Jackalope Theatre Company Welcomes New Artistic Director

Jackalope Theatre Company, the Edgewater-based theatre company currently in its 8th season, announces that Gus Menary will become its third artistic director, effective immediately. Menary had been serving in an interim capacity since March 2015. Additionally, longtime collaborators Paloma Nozicka and Corinne Bass have been named as Jackalope's newest company members.

"Since taking the helm in the spring of 2015, Gus has done an extraordinary job of cultivating new work, engaging our company members, and programming a Jackalope season that speaks to the most important issues of today," says Managing Director Nate Silver. "Thinking about which individual is the right choice for Jackalope's future, we unanimously agreed Gus' experience as a curator, director, and as a Jackalope founder make him uniquely suited to take on this responsibility.

Adds Artistic Director Gus Menary, "I'm absolutely honored and thankful to Jackalope for the opportunity to lead in this official capacity. I will endeavor to ensure Jackalope continues the great work we've been known for over the past eight years."

Menary was recently named as one of The Fifty People Who Really Perform for Chicago by Newcity Stage, alongside artistic directors Robert Falls, Anna Shapiro, Barbara Gaines, Chay Yew, and Michael Halberstam. In addition to his work with Jackalope, where Menary recently directed Andrew Swanson's Lunacy! and Ike Holter's Exit Strategy (Jeff Nomination - Best Director), he is a founding member and Director of Theatre Programming for The Inconvenience. He has worked with many theatres in Chicago including Mary-Arrchie, Abraham Werewolf, Strawdog Theatre Company, First Floor, Pinebox, The New Colony, American Blues, LiveWire Chicago, and American Theatre Company.

Jackalope is also proud to add Paloma Nozicka and Corinne Bass as its newest company members. With Jackalope, Nozicka most recently appeared in Jackalope's Exit Strategy, where she originated the role of the fast-taking, no-holds-barred Jania, and Long Way Go Down. Bass has designed props for several Jackalope productions in recent seasons, including Crumble (Lay Me Down, Justin Timberlake), Lunacy!, The Raid, and Rolling.

Of the new company members, Menary says, "We are thrilled to welcome Corinne and Paloma, two great friends and collaborators, into the fold. Both embody the creativity, positivity, and commitment to high artistic standards that remain core Jackalope values."

In addition to her work with Jackalope Paloma Nozcika has appeared in Teddy Ferrara (Goodman Theatre), Antigonick (Sideshow Theatre), and The Play About My Dad (Raven Theatre). Recent TV credits include Chicago PD and Empire.

In addition to her work with Jackalope, recent projects for Corinne Bass include the set design for the Off-Broadway premiere of The Lilliput Troupe, and Les Parents Terribles at the Artistic Home. Corinne is also the Audience Development Coordinator at Lookingglass Theatre Company.

Jackalope Theatre Company is comprised of Kaiser Ahmed, Corinne Bass, Elana Boulos, Andrew Burden Swanson, Jon Cohen, Alexander Hand, William Kiley, Daniel Martinez, Gus Menary, Paloma Nozicka, Claire Sangster, Nate Silver, Danielle Stack, Calamity West, and Patrick Whalen.