Theatre Leadership
Blake Robison, Producing Artistic Director
Photo of Blake Robison by Clinton Brandhagen
Blake Robison is in his seventh season as Producing Artistic Director of Round House Theatre where he has produced a wide variety of literary works, refined its educational programming, and commissioned new plays from some of the country’s most exciting up and coming playwrights. At the same time, he has kept the organization on sound financial footing by increasing both earned and contributed revenue and growing its endowment funds.
Most recently, Blake adapted and directed Round House’s successful production of Charming Billy, the beloved novel by Bethesda author Alice McDermott. Other RHT directing credits include Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s modernized The Picture of Dorian Gray (world premiere); Karen Zacarias’ How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents (world premiere) adapted from Julia Alvarez’s celebrated novel; a rock music and dance infused Lord of the Flies; Ken Ludwig’s new adaptation of Treasure Island; a three-actor treatment of Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment; the Helen Hayes nominated production of John Irving’s A Prayer for Owen Meany; and the American premiere of Neil Bartlett’s Camille.
This spring, Blake traveled to Berlin to direct the Tennessee Williams classic Summer and Smoke at English Theatre Berlin. Other guest directing includes Pride & Prejudice at Utah Shakespeare Festival, The Winter’s Tale at Folger Theatre, Hobson’s Choice at PlayMaker’s Repertory, as well as multiple seasons at National Shakespeare Company, Clarence Brown Theatre, and Vermont Stage Company. He has worked several times internationally at the renowned Avignon Festival in France.
Previously, Blake has held leadership positions at The Clarence Brown Theatre (Producing Artistic Director, 2000-2005), National Shakespeare Company (Producing Director, 1998-2000), and Vermont Stage Company (Co-Founder/Artistic Director, 1994-1999). He created revivals of The Dresser starring John Cullum; The Rainmaker with David Keith; and The Glass Menagerie with Rosemarie Prinz; as well as the world premiere of Dana Yeaton’s Mad River Rising (Moss Hart Award), the American premiere of George Tabori’s The Brecht File, and the creation of Babel – an international theatre piece in twelve languages with Alain Timar’s Théâtredes Halles.
Blake is a graduate of Williams College, The British American Drama Academy, and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He lives in Silver Spring with his wife, Connan Morrissey, and their sons Declan and Callum.
Danisha Crosby, Associate Producer
As Associate Producer, Ms. Crosby supervises all programming at Round House Theatre – including the production and education departments – and programs the Silver Spring Series featuring performances by DC-area companies and solo artists. She has worked extensively as a teacher, director, and stage manager in the Washington area and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association. Previously, she served as Round House’s Director of Production and as Production Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s Degree from the American University. Ms. Crosby also serves on the Advisory Board for the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts and is the Vice President of the League of Washington Theatres.
Patricia Jenson, Director of Development
Ms. Jenson joined Round House Theatre in 2011 as Director of Development. She previously served in the same position at the Washington Ballet, and was Managing Director of Theater J for seven years. Her other Washington DC-area credits include working at Arena Stage, Horizons Theatre and the Washington Performing Arts Society. A native of Minnesota, she performed for many years as a professional actor in Minneapolis, but now devotes her free time to community volunteer activities, enjoying the cultural offerings of this area, and serving as an Examiner for the President’s Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Ms. Jenson is a graduate of George Washington University.
Lance Tucker, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Mr. Tucker began working with Round House as Interim Marketing Director in September 2007 before joining the staff full time in January 2008. He served as Director of Marketing at The Washington Opera for eleven years, during a time of tremendous growth and change for the company. He has worked in marketing, development, and public relations for such organizations as Arena Stage, The American Film Institute, OPERA America, The Harlequin Dinner Theatre, Troika Entertainment, and Young People’s Theatre. He has spoken on arts marketing issues at various national conferences and has served as a consultant for organizations across the United States. In addition, he has worked as an actor, director, producer, and acting teacher. Mr. Tucker also served as a judge for the Helen Hayes Awards. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University and The University of Michigan.
Harriet L. Weil, General Manager
Ms. Weil joined Round House Theatre in August 2005 as General Manager. She most recently worked for the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at Maryland where she managed all rentals and maintained the schedule for their eight performance venues. Ms. Weil was part of the Production Management team that opened the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia in December 2001. While there, she was thrilled to have been able to work closely with The Philadelphia Orchestra as they made their new home in Verizon Hall. Prior to the Kimmel Center, Ms. Weil served as the Fiscal Manager in the General Management Department at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. In the Washington area, Ms. Weil has worked for The Shakespeare Theatre, Arena Stage, The Washington Stage Guild, Folger Theatre, Studio Theatre, and Olney Theatre Center.
