McArdle part of Neo-Futurists’ future

McArdle part of Neo-Futurists’ future

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One of Chicago’s most successful Off-Loop theater companies, the Neo-Futurists, has hired twenty-something Dan McArdle as its new managing director effective immediately. The announcement was made Monday (July 18) by artistic director Ryan Walters and founding director Greg Allen.

McArdle recently earned an MA in arts leadership from DePaul University, a degree program that included a full-time fellowship position at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Prior to DePaul, McArdle was finance manager for Lookingglass Theatre Company and held earlier arts management positions at the Goodman Theatre, Westport (CT) Country Playhouse and Forestburgh (NY) Playhouse. While working with the Neo-Futurists, McArdle will continue to serve as general manager and artistic company member with Theatre Seven of Chicago.

The Neo-Futurists, housed for over 20 years above a funeral home in Andersonville, maintain an ensemble company which produces a creative annual season of plays and theater pieces. But the troupe’s signature claim-to-fame is the late-night Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, the semi-improvised piece promising “30 plays in 60 minutes” and now in its 22 continuous year.

The Neo-Futurists opens its 23rd season Sept. 15-Oct. 22 with the world premiere of Chalk and Salt Water: the Ladder Project, but John Pierson and Clifton Frei.