Since last October, Tinashe Kajese-Bolden and Chris Moses have been serving as interim artistic directors of the Alliance Theatre, filling in after Susan Booth left to become artistic director of Chicago’s Goodman Theatre.

The board of the Alliance Theatre announced today that after a national search, Kajese-Bolden and Moses will assume permanent roles as artistic directors.

It marks the first time in the Alliance’s 55-year history the appointment of two artistic directors – working in tandem to set the artistic and educational offerings of the theater. The announcement also was made as the Alliance is presenting its latest musical – “Water for Elephants” – hoping it is bound for Broadway.

Kajese-Bolden, who moved to Atlanta 10 years ago, has been the BOLD Associate Artistic Director for the past four years. Moses has had a 20-year career with the Alliance, most recently as the Dan Reardon Director of Education as well as Associate Artistic Director.

The Alliance conducted a “robust national search” with the help of the Russell Reynolds firm for a new artistic director. Kajese-Bolden and Moses jointly applied for the role.

Mike Schleifer, managing director of the Alliance Theatre, could not hide his enthusiasm about the choice.

“I’m absolutely euphoric,” Schleifer said. “I’m smitten. I’m thrilled.”

Schleifer said he adored Booth and was devasted when she announced she was leaving Atlanta.

But since October, a true partnership has developed among the three top executives of the Alliance.

“In a perfect world, you get to test drive the model,” Schleifer said. “For the last eight months, we have built a partnership. It has been joyous.”

Plus, the Alliance did not have to go outside Atlanta to hire someone.

“It takes some time to figure out a…