Harris Theater President to Exit at End of Year

Alexandra Nichols, Board Chair of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, announced today that Michael Tiknis, President of the Harris Theater, will step down from his position at the end of December 2016. After 12 years of exceptional service, Mr. Tiknis, along with the Board of Trustees, will implement a succession plan for the next historic phase of the Harris Theater's future.

The Harris Theater has begun a search process to select the new President; Board Chair Alexandra Nichols has appointed a trustee led search committee to direct this process. "While Michael will not be an easy act to follow after his enormously successful 12 years of leadership, our search committee is confident we will find the best possible leader to guide the Theater through the next chapter of its growth," said Nichols.

During Michael's tenure with the Theater the Harris has firmly established its position as a cultural anchor in Chicago through presenting internationally and nationally acclaimed music and dance organizations, while helping to build audiences for the Theater's resident companies. Daniel Barenboim, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Renee Fleming and Patricia Barber, the Hamburg Ballet, Lang Lang, the New York City Ballet, the Paris Opera Ballet, the San Francisco Ballet, Stephen Sondheim, and many others have graced the Harris stage.

"With the completion of the Theater's renovation and expansion, the culmination of a milestone twelfth season, and the strong progress made towards the $38 million goal of the Imagine campaign, I have decided it is the right and natural time for the Theater to begin the succession planning process," said Michael Tiknis. "In these twelve years, the Harris Theater has become an internationally known institution, respected for its commitment to artistic excellence, collaboration and innovation. All of this has been accomplished by a team of remarkable Trustees and a skilled and dedicated professional staff, all of whom display overwhelming commitment to the complex mission of the Harris. I have to especially acknowledge Joan Harris, Sandra Guthman, Abby McCormick O'Neil, James Alexander and, of course, our current Board Chair, Alexandra Nichols whose collective vision and support has been tremendous."

"The Harris Theater wishes to thank Michael Tiknis for his leadership and guidance through the formative years of the Theater's existence, and for his unwavering commitment to its mission," said Nichols.