Claude E. Binder, 65, one of the unsung hereos of Chicago theater, passed away in his home with his family by his side on July 1, 2018  

 

     Claude worked for The Goodman Theatre, The Steppenwolf Theatre, The Chicago Children’s Theatre, and The Joffrey Ballet among others.  He helped to bring many of the city’s most memorable productions to life as an Executive Director, General Manager, Production Manager and Technical Director.

 

  Claude was born in Ohio and was drafted into the army near the end of the Vietnam War.  After his discharge, he studied theatre at the University of Kentucky and after graduation spent time at Actors Theatre of Louisville.  He came to Chicago to become the Technical Director at the Goodman, working with some of the most important and talented designers and directors in the country.  After 11 years at the Goodman, Claude became the Production Manager at the Steppenwolf Theatre where he brought several productions to Broadway and around the world.  When he left the Steppenwolf as the General Manager, he moved his managerial talents to the newly formed Chicago Children’s Theatre.  It was a few years into his tenure there that he was diagnosed with cancer for the first time.  He left the Children’s Theatre to heal and ultimately became the Director of Production at the Joffrey Ballet.  He spent a short time at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre as the General Manager but returned to the Joffrey shortly after that.  Claude finally decided to retire in June of 2017 which was followed by a third cancer diagnosis.  He spent the last year of his life battling the disease.  The impact of his loss on his family and the theatre community in Chicago is profound.   

 

Claude is survived by his wife Christine A. Binder (nee Solger) a Lighting Designer in theatre and their son Cody.  He also leaves behind a sister, Carol Webb (Binder) and her husband Alan Green, Clifford Binder (wife Judith and daughter Abby), Carl Binder (daughter McKenzie), Curt Binder (wife Claire and children Luke and Ian).  

 

A Celebration of Claude's Life will be held at The Steppenwolf Theatre on Monday, July 16, 2018 at 7pm.  (Doors will open at 6pm)  An Educational Fund is being established for his son, Cody.  The details will be posted here as soon as they are finalized.