CHICAGO: The Neo-Futurists have named native Jorge Silva as their new managing director. Silva will begin the new post on June 3.

“The Neo-Futurists are an ensemble-based company, upholding a unique mission and approach to creativity that keeps us vital and necessary,” said artistic director Kurt Chiang in a statement. “Jorge connects with and has a vision for every part of what we do and why we do it. Plus, he works hard to get stuff done. We’re lucky to have him on the team and to help grow the identity and life of the Neo-Futurists and the Infinite Wrench.”

Silva most recently held the position of producing coordinator for Goodman Theatre, where he curated programming and served as a liaison for the company’s community engagement projects. He is the former president of Teatrotaller, the country’s oldest student-led Latinx theatre company. Silva also has a history with the Neo-Futurists. Most recently he was the lighting designer for the company’s production of Remember the Alamo. He was a 2016 recipient of the company’s Neo-Access Scholarship, and has performed in the company’s experimental essay show The Arrow.

“As a native Chicagoan, it is my privilege to aid the Neo-Futurists on their continued mission to create radically inclusive, accessible theatre that serves our local communities,” said Silva in a statement. “For the longest time, I have admired of the Neo-Futurists for their innovative style—the company’s experimental aesthetic can speak so many artistic dialects, and it is that unique quality that initially drew me to them. But it is the inclusive, welcoming philosophy that kept me coming back as an audience member…then a scholarship recipient, a volunteer, a full-fledged performer, a designer, and now as managing director.”