Russ Tutterow to Step Down as Artistic Director of Chicago Dramatists

After serving as Chicago Dramatists' first and only Artistic Director for 30 years - arguably one of the longest artistic leadership terms ever held at a Chicago theatre - Russ Tutterow is stepping aside. Tutterow, who is widely respected in the theatre community for his vision, mentoring and commitment to developing new work, has been on medical leave since August 2014. He will move into a new role as Artistic Director Emeritus of the theatre and focus on contributing in a consultative capacity - directing and working more closely with the theatre's 36 Resident Playwrights - and on returning to full health.

Meghan Beals, a talented, Chicago-based independent director, who served as Associate Artistic Director at Chicago Dramatists from 2010 to 2012, will step in immediately as Interim Artistic Director of the organization. Beals has an impressive resume spanning over 15 years with strong ties to local and national theatres. She was an Artistic Associate at the Pearl Theatre Company in New York, Literary Manager and Dramaturg at Northlight Theatre, Project Associate for First Look Repertory at Steppenwolf, and Curator and Producer for the Chicago Park District's Culture, Arts & Nature department.

"For more than three decades, Chicago Dramatists has been a place I call home and it will continue to be as I move into an emeritus role," said Tutterow. "As I pass the torch to Meghan, I'm excited about the direction our organization is taking in blending the traditions that made us successful with a pioneer approach that will take our work into the future. Meghan shares the same passion I have for bringing new stories to life that make an important impact, and I look forward to working with her again."

Focused solely on playwright and new play development, Chicago Dramatists works closely with a growing number of distinguished playwrights who have enjoyed regional and national acclaim. Playwrights and artists such as Tina Fey (30 Rock, Saturday Night Live), Rebecca Gilman (Spinning Into Butter, Boy Gets Girl, Pulitzer nominee), Lydia R. Diamond (The Bluest Eye, Stick Fly), and Brett Neveu (Red Bud, American Dead) are among the more notable emeriti of Dramatists' Resident Playwright program. Current Residents include Keith Huff (A Steady Rain), Roger Rueff (The Big Kahuna), and Mary Ruth Clarke (Meet the Parents).

"I am so pleased to return to Chicago Dramatists to work with Russ and the playwrights again," said Beals. "Russ has been a tremendous mentor to me over the years, and it's an honor to take on this responsibility. I look forward to collaborating with Russ, Managing Director Cindy Lantz and the board during the next year to ensure the company's well-deserved longevity and service to the writers."

"It's been said that we're a kind of Silicon Valley, an incubator for that fragile, start-up space called new work," said Neill Shanahan, President of the Board for Chicago Dramatists. "A number of Chicago theatres have excellent programs, but their focus is on developing work for their own theatres. Chicago Dramatists develops playwrights and their new work for the theatrical market locally, nationally, even internationally. Russ and Meghan are passionate about developing new work. They'll work well together."

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