New Artistic Director | History Theatre

New Artistic Director


History Theatre’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Leffler as its new Artistic Director. Leffler has held the position of Interim Artistic Director since July 2025. In partnership with Managing Director Karen Mueller, Leffler will lead History Theatre as it approaches its 50th season in 2027. Leffler is the fifth individual to take on the role of artistic director at History Theatre.

About Laura Leffler

“I keep pinching myself. It is an honor to be entrusted to lead History Theatre on the cusp of its 50th anniversary. In my first year as artistic director, I want to strengthen our ties with community partners, review and reinvigorate our ways of developing new work, and improve our engagement with audiences. I want to do all this while holding fast to our mission of telling the stories of real people and real events. We have such a proud legacy to build upon – adding even more groundbreaking storytelling to that legacy is a gift to everyone in our community. I’m thrilled to be working alongside this truly wonderful staff and exceptionally supportive board to find even more possibilities for History Theatre,” Leffler said. 

Leffler brings a distinguished career as a Twin Cities-based theatre director and producer, specializing in creating new works for the stage, scripted and devised, and new play development. She co-founded Savage Umbrella/Umbrella Collective and was its Artistic Director for 13 years. Savage Umbrella was a collaborative theatre ensemble dedicated to social issues, women, and LGBTQIA+ theatre. From 2017 to 2019, she was the Associate Artistic Director of Park Square Theatre. 

In addition, she has worked locally with the Guthrie Theater, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Children's Theatre Company, The Moving Company, Playwrights' Center, Frank Theatre, Rough Magic Performance Company, Artistry, 20% Theatre Company, and more. She holds an MA in Theatre from the University of Kansas and a BA in English and Theatre from Baker University. Accolades include Best Director 2018 Twin Cities in City Pages. 

Leffler’s first credit at History Theatre was directing the critically acclaimed Superman Becomes Lois Lane by Susan Kimberly. She joined the staff in 2022 as the New Works and Producing Associate, where she took on roles of producing and directing during the annual Raw Stages Festival. She also directed The Boy Wonder, with book, music, and lyrics by Keith Hovis, as well as Whoa, Nellie! The Outlaw King of the Wild Middle West, book, music, and lyrics by Josef Evans. In July of 2025, she was named Interim Artistic Director, directing Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical, book and co-lyrics by Rachel Teagle, and music and co-lyrics by Keith Hovis. She is currently directing the upcoming comedy Hungry Like the Wolf by Sandra Struthers, opening on March 19!

Looking Ahead

Exciting developments are on the horizon at History Theatre!

  • Mark your calendars for March 2026, when we unveil History Theatre’s exciting 2026-2027 season.
  • Don’t miss the remount of Courting Harry by Lee Blessing, directed by Joel Sass, running from May 14 to June 7, 2026.
  • Additionally, back by popular demand, The Root Beer Lady by Kim Schultz is now on sale for a summer run from July 8 to 26, 2026.

Board President Dr. Jon Thomas added, “Laura stepped into the role of Interim Artistic Director during a period of transition, and she has more than risen to the occasion. Her artistic vision, collaborative leadership, and deep commitment to our mission have made it clear she is the right person to lead History Theatre forward. The board is proud to make this appointment as we head toward our landmark 50th season.” 

For more information