Off-Broadway's Pearl Theatre Company announced that J.R. Sullivan will take over as the artistic director of the downtown troupe devoted to classical works.

Sullivan, who directed the current Pearl production of Twelfth Night, was appointed by the Pearl's board of trustees to assume the role previously filled by Shepard Sobel. Sullivan will begin his role as Pearl artistic director effective Aug. 1.

Sobel and his wife, Pearl resident acting company member Joanne Camp, established the Pearl in 1984. The couple are vacating their positions to move closer to family in New Mexico.

"It has been our goal to nurture the finest resident company of actors in America," Sobel said in a statement. "We founded The Pearl because we felt a great need in New York for an acting company capable of addressing the myriad demands of a classical repertory. Because of our enthusiastic confidence in Jim, we are able to leave with full and happy hearts."