About Face Theatre Welcomes Three New Staff Members

As it enters its 18th season, About Face Theatre Company is pleased to announce the appointment of three new staff members in key leadership roles. Corinne Neal will serve as the company's Managing Director and Cara Thaxton as AFT's Development Director, both newly created positions. Ali Hoefnagel will succeed Sara Kerastas as AFT's Education and Outreach Director. Kerastas will continue her affiliation and artistic engagement with About Face as an Artistic Associate.

"I am thrilled to welcome these three accomplished individuals onto the About Face team," comments Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff. "After an extensive national search, we found them to possess the expertise necessary to round out the organization's leadership and take us to the next level. I am looking forward to this new partnership! I would also like to thank Sara Kerastas, who during her tenure as Education and Outreach Director truly transformed the culture of AFT's Education Program. She leaves an impressive legacy behind at AFT. Finally, I would like to thank Interim Executive Director Jonny Stax, who has guided the company seamlessly through a critical time of transition. He was an invaluable ally to the organization and to me particularly. We wish both Jonny and Sara all the best in their future endeavors," adds Volkoff.

Additionally, About Face Theatre has added six new member to its Board of Directors: Amy Hutchison, Betsy Sylvester, Kent Watkins, Michael Maultz, Paul Winberg and former Executive Director Jason Held.

Corinne Neal (Managing Director) most recently served as Managing Director at Chicago's Collaboraction Theatre Company, where she worked to streamline operations and increase efficiency. Neal also worked in New York City as an arts manager and freelance director from 2005 - 2008. Later, as general manager of Bricolage Production Company in Pittsburgh, she tripled the organization's budget and was instrumental in the creation of STRATA, an interactive theatre experience featured on the cover of American Theater Magazine (August 2013 issue). She looks forward to dedicating herself to the pursuit of AFT's mission and working alongside such a dedicated staff, board and company. She holds a Masters in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a BA in theater from Vassar College.

Cara Thaxton (Development Director) comes to AFT with nearly 15 years experience working in non-profits, over half of that in development and fundraising, both in Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area. Cara began her work in Chicago's anti-violence movement, including two years as the Victim Advocacy Coordinator at Horizon's Community Services (now Center on Halsted); her work earned her the 2003 Advocate of the Year award from the State's Attorney's Office. Ten years later, Cara dedicates her passion, skill and experience to supporting the development of community-enriching non-profits. She brings to AFT extensive experience managing major fundraising events, donor databases and annual corporate giving campaigns. Cara's enthusiasm, passion and commitment to youth-led initiatives and the LGBTQ community make her a perfect fit for AFT.

Ali Hoefnagel (Education and Outreach Director) currently serves as Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Audience Outreach Supervisor and is entering her third year as a teaching artist with Steppenwolf for Young Adults. Hoefnagel also completed a James S. Kemper Foundation Internship in Arts and Theater Administration with Victory Gardens Theatre. She is thrilled to return to About Face where she began her career in Theater Education as a member of AFT's Outreach Team, touring both Fast Forward and Queertopia for several years. As an artist and educator she is committed to embracing the complexity of the queer identity to create new and engaging ways to address LGBTQA issues with the community at large. Hoefnagel received a BA in Theater and Women's and Gender Studies from Lake Forest College.

About Face Theatre (Andrew Volkoff, Artistic Director) is one of Chicago's most acclaimed theatre companies, and is a national leader in the development of new work exploring gender and sexual identity. Since its founding by Kyle Hall and Eric Rosen in 1995, the company has premiered more than 48 world premieres by writers and directors who have been recognized with several Tony Awards, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The MacArthur Fellowship and dozens of Joseph Jefferson Awards.

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