Changes Are Paving The Road To An Exciting Future For Route 66 Theatre Company

Route 66 Theatre Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Jacquelyn Rosati as Co-Artistic Director and Robert Veasey as Board President.

Founder and Co-Artistic Director Stef Tovar comments, "As we moved into our second decade, it was time for change. I wanted to go back to our original mission of bridging the gap between Chicago and Los Angeles-to connect artists from both communities in collaborative projects in an effort to more fully-explore work through two distinct perspectives. I've known Jacquey for over twenty years. She helped me found the company-she's on the original paperwork we filed with the state-and she presented a compelling plan on how to make Route 66 a national company. I haven't been this excited about Route 66 since our inception. She's the leader we need to take us to the next level."

An alumni of Chicago Academy for the Arts and The Theatre School at DePaul, Jacquelyn Rosati has worked extensively as both an actress and in film and television production. Before moving to Los Angeles, her favorite acting roles in Chicago included Pegasus' Jeff Award winning production of Company and Stage Left's cult hit, The Secret of the Old Queen. She brings a dynamic energy and drive that will help power a new vision and upcoming projects for Route 66.

"At Route 66's inception, the idea to create a Chicago-Los Angeles company was personal.", says Rosati. "We simply wanted to have the ability to produce great theater in both cities. In the decade since, a lot has changed. Both Stef and I have continued to cultivate expansive networks of talented artists that we are really excited to have opportunities to collaborate with, but the cultural landscape has completely changed. With current technology, Americans have never been more connected, yet we are as factional as ever. To me, that shift alone provides an endlessly fascinating backdrop for a national theater that explores our collective American experience."

Robert Veasey has been a member of the Route 66 Theatre Company Board for three years. He is a three-time Emmy Award winning former News Producer at ABC 7 in Chicago. Mr. Veasey takes over for outgoing President Laurie Hamilton.

"Bob isn't only an accomplished journalist with the ideal skill set for our Board, he is also a great guy who instantly makes friends with anyone he meets.", says Tovar. "He's smart, passionate about theater and wecouldn't be more thrilled for his leadership into this next chapter."