Auditorium Theatre to Undergo Leadership Change

John Svoboda, Chairman of the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University's Board of Directors, has announced that CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko will be departing the organization at the end of July to join Miami City Ballet as its Executive Director. She will remain on the theatre's Board of Directors until a new CEO is in place.

Castroverde Moskalenko was raised in Miami, and the opportunity to lead one of the most renowned ballet companies in the country also brings her back to her hometown where her family still resides.

"Tania and I have shared a common vision of enhancing the Auditorium Theatre's reputation as one of the premier cultural institutions of our great city," Svoboda said. "Our committed Board of Directors and theatre staff have made significant strides towards achieving that goal in many ways. Tania will be missed as we continue our mission, and we thank her for reinvigorating and strengthening the Auditorium Theatre during her tenure. We wish her all the best as she returns home to Miami."

"I am deeply saddened to leave the Auditorium Theatre and the city of Chicago, a city that truly understands the transformational powers of the performing arts," Castroverde Moskalenko said. "It has long been a dream of mine to return to Miami and be closer to my parents after over 30 years apart. This move does not diminish my passion for the Auditorium, its mission, its dedicated Board of Directors, and its fantastic staff, and I will forever remain one of the theatre's strongest supporters."

The Auditorium Theatre has experienced a significant financial turnaround under Castroverde Moskalenko's leadership, and is projected to end Fiscal Year 2018 in August with a surplus. The creation of a programming department in January of 2017 has led to a 20% increase in theatre utilization in just 16 months, and is projected to increase again during the 2018-19 Season.

"I send my best regards to Tania as she takes on new endeavors, and I thank her for her work," said Roosevelt University president Ali Malekzadeh. "Tania has done a wonderful job implementing a new vision for this magnificent theatre. I look forward to the Auditorium Theatre's continued success as an integral part of Roosevelt University's community."

Chief Financial Officer Rachel Freund will serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer while the Board of Directors conducts its search for an immediate permanent replacement. Freund joined the Auditorium in June of 2017 after 15 years at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, where she served in various capacities, including as Director of Finance and the Director of Operations and Management.

About The Auditorium Theatre

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E Congress Pkwy in Chicago, is an Illinois, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community, and educational programming to all of Chicago and beyond as The Theatre for the People. The organization also is committed to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark. For more information, call 312.341.2310 or visit AuditoriumTheatre.org.