Anne Kauffman

Described by The New York Times as “one of the leading lights of downtown theater,” Anne has directed at most major New York non-profit and regional theaters. Her recent credits include, Marjorie Prime by Jordan Harrison with Playwrights Horizons, Buzzer by Tracey Scott Wilson with The Public Theater, The Nether by Jennifer Haley with MCC, You Got Older by Clare Barron with P73 Productions (Obie Award), Smokefall by Noah Haidle at The Goodman Theater and South Coast Rep, 100 Days a new musical by The Bengsons at Z Space in San Francisco, Your Mother's Copy of the Kama Sutra by Kirk Lynn with Playwrights Horizons, The Muscles in Our Toes by Stephen Belber with the Labyrinth Theater Company. Other credits include: Lisa D’Amour’s Pulitzer Prize finalist play Detroit starring David Schwimmer and Amy Ryan at Playwrights Horizons (NY Times, New York Magazine, and TimeOut NY Top 10 Productions of 2012), Maple and Vine also at Playwrights Horizons, Somewhere Fun by Jenny Schwartz at the Vineyard Theater, Amy Herzog’s Belleville for Yale Rep, NY Theatre Workshop and Steppenwolf (Lortel Nomination for Best Director), Chloe Moss’ This Wide Night starring Edie Falco and Alison Pill for Naked Angels (Lortel Nomination for Best Director), the musical We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Adam Bock and Todd Almond with Yale Rep, Stunning by David Adjmi and Greg Pierce’s Slowgirl for LCT3, You Better Sit Down: Tales From My Parents' Divorce with The Civilians at Williamstown, ArtsEmerson and The Flea, God's Ear by Jenny Schwartz with New Georges and the Vineyard.

She is a Sundance Program Associate, a Usual Suspect at New York Theatre Workshop, an alumna of the Soho Rep. Writers and Directors Lab, a current member of Soho Rep.’s Artistic Council, Lincoln Center Directors Lab, The Drama League of New York, a founding member of The Civilians, an Associate Artist with Clubbed Thumb and member of New Georges' Kitchen Cabinet. From 2000-2006, Anne was on the directing faculty at NYU. She received her MFA in directing from UCSD, and a BA in Slavic Languages and Literature and Theater from Stanford University.

Anne’s awards include two Obie Awards, the Joan and Joseph Cullman Award for Exceptional Creativity from Lincoln Center, the Alan Schneider Director Award, the Barrymore Award for Best Director, and a Lilly Award. (As of February 2016)

• “A friendly suburban barbecue spirals into a delirious, dangerous bacchanal in the superb play DETROIT by Lisa D’Amour. A sharp X-ray of the embattled American psyche as well as a smart, tart critique of the country’s fraying social fabric, Ms. D’Amour’s dark comedy is as rich and addictively satisfying as a five-layer dip served up with a brimming bowl of tortilla chips.”

  — Charles Isherwood, New York Times (9/19/12) | Read Full Article

• “5 STARS. SUPERBLY EXECUTED. Cascading, hilarious monologues with musical, juicy, idea-packed language. Anne Kauffman’s production unites an optimal cast and eerily vivid design. DETROIT has just moved in; I suggest you bring over a fruit basket or bottle of wine and hope it stays for a good long time.”

  — David Cote, Time Out NY | Read Full Article

• “FUNNY AS HELL. Expertly written, directed and acted.”

  — Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Post

• “Powerful and funny. Speaks to the fractious, frightened American moment more perceptively than any play I've seen on a New York stage.”

  — Charles Isherwood, New York Times (10/22/10) | Read Full Article

• “Amy Ryan’s return to the New York stage could not be more welcome. David Schwimmer brings his signature air of quizzical geniality. Sarah Sokolovic, Darren Pettie, and John Cullum are excellent.”

  — Charles Isherwood, New York Times