Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago has announced a significant leadership transition aimed at revitalizing the organization’s artistic and operational direction. David Catlin and Ericka Ratcliff have been appointed as co-artistic directors, succeeding Kasey Foster, who recently concluded a three-year tenure. Catlin, a veteran ensemble member and Northwestern University faculty member, and Ratcliff, formerly literary manager at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, bring extensive experience to their new roles.
In addition to this change, Philip R. Smith, a longstanding ensemble member with over four decades of involvement at Lookingglass, will return as executive director after leaving his development position at Writers Theatre in Glencoe. Smith cited a renewed sense of purpose and the theater’s importance to Chicago as key factors motivating his return.
David Schwimmer, who had previously expressed a commitment to deepen his engagement with the company, has accepted the role of producing director. In this capacity, Schwimmer will focus on fundraising, marketing, board development, and cultivating new partnerships for co-productions at Lookingglass’s home in the Water Tower Pumping Station on Michigan Avenue. He also continues to consider opportunities to act or direct in future productions.
The leadership changes come as the theater seeks to address challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted its traditional programming and financial stability. Catlin described the new appointments as “an exciting new infusion of leadership” intended to help Lookingglass adapt and thrive in a changing cultural landscape. Schwimmer emphasized the need to develop a sustainable operational model, noting, “We have to adapt to survive.”
Ratcliff and the leadership team, joined by newly appointed board president Marci Masur and board chair Deann Bayless, outlined plans to restore Lookingglass to its longstanding nonprofit model featuring a four-show season. This approach is expected to include collaborations and co-productions, recalling the success of the previous partnership on “Kowalski,” which involved notable star Johnny Galecki and producers from New York. Schwimmer highlighted such partnerships as a strategy to mitigate risks inherent in producing original theatrical work.
Lookingglass has benefited from a $2.5 million grant from the State of Illinois to enhance its lobby space. Schwimmer noted that the theater recently secured city approval for a long-awaited marquee installation, marking another step in its efforts to strengthen its physical presence on the Magnificent Mile.
Founded decades ago, Lookingglass is known for its visually innovative productions and has served as an incubator for artists who have gone on to significant careers, including ensemble members Joy Gregory, Mary Zimmerman, Laura Eason, and Schwimmer himself. The leadership team expressed confidence that this renewed direction and investment will enable Lookingglass to reclaim its status as a leading creative force within both Chicago’s vibrant theater community and the broader American arts scene.