Obituaries

Mark Rucker, American Conservatory Theater's Associate Artistic Director, Has Died

Rucker, who was 56, was found dead in his apartment.

A.C.T. associate artistic director Mark Rucker has died.
A.C.T. associate artistic director Mark Rucker has died.
(© Kevin Berne)

Mark Rucker, associate artistic director at San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), has died, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report. He was 56.

Rucker, who was set to direct Eugene O’Neill’s Ah, Wilderness! at A.C.T. beginning in October, was reportedly found dead in his apartment on Tuesday. Information regarding the cause of his death has not been released so far.

Raised in Newport Beach, California, Rucker got his undergraduate education at UCLA before receiving an MFA in directing from Yale. After completing his education, Rucker spent several years as a freelance director, working with companies such as Yale Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Intiman Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, and the Old Globe. He also spent time as an associate artist at South Coast Repertory Theatre. In 2003, Rucker directed Charles Busch's feature film Die, Mommie, Die!, which won a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

In 2010, Rucker, who had worked with A.C.T. intermittently since 2002's The Beard of Avon, was named associate artistic director. Since then, his work at the theater included directing Part III of Tarell Alvin McCraney's The Brother/Sister Plays, Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet; Kaufman and Hart's Once in a Lifetime; Jordan Harrison's Maple and Vine; a staged benefit reading of Dustin Lance Black's play 8; Anne Washburn’s Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play; and more. He also served as a teacher in the company's M.F.A. program.