Winnipesaukee Playhouse welcomes new producing artistic director, but he's no stranger to the Meredith stage

MEREDITH — Bryan Knowlton has a PhD in Broadway, earned through 30 years on New York City stages, prestigious awards for his choreography and extensive teaching at the university level.

Those accolades, combined with a thirst for learning and a joyful spirit, made Knowlton the top pick to be the Winnipesaukee Playhouse’s next producing artistic director.

“I feel as though everything I’ve done up to this point in my career has gotten me ready for a position like this,” said Knowlton, a Portsmouth native who has served at the playhouse for the past decade as a director and choreographer.

“I’m humbled and honored to be returning to my artistic home,” he said. “This place has supported me in my career for the past 10 years. It’s like we’ve been dating for 10 years, and we’ve made it official. It’s an exciting transition.”

In May, after he was formally hired, Knowlton moved from the Big Apple to Laconia with his husband, Brett Hemmerling, and he is excited to collaborate with talent across the state, and help elevate the playhouse.

“The playhouse is so rich in its mission and what it does for not just professional theater, but for education and the community. And that was something I believe in as an educator myself,” Knowlton said. “The type of work taking place here is so important, and I knew transition from my former roles to this would be achievable.”

Selected from pool of 30 applicants

Lesley Pankhurst, patron and company services director for the Winnipesaukee Playhouse, said Knowlton replaces Timothy L’Ecuyer, who moved, to take a role at the Florida Studio Theatre.

She added that Knowlton was one of two finalists in an applicant pool of 30 from across the country.

“We already knew who he was as a person. He is an incredible artist who always brings magic to the stage, but truly one of the kindest, most supportive people you can work with. He leads with joy,” Pankhurst said. “He creates safe spaces for other people to create art, and he encourages people to bring their own creativity to the table. He’s ready to call this small community home, and get to know this local community in a way that is special and will bring a new spark to the playhouse.”

Pankhurst said a committee made up of the playhouse’s board members conducted three rounds of interviews, first meeting and questioning roughly a dozen applicants.

“We were blown away by the quality of the applicant pool,” she said. “The entire staff is really excited about this appointment, and we’re thrilled to have him here."

Knowlton’s background, awards

Knowlton moved to New York City, in 2000, and had been there since, performing in lead roles in “Oliver!,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “A Chorus Line” early on, and later taking roles on television and in film.

Fifteen years ago, he transitioned into directing and choreographing, and has been a recipient of the New Hampshire Theatre Award for best choreographer, and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Award for outstanding choreography. He has also received nominations for Helen Hayes, Berkshire, SALT and BroadwayWorld awards.

He taught at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, one of the leading dance studios in the world, as well as in London, where he lived for five years. He’s worked with the likes of Meryl Streep and Mario Lopez, and has relationships with theaters across the state, and in New York and Maine.

“I will be able to use my contacts, and because I’ve worked at so many different theaters, I can apply that information to what’s happening here to help elevate,” Knowlton said, noting he recently wrote an email introducing himself to all artistic directors within the professional New Hampshire theater scene, in hopes of collaborating.

While there may be learning curves in his new role, he sees them as opportunities.

“I’m able to apply my people skills to the position. It’s an opportunity to gain new relationships and learn.”