The Theatre of Western Springs (TWS) welcomes Kurt Naebig as its new Artistic Director. Naebig will direct the final play of the current season, the female version of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple.” For the 82nd season (2010-2011), he will shape the artistic vision of the theatre, direct five plays, teach the studio class for new actors, and act as liaison to the community at large. He assumes leadership April 1, 2010.

“TWS did a nationwide search for an artistic director and received approximately 100 applications from well qualified candidates,” said Sandra Rasnak, chairwoman of the Artistic Director Search Committee. “We believe Mr. Naebig's vision, energy, and commitment to the community makes him the ideal person to assist TWS in its mission to entertain, to educate, and to inspire across the generations through the art of live theatre."  

Naebig brings a wealth of experience to the Theatre of Western Springs. He has extensive directing experience and currently is directing the second Forum production at the Theatre of Western Springs - The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, which will run Feb. 11-21, 2010. Other directing credits are many, and a few of his favorites are The Melville Boys, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Nocturne, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, The Country Club, Fuddy Meers, Sylvia, and Lost in Yonkers.

“I am so flattered to be the choice of one of the most well respected community theatres in the country,” Naebig said. “It’s a dream come true to find a home where I can work closely with a talented group of dedicated artists. TWS fills that bill and more. ”

“The board members, including me, feel that Kurt will bring vitality and enthusiasm to our theatre,” said Dave Bremer, chairman of the TWS Board of Governors. “His skills as a director and teacher will be of great benefit to all areas of TWS.”

Naebig is also a professional actor and favorite acting roles include Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire, Merrick in The Elephant Man, Einstein in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Joe in Golden Boy, and Kipps in The Woman in Black. Film roles include Road to Perdition, The Express, Witless Protection, Dillinger, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer and in 2009, he played a G-man in the Johnny Depp/Christian Bale/Michael Mann film, Public Enemies. He can be seen in the upcoming remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street. On television, Naebig has appeared in multiple episodes of Prison Break and ER.

A young (very young) businessman

Kurt Naebig was born in Chicago, and growing up, he was always business oriented and ambitious as shown by his numerous paper routes, jobs at flea markets and selling produce door to door.

At age 11, Naebig got on his first skateboard, and life was never quite the same. He began competing around the Midwest and winning in multiple events. At the same time he was selling skateboard equipment out of his house. Eventually sales became too numerous to continue from home, and he and a friend, Tim Schutt, opened a store called "Wheels of Progress" in Oak Park, Illinois. Naebig was 13, and Schutt was 15 years old.

The story of “Wheels of Progress” and its owners appeared in People Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, National Geographic World, and the Weekly Reader. Television coverage happened, too, from the Chicago networks to Good Morning America.

When the skateboard boom ended in the late 1970s, another passion replaced it – acting. He studied acting in Chicago under the tutelage of Jane Brody who recognized his talent and encouraged him to work professionally.

He auditioned for and was accepted to Juilliard in New York from which he graduated in 1990. Following further study at the Moscow School of the Arts in Russia, Naebig returned to Chicago and soon began working in film, television, voice-over and onstage with theatres such as Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Milwaukee’s Pabst Theatre, National Jewish Theatre, Portland Stage and Buffalo Theatre Ensemble.

Naebig became a teacher at The Audition Studio (later named Acting Studio Chicago, which was run by Jane Brody and Rachel Patterson. Brody made the decision to teach at the college level, and she offered the school to Naebig and Patterson. They ran the school together for six years, and Naebig continues to teach acting there.

Naebig and his wife Myra live with their daughters in Lombard.