Lifeline Theatre Artistic Director Dorothy Milne Steps Down

As Lifeline Theatre continues its 35th season, long-time Artistic Director Dorothy Milne has announced she will transition out of her leadership role during the coming year. "I love my job and I won't be leaving Lifeline," Milne said. "I will still be an active ensemble member and volunteer. But I'm over 60 years old and I look forward to spending more time away from a desk.

"Lifeline will conduct a search that invites both internal and external candidates to apply," Milne continued. "The successful candidate would become a Lifeline ensemble member, if they are not already, and would engage in our ensemble development process. This is not a traditional AD role: we are a true collective, deciding all artistic programming for the season as an ensemble. The ideal candidate is both a creative force and someone who finds passion in mentoring, creating opportunity for others, growing Lifeline's family, engaging our community partners, and actively collaborating with Lifeline's ensemble, board, and staff."

The search for Milne's successor will take place over the coming months. The search committee includes members of Lifeline's Board of Directors, artistic ensemble, and staff. Lifeline hopes to have a successor in place by the end of the current season, but Milne will transition out of her role on a schedule that best suits the new hire and the organization.

Milne joined the Lifeline Artistic Ensemble in 1992 and was chosen as artistic director in 1999, following the departure of founding Producing Director Meryl Friedman. During Milne's 19-year tenure, the organization has grown dramatically, increasing its annual operating budget from just over $300K to just under $1M. Along the way, Milne has directed 22 shows at Lifeline, produced 116 plays, curated eight outings of the Fillet of Solo live lit/storytelling festival (runs January 12-28), served on the Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest planning committee for 16 years, and acted as a fierce ambassador for Lifeline and the Glenwood Avenue Arts District across the community.

"To try to measure the impact that Dorothy has had over the past 19 years is an impossible task," Managing Director Allison Cain said. "Through her leadership, creative guidance, and dedication, she has not only transformed Lifeline but our neighborhood and theatrical community. I have been so honored to work by her side for the past nine years, and will miss her beyond words. I'm also thankful for the flexible transition timeline she has proposed as it will allow us to be thoughtful in finding the right person to take up the mantle as we move into our next 35 years."

The remaining shows in the 2017-2018 season include:

The 21st Annual Fillet of Solo Festival

January 12-28, 2018
Lifeline Theatre (6912 N. Glenwood Ave.) and Heartland Studio (7016 N. Glenwood Ave.)

Full Schedule: www.lifelinetheatre.com

Tickets: $10 per performance; Festival Pass: $50

Celebrating the breadth of Chicago's enduring storytelling and live lit scene, Lifeline brings together a dozen storytelling collectives and numerous solo performers for a three-week, multi-venue selection of powerful personal stories.

Full details, including participant information, locations and scheduling, for the 2018 Fillet of Solo Festival can be found at www.lifelinetheatre.com

Solo participants include Lily Be, Ada Cheng, Shelby Marie Edwards, Julie Ganey, Carly Jo Geer, R.C. Riley and Jameson Wentworth.

Participating storytelling collectives include Around the World: Immigrant Stories, GayCo, GeNarrations, the kates, The Lifeline Storytelling Project, Sappho's Salon, Serving the Sentence, Stir Friday Night, The Stoop, Sweat Girls, Tellin' Tales Theatre, and You're Being Ridiculous.

Montauciel Takes Flight

World Premiere

A new musical inspired by historical events

Book by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member James E. Grote

Music & Lyrics B. Russell J. Coutinho
Directed by Aileen McGroddy

January 13-February 18, 2018

Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., 773.761.4477, www.lifelinetheatre.com

All tickets: $15

Previews: Saturday, Jan. 13 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 14 at 11 a.m.

Press Opening: Sunday, Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. Regular Run: Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Anna Karenina

World Premiere

Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy

Adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Jessica Wright Buha

Directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Amanda Link

February 16-April 8, 2018

Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., 773.761.4477, www.lifelinetheatre.com

Regular tickets $40; preview tickets $20

Previews: Fridays, Feb. 16 and 23 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, Feb. 18 and 25 at 4 p.m.

Regular Run: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sundays at 4 p.m.

Photo: Dorothy Milne is by Carolyn Panknin