The Chutzpah Festival has announced arts administrator and dramaturg Jessica Mann Gutteridge as its new artistic managing director.

Gutteridge replaces longtime helmer Mary-Louise Albert, who's retiring after 15 years steering the multidisciplinary celebration of Jewish culture.

As part of her duties, Gutteridge will also oversee the 318-seat Norman and Annette Rothstein Theatre. Both that venue and the fest are based out of the Jewish Community Centre.

Gutteridge has been managing Performance Works out of Boca del Lupo, and she's a founding board member of the Granville Island Theatre District. She has also worked as managing director and education manager at Carousel Theatre for Young People. 

As a dramaturg, she's worked on everything from plays for young audiences to Shakespeare.

Born and raised in New York, Gutteridge received her MFA from the Yale School of Drama after nearly 20 years as a lawyer specializing in advertising and trademark law.

In a press statement today, the new artistic managing director said, "I look forward to continuing to bring diverse, world-quality artists to present their work to Chutzpah! Festival audiences, and to reach a new generation with exciting performances."

Last fall, the Chutzpah Festival moved from winter to a fall time slot.

During the last fest, Albert expressed plans to present dance in rural coastal B.C., where she's retiring.