Irish Classical Theatre Company (ICTC) co-founder Vincent O'Neill is an icon to the company. But Monday the theatre announced O'Neill will be stepping aside and named a new artistic director, Kate LoContie Alcocer. Alcocer is a familiar face at Irish Classical.
The actor, director, administrator and educator, has worked in 14-leading roles at the theatre in the last 20-years.“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Kate LoConti Alcocer to the Irish Classical Theatre Company’s creative team,” said O’Neill. “Discussions about her role in the Company and her vision for the future of ICTC began in May 2018 and came to fruition with the enthusiastic approval of ICTC’s Board of Trustees on September 2018, This calibrated transition in Artistic leadership will allow the Irish Classical Theatre Company to move forward seamlessly into 2020 and beyond with Ms. LoConti Alcocer at the helm,” he continued.
Alcocer will join the Irish Classical Theatre Company as Associate Artistic Director on June 1, 2019 and will undergo a transition period before a full move into the new role of artisit director in July of 2020. In a news release the theatre said Alcocer will first closely with ICTC Producing Director Fortunato Pezzimenti on all administrative functions. For the full season, September 2019 through June 2020, she will "in tandem with and under the supervision of Vincent O’Neill on all artistic and production aspects of the Company."
Alcocer is a University at Buffalo graduate. Her theater background includes working with two prestigious theater companies, Steppnewolf and Goodman theatres. Alcocer will be rehearsing Tuesday evening at ICTC with the cast of "Hamlet."
O'Neill kick started his theater career in 1990 in Buffalo, where he co-founded ICTC with Josephine Hogan, the late Chris O'Neill and the late Dr. James Warde. O'Neill is from Dublin. In his new role, O'Neill will continue acting and directing at ICTC. O'Neill is a UB theater professor.
The Irish Classical Theatre Company is currently producing its 28th season.
