Victory Gardens (2011) (A)

Seven Chicago artists armed with a light board and $6,000 founded Victory Gardens Theater in 1974. Among the group were Dennis Zacek and Marcelle McVay, a young married couple who had met at Northwestern University five years prior. Zacek and McVay committed their lives to the theater, becoming its first artistic director and managing director respectively. From the beginning, the mission of the organization was to support the talents of local actors, directors, designers, and playwrights. The identity of the theater grew out of their personal relationships with artists, staff, and audiences. After 35 years as Artistic Director, Zacek announced his departure in 2010. McVay, Managing Director of 33 years, had left in 2009, after a series of disagreements with the board of directors. The couple had intended to retire together, but out of concern for the theater’s future after McVay’s departure, the board asked Zacek to stay longer. Despite a loyal subscriber base, newly renovated theater