Les Waters, the Obie Award-winning director and associate artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, takes his magic to Louisville, Ky., where he has been named artistic director of the Actors Theatre.

He replaces Marc Masterson, who stepped down in May after 11 years to become artistic director of South Coast Repertory Theatre in Costa Mesa.

"I've had the opportunity to direct twice at Actors Theatre, and I was deeply impressed with the theater, its staff and the community at large," said Waters. "I am committed to making theater there that is passionate and intelligent, funny and heartfelt, and look forward to leading Actors Theatre to new artistic endeavors."

The Actors Theatre, considered one of the most prestigious professional theater companies in the United States, has introduced more than 400 plays into the American and international repertoire. More than 200,000 people annually attend its events, and the company has received most of the awards honoring regional theater, including the Tony.

Although he has collaborated with prominent playwrights like Caryl Churchill, Charles Mee and Wallace Shawn, he also has been known to promote new voices such as Will Eno, Jordan Harrison, Sarah Ruhl and Anne Washburn. In 2009, he made his Broadway debut with Ruhl's "In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play)," which had its world premiere at Berkeley Rep.

His other productions at Berkeley Rep include the world premieres of "Concerning Strange Devices From the Distant West," "Fêtes de la Nuit," "Finn in the Underworld, Girlfriend" and "To the Lighthouse."

"For a director such as myself, whose career has focused on fostering new work, it has been a delight to be part of the team at Berkeley Rep," said Waters. "It is an extraordinary theater staffed by extraordinary people dedicated to the highest quality of craftsmanship. After eight years together, it is difficult to leave Berkeley - yet it is an honor and a privilege to take up the reins at Actors Theatre of Louisville, an organization I've long admired."