(Ames, Iowa) – Following a national search, Steve Peters, President of VenuWorks, has announced industry veteran Lynn Cannon as the new Executive Director of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Illinois.

“We are thrilled to relocate Lynn to Skokie to lead the Center’s dedicated team. Lynn has proven experience in executive venue management, marketing, booking, and operations. We are confident she will be a strong leader who will make a positive impact at the Center and in the Skokie community,” said Peters.

After a decade in the industry, Cannon joined the management team that opened the United Center in Chicago in 1994. In 2000, Cannon was hired as the Director of Guest Relations and Entertainment for Arlington Park Racecourse, responsible for on-track entertainment and the hiring and training of part-time seasonal staff. Most recently, Cannon served as the Executive Director of the VenuWorks-managed Grossinger Motors Arena (Bloomington, IL) followed by the Capital Region MU Health Care Amphitheater (Jefferson City, MO).

“It has been my privilege to lead operations at two different VenuWorks-managed venues over the last six years. I have been lucky many times in my career but none more so than now, as I am able to remain with VenuWorks as the new Executive Director of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Illinois and move back to my hometown in the Chicago area,” said Cannon.

The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts hosts an 867-seat mainstage theater and a convertible 318-seat theater and presents a Feature Series of entertainment spanning numerous genres and styles and an educational performing arts program, Youtheatre. The Center is home to Northlight Theatre, Music Theater Works, and numerous other cultural organizations.

“I am pleased that Lynn Cannon will serve as the new Executive Director of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie,” said Village Manager John Lockerby. “Her breadth of experience, which includes prior managerial positions at the United Center, Navy Pier, and Arlington Park Racecourse, will be of tremendous benefit to the Center and the community. She will lead the Center’s talented, dedicated team of professionals who work hard to provide the community and entire region with an exciting variety of entertainment options in a world-class facility.” Cannon will begin her role in Skokie on February 1st.