Jason Laks has been named president of The Broadway League, the trade association of theater owners, producers, presenters at regional theaters across the country and general managers.

Laks was officially named to the role Monday, after operating in the position on an interim basis since February 2024, when Charlotte St. Martin left the position after an 18-year tenure. Laks originally joined the Broadway League in 2012 and returned in 2021 as general counsel and executive vice president of labor relations.

Before joining the League, Laks was senior vice president at NBCUniversal, where he oversaw labor relations for broadcast and cable television and sports and owned station operations. Laks, who is 52, graduated from the University of Connecticut and Cornell Law School. He officially takes over the position as Broadway continues to seek a comeback from the pandemic. While the industry trajectory has been improving since theaters reopened in 2021, the industry is also grappling with higher costs to produce shows, leading to quick show closures, and changing audience demographics.

As an association of some of the most powerful people on Broadway, the League represents producers in labor negotiations, lobbies and liaises with the federal government on behalf of the industry and co-presents the Tony Awards with the American Theater Wing. The League has attracted controversy in the past for statements made by St. Martin during her tenure, including a statement she made to The Hollywood Reporter saying that performance cancellations in December 2021 were due to understudies that arent as efficient in delivering the role as the lead is. St. Martin later apologized for this comment, saying she misunderstood the situation.

Additionally, the League is often looked at as a guiding force or spokesperson for the entirety industry, when it is a trade association comprised of members with individual productions and sometimes differing views.

Over the past 10 months, we have embarked on a thoughtful and thorough process around this very important decision. After a national search and extensive interview process, we believe Jason is the right leader for the League at this critical time in our industry, said Kristin Caskey, chair of The Broadway Leagues Board of Governors. Jasons detailed knowledge of the industry, rich relationships with membership, and steadfast commitment to the health of Broadwayboth in New York and on the roadmake him an ideal choice.

I am so humbled by this opportunity. Ive been in love with Broadway since I was a kid watching touring productions at Proctors Theater in Schenectady. The magic that happens on stage every night in theaters here in New York and across the country is unique and irreplaceable. This is such a critical moment for Broadway. The League represents people from all corners of this industry, and Im ready to work with our members and our partners to lead us to new heights, Laks said.