Sherri Eden Barber to Artistically Lead Diversionary Theatre

By Berto Fernández

San Diego’s historic Diversionary Theatre has been searching for their new Artistic Director for quite some time, and they have found them in Sherri Eden Barber, who most recently directed the company’s World Premiere musical TL;DR Thelma Louise; Dyke Remix. 

Board President Russ Sperling shared his excitement about the announcement. “Sherri’s incredible experience in professional theatre nationally, and her strong desire to tell stories of our diverse LGBTQIA+ community, makes her a perfect fit for Diversionary. The fact that our theater will be co-led by two women at the top of their field is tremendously exciting for all of us.”, he said. With the help of Evolution Management Consultants (EMC), a consulting firm working to support development in the non-profit sector, and interim artistic director Stephen Brotebeck, Diversionary was able to land on Barber, as their artistic leader. 

Baber comes to Diversionary with a vast professional theatre experience, including the title of resident director for the San Francisco production of the popular musical Hamilton. She is also a Drama League Directing Fellow and a recipient of the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Directors Fellowship and the US/UK Exchange Award. “In my time as artistic director, I hope to expand this theater’s impact in San Diego and the theater community at large as a home and incubator for ground-breaking new work, while deepening our commitment to our roots: LGBTQ+ artists, our stories and the visibility of our lives,” Barber said.

“Sherri’s unparalleled creativity and commitment to diverse storytelling align perfectly with our mission,” added Jenny Case, the theater’s Executive Director.

The third oldest LGBTQ+ Theater in the nation will feature a season centered in “Connection”, which comes from a desire to bridge the gap between our community members and those who are in power to serve or help them right here in San Diego.

The season includes the West Coast premiere of Midnight at the Never Get (October/November 2024) by Mark Sonnenblick and directed by Stephen Brotebeck, the San Diego premiere of We Are Continuous (February/March 2025) by Harrison David Rivers and directed by Kian Kline-Chilton, and the regional premiere of Merry Me (May/June, 2025) by Hansol Jung.