Ian Frank Named Shattered Globe Theatre’s New Producing Artistic Director

Chicago's Shattered Globe Theatre announced that Ian Frank has been selected, following a national search, to be the company's new Producing Artistic Director.

Frank comes to Shattered Globe from Mudlark Theater in Evanston, where he has been the Executive Director since 2023. 

“On behalf of the Shattered Globe Theatre Board of Directors and Ensemble, I am delighted to welcome Ian back to the ‘rehearsal room' after honing his administrative skills over the past few years,” said Sara Mushlitz, Shattered Globe Board President and Search Committee Chair. “Ian has a profound respect for Shattered Globe's history, its storefront performance landscape and most of all a commitment to Ensemble-led theater and the Shattered Globe community that has thrived as an Ensemble for 35 years. With a strong artistic voice and experience in Chicago theater, a collaborative perspective and a passion to create meaningful work, Ian will help steward Shattered Globe into its next chapter.”

“From a large pool of highly qualified candidates enthusiastic to contribute to this new chapter of Shattered Globe, Ian Frank rose to the top,” added Shattered Globe Ensemble Member Leslie Ann Sheppard. “We are excited to have him join the team and legacy of SGT."

"I'm deeply honored to be entrusted with Shattered Globe's remarkable legacy, embodied by Sandy Shinner's leadership and the commitment to uplifting the art by uplifting the artists who make it,” said Frank.

Frank is an award-winning stage director, adapter, and arts leader. Frank directed Frankenstein (Jeff Awards — Best Production, Best Director) for Remy Bumppo Theatre where he helped produce more than 15 mainstage productions as the Associate Artistic Director from 2015-2021. Other Chicago directing credits include Private Lives (Raven Theatre), Incident at Vichy (Jeff Nomination - Best Ensemble), Another Bone and Shipwrecked! (Redtwist), and Bob: A Life in Five Acts (LiveWire). Regionally, Frank directed Remix 38 at the Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville where he has a long history of collaboration, starting as an Acting Apprentice in 2004. His work has also taken him to Milwaukee Rep, The Kennedy Center, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Frank holds an MFA in Directing from The Theatre School at DePaul University and has returned to direct several times. He has also directed at his undergraduate alma mater, Centre College, and at the University of South Carolina. His adaptation of The Call of the Wild was produced at the University of Montana in 2022. Frank has extensive experience on both the artistic and producing side of theater, including working in the Chicago office of Actors' Equity Association. He came to Chicago in 2008, and now lives in Chicago's North Center neighborhood with his wife, actor Emily Tate, their son, Baxter, and their dog, Alba.

Frank's predecessor, Chicago theater veteran Sandy Shinner, announced she was stepping down after 13 years serving as Shattered Globe's first-ever Producing Artistic Director. Shinner will remain a Shattered Globe Ensemble Member and looks forward to continuing working with SGT as a director and advisor on future projects.

"Collaborating with the multi-talented SGT Ensemble has been a highlight of my career,” said Shinner. “I'm extremely proud of everything we have accomplished together, including creating nearly 30 memorable productions, increasing salaries for artists, building a staff and relationships with new playwrights, directors, actors and designers, growing our unique Protégé training program, and launching SGT's new play development program, our Global Playwrights Series.”

Currently, Shattered Globe is presenting its 35th season finale, Eelpout!, a world premiere comedy by Paul W. Kruse, directed by Jeremy Ohringer. When best friends Sven and Ole come together to celebrate at an ice-fishing bachelor party on a frozen lake in Minnesota, an unexpected confession hooks into deeper truths, along with a talking fish. Performances run through May 30 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. Tickets are $20-$60. For tickets and information, visit sgtheatre.org.