Apple Tree Theatre Announces Eileen Boevers' Retirement and Mark Weston's Appointment as Interim Managing Director

Highland Park, IL,  January 16, 2008- The Board of Directors of Apple Tree Theatre today announced the retirement of Eileen Boevers as Executive Artistic Director. The Board also announced the appointment of Mark Weston to serve as Interim Managing Director.    

For 38 years, Ms. Boevers has served the Highland Park and North Shore performing arts community.  She founded the Eileen Boevers' Performing Arts Workshop in 1970 and Apple Tree Theatre in 1983.  The Theatre is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

"I've had an extraordinary experience for the last 38 years, as a teacher and an artist," Ms. Boevers said and added, "Interacting with students and other artists has always been a joy and the support from donors and volunteers has been nurturing,  encouraging, and always greatly appreciated. As new challenges face the organization, I am delighted that the company will be led with new vision and vigor that will assure an exciting future."

Under Ms. Boevers leadership, Apple Tree Theatre received 28 Jeff Awards and 109 Jeff nominations for excellence in Chicago theatre.

As Executive Artistic Director, Ms. Boevers produced, directed, taught, performed, and wrote for the theatre. Her directing credits include the Jeff Nominated productions of The Secret Garden and Anna Karenina along with many other main stage and productions for the youth programming department. In 1998, she was recognized by the Chicago Tribune Arts and Entertainment editors as a "Chicagoan of the Year," by the Lake and McHenry County YWCA as a "Woman of Achievement," and by the National Council of Jewish Women as a "Woman of Influence." In addition to having received the Mayor's Award for the Arts and the Baha'i U. Children's Day Award, she has been named to the North Shore Walk of Fame and was featured on WGN in " Chicago 's Very Own." She also received the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award from the Illinois Humanities Council.

"Eileen's contribution to Highland Park and the entire Chicago cultural arts community has been extraordinary.  We thank her for her commitment and excellent work," said Bob Wieseneck, President of the Apple Tree's Board.  "While she is stepping out of her day to day role, we are pleased that she has agreed to stay on the board in an Emeritus position to provide counsel as we move forward."

The new Managing Director, Mark Weston, has been active in the Chicago performing arts community for over 25 years as producer, performer, music director/composer/arranger, and song writer. He was affiliated with Apple Tree from its earliest years and has served on its board the last five.  He has also worked with many of Chicago 's other leading theatrical venues including Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, Marriott Lincolnshire, Candlelight Dinner Theatre.  Living a dual life in both business and the arts Mark has worked in general management and business development.  He has an MBA from the University of Chicago .

"As we mark the Theatre's 25th anniversary and go forward we will continue Eileen's commitment to deliver works which illuminate the human condition and celebrate the human spirit," Mark Weston said.  "Well-known Chicago stage director Mark Lococo, who is also Director of Theatre at Loyola University Chicago, will serve as artistic consultant as we transition to our new leadership," he added.

Apple Tree Theatre is a not-for-profit theatre noted for its outstanding artistic achievement, commitment to the production of moving and entertaining theatre, and ongoing work with artists of diverse cultures. Nationally known and highly respected, the company has remained an artistic and cultural force in Chicago theatre for 25 years. At the forefront of Chicago performing arts, Apple Tree's achievements have been recognized by The National Endowment for the Arts, The Illinois Arts Council, The Illinois Bureau of Tourism, and the City of Highland Park .

From Performink February 1, 2008

Boevers Steps Down from Apple Tree

BY Carrie L. Kaufman

After 38 years, Eileen Boevers announced last week that she had stepped down from Apple Tree Theatre in Highland Park. Board member and past Apple Tree musical contribu´tor Mark Weston stepped in as interim managing director.

Boevers announced her intention to retire at a board meeting on Jan. 15. She didn't expect to be heading home so soon.

“I was planning to stay for a few months” while the board found someone suitable to take over. “Happily, that happened quickly.”

Weston first met Boevers when he was in the pit for a Candlelight Dinner Theatre production of Annie. Boevers' daughter Jessica, then 10, was in the cast. Since then, Weston worked as a sound designer and musical director for Apple Tree, and joined the artistic board in the mid-90s. He's been on the Apple Tree board for five years, and is a management/financial consultant by day.

Weston has put together a short-range business plan that encompasses getting the organization to run more efficiently, and increasing marketing efforts and cash flow. He's also talking with the city of Highland Park about how long they can stay in their current location at the Karger Center, and where they might go after that. Apple Tree moved into the Karger Center in August of 2006 on a two-year, $10-a-year lease. Highland Park has been talking about building a new, multi-use arts center that Apple Tree would anchor, but plans are not yet in place, according to Weston.

Boevers started the Eileen Boevers Performing Arts Workshop in 1970, then added the theatre component on in 1983. With all of the uncertainties about where they will be performing next fall, as well as planning for future seasons and bolstering subscriptions sales, Boevers decided that it was time to step aside.

“Apple Tree has reached the stage in its development where it needs a lot of attention and energy,” she said from her home last week.

Boevers said her choice to leave was a combination of factors. She's going to be 68 this year and her husband recently retired after 40 years of teaching. She was also diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and though she successfully finished treatment, she said she doesn't want to put all of her energy out toward running the theatre, she wants to put it into taking care of herself.

“When you get a diagnosis like that, it changes your priorities,” Boevers said. “My doctors said I could work—that I should work—but I don't think they realized the amount of stress involved in running an organization.

“I'm really feeling fine,” she added. “It's just a matter of reprioritizing my life.”

Boevers and her husband, Jerry, already have a couple of trips planned, and they plan to see more of their children, Jessica, who is an actress based in New York, and David, a professor at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh.