From 2011 to 2020, Chay Yew was the Artistic Director of Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago.

 

During his tenure, out of 43 productions, 18 plays received world premieres of which one went to Broadway, four were produced off-Broadway at the Public, Soho Rep, and Signature Theatre, while others were presented regionally, and abroad at Donmar Warehouse and Bush Theatre in London. Three plays also received the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work.

 

At Victory Gardens, he created the Chicago Play Cycle Play, and eight new plays reflecting and representing the diverse communities of Chicago were produced. New plays developed at the annual Ignition Festival of New Plays have gone on to productions at South Coast Rep, Second Stage, Geffen Playhouse, Wilma Theatre, National Black Theatre, Trinity Rep, amongst others. As the theatre's first, he also partnered with City Theatre in Pittsburgh, and Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell, on a co-production of Lauren Yee's Cambodian Rock Band.  He has also partnered with Actors Theatre of Louisville's Humana Festival and Seattle Rep to produce three co-world premieres.  

 

He also established several programs: the Directors Inclusion initiative to develop emerging Chicago stage directors who identify as people of color, disabled, women, transgender, gender non‐conforming, and/or LGBTQ; the Next Generation Fellowship, a professional development program, for our next generation of arts leaders and managers of color through hands‐on experience, mentorship, career guidance; and the Resident Theatre Program, an incubator for existing Chicago storefront theatres to further each company’s growth and stability by giving them a physical home to nurture its audience base, develop its respective boards, and fully realize the next phases of their strategic plans through multi-year residencies. 

 

Under his artistic leadership, Chay Yew created an intentional focus on work that values and celebrates our city's and nation's diversity. In 2017, he created the tag line "Your World On Stage" to signify Victory Gardens' commitment to present stories that reflect Chicago's rich diversity and unique cultures. In 2019, there were more than 40% African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, Native American (ALAANA), and more than 50% women on staff; board composition was more than 40% ALAANA and about 55% women; and Victory Gardens artists comprised of 60% ALAANA with 50% women. 

 

For his leadership, he was awarded the Iris Award for Outstanding Commitment to Connecting Chicago Communities and the Arts, and the Impact Award for Bold and Inclusive Artistic Leadership.