.

"The appointment of Gideon Lester as Associate Artistic Director/Dramaturg overseeing the humanistic work of the theater demonstrates our ongoing commitment to youth and to the talent trained under the auspices of the A.R.T. Institute.

"And the appointment of Robert Woodruff as Artistic Director-designate signals our determination to remain on the cutting edge of theatrical advance with one of the most accomplished directors in the world."

Not surprisingly, he will maintain some degree of ART affiliation.