Totem Pole welcomes 6th producing artistic director

Amber South, Chambersburg Public Opinion

Totem Pole Playhouse has a new producing artistic director.

Ryan B. Gibbs will begin immediately and lead the 74th season at the historic summer stock theater in Franklin County. He has worked with Totem Pole in various capacities for over a decade.

Gibbs succeeds David Hemsley Caldwell, who served as producing artistic director since late 2020. Caldwell worked with Totem Pole's board of directors to select Gibbs, and the two collaborated this spring to ensure a smooth transition.

Caldwell will continue working with Totem Pole as a consultant and guest artist.

In a statement to patrons, Caldwell said he made the decision to leave Totem Pole when his contract was up in February due to health concerns.

“It has been my privilege to work with Totem Pole Playhouse for over 25 years. I arrived in Caledonia State Park to direct and perform for the first time in 1997," Caldwell wrote in a note to patrons. "Totem Pole captured my heart the moment I stepped on the property. When the pandemic struck and I was asked to assist, I didn’t hesitate to join the team to navigate the theatre through the dark days of COVID. It has been my honor to serve as Artistic Director since 2020. We have survived a very challenging time and are seeing regrowth and recovery each year."

A look at Gibbs' experience

Gibbs has been working in the theater for 25 years as a director, producer, designer and stage manager. His Broadway and National Tour credits include "Rent," "Wicked," "Avenue Q," "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," "The Drowsy Chaperone," "School of Rock," "Chicago: The Musical," "Mary Poppins" and more.

Ryan Gibbs, the new producing artistic director at Totem Pole Playhouse, Fayetteville.
Ryan Gibbs, the new producing artistic director at Totem Pole Playhouse, Fayetteville.

Gibbs previously served as the artistic director at Allenberry Playhouse, was a founding member of the Lancaster-based theatre company The Reverie Acting Company. He also worked for four years as producer for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

He lives in Lancaster with his wife and two sons.

The playhouse has been a cultural selling point for the quality of life in Franklin County. It is closely connected to William H. Putch, who produced productions from 1954 until his death in 1983 and often worked closely with his wife, actress Jean Stapleton, of "All in the Family" fame. A number of actors who've appeared on Totem Pole's stage have gone on to award-winning Broadway productions and beyond.

Caldwell succeeded Rowan Joseph, who helped save Totem Pole from financial ruin but who left on unfriendly terms in the fall of 2020. Joseph joined Totem Pole in 2013, following Ray Ficca (2008-2013), Carl Schurr (1984-2008) and Putch. ,

Totem Pole's 74th season starts soon

The 2024 season will begin soon with "Pumpboys and the Dinettes," running May 31 to June 9. Here's the rest of the season:

  • "Clue: On Stage: June 21-30

  • "Tuesdays with Morrie": July 12-21

  • "Jersey Boys" Aug. 2-18

  • "Music in the Pines" Aug. 21-31

For tickets and subscriptions, go to www.totempoleplayhouse.org or call the box office at 717-352-2164 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays).

Amber South can be reached at asouth@publicopinionnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Ryan Gibbs joins Totem Pole Playhouse as producing artistic director

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