Kimberly Motes to Leave Chicago Shakespeare Theater for Hennepin Arts
Kimberly Motes will step down as executive director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater in November after three years, to become president and CEO of Hennepin Arts in Minneapolis.
Chicago, IL, October 22, 2026 —
Kimberly Motes will step down as executive director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater in November, concluding three years in the role, and will become president and CEO of Hennepin Arts in Minneapolis.
The leadership change moves Motes from the Chicago theater organization to a senior executive position at Hennepin Arts. The information provided does not specify the exact date in November when she will leave, when she is expected to begin her new role, or whether the two organizations have announced plans for a transition.
Details about the reasons for Motes’ departure, her work during her three years at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and her priorities at Hennepin Arts were not provided. No statement from Motes or either organization was included.
The name of an interim or permanent successor at Chicago Shakespeare Theater has not been provided. The available information also does not describe any changes to the theater’s programming or operations connected with the leadership transition.
Hennepin Arts is identified as the Minneapolis organization Motes will lead as president and CEO. Further information about the organization or the scope of her responsibilities there was not included in the announcement summary.
The confirmed details are limited to the timing of Motes’ departure—November—the length of her tenure at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and her next position at Hennepin Arts. Additional information about the transition and appointments was not available.
Story summarized from the original created by Mike Davis on www.wbez.org, see more information here.
