Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced that Brooke Flanagan—who previously worked at Steppenwolf for seven years—will return to the organization in the role of executive director, and will become the first woman to hold the title in Steppenwolf’s 45-year history.
Current Executive Director David Schmitz, who has worked at Steppenwolf since 2005 and been executive director since 2015, is stepping down to serve Oregon Shakespeare Festival in the same capacity. Schmitz will stay on at Steppenwolf through mid-July 2020, allowing for a seamless transition.
Flanagan currently is managing director at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, leading fundraising and external affairs programs and serving as a strategic partner to the board of directors, Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson.