Stage Left Theatre, which begins its 30th anniversary season in August, has named Lacey Holmes as managing director, effective Monday (July 18). She succeeds Laura Blegen who is leaving after three years at Stage Left to pursue an MBA at The University of Wisconsin at Madison.  

Holmes’ experience and education make her eminently suitable to head the business side of an established Off-Loop troupe such as Stage Left. Her resume includes positions at Broadway In Chicago, Theater on the Lake, Writers’ Theatre and Steppenwolf Theater where she worked in the Audience Services department. She also worked for two years as a contract associate at Actors Equity Association. Holmes has a bachelor’s degree in theater arts from Alfred University (New York) and an master’s degree in arts management from Columbia College Chicago.

The socially progressive Stage Left was founded in 1982 by Debra Rodkin, Michael Troccoli, Randy Burgess and Ann Fournier. Vance Smith is the current artistic director. The troupe produces its shows at Theater Wit and will open its 30th season Aug. 8-Oct. 9 with the Chicago premiere of Beau Willimon’s very contemporary political drama, Farragut North.