Strawdog Announces New Artistic Director Brandon Bruce

Strawdog Theatre Company, currently concluding its 23rd Season with Manfred Karge's Conquest of the South Pole, running through May 28, is proud to announce the appointment of its new artistic director, Brandon Bruce. Bruce was previously the award-winning artistic director of Chicago's BackStage Theatre and was an Iowa Arts Directing Fellow at the University of Iowa where he received his MFA in directing. Bruce will begin his transition into the role at Strawdog immediately.

Brandon Bruce assumes the position of artistic director following Nic Dimond who has been Strawdog's artistic director since 2003. "Brandon's vision, experience, and Chicago roots are perfect companions to the great work Nic has done as Strawdog's artistic director." Strawdog's Board President Seth Rickard said. "As we approach our landmark 25th season of producing in Chicago, Brandon is the perfect person to assume this position and lead the Company in new directions." Rickard continued. Bruce, who has a long history in Chicago theatre, said, "I am eager to dive back into the Chicago theatre scene. I look forward to working with Strawdog's amazing ensemble and forging great relationships with other arts organizations and artists throughout the city. It's a great honor to be leading one of the most storied theatres in the city."
Outgoing Artistic Director Nic Dimond added, "The last couple of years have been tremendous for this company, and we're lucky to have some great momentum going into this transition. Brandon's exuberance and intelligence feel like a perfect fit with the Strawdog community, and his producing and directing experience in Chicago gives me confidence that he is up to the task of leading this ensemble of wonderful, talented people. He seems crazy in just the right way, and I'm eager to see where his vision and his commitment to Strawdog's values will take the organization."

"As both managing director, and an ensemble member, I am very pleased to be welcoming Brandon to the Company. His enthusiasm and energy are palpable, and his experience producing, directing and creating theatre at our financial level, and also our level of artistry, will be a true asset to Strawdog." said Hank Boland, managing director of Strawdog Theatre Company.

Boland co-chaired the Artistic Director Search Committee, with fellow Co-Chair Strawdog Associate Artist, Kimberly Senior and fellow committee members: Cortney Hurley, Anderson Lawfer, Sean Mallary, Kyle Hamman, Michaela Petro and John Ferrick. "After conducting a nationwide search, we ultimately were given the opportunity to welcome an artist home to Chicago, and not just into our community, but back into the Chicago Theatre Community at large, where he is known and respected." added Boland.

ABOUT BRANDON BRUCE
Brandon Bruce comes to Strawdog after an award-winning tenure as artistic director of Chicago's BackStage Theatre and as the Iowa Arts Directing Fellow at the University of Iowa. At BackStage, Bruce directed the Joseph Jefferson Award-winning production of The Skin of Our Teeth, The Ruling Class, the world premiere of Denise Druczweski's Inferno and Terra Nova (Jeff Recommended). At the University of Iowa (where he received his MFA in Directing), Brandon directed Reefer Madness! The Musical, the new musical The Boy in Black and Akarui (IRAM Award for Outstanding Direction). In 2009, his production of The Little Foxes at Chicago's Shattered Globe received three Joseph Jefferson nominations including "Best Production."
Currently, Bruce is serving as artistic director of Indiana's Shawnee Theatre where he will direct The Fantasticks and The 39 Steps this summer. This fall, he will serve as a Guest Lecturer and direct Sunday in the Park with George at Grinnell College.

In 2006, Bruce received the Orgie Award for "Best Director" for his staging of Tango at Chicago's Chopin Theatre. Other directing credits include The Scene (Iowa Summer Rep), The Importance of Being Earnest(Festival 56), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Pella Shakespeare Festival), Catch-22 (Signal Ensemble) and Picasso at the Lapin Agile (New Leaf Theatre). In 2007, Time Out Chicago listEd Brandon as one of the "Top 20 Chicagoans to Watch."

ABOUT STRAWDOG THEATRE COMPANY
Since its founding in 1988, Strawdog Theatre Company has offered Chicagoland the premiere storefront theatre experience and garnered numerous Non-Equity Jeff Awards with its commitment to ensemble acting and an immersive design approach. The celebrated Company develops new work, re-imagines the classics, melds music with theatre, asks provocative questions, and delivers the unexpected.

All productions, plus ongoing late night offerings, are presented at Strawdog's venue in the heart of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, 3829 N. Broadway Street. Tickets are available online at www.strawdog.org or buy calling Ovation Tix toll-free: (866) 811-4111.

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