A conversation with charlotte cohn

Charlotte Cohn is a NY-based director, actor and producer who will assume the role of ATG’s next Producing Artistic Director on July 1st, succeeding co-Founder Jim Vagias. She recently returned from Rochester, NY where she directed an enthusiastically received production of a new musical she created and co-wrote  called The Sound based on her father’s true story of escaping from Denmark to Sweden in WWII. She first became associated with ATG as the director of our 2024 production of Canned Goods and subsequently directed My Italy Story later that year. In her new role, Cohn will oversee ATG’s artistic programming, production strategy, and community partnerships. In a recent conversation, when asked about her initial association with ATG, she called it “joyous” and “fulfilling,” noting how the experiences allowed her to grow professionally as a director.  She also stressed how she appreciated the kindness and strong leadership displayed by Jim Vagias and his uncanny ability to find a solution to any problem calmly and professionally. Excerpts of the conversation follow.

How will your previous experience with ATG influence your leadership as you assume the new role?

ATG gave me the opportunity to present a production in multiple venues and to understand all the opportunities and challenges that presents.  I was also able to develop relationships with our production and marketing staff which will be helpful as I jump into this role. And I’ve recently cultivated a relationship with Victoria Duncker, the relatively new director of the Union Arts Center, and I’m encouraged by how helpful and professional everyone is, with “can-do” attitudes that are so essential in a lean organization.

What are your initial goals?

First, I’d like to announce our new season, which will begin in the fall and extend into early summer.  While I can’t publicly disclose the titles quite yet, the plans are for a new one-person show in the fall, followed by an original play early in 2027 and ending with an exciting, innovative musical in the spring.

In addition, I’d like to introduce a Short Play Festival with a unique twist – we will present 15-minute sections of new plays over two days and will ask the audiences to vote for the ones that interest them most. We will then do full readings of the top three selections.  The intent is to engage our audiences in a new way they may have never experiences before.

I also want to continue building our Cabaret Series. We’re kicking it off in June at the Union Arts Center with Katerina McCrimmon, an exciting rising star, which should really generate interest in this kind of intimate performance style. I’d like the Series to present different themes that can be explored through songs and accompanying stories.

Finally, I would like to launch an “In Conversation” series with panel discussions and Q&A sessions featuring special guests who will share perspectives on theater topics and discuss current issues impacting the arts and our communities.  

What excites you most about the role?

I approach everything I do with the intent of producing thought-provoking and entertaining theater, with an emphasis on new work.  Original work is enticing to me. Theater should make us laugh, bring us to tears, and as a bonus, motivate us to take action.

I look forward to determining the best shows for each of our venues and individual communities. How can we best serve our different audiences? What programming will resonate with and energize our patrons? Theater is the only medium left that forces us to watch and experience live work as a group with minimal distractions. And while my goal is to present important and meaningful work, I am not interested in anything overly dark or foreboding – I have no interest in theater that feels preachy or feels like “medicine.”  

Any final thoughts?

I will do my best to ensure that ATG spotlights New Jersey artists, both new and established professionals. I want to reach out to local businesses, schools and organizations to determine how we can best partner together to serve our communities. I am energized to assume this role at this stage of ATG’s development. I hope to enrich what has been done well and take this opportunity to allow it to flourish and reach its true potential. I want to transform an already great company into an incredible one.

ATG 2.0 begins…..