The artistic director will leave the playhouse to take on the same role with New York’s Roundabout Theatre Company, the playhouse announced.

The Tony Award-winning director has been hired to serve as artistic director of New York City’s prestigious Roundabout Theatre Company

Christopher Ashley, the Tony-winning director of “Come From Away,” has been appointed as the new artistic director of Roundabout Theatre Company. Ashley has spent the past 17 years as the artistic director of San Diego’s La Jolla Playhouse and will begin his tenure with the New York-based nonprofit in July 2026 with the 2027-2028 season.

Ashley, who leads La Jolla Playhouse, takes on the role after the death of Roundabout's longtime artistic director.

Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse, will be the new Artistic Director of Roundabout Theatre Company, to begin his tenure in July 2026 with the 2027-28 season.