The theater world is mourning the loss of Todd Haimes, the longtime leader of the Roundabout Theatre Company, who passed away on October 13th at the age of 64. Haimes had been battling cancer for several years and had taken a leave of absence from his role as artistic director earlier this year.
Haimes was a beloved figure in the theater community, known for his passion for bringing high-quality productions to Broadway and beyond. Under his leadership, the Roundabout Theatre Company became one of the most successful and respected non-profit theater organizations in the country.
Haimes joined the Roundabout in 1983 as executive director, and over the next 38 years, he oversaw the company’s growth from a small off-Broadway theater to a major player on the Great White Way. He was instrumental in securing the company’s first Broadway theater, the Criterion Center, in 1991, and he went on to lead the Roundabout through numerous other milestones, including the renovation of the historic Studio 54 and the opening of the company’s first permanent home, the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre.
Throughout his tenure, Haimes was committed to producing a diverse range of plays and musicals, from classic revivals to new works by emerging playwrights. Some of the Roundabout’s most successful productions under his leadership include “Cabaret,” “She Loves Me,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “The Humans,” which won the Tony Award for Best Play in 2016.
Haimes was also known for his dedication to nurturing young talent, both onstage and behind the scenes. He established the Roundabout’s acclaimed education program, which provides training and mentorship opportunities for aspiring theater professionals, and he was a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the industry.
In a statement announcing Haimes’ passing, Roundabout board chairman Tom Tuft praised his leadership and vision. “Todd was a true visionary who transformed Roundabout into one of the most successful and respected theater companies in the world,” Tuft said. “His passion for theater, his unwavering commitment to excellence, and his deep love for the Roundabout family will be deeply missed.”
Haimes’ legacy will live on through the Roundabout Theatre Company, which he helped build into a thriving institution that continues to produce some of the most exciting and innovative theater in the country. His contributions to the industry will be remembered and celebrated by generations of theater lovers to come.
