CHICAGO: The Goodman Theatre has named Jamal Howard the 2023 Michael Maggio Directing Fellow. Howard will assist on a Goodman production as a member of the theatre’s artistic team.
“Jamal’s work is so deliciously wide-ranging — from making work for the very young, to choreographing and directing great contemporary texts,” Goodman artistic director Susan V. Booth said in a statement. “It’s this expansive curiosity and practice that renders him such a compelling artist, and one we feel so fortunate to have join us this year at the Goodman.”
The season-long Maggio Fellowship, an opportunity for an early-career director, was established in 2002. It is named for the late Goodman associate artistic director Michael Maggio, who directed 22 productions at the Goodman and over 60 nationwide.
A Chicago-based director and choreographer, Howard is the co-artistic director of New American Folk Theatre and an associate company member with TUTA Theatre. At the Goodman, Howard choreographed Masks Off for the 2021-22 Playwrights Unit. His directing credits include work at Porchlight Music Theatre, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, Right Angle Entertainment, Children’s Theater of Madison, Emerald City Theatre, where he was previously associate artistic director. Howard is currently directing Michael Gene Sullivan’s The Great Khan at Redtwist Theatre and choreographing Jonathan Larson’s tick, tick…BOOM! for BoHo Theatre.
“This is an honor that makes me feel that I’ve solidified myself as a Chicago theatre director and that the Goodman will be a new artistic home for me,” Howard said in a statement. “I hope my work inspires audiences to lead a more empathetic life, and I want to inspire the artistic community to think more about how we can make art responsibly by leading with empathy and collaboration.”
Founded in 1925, the Goodman Theatre is an arts and community organization distinguished by the excellence and scope of its artistic programming. The Goodman’s artistic priorities include new play development, large scale musical theatre works, and reimagined classics. The Goodman also frequently serves as a production and program partner with national, international, and Chicago companies. As of 2019, the theatre had a budget of approximately $32.9 million.
