| THINKING BACK, THINKING FORWARD
by Jason Loewith on 5/17/2008 11:02:00 AM
 Dear friends,
As you may now have heard, next season will be my last with Next Theatre Company. After much soul-searching, I have decided to take a year away from institutional leadership so that I can join my partner in Washington, DC, raise a family (well, a dog), and concentrate on my upcoming freelance writing and directing work.
 I have been honored and humbled to lead Next Theatre Company's family of artists, patrons, donors, Board members, and incredibly dedicated staff for six seasons. In that time, we have accomplished more than I thought possible, and it is because of your dedication. Our subscription base and Board membership more than tripled; our income - led by tremendous investment from the funding community - actually quadrupled. Each of the past six seasons ran a surplus; each of the past six seasons saw increases in subscriptions.
And each of the past six seasons gave opportunities for some of the city's – no, some of the country's – finest artists to do work that couldn't and wouldn't be seen anywhere else in Chicagoland. I will always remember choking back tears as shell-shocked audience members left our first preview of In the Blood in 2003; the overwhelming pride I felt when a patron told me our theater spoke to the black experience better than any other in the City after seeing Yellowman; the joy I felt watching peoples' laughter turn to fear and then catharsis as Wendy Robie juggled a five-course meal in Omnium Gatherum; the chills that overwhelmed my body as I saw John Judd's character breakdown in a runthrough for A Number; the tears I shed every time I heard Amy Warren as Daisy beg Joel Hatch as Mr. Zero to "Kiss me"; and just last weekend, seeing patrons, their curiosity inflamed, firing question at Joanna Settle and Heather Raffo during a talkback for 9 Parts of Desire.
I will always remember Next Theatre Company as the place where so much more got done with so much less because of the supreme dedication of so many individuals; as the opportunity where I learned to trust myself as an artist and a producer, thanks to the good will of so many; as the platform for canon-changing work like Adding Machine and the first production I saw here, Among the Thugs; and as a destination for artists and audiences who share my belief that theater can promote awareness and provoke change with more power than any other medium of expression.
Nonetheless, now is the time to put our succession plan in place. That succession plan dictates that I stay on in an "emeritus"-type position for the coming season. I have planned the plays – I'll still be directing two of them – and will be in Evanston through September at least, and again in January and February for the rehearsals of War With the Newts.
Beginning Monday, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors begins a national search for a new Artistic Director, whose job it will be to keep Next Theatre on its upward path, and take it to another level... one that, I hope, includes a building of our own where we can fully flex our artistic muscles.
I feel confident that I am leaving Next Theatre Company in a healthy and well-regarded place, and I am grateful to each and every one of you reading this for the support that you've given to me personally, and to the theater, in our six-year streak of success.
 I am moved, however, to beg one last boon from each of you. In the course of this coming transitional season, I ask that you continue to support the company at the level you supported it for the past six years. If you gave a contribution to the theater this past year, I ask you to give one again, at the same level. If you provided artistic support or advice our guidance to me, I ask that you do the same for my successor. If you have been an audience member, I ask that you stick with us through this coming year. If you have used your influence to keep Next Theatre in the public eye, I ask you not to look away. And if you have simply been one of the many thousands of artists and individuals that make up this dynamic theater community, I ask that you introduce yourself to my successor, and make him or her feel as welcome as you did me.
What we have built together in six years is now a force for the artistic and community good both locally and nationally. It is an opportunity ripe for an artist or producer with energy and commitment. Please give the new leadership at Next Theatre the chance to make good on it by your continued support.
 I won't be going anywhere for many months, though - you can't get rid of me that easily! So later in the year I'll be offering some other reminiscences... most importantly, about the great city of Chicago and its vibrant and dynamic theater community, which allowed me to make more and better art than I could have anywhere else in the country.
More soon...
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Jason,
Since OG, I traveled miles from the western suburbs to attend my subscription performances at Next. Each production was as good or better than the prior. Your leadership of the post-show discussions added a profound depth to the experience unequaled by other theatre company's similar attempts. Recently, I moved to the city to be closer to our terrific theatre scene and to Next.
This message comes with thanks for your sharing your talent with us and with all best wishes for your future endeavors. Next will go on to what's next, but...you will be missed.
A Subscriber
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