Oak Park Festival Theatre Announces Artistic Director

In February of 2018, Artistic Associate Barbara Zahora stepped into the role of Interim Artistic Director, and she now will now become the new permanent Artistic Director for the company moving forward.

"I feel honored to be asked to be part of this important transition time for Oak Park Festival Theatre," said Barbara Zahora. "With our current group of gifted Artistic Associates and dedicated Board members, we are beautifully poised to enter a new chapter of growth. We'll be taking a fresh look at our mission, setting new goals for ourselves artistically, and deciding how we'd best like to contribute to important conversations in our community and our world. I'm looking forward to more people discovering the jewel of a theatre we build in Austin Gardens during the summer, and to expanding our programming to reaching the community year-round."

Barbara Zahora has been working with the company since 2006 as an actor, and in 2017 directed Oak Park Festival Theatre's critically acclaimed Macbeth. Barbara is a visiting assistant professor at Roosevelt University's Chicago College for the Performing Arts, and she has previously taught at Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music and North Central College. She was Associate Artistic Director of Shakespeare Project of Chicago for eight years, and she is also closely affiliated with ShawChicago.

"I am incredibly delighted that Barbara will be taking up the artistic mantle of the company. I have an immense amount of respect for her as an artist and a leader, and know that she cares as deeply about this company as we all do," Managing Director Jhenai Mootz said. "With our current company growth, momentum and focus on strategic planning, this a strong time for the company to welcome change and a fresh approach - and we could not be more delighted that Barbara will be bringing that new voice into the room."

Board President Anne Rooney notes, "Oak Park Festival Theatre is thrilled to have Barbara Zahora join us as our Artistic Director, just in time for our 45thSeason. Her stellar reputation as an actor, director, scholar, and teacher offers us an expertise that will enhance and deepen Oak Park Festival Theatre's rich legacy. Under Barbara's careful artistic leadership, we look forward to our best season yet in 2019!"