Douglas Hughes is an American theatre director.
Hughes is the son of acting couple Barnard Hughes (1915–2006) and Helen Stenborg. He attended Harvard University, starting as a biology major and graduating with a degree in English.
Hughes worked for 12 years as the associate artistic director of Seattle Repertory Theatre, from 1984 to 1996, under Daniel Sullivan.[1] The Los Angeles Times noted: "Hughes has a transparent style, emphasizing story and character, not flashy gestures. Lynne Meadow, artistic director of Manhattan Theatre Club, said that he is 'a wonderful director and smart guy.' "[2] Hughes was the artist-in-residence at the New School for Drama, New York City, in 2007/08. He has been the associate artistic director of the Manhattan Theatre Club and director of artistic planning of the Guthrie Theater.[3] He was the artistic director at the Long Wharf Theatre from 1997 to 2001.[2] [4] Hughes has directed both Off-Broadway and on Broadway.
He directed The Grey Zone by Tim Blake Nelson Off-Broadway at the MCC Theater in 1996, and won the 1995/96 Obie Award for Direction.[5] In 2004 and 2005, Hughes directed Off-Broadway and on Broadway, for which he won the 2005 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Play,[6] and the 2005 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play.[7] [8]
In 2005, he directed the Richard Greenburg Broadway debut of A Naked Girl on the Appian Way.
In 2009, Hughes directed the Beau Willimon play Farragut North, starring Chris Pine and Chris Noth at Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.[9]
As a Resident Director of the Roundabout Theatre, he has directed many plays for the Roundabout,[10] including The Big Knife in 2013[11] and Mrs. Warren's Profession in 2010.[12] [13]
He directed Frozen in 2004 at the Circle in the Square on Broadway and at the MCC Theater Off-Broadway, receiving a nomination for the 2004 Tony Award, Direction of a Play,[14] and 2004 Outer Critics Circle Award nomination, Outstanding Director of a Play.[15] He directed the musical Death Takes a Holiday Off-Broadway in 2011,[16] and received a nomination for the 2012 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Director of a Musical. He directed Inherit the Wind in 2007 at the Lyceum Theatre, and was nominated for the 2007 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Director of a Play.[17] He has directed several plays for the Manhattan Theatre Club, including Outside Mullingar in 2014,[18] and The Father in 2015/16.[19]
He directed the new play by Ayad Akhtar in its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in 2016 and on Broadway in 2017.[20]
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