Background
Higgins, Ruth Ellen was born on January 23, 1945 in Streator, Illinois, United States. Daughter of Thomas Francis and Mary Madeline Higgins.
Higgins, Ruth Ellen was born on January 23, 1945 in Streator, Illinois, United States. Daughter of Thomas Francis and Mary Madeline Higgins.
Bachelor of Science in Education and Theater, Northern Illinois University, 1967. Master of Arts in Theater Arts, University Nebraska, 1968. Postgraduate, Northern Illinois University, 1974.
Instructor Glenbrook North High School, Northbrook, Illinois, 1968-1969. Director theatre Highland Community College, Freeport, 1969-1973. Co-producer Dinglefest Theatre Company, Chicago, 1972-1977.
Arts consultant Chicago Community Trust, 1973-1974. Executive director, founder Chicago Alliance for the Performing Arts, 1974-1979. Producer New Tuners Theatre, Chicago.
Executive director, co-founder Chicago Coalition for Arts in Education, 1979-1983. General manager Theatre Building, Chicago, 1981-1997, North Shore Center Performing Arts, Skokie, 1997-1999. Director Master of Business Administration arts management Roosevelt University, Chicago, since 1999.
Consultant Office Cook County Assessor, Chicago, 1980, Donors Forum, Chicago, 1981, Paramount Fine Arts Center, Aurora, Illinois, 1979-1981, North Park Village, Chicago, 1982. Member theatre advisory panel Illinois Arts Council, 1992. Board directors National Alliance Museum Theatre.
Member theatre creation and presentation panel National Endowment for Arts, 1992, 97. Board member National Alliance for Museum Theatre, 1996-2000. Co-chair New Works Panel 2000, Commission's Committee, 1998-2000.
Member Chicago Council on Fine Arts, 1976-1979. Panel member Dance Advisory Panel/Illinois Arts Council, Chicago, 1979. Member Illinois Arts Council theatre advisory panel 1992.
Member National Endowment for the Arts, Opera Musical Theatre New American Works Panel, 1993. Board directors Community television Network, Chicago, 1980-1984, Performance Community, Chicago, 1974-2000. Member advisory board Gospel Arts Workshop, Chicago, 1979-1985.
Married Byron L. Schaffer, October 17, 1975 (deceased May 1990). 1 child, Kareth Madeline Schaffer.