Nine new members join Court's artists council

Nine new members have joined Court Theatre's Associate Artists Council, including nationally known free-lance theatrical designer Anita Stewart.

Stewart has been awarded a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Theatre Communications Group to work with Court Theatre on developing new design strategies. She has designed sets and costumes for such companies as the Guthrie Theater, Portland Stage, Yale Repertory, Shakespeare Theatre (Washington, D.C.), American Repertory Theatre (Boston), Hartford Stage, Seattle Rep and New York Theater Workshop.

Also joining the Artists Council this season are Kate Collins and Linda Kimbrough, who most recently appeared in "The Triumph of Love" and "Cloud Nine"; Tanya White, who appeared in Court's "The Mystery Cycle"; Mary Zimmerman, who will direct "Frida: The Last Portrait," Court's final production of the 1993-94 season; and Gayland Spaulding, costume designer for "The Triumph of Love." Other new members are Susan Booth, the literary manager for Goodman Theatre; Laura Eason, an ensemble member of Lookingglass Theatre; and Suzanne Plunkett, a founding member of Lifeline Theatre.

Unique in Chicago, the Associate Artists Council is a group of independent artists who have been asked to explore how Court Theatre can best pursue its artistic mission. Artists participate in discussions about theater issues, aid in improving the collaborative process in making theater, gather information and research ideas, and schedule and participate in staged readings, in-house meetings and workshops.