The Board of Directors of Pride Films and Plays has voted to bring new leadership to the company, effective immediately. Artistic Associate Donterrio Johnson will be elevated to the position of Artistic Director, with JD Caudill and Robert Ollis continuing on as Artistic Associates. David G. Zak will step down from the position he held as Executive Director since the company’s founding in 2010. Johnson was a Jeff Nominee for Pride’s A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE and also directed AMERICA’S BEST OUTCAST TOY and BUYER AND CELLAR at Pride.
Johnson said, “I am delighted to step into the role of Artistic Director of Pride Films and Plays. Of course I wish it were under better circumstances, but my team and I are ready to turn things around immediately. I believe in the endless future of PFP and I am excited to lead the charge, but we must REBRAND, RESTRUCTURE, and REIGNITE the creative spark of this company. After talking with the board, I’m confident we all at PFP are dedicated to creating a safe haven for all artists. To those who spoke up, know that I see you, that I hear you and that I stand on your shoulders. I read each of your stories. Know that your voices caused positive and necessary change, and I am so inspired by your bravery. I hope this moment resonates through the Chicago Theatre Community and we continue to evoke positive change. Chicago - “Let’s Make Art!”
The company’s Board of Directors announced the moves today and issued the following statement:
“We have heard and taken seriously concerns of individuals who were offended and hurt by comments made by PFP’s leadership. We have had in-depth discussions with the Executive Director, and he is stepping down. The new leadership will be responsible for all programming, and continuing Pride’s work to diversify the company in every way.
“It is a strategic priority of the Board and leadership to ensure inclusion and diversity in all we do. This includes an emphasis on the voices and talents of people of color and a priority for our organization as we create safe, welcoming creative spaces for all engaged with PFP. We are creating a diversity plan to ensure that BIPOC voices are represented among our artistic associates, on our board, and in all parts of our organization. We task the new artistic team to add more BIPOC artists to join them in leading the company, and we begin that search now. And we on the board will mirror that search to find more BIPOC representation at that level."
The company is also actively renovating the two theater spaces in the Pride Arts Center in response to COVID-19, improving comfort and safety for audiences and actors alike. Improvements include taking out carpeting, replacing ceiling tiles, cleaning and painting dressing rooms, equipping the bathrooms with touchless faucets and towel dispensers, adding hand sanitizers throughout the facility in the bathrooms and at the entrance of the theater.
The company programming is being completely reworked in response to the epidemic, and more details will be forthcoming.
BIOS
Donterrio Johnson. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for intricate storytelling that is thought-provoking and modernistic, Donterrio Johnson has created some incredible art as both actor and director over the past 15 years. He was a Jeff Award-winner for his Judas Iscariot in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR with Theo Ubique and earned raves for his Dan in NEXT TO NORMAL and his Caldwell B. Cladwell in URINETOWN, both with BoHo Theatre. He has also appeared in the Chicago cast of SPAMILTON and as Leading Player in PIPPIN at Mercury Theater and the National Tour of WAITRESS.
Johnson’s notable directing credits include PFP’s BUYER AND CELLAR, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE (Jeff Award nominee, Direction of a Musical), and AMERICA’S BEST OUTCAST TOY. With other companies, he has directed THE COLORED MUSEUM, 101 DALMATIANS , THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES WILLY WONKA, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Donterrio has worked with companies such as Pulse Theatre Company, Prisco Center, and The REPA Center.
JD Caudill (Director) is a Chicago-based director and music director. They have directed for Pride Films and Plays (SOUTHERN COMFORT), Broken Nose Theatre (BECHDEL FEST 4-6), Haven Theatre (JANE DOE 232 in Director’s Haven 2015), Stage Left (CERCLE HERMAPHRODITOS), The New Colony (FACE THE DAY), The Runaways Lab Theatre (DDADIS 2015-2017), Hobo Junction, 20% Theatre, Paragon Theatre, Otherworld Theatre, Arc Theatre, and Red Theatre. Additionally, they are a music director, having music directed FLIES! at Pride Films and Plays, STANLEY IN THE NAME OF LOVE at The New Colony, and six fabulous shows with Hell in a Handbag Productions. They are the literary manager of Broken Nose Theatre, an ensemble member of Hell in a Handbag Productions, and an artistic associate of Pride Films and Plays.
Robert Ollis served as music director for a number of Pride Films & Plays (PFP) shows, including A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, SOUTHERN COMFORT, YANK!-A WWII LOVE STORY, PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT, THE NANCE, THE BOY FROM OZ, SONGS FROM AN UNMADE BED, A HISTORY OF SUMMER, THE BOOK OF MERMAN, and UNDER A RAINBOW FLAG. Elsewhere, he helped create JUDY & LIZA: THE LONDON PALLADIUM CONCERT - A TRIBUTE and served as Music Director for Underscore Theatre’s hit show HAYMARKET: A NEW FOLK MUSICAL. Robert received a Jeff Award for music direction of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, plus Jeff nominations for six other shows. Robert has also served as Music Director for notable productions at Bailiwick Chicago and Bailiwick Repertory Theatre. He has music-directed THE ADDAMS FAMILY and several other productions of the Casting Auction Players, as well as countless theatre-benefit concerts. Robert has accompanied performers Donna McKechnie, Capathia Jenkins, Andrea Marcovicci, Nick Adams, Nancy Hays and Alexandra Billings at cabaret and concert venues in New York City and Chicago. www.Robert-Ollis.com