Bailiwick Chicago Launches with New Organization and Initial Plans for New Season

Executive Director Kevin Mayes announced the official launch of the new Bailiwick Chicago, including the company's revised artistic mission and core values, new organizational structure and initial plans for their premiere season under the new name.

"We have expanded our mission to include voices and perspectives that haven't always had an opportunity to be heard previously," said Mayes, "while still staying committed to the company's artistic roots. We will continue to produce both plays and musicals, with a special emphasis on premieres and the development of new works. We also plan to include some that specifically speak the Gay / Lesbian / Bisexual / Transgender community's experience. Most importantly, we are committed to forming partnerships with other nonprofit organizations, both arts groups and other organizations, on every project we produce so as to have a greater artistic impact. We believe that in order for our theater company to survive, our work must be passionate, compelling, and relevant to the community."

Central to the new organization is a collective of theater professionals who are responsible for the artistic mission and will play key operational roles. The Bailiwick Chicago Collective includes: Deanna Cox (Events Coordinator), Michael Dunbar (Technical Director), Scott Ferguson (Artistic Advisory Liaison), Kate Garassino (General Manager), Kathleen Gibson (Event Coordinator), Jay Kennedy (Production Manager), Ryan Lanning (Artistic Associate Liaison), Eric Martin (Marketing), Julie Burt Nichols (Grants / Development), Robert Ollis (Board Development), and Julie Partyka (Grants / Development).

David M. Adler, a prominent Intellectual Property and Entertainment lawyer in Chicago, has been named President of the Bailiwick Chicago Board of Directors. An Artistic Advisory Council will guide the theater company; members include Alanda Coon, Brenda Didier, Cecilie Keenan, Paul Lisnek, Tom Mullen, and David Zak (Artistic Director Emeritis).

"This is an exciting new era for the Bailiwick Chicago. This group is passionate, dedicated, and experienced, and I'm very thrilled to work with the company during this exciting period of growth and development," said Adler.

The theater company plans to re-establish an Artistic Associates program to support the development of emerging and established theater artists in Chicago. Recruitment efforts for this program have already begun, and names of the Artistic Associates will be announced in January 2010.

Initial plans for a 2010 Spring/Summer season were also announced. Bailiwick Chicago will host a Holiday Benefit on December 13 at LaSalle Power Company, 500 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL from 6:00-9:00pm. Tickets are available on the company's website: www.bailiwickchicago.com.

The company will produce a musical revue in February, a workshop of an original play in March, a workshop of an original musical in April, a benefit performance of a new play in May, and a full production of a major musical over the summer. Specific titles, dates and venues will be announced at a future date.

A full copy of the new mission statement, photos of Collective members, and further details about the company are all available on the company's new website, www.bailiwickchicago.com.

Bailiwick Chicago is an ensemble-based theatre company in Chicago with a rich 27-year legacy of producing innovative and compelling plays and musicals that stimulate audiences while celebrating the diversity of the Chicago community.

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