Silk Road Welcomes Three New Staff Members

Silk Road Theatre Project is thrilled to welcome three new rising stars to our ranks: Kyle Gorden, Director of Advancement; Sheila Chapman, Education Coordinator; and Maria Wagner, Finance Director. Kyle, Sheila, and Maria join us at a period of unprecedented growth and promise to play key roles in elevating SRTP's artistic and administrative capacities.

Kyle Gorden, Director of Advancement Kyle Gorden joins Silk Road's professional staff as the company's first-ever Director of Advancement. He was most recently Producing Director of The Civilians, an experimental theatre troupe in New York City, and has previously served as a management consultant, website designer, dramaturg, and playwright for SRTP. Prior to The Civilians he worked at Court Theatre, Theater on the Lake, and the Chicago Chamber Choir, and founded the Hyde Park-University of Chicago Arts Fest. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago, the Stanford Japan Center, and the Kennedy Center's Arts Management Fellowship. As Director of Advancement, Kyle will direct Silk Road's institutional advancement efforts, including press relations, marketing, and development.

Sheila Chapman, Education Coordinator Education Coordinator Sheila Chapman writes "I'm excited to be working with Silk Road Theatre Project's education program, 'Myths to Drama.' This arts-integrated program fills a much-needed void in Chicago schools by providing a highly customized, in-classroom curriculum. Myths are such a wonderful vehicle for students to begin to explore the common stories we all share while at the same time celebrating the unique differences of each Silk Road culture we examine. The lasting connections students discover provide a truly global perspective to children. I'm especially honored to be working with such a multi-talented group of teaching artists who bring these myths alive through their art."

Maria Wagner, Finance Director In discussing Maria Wagner, Executive Director Malik Gillani said: "As we enter the 6th year of our growth, it is important to our board and staff that critical financial oversight is provided using insights from a seasoned, on-staff, professional. In Maria, we found someone who is both passionate about our mission and very well qualified to lead the conversation from a financial perspective. With her extensive expertise in financial planning, auditing, and grants administration, gleaned from over twenty years of experience, combined with an MBA and CPA, Maria can help us define strategic partnerships and provide leadership for better fiscal management."

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Silk Road Receives MAP Fund Grant
Silk Road Theatre Project has been selected to receive a prestigious grant from the MAP Fund, a program of Creative Capital supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. One of only 38 recipients selected out of over 600 applicants, Silk Road is honored to receive this funding in support of The DNA Trail, an innovative commissioning project conceived by Artistic Director Jamil Khoury.

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The Walnut Room at Macy's:
SRTP's Newest
Restaurant  Sponsor
Silk Road Theatre Project is delighted to announce that the historic and much loved Walnut Room has joined Atwood Café, Catch Thirty-Five, Lloyd's, and Trattoria No. 10 as a premiere restaurant sponsor. The Chicago institution, located in Macy's just blocks from our theatre in The Historic Chicago Temple Building, makes for an exciting addition to the excellent dining options availed to our patrons. In addition, The Walnut Room has generously joined Catch Thirty-Five and The Silversmith Hotel & Suites in offering exclusive discounts to the first 250 subscribers to our upcoming season.

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Interracial Relationships Blog Launched

Share your photos and stories of relationships and families that bring cultures together:   According to the 2000 Census, almost 7 million Americans identify as multiracial, and the number of interracial couples quadrupled between 1970 and 1995. In honor of Philip Kan Gotanda's play Yohen, which depicts the marriage of an African-American veteran and a Japanese woman who met after World War II, Silk Road Theatre Project would like to see and hear your stories and photos of cross-cultural families and relationships. Selected entries will be part of an exhibit during the production of Yohen, and will be displayed on our blog. To submit, visit http://www.srtp.org/blog.

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A-Squared Theatre Workshop Presents The Wind Cries Mary Exclusive offer for Silk Road patrons! The Wind Cries Mary by Philip Kan Gotanda presented by A-Squared Theatre Workshop directed by Ghuon "Max" Chung August 1-24 Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8 pm Sundays at 2 pm City Lit Theater, 1020 W Bryn Mawr, Chicago, IL Loosely adapted from Hedda Gabler, The Wind Cries Mary explores Ibsen's timeless themes of power and gender politics during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement and 60's rock 'n' roll. Philip Kan Gotanda transforms Hedda Gabler into Eiko Hanabi, a Japanese-American woman whose strength and intelligence is handcuffed by the burdens of gender and tradition. However, the political and racial climate of 1968 San Francisco could bring about a new model of freedom and choice for minorities and women. Will Eiko's life be transformed as well? Special offer to Silk Road patrons: Receive $5 off on up to 4 tickets. Make your reservation at 773-353-5979 and use the code "Silk Road" to receive your discount.

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Theatre Or Presents OnStageIsrael Festival Don't Miss OnStageIsrael: A Festival of Staged Readings of Cutting Edge Plays Presented by North Carolina's Theatre Or* Victory Gardens Biograph Theater 2433 North Lincoln Avenue Chicago professional actors perform five provocative plays in repertory in this groundbreaking event! Tickets only $10; $32 for a five play festival pass; $8 for goups of 15 or more. For complete details and play descriptions, call VG box office at 773-871-3000 or go to www.victorygardens.org or www.theatreor.com or email theatreor@mindspring.com for a detailed email flyer. *Or is the Hebrew word for light.

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