Raven Theatre Appoints New Executive Director

Raven Theatre celebrates 30 years of Off-Loop theatre at "OPA!" On Friday, April 19, Raven's annual benefit is held in Greek Town at The Parthenon, 310 S. Halstead St. Join the Raven community for a delicious family-style Greek dinner at the restaurant that invented flaming saganaki with the cry of "Opa!"

The event includes selected scenes from past, current and future seasons performed by Raven's award-winning ensemble along with a silent auction and raffle. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and tickets are $100 each. Free valet parking is available. For reservations or additional information, call 773-338-2177 or visit raventheatre.com. Proceeds support Raven Theatre and their community's children through the Take Flight youth outreach program.

Kelli Strickland has been named Raven Theatre's new Executive Director. Strickland assumes her position in June, shortly after completing the Devos Fellowship in Executive Arts Leadership at the Kennedy Center. The highly prestigious Devos Fellowship accepts ten arts leaders each year to take part in an immersive program in arts management strategy designed to prepare mid-career arts managers for executive positions in today's complex arts environment. Hosted at the nation's cultural center and one of the largest and most dynamic performing arts institutions, the Fellowship offers a structured blend of academic training, hands-on work experience, independent and collective learning opportunities, and personalized mentoring.

Raven Board President, Carol Zsolnay says, "Raven's Board is very pleased to announce this appointment. This is a new position for us and is a sign of the organization's commitment to moving the theatre forward by expanding both capacity and programming. Kelli brings leadership, expertise and creativity along with a deep connection with Raven. It's hard to find the administrative skill set and the passion for both theatre and arts education, all in one person. We are so fortunate to have that in Kelli and we look forward to working with her."

Strickland remarks, "This is a dynamic time for Raven -- the ensemble has recently been expanded, new artistic collaborations are being formed, they've just completed a strategic planning process, this year is a big birthday for the theatre. And I believe there is a momentum to this energy that the board, staff, ensemble and Mike and Jo hope to harness for the purposes of organizational growth and continued long-term success. I am proud and excited to come back to Raven in this role."

Prior to her time at the Kennedy Center, Kelli served as Raven's Director of Education and was on faculty at Loyola University in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. She has a twenty year career in Chicago theatre as an actress, an educator, a writer and an arts administrator.

About Raven
Raven Theatre, an award-winning arts organization located in Chicago's culturally-underserved Edgewater community, is dedicated to performing arts that illuminate the American experience, and work that provides reflection on our identity in a global context. Through its ensemble produced plays, collaborations with outside artists and organizations, and educational programming, Raven is committed to serving its community's needs via the arts.

In addition to its mainstage theatre season, Raven's programming includes: Evermore!, dedicated to celebrating our mission and storytelling through all artistic disciplines; TAKE FLIGHT, connecting youth to the arts through classroom work in Chicago Public Schools, year round classes and young audience experiences; and a Workshop Series of new productions showcasing the voices of our community.

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