Rachel Hynes Named As New Director Of Limestone's Theatre Program

Playwright and Larry Neal Writer’s Award recipient Rachel Hynes has been named as the new Director of Limestone University’s Theatre Program.

Prior to her arrival at Limestone, Hynes served as an adjunct professor at several colleges in the Washington, D.C. area, in addition to her work at local theatres.

Born and raised in Arlington, VA, Hynes had access to many of the best Shakespeare theatres in the world, and as a result, developed an early love for the classics. As her educational and professional journey took her to places like Seattle, New York, London, and Vietnam, however, Hynes has steadily become enthralled with more contemporary, experimental and international works.

Hynes plans to bring a combination of both to Limestone’s program, where the liberal arts mission and curriculum provides a perfect environment for her holistic and innovative vision.

“I'm so passionate about theater within the liberal arts environment because it is truly a 360-degree art form,” she explained. “It involves all members of the community: marketing, sales, artists, those with an eye for management, and more. If you are going to be a creative today, you’re essentially going to have to be an entrepreneur.”

Hynes earned her Master of Fine Arts in Lecoq Based Actor Created Theatre from Naropa University at the London International School for the Arts. She is a member of both the Dramatists Guild and the Network of Ensemble Theatre, as well as being recognized for an Artist Fellowship eight different times from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

From 2006-2011, Hynes was the Co-Artistic Director of experimental performance group Helsinki Syndrome that performed in Seattle at the Northwest New Works Festival, the Henry Art Gallery, Bumbershoot Arts Festival, and Annex Theatre (Seattle); in Portland at the Hand2Mouth’s Risk/Reward Series; in London at the Camden People’s Theatre SPRINT Festival; and had two residencies at Richard Forman’s Ontological-Hysteric Incubator in New York City.

In addition, she has taught devising, movement, and comedy, and has created original works with the likes of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, Montgomery College, Ford Theatre’s National Oratory Fellows, Encore Stage & Studio, Arena Stage, and the Educational Theatre Company. Hynes focuses on process-based creation, empowering students to continue their journeys as actors, directors, and creators long after they have left the classroom.