Sir Tyrone Guthrie, 1963-66

The theater's founder instituted the distinctive thrust stage and established a mission based on Shakespeare and the classics.

Douglas Campbell, 1966-67

A protégé of Tyrone Guthrie, Campbell was known more as an actor and director than as an experienced theater executive.

Michael Langham, 1971-77

He shored up precarious finances through increased subscriptions and ticket sales and brought much-needed stability to the theater.

Alvin Epstein, 1978-79

Arriving from Yale Repertory Theatre, he staged a number of contemporary American plays that alienated some core audience members.

Liviu Ciulei, 1980-85

Romanian-born Ciulei, along with dramaturg Miki Lupu, brought a more global, political context to town. Ciulei's "The Tempest" is still remembered.

Garland Wright, 1986-95

The strongly visual Wright brought in an epic staging of Genet's "The Screens," and also did plenty of Shakespeare and the Greeks.