Pictured: new American Blues Theater ensemble member Darren Canady.

American Blues Theater announced today the addition of a new Ensemble member and three new Artistic Affiliates.

Joining the Ensemble is playwright Darren Canady, whose world-premiere commission TRANSit is currently playing at American Blues. Joining the team of Artistic Affiliates is Chuck Smith, who directed the current production of DUTCHMAN (running in rep with TRANSit, as well as Nathan Singh, assistant director of TRANSit, and playwright and performer Rohina Malik, who is currently working on a new play commission for American Blues about the Muslim-American experience.

“We’re thrilled to announce our commitment to these exceptional artists. While working with each of them, we felt their artistry and collaborative spirit would greatly enhance our growing American Blues family,” said Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside.

The American Blues Theater Ensemble includes all four Founders Ed Blatchford, Rick Cleveland, James Leaming, and William Payne with Dawn Bach, Matthew Brumlow, Manny Buckley, Kate Buddeke, Sarah Burnham, Dara Cameron, Casey Campbell, Darren Canady, Brian Claggett, Dennis Cockrum, Austin Cook, Laura Coover, Ian Paul Custer, Lauri Dahl, Joe Foust, Cheryl Graeff, Marty Higginbotham, Jaclyn Holsey, Lindsay Jones, Nambi E. Kelley, Kevin R. Kelly, Steve Key, Ed Kross, Warren Levon, Michael Mahler, Heather Meyers, John Mohrlein, Christopher J. Neville, Suzanne Petri, Carmen Roman, Editha Rosario, Sarah E. Ross, and Gwendolyn Whiteside.