“even in a play about the most real of circumstances, she manages to create stage magic. “ - Rescripted
Chika V. Ike is a new york and chicago Based theatre directoR and dramaturg. She specializes in Classics, New Play Development, and Musicals. drawn to theatrical epics, her work seeks to celebrate the healing, nuances, yearnings, and imaginations of black women through expansive, innovative, and cathartic journeys. Her love of history, comics, and fantasy translates to a deep and detailed approach to world building and a drive to challenge and reframe the familiar.
Currently, she is serving as the resident director for the North American tour of Hamilton, an American musical. She has previously served as an associate director for the musical Hadestown (1st national tour, broadway production) and the associate director for the Olivier award -winning broadway transfer of death of a Salesman.
Most recently, she has directed Kin (Pipeline Festival, WP Theatre), Antigone, Everybody (Atlantic School/ NYU), the sporting life of Icarus jones (Directorfest, drama league), Kentucky, A swell in the ground (The Gift Theatre), Dontrell who kissed the sea (First Floor Theatre), In the blood (Red Tape Theatre), No Child. . . (Definition Theatre) among others. She has also worked with The Public Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Ensemble Studio theatre, Victory Gardens, Rattlesticks Theatre, The playwright’s realm, The Lark, The Playwrights’ Center, About Face Theatre Company,, Queen City New Plays, Chicago dramatists, the tank,, Faultline theatre, and Chicago inclusion project.
As an assistant and associate director, she has worked with Ellie Haymon on the world premiere of Space Dogs at MCC, daniel sullivan on macbeth starring Frances McDormand, liesl tommy on the remounting of eclipsed at the Curran, Rachel Chavkin on the world premiere of Dave Malloy’s Moby Dick, a musical reckoning At A.R.T.,, and many others.
WP Theatre 2020 - 2022 Lab Member, 2019 New york Drama League Directing Fellow, the 2016 SDCF Gielgud Directing Fellow, the 2017 Bret C. Harte Directing Fellow, SDCF Observership class of 2017, and the 2015 victory gardens directors initiative..
Black theatre alliance award, Jeff award nominated.
a proud ensemble member of The Gift Theatre Company, and the artistic producer of the 4802 new play development residency.
Currently represented by Lucy Powis, Michael Moore Agency.