The Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre has fired its founder and artistic director.

Andrew Paul founded the nonprofit theater company 17 years ago. He says the board of directors fired him Tuesday without warning.

For the last two years Paul has split his time between Pittsburgh and Las Vegas, after his wife got a job there.

Board chairman Eugene O'Sullivan says the theater decided it needed to have a full-time artistic director in Pittsburgh.

Paul says he prides himself on a passionate and "very high-risk vision" that has drawn critical acclaim.

O'Sullivan says Paul was a terrific leader but the season's shows will go on. The first play, "Our Class," is scheduled to open April 10.

Actor-director Alan Stanford has been named interim leader of the company.

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Online: http://picttheatre.org/