Artistic Leadership Award
Posted by David New on 5/31/2006
This past May 22nd, The League of Chicago Theatres held their annual benefit. Among the individuals who were recognized for outstanding contributions to Chicago theatre was our very own Artistic Director, Martha Lavey. Fellow ensemble member, Amy Morton, was on hand to present the award for Artistic Leadership to Martha. Ensemble member Frank Galati contributed the following comments for the printed program. With typical Galatian eloquence, Frank expresses the high esteem in which Martha is held and it is with great pride that we re-print his comments here.
“Simply put, Martha Lavey is one of the most protean, eloquent and visionary leaders in the American theatre. She is a brilliant actress, remaining engaged in the perfecting of her craft, even as she triumphs in the role of Artistic Director, leading Steppenwolf to greater heights and deeper values. In the ten years of her administration, she has, most of all, given Steppenwolf a voice. Colleagues, audiences and critics have been moved and inspired by her eloquent prologues to the plays she chooses to produce, and the generosity and intellectual suavity with which she conducts discussions that form epilogues to those plays. Martha sees nearly every show on Chicago’s many stages and she participates enthusiastically in the national discourse, where her views are deeply regarded. Above all, Martha is a spiritual leader who demonstrates by example what it is to lead a good life with a true purpose.”