January 14, 2025 Hana S. Sharif: Curating Conversations at Arena Stage

A conversation with Hana S. Sharif, Artistic Director of Arena Stage since August 2023. Sharif discusses her transformative first year at the helm and her inaugural season as Arena’s producing artistic director. She reflects on the vibrant theatrical community in Washington, D.C., and her commitment to amplifying dynamic voices in American theater. With an ambitious 2024/25 season featuring eight new works, including her directorial debut at Arena Stage with the world premiere of Death on the Nile, adapted by Ken Ludwig, Sharif shares the careful curation process behind creating a year-long conversation through theater, aiming to reflect the full spectrum of American voices.

Sharif also opens up about her journey from running a scrappy theater company begun at Spelman College to leading one of the country’s most prominent regional theaters. As the first Black artistic director of Arena Stage, she reflects on the significance of this milestone, her dedication to fostering inclusivity, and the critical role of theater in bridging divides and exploring our shared humanity.