Freeland Embraces the Opportunity to Advance the Future of Black Arts in Pittsburgh. He will assume this new leadership role and kick off ATC’s season in June 2025.
ATC’s Board Chair Tracy Edmunds states, “We “are thrilled to announce Monteze as Alumni Theater Company’s next Artistic Director. He brings a wealth of talent, expertise, and valuable connections that will be instrumental in advancing our vision of establishing ATC as a nationally recognized organization. Monteze’s leadership and engagement will propel ATC into its next chapter.”
Freeland is a multi-disciplinary artist from Baltimore, MD, with an extensive history in the theater industry. A graduate of Point Park University, his talents include acting, directing, writing, producing, and teaching.
City Theatre Board President David Betts praised Freeland’s leadership: “Mo” has provided courageous artistic direction, passion, and unwaveringcommitment to City Theatre and its values. We are immensely grateful for his contributions and wish him every success in his new role with Alumni Theater Company.”
During his tenure at City, Freeland directed six acclaimed productions, including the regional premieres of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Fat Ham and Clyde’s, and performed in other memorable productions such as Paradise Blue and Wild With Happy. Freeland’s achievements include producing six world premieres and serving as lead producer for the company’s annual Young Playwrights Festival, now in its 25th year, leaving an enduring artistic and educational imprint.
Reflecting on his time with City Theatre, Freeland shared: “Serving as Co-Artistic Director of City Theatre has been a profound honor and a significant milestone in my career. I am deeply grateful to City Theatre’saff, artists, board members, and our dedicated audiences. Together, we have created meaningful work, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished in audience development by producing bold and impactful stories that live in the pulse of our ever-changing society.
“Working alongside Monteze has been a deeply meaningful artistic partnership. His artistry and generosity of spirit have been hugely influential and deeply felt across the Company and the broader Pittsburgh artistic community,” shared fellow Co-Artistic Director Clare Drobot.
“I’m thrilled for his next chapter with Alumni Theater Company and excited for future opportunities for bothorganizational collaborations and to welcome Monteze back to City Theatre again as a freelance artist.” James McNeel, City Theatre Managing Director, added, “Mo” teze epitomizes the concept of a multi-hyphenate artist, equally comfortable on stage as well as off. He is one of Pittsburgh’s most important theatre-makers, and his impact will be profound at ATC and beyond.
“Soon, as [ATC’s] Artistic Director, I am excited to take on the responsibility and honor of leading this organization’s artistic ambitions. Growing up in an environment that values artistic excellence and community building through the Black experience has prepared me for this role of a lifetime,” said Freeland
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