Johanna McKenzie Miller is a Jeff Award-winning director, performer, playwright and arts leader, and now the new Artistic Director at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre. (Photo credit: Brandon Dahlquist)
Children from the Metropolis School of the Performing Arts star in the sold out run of Mary Poppins: A Staged Concert. (Photos by Jen Heim)
“We are thrilled to have Johanna at the artistic helm,” says Jill Geimer, who assumed her role as president of the board of Metropolis in August, following the successful leadership of Steve Daday for the last nine years.
“Her passion, vision, and deep connection to the Chicago theater community will shape Metropolis for years to come,” Geimer added.
In fact, McKenzie Miller has been involved in directing some of the area’s most popular musicals, including Cinderella at Metropolis, Shrek at Music Theater Works in Skokie, co-directing Beautiful at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, with Jim Corti; and Steel Magnolias at the Drury Lane Theater, which won the Jeff Award for Best Ensemble Play-Large in 2022, to name just a few.
Her onstage credits include work at the Marriott Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Court Theatre, the Goodman Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. McKenzie Miller also is a co-founder of Lombard Children’s Theater Workshop and She Inspires Productions.
Mary Poppins: A Staged Concert followed the successful formula of last year’s Music Man in Concert.
“I’ve been searching for ways to change the landscape of how we traditionally tell stories in musical theater,” McKenzie Miller says. “One way is through casting — inviting people of different backgrounds and lived experiences into the room to tell all stories.
“There also is a great need to introduce new stories and to look at classics with a modern perspective,” she adds. “As Artistic Director, I have the opportunity to shape that evolution in a meaningful way.”
McKenzie Miller started March 3, during the 25th anniversary season of Metropolis and following a sold-out run of Mary Poppins: A Staged Concert. The season next features Rock of Ages in May, directed by Derek Van Barham, Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise in July, by Tony Award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig.
As Artistic Director, McKenzie Miller will lead artistic programming and collaborate on season planning, cultivate and maintain relationships with artists; as well as oversee the Metropolis’ School of the Performing Arts and day-to-day artistic operations of the staff and organization.
Sophie Tucker, right, a Prospect High School sophomore and product of the Metropolis School of the Performing Arts,, performs in the ensemble.
McKenzie Miller says she plans to expand Metropolis’ reach through professional-level training for children and adults in the School of the Performing Arts; She also seeks to develop a new concert, cabaret, and comedy series as well as develop a new Theater for Young Audiences program.
“I had the pleasure of working with Johanna on Cinderella,” says David Victor, Executive Director of Metropolis. “I was immediately struck by her artistic vision and collaborative spirit. She understands the heart of storytelling and the importance of making theater accessible, inclusive and engaging.”
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