Founded in 1963 by Jacques Cartier, the company performed in a former supermarket until it moved to its current home at the 489-seat John W. Huntington Theatre, designed by Robert Venturi, in 1968.[3] Jacques Cartier (1963–1968), Paul Weidner (1968–1980), Mark Lamos (1981–1998), Michael Wilson (1998–2011), Darko Tresnjak (2011–2019), and Melia Bensussen (2019–present) have served as the Stage's artistic directors.[4]
Under artistic director Wilson, the Stage reemphasized modern American classics from Tennessee Williams and Amiri Baraka.[7] Tresnjak deepened the Stage's commitment to Shakespeare and new American theatre and successfully launched musical theatre as a new programming priority.[8] Bensussen was hired to enhance the Stage's community engagement and education initiatives and diversify its repertoire.[4]