Casey Hushion, a Maplewood resident who has directed six productions at Paper Mill Playhouse, will join the Millburn theater as associate artistic director on Monday, Sept. 14.
Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee selected Hushion after a national search, New Jersey Stage reported Thursday, Sept. 3. Jen Bender held the associate artistic director title as recently as early 2024, when she co-directed After Midnight at the theater.
Hoebee called Hushion "a gifted director and a generous collaborator" who understands the role Paper Mill plays in the community. He said he could not be more excited to have her help shape the theater's next chapter.
Hushion spent 10 years as artistic director of North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh, where she directed more than 20 productions. Her Broadway credits as associate director include Mean Girls, Aladdin, The Prom, In the Heights and The Drowsy Chaperone. She directed the world premiere of Clue at Cleveland Play House and its first national tour, plus the world premiere of Mystic Pizza and the national tour of The Cher Show.
At Paper Mill, she directed Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Murder on the Orient Express, Mystic Pizza, Clue, Beehive and A Jolly Holiday: Celebrating Disney's Broadway Hits. The Broadway Women's Fund named her one of its Women to Watch on Broadway in 2026.
In her new role, Hushion will work with Hoebee on season planning, casting, production oversight and new work development. She will also collaborate on education programs and audience engagement. Before joining Paper Mill's leadership, she served as a new works scout for Goodspeed Musicals in East Haddam, Connecticut, evaluating emerging musicals for development.
Hushion said Paper Mill has been an artistic home for her for many years and called the appointment a chance to help shape the future of an institution she loves in her own community.
The theater also announced its 2026-2027 season: Mary Poppins, Ken Ludwig's Lend Me A Tenor, Million Dollar Quartet and Dear Evan Hansen. Specific dates and ticket prices have not yet been released.
What's ahead
- Sept. 14: Casey Hushion starts as associate artistic director at Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn.
- 2026-2027 season: Mary Poppins, Lend Me A Tenor, Million Dollar Quartet and Dear Evan Hansen. Season and ticket details are available at papermill.org.
