Markie Gray and Cole von Glahn.
CHICAGO: Raven Theatre has introduced that Markie Gray will step down because the theatre’s managing director on the finish of April, and Cole von Glahn will assume the interim managing director place at first of May. Gray has been with the corporate since July 2020, and will likely be becoming a member of one other main Chicago arts group. Cole von Glahn returns to Raven, having beforehand served because the theatre’s manufacturing supervisor and creative producer from January 2018 by means of June 2021.
“We are grateful for Markie’s leadership over the past three years,” stated Raven board president Stephen Johnson in an announcement, “especially given the challenges associated with assuming a new position in the very early days of COVID-19 and then of resuming operations in an environment even more uncertain than that normally faced by a performing arts organization. We wish her nothing but the best as she takes the next step in her career of nurturing Chicago’s performing arts. We are very fortunate that Cole will rejoin the theatre. He brings a wealth of knowledge about the theatre and its operations as well as its donors and patrons. The theatre will be in very good hands as it searches to fill the managing director position.”
As managing director, Gray helped information Raven by means of the COVID-19 pandemic and its reopening of operations as an Equity theatre, the reworking of the Johnson Stage, the event and implementation of its anti-racism plan, and the enlargement of its accessibility initiatives.
“Thank you to everyone who gave me the extraordinary opportunity to lead this Chicago institution,” stated Gray in an announcement. “I am extremely grateful for my time at Raven and know that I am leaving the theatre in the exceptional hands of the staff, board, and artists. I look forward to Raven’s next chapter and will be in the audience cheering them on.”
Before becoming a member of Raven, Markie Gray served because the affiliate director of selling and communications at Yale Repertory Theatre. Previous positions embody firm supervisor for Yale Repertory Theatre, administration fellow below Susie Medak at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, manufacturing supervisor at American Theater Company, and creative producer at First Floor Theater. Originally from Ann Arbor, MI, she spent six years submit school working as a producer, manufacturing supervisor, sound designer, stage supervisor, educator and performer in Chicago. She is an inventive affiliate of First Floor Theater, and a graduate of the theatre administration MFA program at Yale School of Drama and holds a BA from the University of Chicago.
In addition to having served because the Raven’s creative producer, Cole von Glahn has produced and directed at First Floor Theater, the place he was the director of manufacturing from 2016-2019, Neverbird, Griffin Theatre, and American Theater Company. Since his departure from Raven, Cole has pursued an M.S. in computational evaluation and public coverage from the University of Chicago with a specialization in digital human rights and knowledge privateness.
“I first came to Raven at a moment of transition and found an artistic home dedicated to engaging our community with the breadth and depth of the theatrical voice,” stated von Glahn in an announcement. “I’m ecstatic to return as Raven looks forward to its 41st season of creating cultural connection.”
Raven Theatre is an fairness performing arts group situated on the north aspect of Chicago. The firm seeks to inform tales of right now and the previous that join audiences to the cultural panorama. Raven offers revivals of trendy dramas and thought-provoking new works to the Northside Chicago neighborhood, in addition to theatrical schooling to the youngsters and faculties within the surrounding neighborhoods. As of 2021, its funds was round $405,000.