The Mercury Theater Prepares To Reopen, Christopher Chase Carter Named Artistic Director Carter collaborated on the theater's productions of Little Shop of Horrors and the Jeff Award nominated musical Hair.by BWW News Desk Mercury Theater Chicago announces reopening with new leadership. Mercury Theater owners have restructured for the future and are preparing the theater for a reopening. With this announcement comes exciting new leadership. Mercury Theater Chicago introduces Christopher Chase Carter as Artistic Director. Incoming Artistic Director Christopher Chase Carter returns to Mercury Theater Chicago where he collaborated on the hit productions of Little Shop of Horrors and the Jeff Award nominated musical Hair. Originally from Muskegon Michigan, Carter began his theater career in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he attended Grand Valley State University on scholarship. In 2005, Carter studied at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles. He continued his studies at the Edna Manley School in Kingston, Jamaica which inspired him to establish the Christopher Carter Arts Scholarship for underprivileged artists. Recently in Chicago, Carter has collaborated on the world-premiere musical Skates and is preparing to choreograph Children of Eden. He has been nominated and received the Joseph Jefferson Award, the Black Theater Alliance Award, Broadway World Award, the Black Excellence Award, and the Grand Rapids 'Grand' Award.