Photo of the Auditorium Theatre by Tatyana Perrault.

Photo by Cheryl Mann

The Auditorium Theatre announced today that CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko will be departing the organization at the end of July to take up a post at the Miami City Ballet as its Executive Director. Castroverde Moskalenko was raised in Miami, and the opportunity to lead the renowned ballet company brings her closer to family.

The Auditorium says it has experienced a significant financial turnaround under Castroverde Moskalenko’s leadership, projecting an end to Fiscal Year 2018 in August with a surplus. The creation of a programming department in January of 2017 has led to a 20% increase in the theater’s use and is projected to increase again next season.

A new hire will be critical in preparing the venue for the departure of the Joffrey Ballet, who announced last fall that they will leave the Auditorium in 2020 for the Lyric Opera House. Chief Financial Officer Rachel Freund will serve as Interim CEO while the Board of Directors conducts its search for a replacement. Freund joined the Auditorium in June of 2017 after 15 years at Steppenwolf.

“I am deeply saddened to leave the Auditorium Theatre and the city of Chicago, a city that truly understands the transformational powers of the performing arts,” Castroverde Moskalenko said. “It has long been a dream of mine to return to Miami and be closer to my parents after over 30 years apart. This move does not diminish my passion for the Auditorium, its mission, its dedicated Board of Directors, and its fantastic staff, and I will forever remain one of the theatre’s strongest supporters.”

“Tania and I have shared a common vision of enhancing the Auditorium Theatre’s reputation as one of the premier cultural institutions of our great city,” Board Chair John Svoboda said. “Our committed Board of Directors and theatre staff have made significant strides towards achieving that goal in many ways. Tania will be missed as we continue our mission, and we thank her for reinvigorating and strengthening the Auditorium Theatre during her tenure. We wish her all the best as she returns home to Miami.”