This evening at the post-show discussion of Redmoon’s collaboration with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Director Frank Maugeri toasted the newly appointed Redmoon Resident Artisit Jim Lasko as the City of Chicago’s Artist-in-Residence. Below is his speech that was given at the beginning of tonight’s opening night, post-show discussion. Nicholas Winter, the CSO’s Artistic Administrator, moderated the discussion. Artists on the stage for the post show discussion in the ballroom were: Redmoon Artistic Director Frank Maugeri, Resident Artist Jim Lasko, Chicago Actor Alex Balestrieri and CSO Maestro Alexander Polianichko.

“Dear Friends, I would like to take a moment of your time, please.
I am Frank Maugeri, Redmoon’s artistic director. I am proud to stand here before you this evening as a representative of Redmoon Theater.

It is an honor to have the opportunity to collaborate with such a prestigious institution like the CSO, to be able to perform with this orchestra and this evening’s Maestro. Redmoon is very grateful to be here.

This evening I also wanted to take a moment to toast my dear friend and a core artist of Redmoon, Jim Lasko. I have been with Redmoon going on fifteen years and I have been very lucky to work in collaboration and alongside Jim’s ambitious, brave, and visionary leadership. It was not until I held this position over the course of this last year of extraordinary programming that I really understood the sacrifices he made, the difficulty in his decision-making, and the power of the artistic vision he commanded— as Redmoon’s past artistic director, he has been a great teacher to many, a remarkable artist, a powerful leader and personally to me, a good friend. Recently Jim was appointed the nation’s first Artist-in-Residence for the City of Chicago.

This appointment is the first of it’s kind in the country: showcasing the city of Chicago’s commitment to innovation, art and culture. And calls attention to Jim’s vision and craft on a national level- a well deserved recognition. Long overdue.

I personally want to honor his achievement, and congratulate him on this position. There are few artists in our country who share Jim’s vision of public engagement, the necessity of public art, and the value of art in the fabric of a city’s culture, identity and well-being. He is a man who believes art can and should be an agent for change at a local, national and global level.

Jim, we honor you and your appointment. I am also grateful that Jim continues to serve as a core artist for Redmoon- as Redmoon’s Resident Artist, he continues participating in our artistic strategies and our artistic product.

Like much of our work this year, “Swan Lake” is the product of a collaboration with Jim’s ideas, direction, and artistic engagement.

Now I ask you to raise your glasses: on behalf of Redmoon, we toast you Jim; and to the Redmoon team, and to the City of Chicago, the most important arts city in the country.

Thank you.”