Alex Kyger, with a notable background in knowing how to keep a theatre company in the black, joined Lifeline Theatre – specializing in original literary adaptations – as the Rogers Park company’s first full-time, on-site Development Manager.
His first order of business as development strategist is to raise funds for the ensemble’s upcoming landmark 30th anniversary, 2012-2013 season.
He reports to artistic director Dorothy Milne and Managing Director Allison Cain.
Kyger comes from the American Theater Company, where, as Development Associate, he was successful in increasing grants and obtaining sponsorship from North Center neighborhood businesses in the six months he was there.
“I look forward to building a Development strategy that engages individuals, partners with local businesses, and generates healthy grant support for Lifeline’s education, MainStage, and KidSeries programming,” he says.
Solid background in arts fund-raising
Kyger moved to Chicago in 2006 from the island of Bahrain and was quickly established in Chicago’s theater community as a performer, producer and administrator.
He has a BFA in Theater with honors from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and at the same time, he was Development Apprentice at Redmoon Theatre.
Earlier, he was a member of Red Tape Theatre’s artistic ensemble and its first Director of Community Engagement, where he secured season sponsorship and generated a blueprint for the company’s first major giving campaign.
Recently, Kyger was executive producer of fledgling Les Enfants Terribles (LET), establishing it as a 501(c)3 nonprofit. He helped LET land a spot in the 2011 New York International Fringe Festival and win a Fringe NYC Excellence Award for Best Ensemble.
In addition to Cain and Milne, Lifeline Theatre is led by 22 artistic ensemble members, including Patrick Blashill, Christina Calvit, Victoria DeIorio, Alan Donahue, Kevin D. Gawley, Peter Greenberg, James E. Grote, Chris Hainsworth, John Hildreth, Paul S. Holmquist, Elise Kauzlaric, Robert Kauzlaric, Frances Limoncelli, Katie McLean Hainsworth, Shole Milos, Sandy Snyder Pietz, Suzanne Plunkett, Phil Timberlake, Jenifer Tyler, Christopher M. Walsh and Elizabeth Powell Wislar.
Lifeline Theatre – Big Stories, Up Close, is an anchor of the Glenwood Avenue Arts District and aspires to create art that’s relevant to its culturally diverse, increasingly youthful North Side neighborhood.
Its 29th anniversary season continues with the world premiere MainStage production of “Hunger,” Feb. 3–March 25, and the world premiere KidSeries production “How to Survive a Fairy Tale,” Jan. 7–Feb. 26, 2012.
