Minneapolis native selected as artistic director at Quincy Community Theater

QUINCY — Quincy Community Theatre announced Tuesday the selection of Ethan Nienaber, a director, producer and educator who hails from Minneapolis, as its artistic director after a nationwide search.

Nienaber grew up performing for the Children’s Theatre Company and History Theatre. He went on to study acting and receive a bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He was a Kenan Fellow at Lincoln Center Education and also interned with New York Musical Festival and Ensemble Studio Theatre before joining Broadway Podcast Network as assistant general manager later in his career. 

Nienaber’s New York credits include “A Christmas Carol” (five-time Tony Award winning 1st national Broadway tour, assistant director), “Emojiland the Musical” (Off-Broadway, New York Times Critic’s Pick, and National Tour/Proshot, associate director), “Decky Does A Bronco” (U.S. and Off-Broadway premiere), “Madwomen Of The West” (Off-Broadway premiere, associate director) and “Jericho” (Off-Broadway and world premiere, assistant director). 

Nienaber has supported many world premiere productions or readings with companies such as Lincoln Center Education, Atlantic Theatre Company, 59E59, The Attic Theater Company, American Theater of Actors and General Mischief Dance Theater. 

Since his return to the Twin Cities in 2020, Nienaber’s regional directing credits include: “Into The Woods” and “Footloose” (GREAT Theatre), “Singin’ In The Rain” (Lakeshore Players Theatre) and “Newsies” (Quincy Community Theatre). He is the co-founder/producer for The Forge Series, a work incubator supporting the next generation of musical theatre writers in the Twin Cities area. He has directed multiple sold-out readings since the company’s birth in 2022.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ethan back to QCT after working with him during last summer’s ‘Newsies,’” Burgundy Hill, QCT’s executive director, said in a press release. “The show left a lasting impression on our patrons, the community and, most important, our volunteers. In even such a short period of time, he showed immense care for our entire community and passion for advancing our mission of perpetuating theatre entertainment and education forward. I look forward to seeing the long-term impact Ethan will make.”

“It is an immense honor to be stepping into the role of artistic director for Quincy Community Theatre, especially after getting to know some of the passionate staff, volunteers and patrons while directing ‘Newsies’ last summer,” Nienaber said. “I look forward to upholding the organization’s history of producing premier entertainment while also fostering the rich well of talent and creativity in our region. 

“Having experienced firsthand how welcoming the Quincy community is, I cannot wait to find innovative ways to expand the programming our organization offers so we can continue to extend that warm welcome to everyone who takes an interest in theatre.”

Nienaber succeeds Brandon Thomsen as artistic director. He has started his work remotely, helping plan the 2026 season and begin preproduction for “Jersey Boys,” which he will direct. He will join the company in person in the coming weeks.

Quincy Community Theatre offering five major productions, three student productions, various touring performances and a variety of workshops and classes each year. QCT programming is supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

For information about upcoming shows and theatre activities or to purchase tickets, visit www.1qct.org or call the box office at 217-222-3209 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.