Ricardo Gutierrez is new artistic director at Teatro Vista

Ricardo Gutierrez

Photo: courtesy of Teatro Vista

Eddie Torres will step down as artistic director of Teatro Vista, passing the torch to ensemble member Ricardo Gutierrez, the theater announced today. Effective immediately, the two will serve as co-artistic directors for a transition period lasting through March 1, after which Gutierrez will take full rein.

Torres, an actor and director who's led the Latino-focused company for 15 years, has an increasing number of outside directing gigs on his plate, including the upcoming How Long Will I Cry?: Voices of Youth Violence for Steppenwolf for Young Adults and the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegria Hudes's The Happiest Song Plays Last at the Goodman. He'll remain involved with Teatro Vista as an ensemble member.

Gutierrez, who directed Candido Tirado's Momma's Boyz for Teatro Vista last season and also appeared as an actor in Tirado's Fish Men at the Goodman, will direct Teatro Vista's fall offering, the world premiere of Matthew Paul Olmos's i put the fear of méxico in ’em, at Chicago Dramatists November 2–December 9.