Goodman Theatre Celebrates the Life of Robert Christen on May 13, 4-6pm

On May 13, Goodman Theatre celebrates the life and creative contributions of Robert (Bob) Christen, its
longtime Resident Lighting Designer and one of the most prolific live performance designers in the country, who passed
away last month at age 64.

The Chicago-based Christen designed more than 100 productions at the Goodman over four
decades, and was the only designer to have worked under three artistic directors—William Woodman, Gregory Mosher and
Robert Falls. Among his extensive credits, Christen counts more than 30 premiere productions, including two plays by David Mamet (American Buffalo in 1975 and A Life in the Theatre in 1977); Marvin’s Room by Scott McPherson (also at the Kennedy Center, Playwright’s Horizon, Minetta Lane Theatre and in London’s West End) in 1990 and 1993; Rebecca
Gilman’s Spinning Into Butter (1999) and the 1978 original production of A Christmas Carol, and each production since. His final two productions took place earlier this season: Resident Director Chuck Smith’s production of Pullman Porter Blues by Cheryl L. West and A Christmas Carol, directed by Artistic Associate Henry Wishcamper.

The May 13 celebration, held in the Albert Theatre from 4-6pm followed by a reception, is open to all. Call 312.443.3800 for more information. In recognition of Christen’s 42 years at the Goodman, the theater names the Albert Theatre light booth in his honor. Those wishing to individually commemorate Christen can make a gift to the Goodman’s Endowing Excellence Campaign, a major initiative that ensures the Goodman as a place for innovation and mentorship—two principles central to his legacy as a leading lighting designer in his field.

To make a gift or for more information, please contact Amber Bel’cher at 312.443.3811 ext. 220 or AmberBelCher@GoodmanTheatre.org.

“Bob Christen was one of the most significant people in the history of the Goodman. In his brilliance as an artist combined
with his acumen as a master electrician, he was essential to everything we have achieved over the past four decades.” said
Executive Director Roche Schulfer. “His impact on theater, dance and music in Chicago and across the country is
immeasurable. Most importantly, Bob was a great friend, tremendous colleague and wonderful person.”

Christen was hired as Stage Electrician on December 8, 1972, and was quickly promoted to Master Electrician the following year.

From 1978 – 2014, he was the Goodman’s Resident Lighting Designer/Lighting Supervisor. Christen’s first
collaboration with Artistic Director Robert Falls was the 1979 production of Sam Shepard’s Curse of the Starving Class,
featuring John Malkovich and Glenne Headley, in the Goodman’s studio space. Over the years, he collaborated extensively
with current and former members of the Artistic Collective, including the late Michael Maggio, Frank Galati, David Petrarca, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith and Regina Taylor.

His New York credits include The Song of Jacob Zulu (on Broadway, Steppenwolf Theatre Company and at Perth
International Arts Festival, Australia); Wings at the Public Theatre; Sin at Second Stage Theatre and Mill Fire at the Women’s Project. Regional credits include designs at Hartford Stage, GeVa Theatre Center, Missouri Repertory Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre and the Music Theater of Wichita. In Chicago, Christen designed lighting for Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Northlight Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, Court Theatre, Chicago Opera Theater and Ravinia Festival. Dance lighting credits include new works by Lynne Taylor Corbett; Margo Sappington; Lou Conte at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, for which he designed and toured as lighting supervisor for seven years; Ballet Met in Columbus, Ohio, and lighting direction for the Joffrey Ballet. He also designed Symphony Center’s annual holiday spectacular, Welcome Yule.

Goodman Theatre Celebrates the Life of Robert Christen on May 13, 4-6pm Page 3 of 5
Longtime Resident Lighting Designer Credited with More Than 100 Productions
1984
Candida by George Bernard Shaw; directed by Munson Hicks | Mainstage
The Time of Your Life by William Saroyan; directed by D.W. Moffett (featured Remains Theatre ensemble)| Mainstage

1985 and 1986
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; adapted by Larry Sloan; directed by Sandra Grand | Mainstage
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; adapted by Larry Sloan; directed by Sandra Grand | Mainstage

1987
Sunday in the Park with George by Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine; directed by Michael Maggio | Mainstage
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; adapted by Larry Sloan; directed by Michael Maggio | Mainstage

1988
A Flea in Her Ear by Georges Feydeau; adapted by Frank Galati; directed by Michael Maggio | Mainstage
Lloyd’s Prayer by Kevin Kling; directed by David Petrarca (Remains Theatre production) | Studio
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; adapted by Larry Sloan; directed by Michael Maggio | Mainstage

1989
Mill Fire by Sally Nemeth; directed by David Petrarca | Studio*
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Steve Scott | Mainstage

1990
Marvin’s Room by Scott McPherson; directed by David Petrarca | Studio*
Gospel at Colonus by Lee Breuer (adapted by Sophocles); directed by Lee Breuer | Mainstage
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Steve Scott Mainstage

1991
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone by August Wilson; directed by Jonathan Wilson| Mainstage
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Steve Scott | Mainstage

1992
Home and Away written and performed by Kevin Kling; directed by Steven Dietz |Studio
Wings based on the play by Arthur Kopit; book/lyrics: Arthur Perlman; Music: Jeffrey Lunden; dir. Michael Maggio |Studio*
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Steve Scott | Mainstage

1993
Marvin’s Room by Scott McPherson; directed by David Petrarca | Mainstage
Brutality of Fact by Keith Reddin; directed by Michael Maggio | Studio
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Steve Scott | Mainstage

1994
The Ties That Bind: Watermelon Rinds/Inside the Belly of the Beast by Regina Taylor; dir. by Shirley Joe Finney | Studio*
Sin by Wendy MacLeod; directed by David Petrarca | Studio
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Chuck Smith | Mainstage

1995
Gertrude Stein: Each One as She May adapted and directed by Frank Galati | Studio
Another Midsummer Night music by Jeffrey Lunden; book/lyrics by Arthur Perlman; dir. by Michael Maggio | Mainstage*
Escape From Paradise by Regina Taylor; directed by Shirley Joe Finney | Studio
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Steve Scott |Mainstage

1996
Arcadia by Tom Stoppard; directed by Michael Maggio | Mainstage
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Chuck Smith |Mainstage

1997
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom by August Wilson; directed by Chuck Smith | Mainstage
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Henry Godinez |Mainstage

1998
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Henry Godinez |Mainstage

1999
Spinning Into Butter by Rebecca Gilman; directed by Les Waters |Studio*
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Henry Godinez |Mainstage

2000
Millennium Mambo curated and performed by Regina Taylor; by Kia Corthron, Adrienne Kennedy, Suzan-Lori Parks, Ntozake
Shange and Regina Taylor; directed by Henry Godinez |Studio*
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Henry Godinez | Mainstage

2001
The Amen Corner by James Baldwin; directed by Chuck Smith|Albert
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Henry Godinez | Albert

2002
The Gift Horse by Lydia R. Diamond; directed by Chuck Smith | Owen
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Henry Godinez | Albert

2003
By the Music of the Spheres by Carson Grace Becker and David Barr III; directed by Chuck Smith |Owen*
The Play About the Baby by Edward Albee; directed by Pam McKinnon | Owen
Edward Albee’s double bill of The Zoo Story directed by Lynn Bernatowicz and The Death of Bessie Smith directed by Chuck
Smith; Box, The Sandbox and Finding the Sun directed by Eric Rosen; and The Marriage Play by Louis Contey | Owen
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Kate Buckley | Albert

2004
Proof by David Auburn; directed by Chuck Smith|Owen
Mariela in the Desert by Karen Zacarías; directed by Henry Godinez | Owen*
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Kate Buckley | Albert

2005
The Story by Tracey Scott Wilson; directed by Chuck Smith| Albert
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Kate Buckley | Albert

2006
Crumbs From the Table of Joy by Lynn Nottage; directed by Chuck Smith |Owen***
Romance by David Mamet; directed by Pam McKinnon | Owen***
David Mamet’s The Duck Variations and Home directed by Louis Contey; Almost Done, Reunion and Dark Pony directed by
Ann Filmer; No One Will Be Immune directed by Steve Scott; and The Disappearance of the Jews and Jolly directed by Rick
Snyder | Owen
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by William Brown|Albert

2007
Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay Abaire; directed by Steve Scott| Albert***
The Cook by Eduardo Machado; directed by Henry Godinez | Owen
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by William Brown| Albert

2008
Talking Pictures by Horton Foote; directed by Henry Wishcamper | Owen
Horton Foote’s Blind Date directed by Steve Scott and The Actor directed by Rick Snyder | Owen

Ain’t Misbehavin’ by Richard Maltby Jr. and Murray Horwitz; directed Chuck Smith| Albert
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by William Brown| Albert

2009
The Good Negro by Tracey Scott Wilson; directed by Chuck Smith | Albert***
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by William Brown | Albert
2010
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by William Brown| Albert

2011
God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza; directed by Rick Snyder |Albert***
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Steve Scott| Albert

2012
Race by David Mamet; directed by Chuck Smith | Albert***
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; Steve Scott| Albert

2013
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage; directed by Chuck Smith| Albert***
Pullman Porter Blues by Cheryl L. West; directed by Chuck Smith| Albert***
A Christmas Carol adapted by Tom Creamer; directed by Henry Wishcamper| Albert