MUDLARK NAMES CHRISTINA LEPRI-STRINGer EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Christina’s New Role

Mudlark Theater is proud to announce that its Board of Directors has appointed Christina Lepri-Stringer as the organization’s next Executive Director, as it looks ahead to its next chapter serving children, families, and the Evanston community. This transition follows the news that current Executive Director Ian Frank has been chosen as the Producing Artistic Director of Shattered Globe Theatre in Chicago starting in June.

“Stepping into this role feels like the natural next step for myself and for Mudlark,” said Lepri-Stringer. “Ian and I have spent the last three years laying the groundwork for Mudlark’s long and bright future, and I am thrilled to continue that work with our incomparable staff, board, and supporters. While we will miss Ian, we know firsthand what his leadership can bring so we expect exceptional things from him at Shattered Globe.”

Lepri-Stringer, who has served as Mudlark’s Artistic Director since 2023, will step into a newly expanded role that combines her artistic leadership with key executive responsibilities. In addition to continuing to guide Mudlark’s artistic vision, she will oversee fundraising, community relationships, marketing, and long-term financial sustainability.

“Christina is an exceptional leader with the rare ability to bring creative vision and operational excellence together,” said Amanda Dunn Kelly, Mudlark’s Board President. “Expanding Christina’s role reflects her deep commitment to Mudlark’s mission, her strong leadership, and her gift for building real community. We’re excited to support Christina as she leads Mudlark forward - continuing to build this special space and setting the organization up for the next 20 years of impact.”

This transition marks a significant milestone in Mudlark’s evolution and reflects the strength of the organization following a remarkable three years led by Lepri-Stringer and Frank. Together, they guided Mudlark from pandemic-era uncertainty to a position of stability and growth, despite the ongoing challenges faced by nonprofit arts organizations nationwide.

During their shared tenure, Mudlark achieved a series of transformative accomplishments:

• Renovated its performance space, doubling seating capacity

• Grew Mudlark’s unique unconditional, sliding-scale tuition model that ensures every child can participate 

• Increased pay and benefits for staff and teaching artists

• Expanded partnerships throughout the Evanston and the surrounding area

• Launched a new alumni initiative connecting participants from the past 21 years

• More than doubled the size and impact of the annual gala, Larkabout

• Strengthened and expanded its Board of Directors

• Welcomed its first alumni director to lead a mainstage production

• Revived beloved programming, including the Mudpie show, created in partnership with young writers from across the community

• Continued its tradition of free Summer Shakespeare at Ridgeville Park, this summer featuring two productions with local high school actors and community members

These successes were made possible in large part by increased funding from donors and supporters. Continued investment from these groups will be essential as Mudlark builds on this momentum.

“Anyone who knows Christina knows that Mudlark is in such excellent hands,” said outgoing Executive Director Ian Frank. “There’s good reason she is so trusted and beloved by Mudlark families, and this change only strengthens this unique and important Evanston organization.”

Mudlark Theater remains deeply committed to its mission and 21 year legacy of empowering young people to find their voices and connect through theater, and looks ahead with confidence under Lepri-Stringer’s leadership.