CST's Barbara Gaines & Criss Henderson Presented With Artistic Leadership Award

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson were presented last night with the League of Chicago Theatres' Artistic Leadership Award for their continued leadership in the Chicago theater community. Golden Girls star Rue McClanahan presented the award at the League's 30th annual Showtime Gala which also honored Victory Gardens Theater Managing Director Marcelle McVay with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Janet Davies, host and executive producer of ABC 7's 190 North with the Tribute Award for her continued support of Chicago theaters, and The Side Project Theatre Company with the third annual Broadway In Chicago Emerging Theater Award.

The creative partnership of Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson has spanned nearly two decades, leading the seminal Shakespeare Repertory Company from a small, north side auditorium to its current 75,000 square foot home on Navy Pier with a 50-week season encompassing more than 600 performances attracting 250,000 audience members, including 50,000 students and their teachers. Their partnership has broadened the Theater's artistic programming to encompass alongside constant exploration of Shakespeare's canon theatrical presentations for students and families, musicals, new dramatic works, and collaborations with international theater artists.

Their joint vision has delivered significant opportunities to Chicago artists, at home and abroad, and presented international luminaries to Chicago audiences. Together, Gaines and Henderson have led Chicago Shakespeare Theater to its current prominence as one of the nation's leading not-for-profit theater companies, guiding the Theater's productions to 54 Joseph Jefferson Awards for Artistic Excellence (including the 2008 Award for Best Director and Best Production for Gaines' The Comedy of Errors); three of London's prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards (for Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin's CST production of Sondheim and Wiedman's Pacific Overtures at the Donmar Warehouse) ; and the 2008 Regional Theatre Tony Award, bringing Chicago to the singular distinction of being the city with the most Regional Tony Awards.

Accepting the award, Executive Director Criss Henderson acknowledged the support of the League of Chicago Theatres and celebrated the many partnerships and collaborations that make Chicago a leading theatrical capital. Artistic Director Barbara Gaines added, "this city is filled with brilliant theater, but we're not so competitive to keep us from being friends. Here we can work in our craft, share our lives, care for each other and establish an extended family that brings us profound riches...of the lasting kind."

The League of Chicago Theatres (LCT) is an alliance of theaters which leverages its collective strength to promote, support and advocate for Chicago's theater industry locally, nationally and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation (LCTF) is dedicated to enhancing the art of theater in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theaters and theater professionals. Members range from storefront, non-union theaters with budgets under $10,000 to major cultural centers with multi-million dollar shows. The League bridges the gaps between its diverse members with programs, services and activities that directly impact administrative and artistic operations, as well as promote awareness and visibility for live theater as an art form.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater will begin its 2009/10 season in July with Disney's Aladdin followed by a World's Stage Series presentation of French performance troupe Ilotopie's production of Water Fools (Fous de Bassin). The Subscription Series begins in September with William Shakespeare's Richard III directed by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines followed by Noël Coward's Private Lives staged by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin and concludes in the spring with Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew directed by London's Bush Theatre Artistic Director Josie Rourke. The 2009/10 World's Stage Series includes Irish Theater company Druid's production of The Walworth Farce and the Mali Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg's production of Uncle Vanya. In the spring CST will continue it's commitment to educational and family programming with Short Shakespeare! The Comedy of Errors, a 75-minute abridgement of Shakespeare's mad-cap comedy. For more information on Chicago Shakespeare Theater productions or to buy tickets contact the Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit www.chicagoshakes.com.