Book-It Welcomes Interim Artistic Director

Book-It Repertory Theatre has announced Kelly Kitchens as its Interim Artistic Director. Kitchens takes over for Gus Menary, who was Artistic Director from 2019-2023, and will be relocating to Chicago after directing Solaris, the final show in Book-It's 2022-2023 Season. A collaborator with Book-It since 1998, Kitchens has previously worked with Book-It as an actor, adaptor, director, teaching artist and supporter, and most recently directed Mrs. Caliban for Book-It as part of the 2021-22 Season.

Kitchens began work in March to set Book-It's 2023-2024 Season. Several of next season's plays will utilize the "Book-It Style," which has been a part of the company's legacy since its inception 34 years ago. This style utilizes narration as a theatrical convention and transforms it into dialogue between characters. Book-It's 2023-24 Season will be announced in mid-May.

Kitchens believes wholeheartedly in Book-It's mission of transforming great literature into great theater to inspire its audiences to read. She says, "Books and theater-these are magnificent portals to worlds both known and unfamiliar. They fuel the engines of imagination and empathy. Put great literature and great theater together, you have this marvelous exchange of ideas, both public and private; in this magical play-land we discover, we grow, we grieve, we heal, we celebrate, we create new selves, and we build better worlds."

"This is important, beautiful work; and this is an incredible company with an amazing staff, board, supporters, artists, and audiences. Collaborating with Book-It over the last twenty years as an artist has been inspiring and invigorating; to be of service to this organization now in this capacity is an honor and a joy." - Kelly Kitchens

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