Dámaso Rodríguez

Dámaso Rodríguez is a director and the artistic director of Seattle Rep.

Born in Miami, Florida, Dámaso Rodríguez is a Co-Founder of Los Angeles' Furious Theatre (called “one of the fastest-rising ensembles in L.A. stage history” by LA Stage Magazine), where he spent 11 years as Co-Artistic Director. He spent eight seasons in residence at the Pasadena Playhouse, where he served as Associate Artistic Director to Sheldon Epps. Rodríguez has produced and directed a broad range of new and classic plays at some the country’s most prominent regional theaters.

Rodríguez spent nine seasons as Artistic Director of Artists Rep, Portland, Oregon's longest-running professional theatre. During his tenure, Artists Rep joined the League of Resident Theaters (LORT) and produced more than 60 productions. Artistic programming highlights include: the establishment of a new works development program; the organizational residency and resource-sharing program known as ArtsHub; the creation of a resident artists program involving nearly 40 artists across theatrical disciplines; and the pandemic pivot to digital productions such as audio dramas and short films. In the 2022-23 theatre season, three plays developed during his tenure were produced around the country: The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa FastHorse (Broadway 2023), Wolf Play by Hansol Jung (Off-Broadway 2023), American Fast by Kareem Fahmy (National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere 2023).

Rodríguez is a recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, Back Stage Garland Award, NAACP Theatre Award, and the Pasadena Arts Council Gold Crown Award. He is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, currently serves on the National Directors Council of the Drama League, and has served on panels for National Endowment for the Arts, as a Theatre Communications Group Delegate to the Havana International Theatre Festival, and as a guest of Spain’s Ministry of Culture for the Ibero-American Theatre Forum (Full Bio).