Russ Tutterow, who has served as the artistic director for Chicago Dramatists for 30 years, will resign from his position. Tutterow, who has been on medical leave since August 2014, will serve as artistic director emeritus and focus on contributing in a consultative capacity.

Meghan Beals, who served as associate artistic director at Chicago Dramatists from 2010-12, will step in immediately as interim artistic director of the organization. Beals previously served as artistic associate at the Pearl Theatre Company, literary manager and dramaturg at Northlight Theatre, project associate for First Look Repertory at Steppenwolf and curator and producer for the Chicago Park District's Culture, Arts and Nature department.

"For more than three decades, Chicago Dramatists has been a place I call home and it will continue to be as I move into an emeritus role," Tutterow said in a statement. "As I pass the torch to Meghan, I’m excited about the direction our organization is taking in blending the traditions that made us successful with a pioneer approach that will take our work into the future. Meghan shares the same passion I have for bringing new stories to life that make an important impact, and I look forward to working with her again."

"I am so pleased to return to Chicago Dramatists to work with Russ and the playwrights again," added Beals. "Russ has been a tremendous mentor to me over the years, and it's an honor to take on this responsibility. I look forward to collaborating with Russ, managing director Cindy Lantz and the board during the next year to ensure the company's well-deserved longevity and service to the writers."

Established in 1979, Chicago Dramatists is dedicated to nurturing playwrights, developing new plays and enriching the national theatre repertory. The organization has worked with Tina Fey ("30 Rock," "Saturday Night Live"), Rebecca Gilman (Spinning Into Butter, Boy Gets Girl), Lydia R. Diamond (The Bluest Eye, Stick Fly) and Brett Neveu (Red Bud, American Dead). Visit chicagodramatists.org for more information.