Diversionary Theatre’s New Artistic Director Looks to Expand Impact in San Diego, Beyond

Diversionary Theatre has named its new artistic director, Sherri Eden Barber, after a lengthy search.

“Sherri’s incredible experience in professional theatre nationally, and her strong desire to tell stories of our diverse LGBTQIA+ community, makes her a perfect fit for Diversionary,” board President Russ Sperling said in a news release. “The fact that our theater will be co-led by two women at the top of their field is tremendously exciting for all of us.”

Diversionary Theatre in University Heights is the nation’s third-oldest LGTBQIA+ theater.

“Sherri’s unparalleled creativity and commitment to diverse storytelling align perfectly with our mission,” said the theater’s Executive Director Jenny Case.

Barber, a director, artistic director and former resident director with a Hamilton touring company, is a Drama League Directing Fellow and a recipient of the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Directors Fellowship and the US/UK Exchange Award.

“In my time as artistic director, I hope to expand this theater’s impact in San Diego and the theater community at large as a home and incubator for groundbreaking new work, while deepening our commitment to our roots: LGBTQ+ artists, our stories and the visibility of our lives,” Barber said.

Diversionary had the assistance of Evolution Management Consultants (EMC), a consulting firm working to support development in the non-profit sector, in the search. Stephen Brotebeck served as interim artistic director after the departure of Matt M. Morrow in June 2023.

Diversionary’s 39th season will kick off this fall and run through the summer of 2025. It is centered around the theme of “Connection,” which arose from a desire to build bridges and connectivity between community members and those they serve in San Diego.

The season includes the West Coast premiere of Midnight at the Never Get (October/November 2024) by Mark Sonnenblick and directed by Stephen Brotebeck, the San Diego premiere of We Are Continuous (February/March 2025) by Harrison David Rivers and directed by Kian Kline-Chilton, and the regional premiere of Merry Me (May/June, 2025) by Hansol Jung.