In a New League
By Justin Sondak in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 23, 2005 6:35PM
The League of Chicago Theaters, the largest advocacy group for our town's stages, will undergo a change of leadership next week. League Director Marj Halperin announced her resignation to membership at the League’s March “Theater Dish” event. In her 8-year tenure, Halperin brought harmony and stability to a growing cadre of theater professionals—-by itself, a Herculean task—-and raised the League’s profile considerably. Halperin’s legacy includes:
Devising a 5-year strategic plan aimed at raising the profile of Chicago theater through advocacy, marketing, audience development, networking and communications. Best of all, it encouraged theater professionals to actually talk to one another.
Theater Fever, a hootenanny of performance and hands-on activity promoting League offerings every winter since 1998.
The ubiquitous Chicago Plays programs, found on the laps of theater patrons across the region since 2002.
Moving Hot Tix’s Loop location to the City’s Tourism Center and expanding advance purchase options for the League’s popular half-priced tickets.
Theater Thursdays—-plying audiences with food and drink as an enticement to fill the seats on a traditionally slow night.
An explosion in revenue, contributed income, and membership, grateful for the resolution to a dark chapter in league history.
No surprise then that Halperin has been deemed ‘irreplaceable.’ But the League can’t run without a replacement, can it? Enter successor Deanna Shoss, Director of Promotions for the City’s Department of Aviation. As her new colleagues point out, Shoss brings an impressive ‘skill set’ that includes marketing and building public/private partnerships. She’s also no stranger to the arts, teaming with Gallery 37 to bring those delicious murals to O’Hare.
In hiring a government official, the League is aiming for a quick and fair resolution to the new Public Place of Amusement license. Theater professionals took the opportunity to discuss plans for streamlining the licensing process with city officials last May, and company managers were left very, very confused. Ms. Shoss’ biggest challenge will be keeping both sides happy so we may avoid another embarassing rash of venue closings. We wish her luck.