Robert Woodruff, a director renowned for his avante garde and often controversial productions, will lead the American Repertory Theater (ART) as Artistic Director when Robert S. Brustein steps down in August of 2002, University President Neil L. Rudenstine said Wednesday.

The announcement came after a year-long international search followed closely by local arts aficionados.

“Woodruff is inordinately respected,” said Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club (HRDC) president Cary P. McClelland ‘02. “I have enormous respect for the man.”

Woodruff is part of a “new troika” to lead ART—including Gideon Lester as Associate Artistic Director and Dramaturg, and Robert J. Orchard as Executive Director.

Rudenstine announced the appointments to about 150 HRDC members and staff in the Loeb Mainstage before a press conference Wednesday. The ART, a professional theater company, is the main tenant of the Harvard-owned Loeb Drama Center.

Both Rudenstine and Brustein stressed that Woodruff is more of an artist than an administrator or a fundraiser—roles that will instead be filled by Orchard and Lester.

Brustein said that Lester will control the “public image” of the ART, while he will rely on Orchard for his “managerial and aesthetic sense.”

A three-part directorship is not unheard of, Lester said, citing Sir Lawrence Olivier’s company as an example.

“It’s a model of leadership that’s not so new,” Lester said. “We have many years to work out the details and figure out the best formula as we move along.”

Rudenstine said that when he first met Woodruff—whom he eventually selected from around 70 candidates—he was aware that the director would not necessarily be the safest choice.

“I didn’t know how he would behave here,” Rudenstine said. “But in the end, it became gradually clearer and clearer that he should do this.”

“We have someone who won’t let things stay the way they are,” Rudenstine continued.

Woodruff, who is known for wearing sunglasses indoors, wore his long dark hair in a ponytail tied with three rubber bands. He attended the press conference clad entirely in black—black leather jacket, black jeans and boots.

He spoke only briefly, but received a standing ovation from the crowd at the staff meeting.

“I look forward to continuing with this great tradition of collaborating with the community and extended family of Harvard University,” Woodruff said.