25TH ANNIVERSARY BRINGS BIG CHANGES

Storycatchers Theatre is the new name for Music Theatre Workshop (MTW). 920 N. Franklin St., Suite 302 is the new home for the company.

"The new name describes our mission and our process," said Meade Palidofsky, founder of MTW and Artistic Director of Storycatchers. "The company has grown and evolved over the last 25 years. The mission is the same: to engage young people in a creative exploration of their personal stories, in order to more fully understand and present issues important to all people. By using performing arts to help youth find their voices, connect to their life stories, and learn from their peers, Storycatchers enables them to set goals, link decisions to consequences, and develop a roadmap to success.

"I am excited that we have found a name and logo that says what we are," Palidofsky continued. "Like everything the company does, finding and choosing a new name was an ensemble effort; a very deliberate method. Board members, key supporters and of course, company artists spent months discussing, questioning, and finally coming to agreement. We discovered just how clear all of us are about the work we do together. The process was exhilarating."

As the company polished its new name and logo, Executive Director Nancy McCarty was also scouting new office space. "We loved our neighborhood in Rogers Park," she noted, "but we did not have the space we needed or easy access to our program sites. It was time to move."

"Our new office is close to Columbia College Chicago, Cabrini-Green, the Illinois Youth Center-Chicago and near expressway ramps. It is within walking distance of the Chicago stop on the Brown Line and lots of great places for lunch. Good food is important to a happy office."