Obama's Nominee to Head Arts Endowment Is Broadway Producer With Yale Ties

Washington — President Obama’s choice to lead the National Endowment for the Arts is Rocco Landesman, a Broadway producer and theater owner who retains ties to the Yale School of Drama, where he earned his Ph.D. The nominee, who must be confirmed by the Senate to take office, has been president of Jujamcyn Theaters since 1987 and its owner since 2005. In that time, he has been involved in a number of major productions. The White House’s announcement hailed Mr. Landesman for a career that represents “a hybrid of commercial, philanthropic, and purely artistic engagements.” He taught for four years at Yale after receiving his doctorate, and has continued his relationship with the school and with the Yale Repertory Theatre, an important regional theater, ever since. —Andrew Mytelka