Artistic Producer

I really love my job. The Academy was started in 2000 by Michael Kahn, Founder and Artistic Director of Shakespeare Theatre Company, in cooperation with The George Washington University. Its mission: to train the next generation of actors for the contemporary theatre, by training them using heightened and mythical texts.

Since taking over the Academy in 2016, I've doubled our fundraising total, increased our prospective student numbers by 300%, and reshaped the curriculum into something I believe is profound, rigorous, and truly unique. I serve on senior and artistic staffs at Shakespeare Theatre Company, and my duties include fundraising and donor relations, artistic events, season planning, and community engagement. I lead a fourteen-member team and hire all guest artists, instructors, staff, and production team members.

I was one of three founders of the Great River Shakespeare Festival, and I helped lead it as Producing Director for seven years. I'm proud that it's still running strong and producing quality classical theater in the Midwest; it's a mark of good foundational leadership when an organization thrives after you're gone.

We worked to raise a nearly $1M budget each year, and were careful about deficits and overspending. I've always believed that financial restrictions can be artistically freeing; we're encouraged to solve problems imaginatively. At the peak of the season, we managed 150 employees over several departments. The director of a large arts organization must wear a lot of hats; something I love to do.

I served as Artistic Director of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, in close association with Illinois State University, where I also led the MFA Directing Program. I worked with the Board and staff to implement a strategic plan for Festival growth; created and executed the season; and led large teams of artists and production staff.

I founded Folio Theatre Company in 1991, a year-round storefront theater in the heart of Chicago. We were dedicated to Shakespeare and new works; I developed the Board of Directors, operating budget, strategic plan, and artistic path. I managed and built our storefront space; created and executed seasons; and fostered a late-night series of new works. This is where it all started.