In this new position within the Living History Education Program, Fulson will play a pivotal role in growing community-based programming, working to expand the diversity of perspectives reflected in TimeLine's artistic programming and audience development, and contributing to the strategic growth of Living History. The position also will be instrumental in developing practices to help the entire organization be more accountable, equitable, and healthy.
Fulson joined TimeLine’s part-time staff in 2016 as a Teaching Artist, after completing two teaching practicums with the Living History team through the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Teaching Artist Program. The following year, she became Education Assistant—helping to manage, develop, and strategize Living History at TimeLine. In 2018 she took on the challenge of launching and leading TimeLine’s first summer program for youth, TimeLine South. Based in Bronzeville, the program planted the initial seeds of artistic community programming.
“That I arrived as a fresh, curious intern and have become empowered as a leader today, shows that TimeLine is dedicated to dreamers who wish to redesign the status quo of theatre!” said Fulson. “I am ecstatic to be in a space of collaboration with intentions to expand, rethink, and create access to wellness to achieve a deep level of work and find the intersection of social justice and the arts.”
“This past year, we’ve had to put a lot of hopes on hold, so welcoming Tiffany to TimeLine full-time is especially thrilling,” said TimeLine Living History Program Director Juliet Hart. “Her focus, passion, and vision are exactly what we need as we continue to grow and evolve as an organization that cares for the many individuals who contribute to our art, as well as the greater community we belong to.”
Watch Tiffany Fulson, TimeLine Theatre's new Artistic Producer of Innovative Partnerships, introduce TimeLine South’s 2020 online presentation “Fulmination.”
Fulson’s impact through her work at TimeLine has already proved meaningful and far-reaching, particularly to the students she has taught and mentored along the way. Andrea Garcia first joined TimeLine as a member of the inaugural 2018 TimeLine South Ensemble and by 2020 was the Artistic Intern for the program.
“Tiffany has been an inspiration to me since I joined TimeLine,” Garcia said. “She always taught me that it is okay to be fully expressive and to be loud—most importantly, to be heard—because we all have great stories to tell. No matter how we identify, we are always accepting of others! You’re loved and always supported in our ensemble!"
Tiffany Fulson (top row, far right) with the TimeLine South 2020 Ensemble and Teaching Artists via Zoom.
As TimeLine navigates the COVID-19 pandemic and looks ahead to a future new home in Uptown, the company has been guided by key strategic goals. This new staff position furthers those goals by:
- Expanding diversity in every element of TimeLine’s organization and programming, focusing on what it means to not only share the stage with diverse bodies, but to share the experience with a diverse audience and communities that feel invited to engage with the company’s mission;
- Helping the Living History Program grow in a way that centers healthy communities and nurtures a healing approach to building relationships in and outside of the classroom;
- Creating more flow between Living History and the organization’s artistic processes, including season planning, mentorship opportunities, and integrating community voices and concerns;
- And challenging the status quo as TimeLine evolves to create a workplace for artists, staff, and partners that is creative, inviting, and ever-changing.
Inherent in these efforts is a discussion about what community truly means as TimeLine works to spark change within its organization and community relationships, and to heal together through theater and art.
“Tiffany’s leadership has already been transformative, launching and directing TimeLine South and bringing her joyous spirit into Chicago Public Schools classrooms,” said TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers. “Building upon that work, in her expanded role she will forge new relationships and partnerships throughout Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. And as TimeLine continues our plans for a new home in Uptown, we look forward to creating a welcoming, inclusive gathering place, making connections in that community that celebrate the vibrancy and history of the neighborhood.”
Fulson joins TimeLine’s current full-time staff of 12, which has remained steady through the pandemic. The expansion of TimeLine’s Living History team through the creation of this new position was made possible in part due to recent funding from Allstate Insurance Company.
(left) Fulson (right) directing TimeLine South’s 2019 presentation “Bad Nostalgia.” (right) Fulson with the TimeLine South 2019 Ensemble and Teaching Artists during a post-performance Q&A. Photos by Lara Goetsch.
ABOUT TIFFANY FULSON
Tiffany Fulson is a theatre performer, director, teaching artist, and community programs curator from the South Side of Chicago who has a deep devotion to reimagining the performing arts through innovation, collaboration, community healing, and wellness. She has empowered youth to use their talents, voices, and unapologetic presence to pursue their goals and dismantle the inequities within theatre institutions. In 2018, Fulson led the effort to launch TimeLine’s summer arts program, TimeLine South. She is currently the program director of The August Wilson Monologue Competition Outreach program; some of the students she’s had the honor of coaching and mentoring are featured in the documentary Giving Voice, currently on Netflix. Fulson is also a facilitator of professional development at Steppenwolf, where she has served as a teaching artist and program consultant for Steppenwolf for Young Adults. Other favorite artistic partnerships have come through her work at Global Girls Inc. and Northlight Theatre (Chicago), Baltimore Center Stage (Baltimore), Apollo (New York City), Mosaic (Washington, DC), Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Ashland, Ore.), and Tabard Theatre (London). Tiffany holds a BFA degree in Theatre Performance from the University of Illinois at Chicago and also studied at Arcadia University for Global Studies in London, England.
ABOUT LIVING HISTORY AND TIMELINE SOUTH
Founded in 2006, TimeLine’s Living History Education Program brings TimeLine’s mission to Chicago Public Schools, working with students on creative exercises related to historically inspired stories on TimeLine’s stage and elsewhere in literature. Living History is an arts integration residency that is closely in tune with the mission of TimeLine. The curriculum is designed to teach theatre skills while fostering the capacity to think creatively, to make connections, and to provide new ways of understanding history and the world around us. Over six to 13 sessions, students explore connections between history, art and their own lives, developing critical thinking and communication skills. Since its inception, more than 8,400 students have actively explored history through Living History. TimeLine currently partners with nine schools to present the program.
And in 2018, Living History launched a new program, TimeLine South—a unique arts program that provides teens a safe space for self-expression, creativity, and ensemble building on the south side of Chicago. Offered free of charge for six weeks during the summer, TimeLine South promotes leadership in the arts and teaches teens that theatre can also be a vehicle for social justice.
In addition to Allstate Insurance Company, the first corporate sponsor of TimeLine’s Living History program, other major supporters include The Crown Family, Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, John and Jessica Fullerton, A.L. and Jennie L. Luria Foundation, Robert and Eleanor Meyers, Polk Bros. Foundation, and multiple anonymous contributors, as well as the donors to TimeLine’s Annual Fund and Step Into Time gala. TimeLine South is sponsored by Anita Samen and David Follmer in memory of their son, Daniel Samen Follmer.
ABOUT TIMELINE THEATRE
TimeLine Theatre Company, recipient of the prestigious 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, was founded in April 1997 with a mission to present stories inspired by history that connect with today's social and political issues. Now in its 24th season, TimeLine has presented 82 productions, including 10 world premieres and 38 Chicago premieres; launched the Living History Education Program, which brings the company's mission to life for students in Chicago Public Schools; and started the summer youth arts program TimeLine South. Recipient of the Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence and the Richard Goodman Strategic Planning Award from the Association for Strategic Planning, TimeLine has received 58 Jeff Awards, including an award for Outstanding Production 11 times.
As TimeLine looks to its future, the company has purchased property in Uptown near the corner of Broadway and Argyle to be the site of its new home. TimeLine also has announced the selection of HGA as architect and is in the process of designing its new home. In the meantime, TimeLine continues to maintain its operations at its current home in Lakeview East.
TimeLine is led by Artistic Director PJ Powers, Managing Director Elizabeth K. Auman and Board President Eileen LaCario. Company members are Tyla Abercrumbie, Will Allan, Nick Bowling, Janet Ulrich Brooks, Wardell Julius Clark, Behzad Dabu, Charles Andrew Gardner, Lara Goetsch, Juliet Hart, Anish Jethmalani, Mildred Marie Langford, Mechelle Moe, David Parkes, Ron OJ Parson, PJ Powers, Maren Robinson, and Benjamin Thiem.
For more information, visit timelinetheatre.com or Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@TimeLineTheatre).