RANCH TRIANGLE — The stretch of Halsted Street in front of Steppenwolf Theatre might soon be named for the company's guiding light, Martha Lavey.
Lavey, a Steppenwolf ensemble member and former artistic director, died a month ago after suffering a stroke. But that set her up for an honorary street designation under the city's new rules disallowing the honor for any living person, and Ald. MIchele Smith (43rd) wasted no time submitting the proposal at Wednesday's City Council meeting.
Smith's ordinance would grant the honorary street name Martha Lavey Way to the stretch of Halsted between the northwest corner with North Avenue and the southwest corner with Willow Street.
Lavey joined the ensemble in 1993 and became artistic director two years later. She served in the post for 20 years, and Smith's accompanying resolution cites how Steppenwolf debuted Tracy Letts' "August: Osage County" and "Superior Donuts" under her leadership. It also says Lavey "was known for her impeccable ability to know and understand others, and always felt the urge to advocate for her competitors at the Chicago theater, of which she was incredibly passionate."
The honorary street designation goes before the Transportation Committee in the coming months ahead of final approval by the full City Council.
