Director parting ways with SLAC after four months

In a season of many changes, Salt Lake Acting Company is about to undergo another one as it parts way with Jason Bruffy, its artistic director of four months.

"It has come down to a difference in vision, leadership and in the future direction of the acting company," Bruffy told the Deseret News.

Bruffy, 31, moved to Salt Lake City from Cincinnati in September after spending six years with the Know Theatre of Cincinnati.

During his tenure there, he was recognized in the local media as a Person of the Year in 2009, an Arts Risk taker, Arts Innovator, Forty under 40 Business Leaders and was named one of the 40 people who shaped Cincinnati in 40 years by Cincinnati magazine.

SLAC did not return phone calls and has not issued a statement. When Bruffy accepted the position, interim artistic director Nancy Borgenicht said, "He is a gift from heaven. Theater is clearly in his young bones. Most impressive of all, he has enormous grace. We're very lucky and very happy."

Four months later, after emptying his office, Bruffy said, "between the new vision and new leadership and new ideas, it's clear there is a separation between brand new vision and the status quo, and what is safe. And it's scary to do big new ideas."

"I'm disappointed. I felt a lot of potential for SLAC and its role in the community, and I'm sad that I won't be able to help bring everyone to our full potential together."

Though Bruffy left "a fantastic theater and one that I loved dearly," to move out here, he remains positive. "I've made some good colleagues and good friends in my time here. I'm a theater professional and I'll find work. There will be a theater company who will want what I have to offer."

e-mail: ehansen@desnews.com