Duane Daniels Named Artistic Director of Space 55 Theatre in Downtown Phoenix

Space 55 Theatre announced on Thursday, September 17, that Duane Daniels is its newly appointed artistic director. Daniels steps into the role previously held by Shawna Franks,who founded the independent downtown Phoenix theater space in 2006. Franks has moved to Chicago, where she's recently worked with Steppenwolf Theatre Company. "I...

By Becky Bartkowski

September 18, 2015

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Space 55 Theatre announced on Thursday, September 17, that Duane Daniels is its newly appointed artistic director.

Daniels steps into the role previously held by Shawna Franks,who founded the independent downtown Phoenix theater space in 2006. Franks has moved to Chicago, where she's recently worked with Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

"I am so excited to start producing at Space 55, and collaborating with their extremely creative and dedicated ensemble of actors and writers. We are planning an exciting season of off-Broadway style, adventurous theatre," says Daniels, whose most recognizable role might be that of Principal Van Clemmons on Veronica Mars. He reprised the role for the 2014 film reboot, which was funded by a Kickstarter campaign.

Daniels founded San Diego's The Fritz Theater, served as artistic director of LA's Buzzwords Theater, and produced theatrical premieres in New York. He also runs Actors WorkHouse in Phoenix and has directed Space 55 shows Munched and Australia.

"Daniels brings his adventurous programming, quirky sensibilities, a taste for the unusual and an innate understanding of alternative theater to Space 55," says Space 55 board member Tim Eigo. "He's a perfect fit for the personality and style of our theater in downtown Phoenix."

For more information about Space 55 and its coming season, see www.space55.org.

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