Feb. 03--Russ Tutterow, founding artistic director of Chicago Dramatists, is stepping down after 30 years, the Chicago organization said Tuesday morning. He is to be replaced, on an interim basis, by Meghan Beals, formerly the associate artistic director.
Founded in 1979, Chicago Dramatists has primarily been an incubator of new plays, a workshop for established writers and a school for potential playwrights. Writers whose careers it has significantly impacted include Rebecca Gilman, Lydia R. Diamond and Keith Huff. (Huff's Dramatists play "A Steady Rain" went on to star Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig on Broadway in 2009.) The production program at the theater has been on hold, due to a lack of funds.
Tutterow will be granted the title of artistic director emeritus. Board member Jennifer Grasz said that Tutterow would be working in a consultative capacity, while also concentrating on "returning to full health."
