Amelia Acosta Powell (Artistic Director) and Emily Tarquin (Managing Director) recently took on new leadership roles at Actors Theatre.
Two of Louisville’s most storied arts institutions are beginning a new chapter. The Louisville Ballet and Actors Theatre of Louisville — cornerstones of the city’s cultural identity — have both announced dynamic new leaders who promise to bring fresh vision, bold ideas, and renewed community connection.
In August, Louisville Ballet named Kentucky native Anthony Krutzkamp as its new Artistic Director, beginning September 15. Just weeks later, Actors Theatre confirmed a dual leadership model, appointing Amelia Acosta Powell as Artistic Director and Emily Tarquin as Managing Director. Together, these announcements signal an exciting infusion of energy into Louisville’s performing arts scene as both organizations look ahead to milestone seasons.
Krutzkamp Takes the Helm
For Louisville Ballet, Krutzkamp’s appointment is both a homecoming and a bold step forward. Born and raised in Kentucky, he built an acclaimed performance career as a principal dancer with Cincinnati Ballet before shifting into artistic leadership roles across the country. Most recently, he transformed Sacramento Ballet, serving as both Artistic and Executive Director.
At Sacramento Ballet, Krutzkamp oversaw a period of dramatic growth: launching a second company, driving record ticket sales, and strengthening the organization’s financial foundation by establishing its first endowment. He also expanded the company’s reach through international tours and introduced a new Nutcracker, while championing community engagement initiatives.
“Anthony brings the perfect combination of world-class artistry, visionary programming, and proven leadership,” said K. Shaver, Louisville Ballet’s Board President. “His experience leading Sacramento Ballet through both artistic and organizational transformation uniquely positions him to help Louisville Ballet thrive as we approach our 75th anniversary season.”
Krutzkamp succeeds interim Artistic Directors Mikelle Bruzina and Harald Uwe Kern, who successfully stewarded the company during its transition. He steps into the role just as Louisville Ballet prepares for its diamond anniversary in 2026-27, a milestone that will celebrate both its history and its future.
For Krutzkamp, the appointment is as personal as it is professional. “It’s an honor to return home to Kentucky and join a company with such a rich history, passionate artists, and deep community connections,” he said. “I’m excited to build on Louisville Ballet’s legacy while embracing new voices, bold ideas, and innovative collaborations.”
Krutzkamp’s own artistic journey reflects that balance of tradition and innovation. As a dancer, he performed iconic roles in Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Swan Lake, and Romeo & Juliet, while also excelling in contemporary works by choreographers like George Balanchine. As a choreographer, his works have been commissioned by companies across the United States, and he co-founded both the Kansas City Dance Festival and Moving Arts Cincinnati.
His vision for Louisville Ballet is expected to emphasize collaboration — across disciplines, across communities, and across generations. Anthony will shape programming, mentor dancers, expand community partnerships, and help ensure the ballet remains financially and artistically strong.
Founded in 1952, Louisville Ballet is Kentucky’s official state ballet and reaches more than 70,000 people annually through performances, education programs, and outreach. With Krutzkamp at the helm, it enters its next chapter with a leader deeply invested in both artistry and sustainability.
Anthony Krutzkamp – Louisville Ballet – Artistic Director,
Dual Leadership at Actors Theatre
Just as the ballet is welcoming Krutzkamp, Actors Theatre of Louisville is embracing a new collaborative leadership model, with Acosta Powell as Artistic Director and Tarquin as Managing Director. Together, they will guide Actors Theatre into its next era, focusing on community engagement, artistic innovation, and organizational resilience.
The appointments follow years of significant change at Actors Theatre, which has reimagined its identity as both a producing theatre and a civic arts organization. By selecting Acosta Powell and Tarquin — a team with complementary strengths — the Board has signaled its commitment to shared leadership and a holistic approach to both artistry and operations.
“Amelia and Emily’s visionary thinking, artistic creativity, and deep commitment to both artists and audiences position them to guide the theatre into an exciting new chapter for our Louisville community,” said Board President Mac Thompson.
About the Leaders
Acosta Powell is an acclaimed director and producer with a national reputation for championing new voices and inclusive storytelling. Before joining Actors Theatre as Impact Producer, she held leadership roles at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Arena Stage. She also spearheaded the 2022 Latinx Theatre Commons Comedy Carnaval, a national convening of theatre-makers. At Actors Theatre, she has directed productions such as La Egoista, Every Brilliant Thing, and Loving and Loving, earning critical praise and building meaningful community connections.
Tarquin brings equally impressive credentials, with expertise at the intersection of creative producing and organizational leadership. Before joining Actors Theatre, they co-founded Off-Center, the immersive theatre wing of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and produced the Colorado New Play Summit. At Actors, Tarquin has already overseen finance, development, external relations, and strategic planning — demonstrating their ability to marry creativity with fiscal discipline. They are currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Bellarmine University to deepen their leadership skills.
Together, Acosta Powell and Tarquin are already shaping the 2025-26 season, which includes the world premiere of FDR’s Very Happy Hour, a family-friendly Halloween spectacle Dead as a Dodo, the beloved holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, and the launch of the Storytelling Revolution Festival in partnership with Louisville Fringe.
A Vision for the Future
The new leaders emphasize that theater is not just about performances but about building community. They envision Actors Theatre’s Main Street complex as a cultural hub where audiences, artists, and neighbors come together to create and share stories. Strategic planning support from cultural strategist Christen Boone and the DeVos Institute of Arts Management will help ensure the theatre’s sustainability as it evolves.
Acosta Powell describes her artistic philosophy as one rooted in “community, wonder, and joy.” Tarquin echoes that ethos, noting their commitment to “the human-to-human alchemy of live performance.” For both, the goal is to make Actors Theatre welcoming to everyone in Louisville — longtime patrons and first-time theatergoers alike.
Actors Theatre has long been a national leader in new play development, known especially for its Humana Festival of New American Plays. While the festival ended in 2019, the Storytelling Revolution Festival marks a fresh commitment to nurturing new voices, this time with a distinctly local focus.
Louisville’s Cultural Crossroads
The nearly simultaneous announcements at Louisville Ballet and Actors Theatre underscore a moment of renewal in the city’s arts community. Both organizations are historic, nationally respected institutions facing the dual challenges of artistic relevance and organizational sustainability in a changing cultural landscape.
Krutzkamp, Acosta Powell, and Tarquin all bring a mix of national perspective and local investment. Krutzkamp returns to his Kentucky roots; Acosta Powell has made Louisville home since 2021; and Tarquin is pursuing advanced studies in the city while actively engaged in local organizations. Each understands the importance of connecting world-class artistry with the community they serve.
For Louisville audiences, this means an exciting blend of tradition and innovation onstage — from timeless ballets to bold new plays, from beloved holiday favorites to international collaborations. For the city itself, it’s a reminder that the arts are not just entertainment, but essential to community identity and vitality.
As Louisville Ballet approaches its 75th anniversary and Actors Theatre charts a new path under dual leadership, the city stands at the threshold of a new cultural era. The names may be new, but the commitment is familiar: to tell stories, move audiences, and ensure Louisville remains one of America’s great arts towns.
