Dukes artistic director Joe Sumsion will be leaving the Lancaster theatre in February.
Joe, who joined in 2007, will be taking on new roles as a freelance director and university lecturer.
Dukes chair Gary Rycroft said, “on behalf of The Dukes, I congratulate Joe on the success he has had here and thank him for his outstanding and unstinting commitment.”
Joe added, “it has been a privilege to lead such a fantastic organisation over nine exciting and fulfilling years. I think and hope that the company has benefitted from my ambition and commitment.”
Joe has directed and produced a number of hugely successful plays including productions such as Sabbat and Quicksand as well as park shows.
His most recent outdoor production of The Hobbit was one of the most successful Dukes shows in recent years. The final play he will direct is The Ockerbys On Ice which runs from September 30 to October 22.
The process of recruiting a new artistic director is under way this month.