16th Street, North Berwyn Park District Welcome New Managing Director
16th Street Theater and North Berwyn Park District welcome new Managing Director Eddie Sugarman to the staff of 16th Street. Mr. Sugarman joins Artistic Director Ann Filmer in leading 16th Street in its fifth season and beyond.
“If you asked me to dream up the kind of theater I would like to be a part of, it would be 16th Street,” states Sugarman. “I am beyond excited to join this vibrant organization committed to the playwright and to the stories of the community. Artistic Director Ann Filmer and the North Berwyn Park District have created a cultural gem just outside Chicago and I can't wait to contribute to its further success and growth.”
North Berwyn Park District Executive Director Joseph Vallez states, “This is an important time for 16th Street as the theater embarks upon the first year of The Chicago Community Trust’s SMARTGrowth 3-year grant. Mr. Sugarman brings fundraising and marketing expertise to the theater’s already strong artistic achievements.”
Artistic Director Ann Filmer adds, “I am thrilled to partner with Eddie and can’t wait for our audience and artists to meet him.”
16th Street Theater thanks outgoing Managing Director Barbara Harris for her time and talent. The theater and park district wish her the best as she continues to pursue her acting career in Timeline’s production of Enron.
EDDIE SUGARMAN BIOGRAPHY
Eddie Sugarman comes to 16th Street Theater after working in marketing for the Tony Award-winning Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. During his three seasons as Managing Director of the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center in neighboring Cicero, Illinois, Eddie produced 18 plays and musicals and increased overall attendance and box-office revenue by over 10% a year.
With composer Andrew Gerle, Mr. Sugarman wrote the musical Meet John Doe, which enjoyed its world premiere at the Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C., won 2 Helen Hayes Awards and is licensed by the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization. Also, Eddie had the coolest job on Broadway when he was a stuntman in the original production of the musical Ragtime. Eddie lives in Western Springs, Illinois with his amazing wife, Kara, and their very cool kids, Sam and Lucy.
16th Street Theater
Recognized by the Chicago Reader as Chicago’s Best Emerging Theater 2009, 16th Street Theater is located 17 minutes from downtown Chicago at 6420 16th Street in Berwyn, IL. Just west of Ridgeland, the theater is one mile southwest of the Austin exit off the Eisenhower Expressway/290 and the Austin Blue line. 16th Street Theater is supported in part by a SMARTGrowth grant from The Chicago Community Trust; The Alphawood Foundation; The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; and numerous individuals and business partners. Go to www.16thstreettheater.org for information on Season Five 2012: Love, Faith & the Unknown.
