Jennifer Avery (Interim Artistic Director) has been an Artistic Associate with Next for the past five years and performed in a number of Next productions, including The Love Song of J. Robert Oppenheimer, The Long Christmas Ride Home and most recently, War with the Newts. Jennifer brings a rich experience in arts administration, having served as Development Director and Managing Director for Roadworks Productions, the Director of Education at American Theater Company, and the assistant to the Executive Director of the Harris Music and Dance Theater. She is an Associate Artistic Director of Strawdog Theatre Company, where she has been a company member for the past 11 years.

Jim Davis (Producing Director) joined the Next Theatre Company staff in 2006 as Production Manager and has successfully produced the past four mainstage seasons, as well as the 2009-10 Season's Dark Night Series. Jim has several hundred productions on his resume that span over 25 years in the business, working here in Chicago, St. Louis, New York and on tour in off-Broadway, regional, stock, industrials, festivals and trade shows. Jim relocated to the Chicagoland area in the fall of 2006 from St. Louis, Missouri where he served as the Managing Director of St. Louis Shakespeare. Also while in St. Louis, Jim found time for a busy freelance career as a production manager for the Working Women's Survival Show, as well as a scenic and lighting designer. Currently, Jim is also in his third season as the Production Manager for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's WELCOME YULE, which is an annual holiday tradition for over 7500 Chiccagoans, produced at Symphony Center's Orchestra Hall. Jim is a proud Evanston resident and enjoys gardening in his spare time.

Julie Ganey(Outreach Director) is enjoying her 5th year as Outreach Director at Next Theatre. She has worked as an actress in Chicago for over 20 years, appearing at such theatres as Victory Gardens, Northlight, Goodman, Noble Fool, Shattered Globe and Drury Lane. She also regularly performs her original writing with Serendipity Theatre’s 2nd Story Performance Series. Through Wavelength, an award winning comedy ensemble that performs for educators, she has created and led workshops for teachers and executives all over the country on communication skills, bridging conflict and improvisation. In the classroom, Ms. Ganey has worked with students pre-K through college, and through American Girl Place, she has created and lead workshops for girls on self-esteem, manners, and money management skills. In addition, Ms. Ganey is a member of Actor ’s Equity Association (AEA) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA).

Production
Production Manager: Patrick Fries
Stage Managers: Nancy Staiger, Richard Lundy and Justin Argenio
Master Electrician: Mac Vaughey
Charge Scenic Artist: Coco Ree Lemery

Administrative
Insurance: Paczolt Financial Group
Accountants: Hugh Smith, Brook Weiner & Assoc.
Webmaster: Lee Keenan
Casting Assistant: Ozzie Totten
Public Relations: Shout Marketing and Media Relations

Artistic Associates
Jennifer Avery
David Cromer
Toy DiOrio
Diane Fairchild
Laura T. Fisher
Jennifer Gadda
Allen Gilmore
Cindy Gold
Sarah Gubbins
Tim Hendrickson
Scotty Iseri
Celise Kalke
Carson Kreitzer
Bill McGough
Michael Montenegro
Bill O’Connor
Justin D.M. Palmer
Keith Parham
Lisa Portes
Wendy Robie
Joshua Schmidt
Michelle Tesdall
Penelope Walker
Natalie West
Jacqueline Williams
Joseph Wycoff
Matthew J. York

Board of Directors
Judy Kemp, President
Jeff Emrich, Treasurer
Ann Zastrow, Secretary
Robert Andalman
Muriel Chalem
Arnold Kanter
Jordan Nerenberg
Greg Rothman
David Saunders
Ralph Segall
Linda Stevenson
Adrienne Voltattorni
John Wertymer