BoHo Announces New Artistic Director

BoHo Theatre is excited to announce that Stephen Schellhardt will become BoHo’s new Artistic Director beginning next season. Schellhardt has been the Artistic Associate with the company since 2015. He assumes the position from outgoing Artistic Director Peter Marston Sullivan, who will remain with BoHo as the new Artistic Associate.

“While I have absolutely loved being a leader in this fantastic company for almost a decade,” Sullivan says, “I’m afraid it’s come to my attention that I have very little time to do anything other than theatre! Due to my recent nuptials, I thought it might be advantageous to spend a little more time with my wife.”

Peter Marston Sullivan has helmed the company since 2010, when he took over for founding Artistic Director Steve Genovese. During his time as Artistic Director, Sullivan has steered BoHo through a number of major changes. Early in his tenure, he helped retool the company’s mission to focus more specifically on interpersonal relationships. During this time, BoHo also left behind the 30-seat Heartland Studio in Rogers Park to produce more consistently on larger stages at Theater Wit, Stage 773, and the Greenhouse Theater Center. Under his leadership, BoHo has been recognized with 59 Jeff Award nominations. As Artistic Director, Sullivan directed BoHo’s acclaimed productions of Big River, Icarus, Pippin, Floyd Collins, Kiss Of The Spider Woman, Amadeus, and Dogfight. He will also direct 110 in the Shade, which will close out BoHo’s 2018 season this fall.

“Leading a company is not easy,” says BoHo Executive Director Meg Love, “but Peter has made every day fun, exciting, and fulfilling. I am happy that he will remain in the company and continue to give so generously of artistic talents.”

Taking over for Sullivan, Stephen Schellhardt first worked with BoHo on its 10th anniversary celebration in 2014. He became BoHo’s Artistic Associate soon after. His productions with BoHo include Dogfight (choreographer – Jeff nominated), Fugitive Songs (assistant director), Urinetown (director – Jeff nominated), and creating and directing BoHo’s ongoing cabaret series at Stage 773. Previously, he served as Producer and Casting Director at Writers Theatre in Glencoe, and has directed and choreographed at Timber Lake Playhouse, Summer Theatre of New Canaan, and Ars Nova in New York City. He is a founding member of The Chicago Artists Chorale and a proud graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama. Currently, Schellhardt is a faculty member at Northwestern, where he recently directed the 87th Annual Waa-Mu show. He is also producing and directing BoHo’s freedom-themed summer cabaret The Open Road.

“I am humbled by the trust that the talented, dedicated and energetic Company and Board has placed in me,” Schellhardt says. “I am excited to continue growing BoHo and introducing fresh, inventive programming. In addition to our cabaret series, I am also captivated by the idea of establishing a play-reading series, master classes, and educational outreach for young, aspiring creatives.

Schellhardt also emphasizes his commitment to finding a new permanent theatre space for the company. Over the past three years, the company has been fundraising while actively looking for an adaptable theatre venue to call home. “BoHo is a family,” he says, “and it would be fantastic to establish a landing place where actors and creative artists can return and continue their relationship with us for years to come.”

“I am very excited for this transition,” says Love. “I think the infusion of new blood in leadership positions always holds such promise for new energy and ideas. Stephen brings with him a wealth of knowledge and talent. He has a unique artistic viewpoint that I think is exuberant, fresh and smart. But most of all, he is a joyful human being who so clearly makes the relationships in his life his greatest priority.”

BoHo will close out its 2018 season with 110 in the Shade, directed by Peter Marston Sullivan, at Theater Wit September 27 through December 17. BoHo’s 2019 season, marking the company’s 15th anniversary, will be announced later this month.

Why did our Artistic Director choose DOGFIGHT?

DIRECTOR PETER MARSTON SULLIVAN REVEALS WHY DOGFIGHT MOVES HIM

"The first time I listened to Dogfight, I was on a road trip on my own, listening to potential musicals for our 2015 season. When I finally popped in the cast recording, I listened to it three times in a row, each time growing more confident that this show was perfect for BoHo.

Dogfight starts as a party – dynamic full-cast numbers bursting with energy. The music is melodic and funny, driven and exciting. As I listened, I found myself caught up in the fun of the soldiers… then I slowly began to realize that this “fun” was misguided. I almost felt guilty for enjoying it at the start. But as the songs became increasingly haunting and heartbreaking, the show revealed itself to be an awkward yet charming love story. One woman, Rose – an ungainly, naive wallflower - has such purity in heart and spirit that she trusts, forgives, and ultimately loves unconditionally. Though perhaps not gorgeous in a conventional way, it became very clear to me that she is by far the most beautiful person in the show.

Peter Marston Sullivan leads the Dogfight cast in rehearsal

The response from our Dogfight audiences so far has been overwhelmingly positive. Yet there are still many people that have been wary of the show because of its central premise: a dogfight. One of BoHo’s staunchest supporters told me, “I knew what a dogfight was and found it repulsive.” And she’s right - it is. What I found so profoundly moving about this show - more so than the fantastic music and script - was how there was pure beauty to be found amongst this backdrop of repulsion. At a time, the 1960s, when we were so sure, so proud, and ultimately so naïve, when dogfights were commonplace and over 50% of the population had never heard of Vietnam, amidst all of that, there is one sole spark of beauty that contrasts all of the ugliness. The fact that it comes from someone that these Marines characterize as “a dog” is, in its own way, ironic and powerful.

In case you’re wondering what that same supporter felt after watching the show, her words may say it best: "Vietnam is part of my history, my era. Dogfight was sometimes outright painful to watch – even without the dogfight. Recalling how very certain all of us were, whatever our beliefs, it’s just heartbreaking. BoHo never flinched from that. It takes immense art and sensitivity to tell this story. You helped the audience find beauty [in it.]”

When you see BoHo’s Dogfight, what awaits you is a story that grabs you right from the start with energy and enthusiasm, laughter and immensely likable characters. What you leave with, I hope, is a feeling of beauty and love, comfort in the fact that even when there is ugliness all around us, there is always beauty to be found. This is why I love this show. This is why I wanted to tell this story.”


Peter Marston Sullivan
BoHo Theatre Artistic Director

From the Desk of the Executive Director: February, 2014

Welcome to February:
On Saturday, February 15, BoHo Theatre proudly opened the second show of our Landmark 10th Season: AMADEUS, directed by our Artistic Director, Peter Marston Sullivan. The show opened to a sold out house and so far it’s been very well received. The cast, production team, company, and board then met up at Cooper's, located across the street from Stage 773 for an after-party to celebrate this phenomenal opening event. 

Producing at Stage 773 has been a wonderful experience thus far. Their welcoming lobby and concession stand has been an outstanding place for our guests to meet, mingle, and share their BoHo experience before, during, and after the show.

Have you seen AMADEUS? Consider sharing your thoughts with us in the comments section below. We’d love to hear your feedback about the performance.

AMADEUS runs through March 16 at Stage 773. Get your tickets today!





Welcome New Company Member: Molly Layton.

Molly came on board as a pilot company member and immediately jumped into her new position as BoHo's newest Casting Coordinator. She, alongside our Casting Associate Stephanie Sullivan, supervised the casting process for both AMADEUS and our upcoming production of MYTHS AND HYMNS. Later this year, Molly will join our production team for MYTHS AND HYMNS as a Production Assistant and will support our efforts to bring this extraordinary musical from inception to performance. 

Please join me in welcoming Molly to our family!

BoHo Is Now Hiring

BoHo is currently accepting directing proposals for our final production of the 10th season: PARADE. Please visit our ad on OffStageJobs.com for more information. Be sure to submit soon! The deadline is fast approaching.

Additionally, BoHo is currently seeking a Scenic Designer/Technical Director for MYTHS & HYMNS. Interested persons should contact us directly. Please include a copy of your resume and a link to your online portfolio (if applicable). We will follow up with an interview in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Being Bohemian: Peter Marston Sullivan

BoHo Theatre's Artistic Director Peter Marston Sullivan, on what it means to be bohemian:

From my first project with BoHo, to my latest production of Kiss of the Spider Woman, being Bohemian has always meant finding connections with artists and audience through intimate storytelling, and fostering a process wherein artists are allowed not only to explore, but also to learn, grow, make mistakes, and create new bonds with those that strive daily to tell a story that challenges and changes an audience. Being Bohemian, to me, means looking internally at my past, my present, and my future - those elements that have created who I am today, and exploring the human elements of truth, beauty, freedom and love within my own life - my own story. It is the search for these pillars within my own life, and how they connect me to others, that makes me Bohemian.

Looking back at my years with BoHo, I certainly remember productions that were successful, and find pride in the work that I've been a part in creating. But... more importantly, I remember moments and stories with the artists I worked with and the audience that I feel shared that journey with me. I remember the opening of the first show I directed for BoHo, I remember endless nights debating shows, I remember laughing with casts, company members, and audience, I remember closings of shows and dramatic (and frightening!) openings... I remember moments that have created a bond with cast, company, friends, audience - all of which are now family. While I certainly remember challenges of tech, or clashes of ideas and personalities, these are all overshadowed by moments of pride and companionship with friends and family that came together to make something special.

Being Bohemian, to me, means eradicating boundaries that separate me from others - whether ideology, gender, race, religion, or orientation. For me, it has meant discovering what connects me to others - what makes us all the same at our core. There are some essential elements that bind us all together, and through telling a story, and the process of creating that story, I have found that being Bohemian means understanding how differences are just as powerful and as wonderful as similarities... how passion for a story and the sharing of that story demolishes all boundaries in order to come face to face with the core human values that we all share.

Throughout BoHo Theatre's milestone 10th Season, BoHo company members will be revealing what being "bohemian" means to them. What does Bohemianism and BoHo Theatre mean to you? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook!

From Artistic Director, Peter Marston Sullivan: A Note of Thanks

Peter Blair (left) and Peter Marston Sullivan (right)
during Tech Week for BoHo Theatre's
Floyd Collins

"I just want to make sure you understand what you're getting in to..."

I distinctly remember the moment when I received the phone call asking me to be the next Artistic Director of BoHo Theatre. I suppose it's not something you easily forget. After surviving the initial phases of elation and fear, I realized that I was tasked to unearth an Executive Director; a partner that would challenge, collaborate and create with me as BoHo ventured into a new era. The decision was immediate and obvious, but the task of convincing would, surely, be a daunting one. It is a role that requires an intense amount of passion, time, leadership, intelligence, and most importantly... patience.

I was taken aback by the willingness of Peter Blair to step into the Executive Director position after minimal convincing. Perhaps it was the company itself that drew him in. Or, perhaps it was an opportunity to do something truly remarkable as a team that we had considered many years ago when I was but an intern and he a stage manager. Even with my words of warning about the workload, the stress, the heartache and the often thankless work that lay ahead... he accepted the position, and at that moment I knew BoHo's future would be bright.

Two Peter's in an award winning picture

The two years that followed are now a blur, but in that time we created a multitude of stories and memories together. We've shared long days building sets and painting walls, and even longer nights debating shows, casts and budgets... From the first sound collage of GHOSTS, to the final silhouette of FLOYD COLLINS... the moments of anguish, sorrow, strife and stress are greatly overshadowed by those moments of joy, revelry, laughter and success. As the lights dimmed down on Floyd, I knew it was the end of this chapter, and I could not be more proud of what we've achieved.

Though we are an ensemble, there are those that pass among us that provide the kind of leadership and friendship that allows us to learn, to grow, and to become exemplary through their guidance. It has been an honor and a joy to work alongside Peter these past two seasons, and while I look forward to this new chapter for BoHo, I cannot help but to look back at the accomplishments and, most importantly, the friendship this past chapter has fostered. To an amazing leader, artist, and friend... thank you.

-- Peter Marston Sullivan - Artistic Director, BoHo Theatre


Click here to read the full press release.

BoHo Theatre - A Story of Success

As the curtain closes on 2011, I am left to reflect upon the year that has passed. Without a moment’s hesitation, I know this year has been a profound success for BoHo. Yet, as soon as I make this proclamation, I’m forced to question what defines “success” for a company such as ours. 

Is it the box office sales for one show or the critical acclaim of another? Is it the growth we’ve achieved or the continued artistic quality of the productions we produce? Is it simply surviving in a challenging economic environment long enough to see the dawn of another show? I believe it is, in part, all of these… but there’s more than that to being bohemian. 

I used to measure personal success by the shows I was fortunate enough to be a part of. Success was measured in the roles I played, or in the reviews I received. Instead, I now find myself remembering the stories shared and the community created through each process. Each story connects me to others, whether they’re a part of the company, the process, or the community. Each story deepens relationships I already have or generates new ones. I believe the same goes for our company. Each story we tell strengthens our connections to the artists we work with, the audiences we share with, and the community we create with. 

Success for me, and for our company, is not measured in numbers. Rather, it is found in the relationships we create and cultivate through the process of storytelling. As long as we continue to share our explorations of truth, beauty, freedom, and love with artists and audiences alike in hopes of finding those essential human elements that connect us all, I will consider every year a success.

-- Peter Marston Sullivan, Artistic Director of BoHo Theatre