David Zak, the driving force behind Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, is stepping down as artistic director. It’s a position he held for the majority of the company’s 27 years.
Taking over for Zak with the new title of Bailiwick’s executive director is Yale graduate and Jeff-nominated actor Kevin Mayes. Zak is will remain as artistic director emeritus.
During Zak’s tenure, the Bailiwick became known for producing LGTBQ-friendly works and rolling out plenty of regional and world premieres. Some memorable hits include Parade, bare, Naked Boys Singing and the American premiere of Jerry Springer: The Opera.
The Bailiwick recently vacated its longtime warehouse home at 1229 W. Belmont at the start of 2009. (Theater Wit is renovating the former Bailiwick Arts Center.)
As promised by Zak, the Bailiwick did re-emerge this past summer as an itinerant company. Bailiwick produced the musical The Cousins Grimm and the play Two Spoons in repertory in the Hoover-Leppen Theatre at the Center on Halsted (which was eventually replaced by the musical Bombs Away, which Bailiwick originally produced at Mary’s Attic).
Currently, no works have been announced for Bailiwick’s 2009-10 season, while the company’s new Web site, www.bailiwickchicago.com, is currently under construction.
—Compiled by Scott C. Morgan