[1] Hughes worked for 12 years as the associate artistic director of Seattle Repertory Theatre, from 1984 to 1996, under Daniel Sullivan.
[2] The Los Angeles Times noted: "Hughes has a transparent style, emphasizing story and character, not flashy gestures.
[12][13] He directed Frozen in 2004 at the Circle in the Square on Broadway and at the MCC Theater Off-Broadway, receiving a nomination for the 2004 Tony Award, Direction of a Play,[14] and 2004 Outer Critics Circle Award nomination, Outstanding Director of a Play.
He directed Inherit the Wind in 2007 at the Lyceum Theatre, and was nominated for the 2007 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Director of a Play.
[19] He directed the new play by Ayad Akhtar Junk: The Golden Age of Debt in its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in 2016 and on Broadway in 2017.