Theatre News Wire

Remy Bumppo Theatre Company announced Marti Lyons as artistic director. Lyons assumes this role effective immediately. Lyons was selected after a national search led by ALJP Consulting, with a search committee composed of select staff, Core Ensemble members, Board members and representatives of the local community.

As artistic director, Lyons will support and advance the artistic vision and mission of Remy Bumppo Theatre Company. Leading the Core Ensemble, staff and Board in a process to weave together Remy Bumppo's past identity and accomplishments with a transformative vision for the future, the new artistic director will chart a path forward with integrity and rigor and advance inclusion, diversity, equity, access and anti-racism goals and serve as a leader in ongoing work and education for staff, Board, artists and patrons. In addition, Lyons will lead the season planning and play selection process in collaboration with Remy Bumppo's Core Ensemble and facilitate the production of the highest quality of mainstage and class programming.

Remy Bumppo Board of Directors President Joan Callahan said, "We are excited and honored to welcome Marti Lyons to Remy Bumppo Theatre Company as our new artistic director. Her nationally respected artistry combined with her warmth and passion for collaboration and commitment to multitudes of perspectives will be key for our continued growth. She has a deep respect for our history of ideas, language and ensemble process and will use that to deepen our connections to our present audience and engage with new."

"I am thrilled to join Remy Bumppo as artistic director. Remy Bumppo and I share a passion for language-based work whether extant, new or adaptive. We also share a love for both ensemble-based work as well as new collaborations," added Lyons. "I join Remy Bumppo in a transformative moment in the company, in the country and in the world. As we transform, we honor the work that has come before while striving to ever better ourselves. We are committed to anti-racist and anti-exploitative practices and to operating with transparency, accountability and integrity. I am excited to embark on this journey together."

"Marti Lyons' established reputation as a creative, inclusive and thoughtful theatre practitioner makes her a unique fit for artistic leadership at Remy Bumppo. Through her work as a director, teacher and administrator, she has continually demonstrated her commitment to collaboration, diversity and inclusion, and lifelong learning, all pillars of Remy Bumppo's values," said Executive Director Margaret McCloskey. "I look forward to Marti joining us as a leader and creative force as Remy Bumppo prepares to return from closure, helping to deepen our connection to the Chicago theatre community and bringing our audiences exciting, enlightening theatrical works that showcase our commitment to our values and propel us into the future."