Stuart Carden is the Artistic Director of Kansas City Repertory Theatre, where, alongside Executive Director Jeremy Dewey and KCRep’s leadership team, he is leading the organization into a new chapter of artistic innovation, community engagement, and institutional growth. Now in his sixth season at KCRep, he has expanded the theatre’s civic impact through signature initiatives including KCRep for All, a free community tour across the Kansas City metro, and American Crossroads, a program dedicated to stories reflecting the region’s complexity and vitality. His leadership is grounded in the belief that theatre is a cultural and civic commons — creating transformative experiences for all. Prior to KCRep, Stuart held leadership positions at City Theatre Company and Writers Theatre in Chicago. As a director, his work has been seen at leading theatres nationwide, including The Old Globe, Goodman Theatre, Writers Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, People’s Light, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and New Victory Theater. His productions are known for muscular storytelling, inventive staging, and emotional depth. At KCRep, his directing credits include Once, Little Shop of Horrors, Peter Pan and Wendy, The Old Man and The Old Moon, and Mary’s Wedding, which was performed on the lawn of the WWI Museum, as well as the music and storytelling festival Ghost Light. Stuart champions ambitious, artist-driven work grounded in community. His Wizard of Oz exemplifies this vision — an actor-musician, high-imagination reimagining—and he will direct Come From Away next season. Most importantly, Stuart is director and dad to 14-year-old twins, Dashiell and Griffin.
