Attack Theatre Announces Sarah Kramer as Executive Director
Bringing national leadership to Pittsburgh’s Attack Theatre
Sarah Kramer is the new executive director of Attack Theatre. -Yassine El Mansouri | Attack Theatre
Press Release by Attack Theatre - PITTSBURGH, PA, (October 19, 2026) — Attack Theatre is pleased to announce Sarah Kramer as its new Executive Director. She will join the leadership team as the company embarks on its 2026-27 season.
“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Sarah to Pittsburgh and Attack Theatre,” said Michele de la Reza, Co-founder and Co-Artistic Director of Attack Theatre. “She brings an incredible depth of experience, a genuine love and understanding of dance, and a collaborative spirit that deeply aligns with who we are as a company.”
Sarah Kramer brings over 15 years of arts leadership, cultural programming, operational strategy, and development expertise to Attack Theatre. Kramer spent a decade at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, most recently serving as Senior Director of Artistic Operations, where she led complex multidisciplinary initiatives and developed new institutional projects. From translating ambitious creative ideas into executable plans, to producing high-profile artist engagements – she has managed a diverse portfolio delivering over 1,500 annual performances, festivals, and nationally televised productions.
Prior to her work with the Kennedy Center, Kramer spent six years at Dance Place in Washington, D.C., where she served as Artistic Programming Manager & Development Associate. She curated and managed artists for the organization's main stage, festivals, and public programming, while also serving as a liaison for partnerships with organizations including the U.S. Department of State, foreign embassies, National Performance Network, Atlas Performing Arts Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Reston CenterStage.
Not just a seasoned leader in the workforce, Kramer is an artist at heart — with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from University of Maryland. She is also a performer who has danced professionally both in the D.C. region and internationally.
“Dance has always been a deeply important part of my life, and I’m honored to join the team at Attack Theatre, an incredible organization that has spent more than 30 years building an extraordinary body of work on stage and in the community,” said Kramer.
“Attack Theatre has thrived because of the strength of its artists, the dedication of its staff, and the remarkable community that surrounds it, “ said Paul Purdy, President of Attack Theatre’s Board of Directors. “Sarah’s wealth of knowledge and passion for the art form make her the perfect person to lead Attack Theatre into our future.”
About Attack Theatre: Founded in 1994 by Michele de la Reza and Peter Kope as a collaboration between two dancers and a city, Attack Theatre fuses modern dance, original live music, and interdisciplinary art forms to create engaging dance performances. We create work at the intersection of art and community, resulting in productions that are personal, authentic, welcoming, and fearless. www.attacktheatre.com