Cody Estle Named New Associate Artistic Director of Raven Theatre

Raven Theatre Co-Artistic Directors Michael Menendian and JoAnn Montemurro have announced the appointment of Cody Estle as Associate Artistic Director. Estle, a Raven ensemble member, has directed five of the theatre company's productions over the past three seasons, including Dating Walter Dante, Boy Gets Girl, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Good Boys and True and Vieux Carre'. He is set to direct the company's Chicago premiere of Horton Foote's Dividing the Estate in January.

Estle's other directing assignments around Chicago include Uncle Bob at Mary-Arrchie Theatre. Hospitality Suite at Citadel and Watch on the Rhine at Artistic Home, opening October 5. He has also been assistant director at Northlight Theatre, Court Theatre, Writers Theatre, Goodspeed Musicals, Next Theatre and Strawdog Theatre. He serves on the faculty of Cherubs at Northwestern University and is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago.

Menendian says, "JoAnn and I are very excited to have Cody join our artistic team. His insights and vast knowledge of what is current in the theatre world are invaluable as we continue to expand our artistic horizon in the years ahead. As a member of our ensemble, Cody has already directed five projects over that past several years, each of which has reflected his immense talent as an artist."

Estle is equally enthusiastic about the appointment, saying, "I couldn't be more honored to be given the opportunity to help lead an organization that has been so important to me throughout my budding career. I am grateful to Michael and JoAnn for their faith in me. I am so passionate about Raven Theatre's mission and future. I can't wait to start this position at an organization that feels like home."

Estle's appointment was the second of two major announcements by Raven Theatre in the past week. On September 9th, the 31-year-old storefront theater announced that it had received a $100,000 donation from a single anonymous donor.

Raven will open its 32nds season tonight with the first preview of its production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons, running through November 15. (Press opening of All My Sons is Monday, September 22). The season will continue in January with the Chicago premiere of Horton Foote's Dividing the Estate, followed by the World Premiere of Todd Bauer's The Bird Feeder Doesn't Know, opening on March 31 and conclude with Beast on the Moon by Richard Kalinoski, opening on April 21.
The theatre's productions are staged in the two-stage theater building it owns at 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood.

For more information on Raven Theatre Company, visit www.raventheatre.org

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