[2][3][4] Haimes was recognized for rescuing the company from bankruptcy and transforming the theater into one of the most prominent and expansive nonprofit ensembles in the United States.
According to a board member, Haimes undertook the expected measures of downsizing the staff, recruiting more competent and productive individuals, and enhancing the theater's appeal to subscribers.
[13] In 1989, Haimes assumed the role of artistic director, a position he stated he was not entirely comfortable with as he saw himself more as a producer and that he did not believe that he was "equipped or responsible for interfering in the rehearsal and creative process".
[10] During his tenure, he expanded the Roundabout's focus to include classic works from esteemed playwrights such as Bernard Shaw, Henrik Ibsen, and Shakespeare, as well as revivals of contemporary masters like Brian Friel, Harold Pinter, and Tom Stoppard.
Furthermore, the Roundabout also provided a platform for emerging playwrights such as Martin McDonagh (''Skull in Connemara,'' 2001) and Richard Greenberg (''The Dazzle,'' 2002) on their smaller stages.
[3] During his tenure at Roundabout, the company won 34 Tony, 58 Drama Desks, 73 Outer Critics Circle, 21 Lucille Lortel and 14 Obie Awards.
[24] In September 1998, Haimes was hired by Roy Furman and Michael Ovitz to take over the role of artistic director at Livent, a major theater company known for extravagant production.
At the time, the company faced financial difficulties due to allegations of excessive spending by its founders, Garth Drabinsky and Myron Gottlieb.