Bay Area theater veteran named Lark Theater’s new executive artistic director

Bay Area theater veteran Josh Costello has assumed the mantle of leadership at Larkspur’s Lark Theater after the early December loss of longtime Lark Theater Executive Director Ellie Mednick, who died after a prolonged battle with cancer.

The Lark’s new executive artistic director comes prepared, with an impressive resumé that includes a long stint as artistic director of Berkeley’s Aurora Theatre Company, where he directed the world premiere of Jonathan Spector’s Tony-winning “Eureka Day.” The uproarious contemporary comedy was recently reprised under his direction at Mill Valley’s Marin Theatre.

Among several world premieres under his direction was Aaron Loeb’s incisive dark comedy “Ideation” at San Francisco Playhouse, winning him a Theater Bay Area Award for outstanding direction. The show went to 59E59 Theaters in New York City and was named a New York Times Critic’s Pick.

Costello also served at Marin Theatre as artistic director of expanded programs, in addition to having founded Impact Theatre, an enterprise aimed at bringing theatrical arts to an audience of people in their teens and 20s. He comes to the Lark Theater with a long list of credentials reflecting a life in theater, including education director at San Rafael’s Marin Shakespeare Company and faculty positions at Cal Shakes, American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, University of California at Riverside, California State University, Long Beach, South Coast Repertory and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

“Ellie knew Josh from their time together at Marin Theatre and highly recommended him as her successor,” said Tina McArthur, the Lark Theater’s board president.

The Lark’s board of directors “enthusiastically endorsed him, believing that he will honor Ellie’s legacy and lead the Lark into a bright future,” McArthur said.

The Lark is renowned for art films, cinematic rarities and unique programs such as London’s National Theatre Live screenings. It’s also been home to many musical events, such as 2024’s “Side by Side by Sondheim,” but has hosted some full-scale theatrical productions.

“Getting to know the Lark’s fantastic staff and board, and learning about its history and Ellie’s incredible work, has shown me that this is a vital and vibrant organization that serves the Marin and Bay Area communities in ways that I find tremendously exciting,” Costello said.

“Stripped-down theater and musical productions like ‘Love Letters’ and ‘The World Goes ‘Round’ have appeared on our stage, and I’m certainly planning to continue that tradition. But I’m just as excited about the Lark’s other programming — we’re the only place in Marin to show National Theatre Live productions, for example, and our partnership with Marin Jazz has some tremendous performers coming up.”

The Lark’s new helmsman says he is “also amazed by the depth and breadth of our film programming.”

“We have this year’s award nominees like ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Hamnet’ alongside a Miyazaki retrospective, late-night cult classics, documentaries and an array of classic cinema,” he said.

“I’m not planning any big changes to the Lark’s programming. … It’s been great to start meeting the many people who have found a cultural home here. Yes, my live theater background will come into play, and I’m cooking up various plans for events and performances that will build on the remarkable work this organization is already doing, but the programming that people love isn’t going to go away.”

It’s a promising new year for the landmark art deco venue on Magnolia Avenue.

“I feel so lucky to have landed at the Lark. I’m thrilled to be here,” he said.

Contact Barry Willis at barry.m.willis@gmail.com