Victory Gardens Theater

Since its founding in 1974, Victory Gardens Theater has produced more world premieres than any other Chicago theatre; a commitment recognised nationally when Victory Gardens received the 2001 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre.

Victory Gardens’ core strengths are nurturing and producing dynamic and inspiring new plays, reflecting the diversity of the city’s and USA’s culture through engaging diverse communities, and in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, bringing art and culture to the city’s active student population.

Artistic Director Chay Yew and Executive Director Jan Kallish announce the appointment of the new Victory Gardens Ensemble Playwrights: Philip Dawkins, Marcus Gardley, Samuel D. Hunter and Tanya Saracho. These emerging playwrights, who will be with Victory Gardens for a seven-year residency, are a Chicago-based and nation-wide group of diverse artists.

During the seven-year residencies, Victory Gardens Theater aims to develop and produce the playwrights’ new plays; the artists will be involved in everyday life and business of the organisation.

As members of VG, the Playwrights will engage audiences throughout Chicago’s diverse communities and will participate in VG’s educational programs. Victory Gardens Theater will collaborate with the playwrights to create Chicago-based work.

After the seven-year residency, the playwrights will immediately join the Alumni, whereby they will still maintain an artistic relationship with Victory Gardens.

“This has always been a dream for me as a playwright. As the new Artistic Director of a theatre that has devoted itself to the American playwright, I'm hoping to amplify the definition of the ‘artistic home’ for our country's writers,”

says Chay Yew.

Victory Gardens Theater Ensemble Playwrights Alumnus John Logan comments, “When I was starting out as a playwright in Chicago, Victory Gardens provided an invaluable home for me and my work. Being in an Ensemble of other writers gave me a chance to discuss and develop ideas, to learn about how plays work, as well as to commiserate over the ups and downs of the theatre business. I learned so much of what I know there on Lincoln Avenue alongside my fellow Ensemble members. I'll always be grateful to them and Dennis Zacek for their support.”

The Victory Gardens Playwrights Ensemble Alumni are Claudia Allen, Dean Corrin, Lonnie Carter, Steve Carter, Gloria Bond Clunie, Nilo Cruz, Joel Drake Johnson, John Logan, Nicholas A. Patricca, Douglas Post, James Sherman, Charles Smith, Jeffrey Sweet and Kristine Thatcher.

THE TEAM

Chay Yew, Artistic Director

Chris Mannelli, Interim Managing Director

Geoffrey Jackson Scott, Director of New Play Development

Will Rogers, Associate Producer

Mike Ervin, Access Project Coordinator

Caroline Timmer, Artistic Assistant

Rich Nonnweiler, Director of Finance

Daniel Reinglass, Executive Assistant

Alice DuBose, Interim Director of Development

Brittany Barnes, Development Manager

Mallory Primm, Development Assistant