Buffalo Theatre Ensemble announces new artistic leadership
Buffalo Theatre Ensemble announced Thursday that the co-founder of an off-Loop theater company will take over the artistic leadership of the company in-residence at Glen Ellyn’s McAninch Arts Center.
Gus Menary, co-founder and former artistic director of Chicago’s Jackalope Theatre Company, who most recently served as artistic director of Book-It Repertory Theatre in Seattle, takes over July 1 from longtime associate artistic director and interim managing artistic director Amelia Barrett. Barrett stepped in as BTE artistic leader after long-standing managing artistic director Connie Canaday Howard retired last year.
Menary takes over as managing artistic director on July 1.
Menary said he was “deeply honored” to join a “company comprised of some of the most talented artists and practitioners in the Chicagoland area.”
“I look forward to supporting and building on their decades-long legacy of creating vibrant professional theater at the McAninch Arts Center, the beating heart of the arts in DuPage County,” Menary said.
BTE named actor and stage manager Daniel Millhouse as associate artistic director. Millhouse, who has been working with the company since 2016, acted in BTE productions “The Wickhams,” “Miss Bennet” and “The 39 Steps,” and served as stage manager for “Naperville” and “Season’s Greetings.”
A co-founder and former managing director of Misalliance Repertory Theatre, Millhouse had been serving as associate artistic director under Barrett.
“Serving as BTE’s interim associate artistic director this past year has been an incredible honor. To now officially step into the role is both deeply meaningful and genuinely exciting,” said Millhouse in a prepared statement. “I am especially grateful for the chance to continue collaborating with Gus and the extraordinary BTE artists who inspire me with their talent and commitment every day.”
BTE’s 2025-2026 season commences Nov. 20 with “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley,” directed by Canady Howard.
Call (630) 942-4000 or visit atthemac.org for more information.