The Board of Directors of Chicago Opera Theater announced it will launch a national search to replace Ashley Magnus, Stefan Edlis, and Gael Neeson General Director, who departs the company effective Friday, March 3, 2023.

Magnus will be leaving the Chicago area to unite her family in Southwest Michigan where she and her husband opened the River Trade Brewing Company in Constantine, MI.

She has served Chicago Opera Theater for seven and half years, including as General Director since January 2019. Chicago Opera Theater Director of Development Meaghan Stainback Smallwood has been named the Interim General Director.

In a statement the board president Susan J. Irion said, “COT’s board and staff will miss Ashley very much but support her decision. Ashley provided outstanding leadership and expertly secured solid financial footing for COT. Now as COT continues its 50th-anniversary celebration, our board has full confidence in Meaghan’s ability to bridge the transition from Ashley’s tenure.”

Magnus added, “I am so grateful for the time I’ve spent at Chicago Opera Theater. The collaboration with world-class artists and creators, fantastic colleagues on staff and the board, and partnership with visionary donors and community partners has been life-changing for me. Working so closely with Lidiya Yankovskaya to shape the future of opera in Chicago and the field has been a particular highlight – I am incredibly proud and honored of all this organization has accomplished in these 7 years. COT is such an exciting company; I cannot wait to attend future performances and continue to support this organization.”