Marissa McKown

Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department alum Marissa McKown ’04, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s Theatre Directing program, has been named managing director of the 16th Street Theatre in the Chicago suburb of Berwyn. McKown, originally from Indiana, previously served as managing director of the Oak Park Festival Theatre and also worked for several years at Steppenwolf Theatre. At the 16th Street Theatre, she will be in charge of development and fundraising activities, budgeting and finances, sponsorships, and education and community outreach. Located in the Berwyn Cultural Center at 6420 16th St. in Berwyn, the 16th Street Theatre is a program of the North Berwyn Park District. Dedicated to artistic excellence, professionalism (paying artists a decent wage), diversity and affordability, the 16th Street Theatre exists to encourage debate, discussion and compassion through the medium of intimate and diverse theater with the playwright as its central focus.