Teatro Vista Names New Development/Managing Director

Teatro Vista announces that José Antonio Cruz has joined their ranks as its new Development/Managing Director. Cruz brings a wealth of experience after having spent 11 years as Associate Producer, Board Member and Treasurer for The Spanish Reportory Theater Company (Repertorio Español) in New York City. Teatro Vista, the vanguard of Latino theatre in the United States, was also honored by The Joyce Foundation with its prestigious three-year Spotlight Grant that awards the company $2.5 million over three years.

"Teatro Vista is honored to be a recipient of a Joyce Foundation Award. The foundation's generous support has made it possible for us to hire someone of Cruz's stature and experience. Having a proven leader and visionary join our family will enable Teatro Vista to keep up with our growth and opportunities. I am excited to work with Cruz and drive our mission forward," stated Teatro Vista Executive Artistic Director Ricardo Gutierrez.

"I am elated to join the family of the storied Teatro Vista. I have been traveling to Chicago to visit my family and one of my favorite things to do every time was to catch of their productions. I am extremely proud to join a company that produces high-quality theatrical productions and that gifts the work of diverse Latino voices to Chicago theatre and its audiences," commented Cruz.

Speaking on what his new position will bring to Teatro Vista, Cruz added "I cannot wait to put my experience to work at Teatro Vista. My number one priority will be to increase the organization's capacity in order to ensure that more Latino artists are given the opportunity to work and more audiences get to enjoy the company's performances, as well as to elevate the organization's profile. I am thankful for the opportunity and for the trust placed in me by Ricardo Gutierrez and Teatro Vista's Board of Directors."

Teatro Vista is one of 10 recipients of The Joyce Foundation Spotlight Grant that also includes Black Ensemble Theater, Chicago Sinfonietta, Court Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Hyde Park Art Center, International Latino Culture Center of Chicago, National Museum of Mexican Art, Old Town School of Folk Music, and Victory Gardens Theater.

Ten three-year grants totaling more than $2.5 million were recently approved by the foundation's Board of Directors to support more artists of color in achieving viable careers, while also strengthening the pipeline of racially diverse arts administrators and building capacity for long-term financial stability.

Organizations selected for the new grant program reach cross the city and art forms, but each has been a consistently high-performing grantee for at least 10 years. The Spotlight Grants aim to incentivize systemic change, with the intent to create lasting impact through both a more diverse arts workforce and a more inclusive and rich audience experience.

José Antonio Cruz is an arts management executive with extensive experience in fundraising, performing arts production, marketing, and public relations. He has consistently driven audience, revenue, and profit gains in challenging economic times despite often working within limited budgets. His colleagues know him as a creative thinker with a prodigious work ethic and a passion for the arts. His employees recognize him as an inspirational leader with a strong commitment to their professional development.

Cruz has worked as Associate Producer, Board Member and Treasurer for The Spanish Repertory Theater Co. (Repertorio Español) for 11 years until 2014 when he relocated to Chicago. The company is based in New York but also travels around the country. During his time with Repertorio Español, Cruz championed the company's mission to present the best of Latin American, Spanish and Hispanic-American theatre through the production of numerous plays and musicals.

Cruz joined the organization in 2002 as Director of Audience Development & Public Relations before the Board of Directors expanded his purview four years later to encompass broader strategic and operational responsibilities. He held accountability for marketing and public relations strategy during his entire time with the company while also playing a key role in fundraising, strategic planning, artist scheduling, technology implementation, financial management and day-to-day operations.

Prior to joining Repertorio Español, Cruz held a number of internships and part-time roles within the arts, media and entertainment industries. He conducted market analysis for Walt Disney Theatricals, served as a Development & Community Relations Assistant for Stephen Sondheim's Young Playwrights Inc., and worked on a Puerto Rican TV late night chat show for Univision Networks.

Throughout his career, Cruz has been driven by the desire to make a difference. His leadership background, arts experience, non-profit leadership skills, and extensive knowledge of Hispanic marketing have prepared him for a number of positions, but his overarching interest is in doing work that truly makes an impact and that he can be proud of.

Cruz holds a Master of Arts in Performing Arts Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree, both from New York University. He is bilingual in English and Spanish, and currently lives in Chicago's Goose Island neighborhood with his wife, Christine.

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