New role for Playhouse exec

Dámaso Rodriguez, director and co-founder of the Pasadena Playhouse’s resident Furious Theatre Company, has been appointed the Playhouse’s associate director. In the newly created position, Rodriguez will report directly to Artistic Director Sheldon Epps.

Rodriguez, winner of best direction awards from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and the NAACP for Furious works, will continue to provide leadership to the resident company. He will also help support Epps in programming for the main stage and will direct the first production of the 2008 Playhouse season, “Orson’s Shadow” by Austin Pendleton. Performances begin Jan. 11.

-- Lynne Heffley