Linda Fortunato
Artistic Director
Beginning her role as Artistic Director at Theatre at the Center in January 2016, Linda Fortunato has been nominated for five Joseph Jefferson Awards for her work as a choreographer and director. She received both the Equity and Non-Equity Jeff Award for Outstanding Choreography in the 2013-2014 season, garnering Theatre at the Center their first award for her Choreography of 42nd Street. In addition to her award-winning work on 42nd Street, Fortunato has been involved with over a dozen shows at Theatre at the Center, including choreographing Spamalot, Big Fish, A Christmas Carol, Guys and Dolls, Crazy for You, Fiddler on the Roof; performing in Lend Me a Tenor, The Diary of Anne Frank, and directing A Christmas Story.
Fortunato's other directing and choreography credits include work at BoHo Theatre, Peninsula Players, Marriott Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Timeline Theatre, Writers Theatre, American Players Theatre, Provision Theatre, Remy Bumppo, Lakeshore Theatre, Famous Door, New Tuners, Riverfront Theatre, The Lamb's Theatre-NY, and dozens of productions at Chicago-area High Schools and Colleges. Her performance credits include roles at Marriott Theatre, Peninsula Players, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Drury Lane Evergreen Park, Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, Fulton Opera, Chicago Dramatists, American Eagle, and Candlelight Playhouse.
Linda Fortunato has taught in the Theatre Department at Loyola University, and 10 years teaching in the Theatre Department at Columbia College. She graduated summa cum laude from Millikin University with a BFA in Theatre and a minor in Dance. Linda spent two seasons as Business Manager of Peninsula Players Theatre and is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SDC) and Actors Equity Association (AEA). She lives in Evanston with her husband, actor Sean Fortunato, and their 11-year-old son.