Pictured: Andrew Park 

Quest Theatre Ensemble has announced founding Artistic Director Andrew Park has stepped down and Elliott Fredland will assume the position of Interim Artistic Director of the 15-year- old company. Fredland has been a member of the Quest Board of Directors for most of its existence and also serves as the General Manager of The Side Project Theatre Company.

Elliot Fredland

Park, who announced news of his departure to the company in December, was named Artistic Director of the Nebraska Repertory Theatre as of January 2nd. His new position with the 45-year-old company includes an appointment to the faculty of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at the University of Lincoln-Nebraska. The Equity-affiliated Repertory theater has been on hiatus since 2014, but under Park’s leadership is expected to resume production this Fall.

Park directed most of the Quest’s 39 productions and conceived and authored many of them, including their original revues and pageants. Park was also artistic director of the John G. Shedd Aquarium where he wrote, directed, and produced the Shedd’s aquatic shows. He conceived and directed an opening spectacle for the 2005 Lollapalooza Music Festival and was artistic director for the Chicagoland Puppetry Guild’s Puppet Festival.

Quest Theatre Ensemble will continue its season as scheduled while the search for a new artistic director is underway. Their next production is the Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt musical THE FANTASTICKS which opens February 17th. For more information visit questensemble.org.