Lombardo is leaving New Rep for San Jose

New Repertory Theatre's producing artistic director Rick Lombardo begins the transition to his new job this fall. (Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff)

Rick Lombardo, producing artistic director of New Repertory Theatre, plans to leave to become the artistic director of the San Jose Repertory Theatre, New Rep announced yesterday. Lombardo will begin the transition to his new position this fall, while remaining the acting artistic director for New Rep's 2008-09 season and maintaining his directorial assignments throughout the season, including "Eurydice," "Cabaret," and "Three Sisters."

"It is bittersweet for us. We are really sad to see him go," Michael McCay, chairman of New Rep's board of directors said yesterday. "But, and I mean this sincerely, we are incredibly proud of him. It is a testament to his work at New Rep that he be tapped by such a prestigious organization."

A search committee has been formed, McCay said, and the board is hoping for a smooth transition in leadership.

"We are interviewing search consultants," he said, adding that the goal is to attract a broad range of talent. "It is a major initiative. We are actually excited to see what the Huntington Theatre and ART and even Trinity Rep have been able to attract in their artistic directors. We are very confident we are going to be able to find someone for New Rep."

Lombardo came to New Rep in the spring of 1996, and during his tenure the company's artists have been honored with 18 Elliot Norton Awards. The theater's annual budget has grown from $500,000 to more than $2 million, and Lombardo oversaw the New Rep's transition into a new building as the resident professional theater company at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown.

It was time to explore new challenges, Lombardo said.

"I grew up as an artist and artistic director at New Rep. It's been an incredible home for me," he said yesterday. "After 12 years as an artistic director there, I felt like we achieved all these things. We've been in the new building for three years. . . . I felt like there was a natural moment to take a breath and say 'OK, what's the next big challenge for me?' "

Working with San Jose Rep, a considerably larger theater company with a bigger staff and audience, is an exciting opportunity, Lombardo said, adding that it was a hard decision, but it was time for him and his wife, actress Rachel Harker, to make a big move.

"Yes, I am taking her with me," Lombardo said, laughing. While he plans to travel to San Jose this fall, he has high expectations for New Rep's future.

"We're all going to work together," he said. "I think it is a really exciting time for New Rep. It will be an opportunity for them to bring in exciting new talent."