New Chicago-Based Non-Equity Theatre Company Bluebird Arts Founded

Founded in 2014, Bluebird Arts is a Non-Equity company established in Chicago by Luda Solomon, who will serve as Artistic Director. The nonprofit organization's purpose is to enrich, educate and entertain the community by sharing intimate stories, which focus on the genuine problems of real people. Dale Goulding, former Artistic Director of the European Repertory Company (ERC) will serve as Executive Director, and Jaimelyn Gray of TUTA Theatre Chicago will serve as Managing Director.

Luda Solomon (Artistic Director) studied acting and directing in Russia at the Leningrad Institute of Music, Theatre and Film and earned her Ph.D (WD) in acting instruction at the St. Petersburg State Academy of Dramatic Arts. She also worked as an actress at Leningrad Studio Theatre. As a member of European Repertory Company, Luda directed Chekhov's Ivanov (Jeff Nominated); Bulgakov's Zoyka's Apartment; Chekhov's The Duel, adapted by Frank Galati; Carlo Gozzi's Princess Turandot; and Vasili Sigarev's Black Milk. Also with European Repertory Company Luda co-directed (with Steppenwolf Ensemble Member Yasen Peyankov) Galin's Stars in the Morning Sky and Nikolay Kolyada's Go Away, Go Away (Jeff Nominated). Other directing credits include Stephen Schwartz's The Baker's Wife with One Theatre Company, Galin's The House that Swift Built co-directed with Dale Goulding for Red Square Theatre Company, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf at Theatre Volhonka, Ekatirenburg, Russia (Translated to Russian; Bravo award). She has taught acting at The School at Steppenwolf, Act One, and currently teaches acting at University of Illinois at Chicago.

Dale Goulding (Executive Director) is an award-winning theatre director who has worked extensively in Europe and the United States. He has produced over 45 shows, directed documentary film and served as the Artistic Director of the European Repertory Company (ERC) before becoming a Freelance Director.

Jaimelyn Gray (Managing Director) is an ensemble member with TUTA Theatre Chicago where she is an actor and TUTA's Marketing Liaison and Social Media Envoy. Outside of TUTA, she has worked with regional theatres across the country including the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. Her Chicago credits include Eclipse Theatre, Profiles Theatre and Benevolent Theatre.

For more information about Bluebird Arts call 773.526.3628 or visit www.bluebirdsarts.org.

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Best Featured Performer in a Musical - Top 3

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3. Shoshana Bean - The Lost Boys, A New Musical

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