My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Strawdog Theatre Company Announces New Administrative Committee

By:

Strawdog Theatre Company announces current Artistic Director Hank Boland is stepping down from his position this summer as of Friday, July 15 and retaining his affiliation as a Strawdog Ensemble Member.

Boland will serve as an artistic consultant on Strawdog's upcoming 29th season that he curated, featuring the world premiere of Distance by Jerre Dye and directed by Erica Weiss, August 25 - October 1; Cymbaline by William Shakespeare and directed by Robert Kauzlaric, January 12 - February 25, 2017 and The Night Season by Rebecca Lenkiewicz and directed by Elly Green, May 11 - June 24, 2017.

Boland will consult with the newly appointed Artistic Vision Committee (AVC) comprised of Strawdog ensemble members Heath Hays, Anderson Lawfer and Mike Dailey, selected by the Board of Directors. The new AVC will absorb the duties and responsibilities of the Artistic Director position of Strawdog Theatre Company for Season 29. The AVC's primary functions will be to oversee the production of all three shows during Season 29, will work closely with directors and playwrights throughout the season, as well as work with Strawdog's Literary Manager, Josh Sobel, to select programming for Season 30.

"We owe a great deal to Hank and his dedication to Strawdog during his time as artistic director," said Strawdog Theatre Company Board of Directors President Seth Rickard. "He has helped Strawdog grow as an organization with the expansion of programming, the growth of infrastructure and the increase in tickets sales and audiences. The new Artistic Vision Committee, with the experience and passion of Dailey, Hays and Lawfer, will harness the strength of our ever-growing ensemble and empower Strawdog to share exciting and diverse stories that reflect our world in this coming season and beyond."

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Sound Design - Top 3
1. Adam Fisher - The Lost Boys
38% of votes
2. Tony Gayle - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
11.5% of votes
3. Kai Harada - Ragtime
7.1% of votes

Don't Miss a Chicago News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


South Pacific in Chicago South Pacific
Paramount Arts Centre (4/29-6/14)
Windfall in Chicago Windfall
Steppenwolf Theatre Company (4/09-5/31)
The Red Lion in Chicago The Red Lion
The Bramble Arts Loft (5/01-5/16)
Gruesome Playground Injuries in Chicago Gruesome Playground Injuries
Silverstage Theatre Company (5/08-5/16) PHOTOS VIDEOS
The Lifespan of a Fact in Chicago The Lifespan of a Fact
Parker Players Theater (4/24-5/17) PHOTOS VIDEOS
JEKYLL & HYDE in Chicago JEKYLL & HYDE
Broadway Playhouse (9/08-10/25)
Eelpout! in Chicago Eelpout!
Shattered Globe Theatre (4/17-5/30)
As You Like It in Chicago As You Like It
Nichols Park (7/10-7/12)
Southern Rapture in Chicago Southern Rapture
Tin Drum Theatre Company (6/11-6/28)
Jonathan Van Ness: Hot & Healed Comedy Tour 2026 in Chicago Jonathan Van Ness: Hot & Healed Comedy Tour 2026
Hard Rock Live Rockford (9/12-9/12)