Jackalope Theatre Company Announces Leadership Transition

Jackalope Theatre Company, the Edgewater-based theatre company currently in its 7th season, announced today new leadership and redefined roles within the company. Current artistic director and founding member AJ Ware will step down from her position, as the company enters a new phase of artistic and financial growth. AJ assumes the role of a company member, and remains integral towards Jackalope's future art-making. Jackalope founding member and director of the acclaimed Exit Strategy , Gus Menary, will succeed AJ Ware, as interim artistic director. Jackalope is currently conducting a search for a new permanent artistic director.

Additionally, Elana Boulos will become Jackalope's associate producer & director of casting, and Danielle Stack joins Jackalope as the company's production manager. The remainder of Jackalope's staff remains the same, with Nate Silver as managing director, Kaiser Ahmed, as associate artistic director, and Andrew Burden Swanson as the director of development & community engagement.

"AJ has been an outstanding leader and steward of Jackalope's mission during her tenure as artistic director," says managing director Nate Silver. "Under her leadership we've acquired two spaces, tripled our operating budget, enjoyed excellent critical reception, been recognized by the Jeff Committee numerous times, extended or remounted three shows, produced five world premieres, gained the tools for successful grant-writing, and firmly established ourselves as an artistic fixture within Edgewater."

Says outgoing artistic director AJ Ware, "Jackalope has been my home for the past eight years, and the individuals will remain my family as we transition into a new phase. I remain dedicated to every member of our company, and to the hundreds of artists in our community who make creating in Chicago such an exciting and valuable experience. I thank the artists and audiences who have stood alongside me, and I look forward to weathering these changes with them as I explore artistry outside of administration."

"Our company began as a simple college class project, which we catapulted into the real world," adds associate artistic director Kaiser Ahmed. "We never imagined that we would grow so fast, or that our first eight years would pass so quickly. We are excited to find ourselves ready for a leadership change that will bring someone in from outside the company. We are equally excited to have Gus step in, as the final founder to take the helm as artistic director."

"We owe AJ a tremendous amount of gratitude. The Jackalope that people know today was conceived, built, cared for and crafted by AJ's vision and love for what it is we do. In moving into this next phase as an organization, the staff aims to ensure that our future holds as much passion, commitment and joy as the proud path we leave behind us. Gus' leadership this coming season should prove to be an exciting new chapter in our story," said Andrew Swanson.

Interim artistic director Gus Menary says, "I'm thrilled to assume this mantle for Jackalope Theatre's upcoming season, and I plan to lead using the excellent example set forth by my predecessor, AJ Ware. Jackalope has been my family for nearly a decade, and I will endeavor to see that Jackalope's star continues to rise as we search for a permanent Artistic Director."

"An experienced curator and a skilled developer of new work, Jackalope is privileged to have Gus Menary lead us into next season. He's been a part of this company since the beginning, and, as we welcome great change, there's no one better than Gus to steer us forward, said Nate Silver.

Gus Menary is a founding member of Jackalope Theatre Company and, most recently, directed Ike Holter's Exit Strategy under their banner. Other plays directed for Jackalope include Andrew Swanson's Moonshiner and Shawn Reddy's My Name is Mudd. Currently he is directing Andrew Swanson's Lunacy! with Jackalope. He is also Director of Theatre Programming for The Inconvenience, and has directed and coordinated for countless festivals, concerts and events. He has worked with many other theatre companies in Chicago including Mary-Arrchie, Abraham Werewolf, Strawdog Theatre Company, American Blues, First Floor, Pinebox, The New Colony, LiveWire Chicago, and American Theatre Company.

Jackalope Theatre Company is comprised of Kaiser Ahmed, Elana Boulos, Andrew Burden Swanson, John Cohen, Alexander Hand, William Kiley, Daniel Martinez, Gus Menary, Allison Raynes, Claire Sangster, Nate Silver, Danielle Stack, AJ Ware, Calamity West, and Patrick Whalen.