In 1990, after working extensively in Cincinnati, Ohio as a producer, director, and acting instructor, Luther re-located to Chicago. Between 1990 and 1995, he worked as the assistant to the Producer at the Skokie-based Northlight Theatre and held the position of Resident Artistic Director at the African American-based Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre in Evanston, IL.

 

In 1995, he accepted the managing Director position at the Chicago Theatre Company, a Professional African American company located on Chicago’s south side. In 2002, Luther accepted a Business Representative position with the Chicago office of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. In 2016, after 14-years, Luther retired from the Actors’ Equity Association.

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Since retirement, Luther has worked as the Managing Director of the Shaw Chicago Theatre Company, and as the Interim Executive Director for Congo Square Theatre Company during their 2019-2020 Transitional Season. He has also worked as a Theatrical Management and Artistic Consultant with many Chicago theatres including Porchlight Music Theatre, Canamac Productions, and Silk Road Rising. He is currently the Executive Consultant and Projects Manager for the Victory Gardens Theater Company.

 

His first play, LOVE CHILD, made its debut in January 2001 at Chicago’s Live Bait Theatre. This extraordinarily successful production received numerous awards, including a Joseph Jefferson Award for “Best New Work;” and Chicago After Dark Awards “Best New Work” and “Best Ensemble.” LOVE CHILD, in 2002, celebrated two other productions. One at the Chicago Theatre Company and the other at the Ensemble Theater of Cincinnati. These two productions also garnered awards including the Chicago African American Arts Alliance Award for “Best New Play;” and the Cincinnati Entertainment Award for “Best Local Premiere.” He is currently working on a new play, THREE ROOMS IN NEWARK, and FUNNY, a book of short stories, both focusing on the challenges of growing up in Newark, NJ.

 

Luther holds the honor of being the first African-American Board Chair of Season of Concern, an amazingly successful organization founded in 1987 to support Chicago theater practitioners and artists who are impacted by any illness, injury, or health-related issue that prevents them from working, excluding loss of income for other reasons.

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As of December 1, 2024, the Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago welcomes Luther Goins as Interim Executive Director along with his wealth of experience, leadership, and passion for the arts.