Signature Theatre Company to Lose its Executive Director

Signature Theatre Company announced today that Executive Director Kathryn Lipuma would be leaving her position at the end of the "August Wilson Series" in the spring.  After 8 years with Signature, Lipuma will be returning to her roots in Chicago to pursue other artistic challenges.

"I have been so fortunate to have spent my time in New York working with this amazing company," said Lipuma.  "I am so proud of the work we have accomplished over the years and will always be grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Jim Houghton, an incredible Board and staff, and so many gifted playwrights.  I just feel it is the right time for me to return to my friends and family in Chicago and to pursue new opportunities there."

"Kate has been a tremendous asset to Signature for the past 8 years and a superb colleague," said Founding Artistic Director James Houghton.  "Much of the theatre's growth and accomplishments are due to her devotion and commitment to the company and our playwrights.  We will miss her dearly but we know she will do great things back home in Chicago."   

Signature Theatre Board President Michael H. Rauch said, "Kate has been an integral part of Signature Theatre Company these many years.  I can't thank her enough for her dedication, vision and strong leadership."

Signature Theatre Company will be conducting a national search in the next few months for Lipuma's replacement.

Following six seasons at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Kate Lipuma came to Signature Theatre in 1998 as Director of Development.  She was quickly promoted to Director of External Affairs and then in 2003, she became the Executive Director of Signature Theatre.  She has been with the company for nine seasons working with writers including Edward Albee, Lee Blessing, Horton Foote, Maria Irene Fornes, John Guare, Bill Irwin, Romulus Linney, Paula Vogel and Lanford Wilson.  In addition to her work at Signature, Lipuma is a fundraising consultant, a guest lecturer on arts management in the graduate programs at a variety of New York universities and colleges, and serves on numerous arts and funding panels including the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Philadelphia Theatre Institute for the Pew Charitable Trust. 

Signature Theatre Company was founded in 1991 by Artistic Director James Houghton and is the first theatre in the United States dedicated to season-long explorations of a single-living-playwright's body of work...As a direct result of the company's work, Signature, its productions and its resident writers have been recognized with the Pulitzer Prize, Lucille Lortel Awards, OBIE Awards and Drama Desk Awards, among many other distinctions. The National Theatre Conference recognized the company as the 2003 Outstanding National Theatre of the Year.

Signature Theatre Company, along with the Joyce International Dance Center, has been designated to create a new performing arts center at the World Trade Center site to be designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry.  At Signature Center, the theatre will expand its programming through the creation of three distinct residency programs that reflect the company's core mission to develop and explore the work of an individual playwright.