Founders of Raven Theatre announce a major life change

Since its founding in 1983 by Michael Menendian and JoAnn Montemurro, Chicago’s Raven Theatre Company has been the quintessence of a mom-and-pop operation. The long-married couple, who have produced, directed, designed and/or appeared in more than 100 productions (and along the way raised a daughter, Sophia, who has done everything from oversee the concessions stand to act in a number of productions) have made a formidable career together, most frequently staging American classics. They also have forged a permanent home with two stages in the Edgewater neighborhood that has a loyal and sizable following.

But today, after nearly 35 years at the helm, Menendian and Monetemurro, who serve as Raven’s co-artistic directors, announced that they will retire at the end of the 2017-2018 season.

In a prepared statement, Walter Pophin, president of Raven’s board of directors, said: “We are deeply grateful for the work which Mike and JoAnn have done over the years for the theater. Through their effort and inspiration Raven Theatre has offered high quality, accessible modern drama to Chicago audiences for 35 years and has established a dynamic education program in the local public schools.”

Raven Theatre Company will begin a national search for a new artistic director immediately.

Among Menendian’s directing credits are the scorching recent production of “Direct from Death Row The Scottsboro Boys,” “Beast on the Moon” (a play that captured his Armenian roots), “A Soldier’s Play,” “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “A View from the Bridge,” “Jesus Hopped the ’A’ Train” “Death of a Salesman” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” among others.

Montemurro, a graduate of the Goodman School of Drama, has directed “The House of Blue Leaves,” “Bus Stop” “Grace & Glorie,” “Lord Byron’s Love Letter,” “The Long Goodbye” and “The Trip to Bountiful. ” Her acting credits include “The Assembled Parties,” “A View from the Bridge,” and “Marvin’s Room,” among others. She earned a Jeff Award for her title role performance in “Lu Ann Hampton Laverty Oberlander.”

For additional information, visit raventheatre.com.