Download Nathan Allen, New Work

The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee
BIOS
JEFF CITATION NOMINATIONS
2004-2005 Season
(Information also available for downloading at www.jeffawards.org)
Nathan Allen, New Work
Curse of the Crying Heart, The House Theatre of Chicago
No bio available.
Fred Anzevino, Director - Musical or Revue
Spoon River Anthology, Theo Ubique Theatre Company in association with Michael James
Fred has produced/directed more than 25 productions for Theo Ubique Theatre Company since 1997. In addition to
the four Jeff Citation nominations for Spoon River Anthology, his co-direction of The Diary of Anne Frank for
Chicago Jewish Theatre earned a Jeff Citation nomination for Best Actress-Play. Other favorite directing projects
include: A Kurt Weill Review: Songs of Darkness and Light (receiving Jeff Citations and nominations); Happy
Birthday Wanda June (Jeff recommended); Sexual Perversity in Chicago (Jeff Citation for Supporting Actor) and
Carl Sandburg's The People, Yes! As a Jacque Brel fan for many years, Fred is thrilled to present this new
translation by Arnold Johnston of his work.
Amy Arbizzani, Actress in a Principal Role - Musical or Revue
Parade, Bailiwick Repertory
Amy previously appeared at Bailiwick in The Christmas Schooner and Animal Farm. Other credits include: A Light
in the Piazza, Goodman; Christine Daae in Phantom, W agon W heel Theatre, and It Takes 2: Dear Friends and its
sequel New Year Friends, both original cabarets. Midwest credits include: Lucy Harris in Jekyll and Hyde, Amalia
Balash in She Loves Me, Martha in The Secret Garden, Eva Peron in Evita, Maria in West Side Story, Reno Sweeney
in Anything Goes and Sheila Bryant in A Chorus Line. She also appears in the upcoming film Leaves on the Tiber.
David Barr III, New Work
The Upper Room, Pegasus Players
David's first full-length play, The Death of the Black Jesus, earned him an Illinois Arts Council Fellowship in 1995.
It was first produced at the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, MO, winning the theatre's National Playwriting Award,
and premiered in Chicago at the Chicago Theatre Company. It also won the Mixed Blood Versus America National
Playwriting Contest and was published by Dramatic Publishing in 1996.
Kevin Bellie (2 nominations)
Director - Musical or Revue and Choreography
The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Circle Theatre
Kevin is one-half of Circle Theatre's Artistic Director team. A company member since 1986, he is the current codirector of Circle Theatre's Emerging Artists Program. At Circle, he received Jeff Citations for direction and/or
choreography of The Life, Grand Hotel and The Secret Garden and Jeff Citation nominations for Nine and Triumph
of Love. Other productions include Hello Again, Rags, She Loves Me and The Wild Party. Kevin choreographed A
New Brain for Porchlight (Jeff Citation nomination) and Being 11 for Serendipity. Other directing credits include:
Peter Pan, Frosty and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory for Emerald City Theatre, Lucky Stiff at Lake Forest
College and Anyone Can Whistle for Pegasus. He is also a dance instructor at St. Ignatius College Prep High School.
Page 1, Jeff Citation Nomination Bios, 2005, The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee
Brian Sidney Bembridge, Scenic Design (2 nominations)
It's All True, TimeLine Theatre Company
Inventing Van Gogh, Bailiwick Repertory
Brian also designed TimeLine's Hannah and Martin, Pravda, Paragon Springs and A Cry of Players and Bailiwick's
Gypsy and Being Beautiful. Other Chicago theatres where his set designs have been seen are: The Goodman,
Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, Lookingglass, W riters', Next, Famous Door, Umelleniay Productions, Naked
Eye and others. He won a Jeff Citation for TimeLine's Hannah and Martin and a Jeff Award for Lookingglass' Hard
Times. After Dark Awards include Outstanding Season, 2004; Paragon Springs, TimeLine, and James Joyce's The
Dead, Court; LA W eekly Award for The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World, Lookinglass, and named one of nine top
designers in North America by Entertainment Design Magazine, 2004. Film production design credits are Marie
and Bruce, Manfast, Stray Dogs, Late for Church and Chalk. W eb site: www.briansydneybembridge.com.
Nick Bowling, Director - Play
This Happy Breed, TimeLine Theatre Company
Nick previously received two Jeff Citations for Direction-Play for Another Part of the Forest, Eclipse Threatre, and
The Crucible for TimeLine, of which he is the founding Artistic Director. Previously, he was Associate Artistic
Director for Court Theatre. Other TimeLine directing credits include: Summit Conference (inaugural production),
The Lion in Winter, Hauptmann (Jeff nomination for direction), Gaslight and Streeterville. Other Chicago directing
credits are: Time of the Cuckoo and Frozen Assets, Shattered Globe; Present Slaughter: The Coarse Acting Plays,
Shakespeare's Motley Crew; Factory Girls, Rivendell; Angels in America, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble; Blithe Spirit,
Impulse, and The Subject Was Roses, Carpe Noctem. Nick holds a bachelor's degree in music/theatre from Catholic
University of America and MFA from DePaul University, where he also serves on the Directing Faculty.
Molly Brennan, Actress in a Supporting Role - Play
Curse of the Crying Heart, The House Theatre of Chicago
No bio available.
Danielle Brothers, Actress in a Supporting Role - Play
The Diary of Anne Frank, Chicago Jewish Theatre
Danielle previously appeared in the Theo Ubique's production of A Kurt Weill Review: Songs of Darkness and Light,
which received several Jeff Citations. Other productions include: Blithe Spirit, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble; The
Mousetrap, Broutil and Frothingham; Night of the Mime and Borglum! The Mt. Rushmore Musical, Zeppo
Productions; A Moon for the Misbegotten, Columbia Theatre, Portland, Ore.; several productions for Chicago Kids
Company, and a season of Shakespeare, Bathhouse Theatre, Seattle, W ash.
Alan Bukowiecki, Music Direction
Parade, Bailiwick Repertory
Among the many Bailiwick productions Alan has music directed are: Q, Bonnie and Clyde, Being Beautiful,
Southern Baptist Sissies and Dr. Sex. He was a substitute pianist for Naked Boys Singing for two seasons and has
performed with many theatres around Chicago. Alan is an Artistic Associate at Bailiwick, member of Chicago
Cabaret Professionals and a singing rock-n-roll dueling pianist at Chicago's Howl at the Moon.
Nichole Rene Burchfield, Costume Design
This Happy Breed, TimeLine Theatre Company
Nicole has received two previous Jeff Citation nominations for costume design for The Lion in Winter, TimeLine,
and Another Part of the Forest, Eclipse Theatre. Other TimeLine productions she designed include: Streeterville,
The Crucible, Awake and Sing! and Hauptmann. She does craft work and stitching for various Chicago theatres
during the day, such as The Goodman and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, but spends most of her time creating
designs for theatre, dance and opera in Chicago and around the country. Other recent designs include: Meet John
Doe and Judgment at Nuremberg, Shattered Globe; Pas Des Dèeses, Joffrey Ballet; The Winter Dance Concert,
Ohio University; The Game of Love and Chance and The Good Doctor, Northeastern Illinois University; The
Nutcracker, Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble; Carmen and La Bohème, American Opera W orks, and Voices,
Healthworks .
Page 2, Jeff Citation Nomination Bios, 2005, The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee
Geoff Button, Actor in a Principal Role - Play
Equus, The Hypocrites
A company member of The Hypocrites, Geoff has been seen in Ajax, Arcadia, Henry 5, Machinal and as Dopey in
Balm in Gilead. He also has appeared in productions at Apple Tree, CollaborAction, Defiant and Famous Door. He
graduated from W estern Michigan University.
Georgann Charuhas, Actress in a Principal Role - Play
Landslide, Signal Ensemble Theatre
Georgann inherited her love of theatre from her grandmother, Rita Renee. She was nominated for a Jeff Award in
2003 for her performance as Maggie in the Artistic Home’s Equity production of After the Fall.
Geoff Coates (with Joe Foust), Fight Choreography
Action Movie: The Play, Defiant Theatre in association with Keith Geller and John York Noble
Geoff performed and acted as fight captain for Defiant’s Action Movie: The Director’s Cut, Godbaby and Macbeth.
A graduate of Columbia College, Geoff was seen in Alice in Wonderland, The Pyrate Show, and The Three
Musketeers, and The Fair Maid of the West, CT20 Ensemble. He has choreographed fights for numerous theatres in
Chicago, including three seasons as resident Fight Captain at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.
Louis Contey,Director – Play
It's All True, TimeLine Theatre Company
Having directed nearly 60 plays, Lou is a 10-time Jeff nominee and received six Jeff Citations for directing and one
for scenic design. His TimeLine production of Awake and Sing! received directing awards last season. Other
directing credits include: A View from the Bridge, The Manchurian Candidate, A Streetcar Named Desire, All My
Sons, Rocket to the Moon, Stalag 17, Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf? and Judgment at Nuremberg. He has been
resident director and ensemble member for the past 11 years at Shattered Globe Theatre and also has worked at The
Goodman, Steppenwolf and American Theatre. He received his M FA from DePaul University.
Charles Cooper, Lighting Design
It's All True, TimeLine Theatre Company
Charles previously received a Jeff Citation nomination for lighting for Timeline's Awake and Sing! in addition to
designing Paragon Springs and Death of a Maiden. This season, he also designed The Doctor's Dilemna for W riter's
Theatre. He was the assistant lighting designer for the world premiere of The Visit at The Goodman and has
designed productions in Chicago for Foreground Theatre, Keyhole Players, Chicago Dance M edium, Steep Theatre
and Chicago Theatre Company. Outside Chicago, he has designed for Ballet Legire, Envision Productions, Phoenix
Theatre in Indianapolis, Triton College and Northwestern University's Exigent Theatre Company. He is the resident
designer for Hinsdale Central High School's theatre program.
John Cunningham, Actor in a Principal Role - Musical or Revue
Merrily We Roll Along, White Horse Theatre Company
Jon's previous W hite Horse appearance was as Cousin Kevin in The Who's Tommy. Other Chicago credits include
The Drawer Boy and Run for Your Wife, Attic Playhouse, and Simon Zealotes in Jesus Christ Superstar, W innetka
Theatre. He received his bachelor's in speech communications from the University of Illinois.
Yolanda Davis, Actress in a Supporting Role - Musical or Revue
Spoon River Anthology, Theo Ubique Theatre Company in association with Michael James
Yolanda is currently recording original songs and performing in Chicago with a blues band and continues to develop
projects for the page, screen and stage. She is a student of film and fiction writing at Columbia College and also has
worked with the Urban Bush Women, Brooklyn; MOSAIC Youth Theater, Detroit, and Plowshares Theater
Company, Detroit. Other passions include yoga, painting, samba and flamenco dance.
Brenda Didier, Choreography
Parade, Bailiwick Repertory
Previous choreography credits at Bailiwick include Gypsy and five season of The Christmas Schooner. She is a
freelance choreographer and owner/director of The Lincolnshire Academy of Dance. She has received After Dark
Awards for choreography and is a guest teacher/choreographer at the University of Illinois/Champaign, University of
W isconsin/Parkside, Columbia College and Northwestern University.
Page 3, Jeff Citation Nomination Bios, 2005, The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee
Michele DiMaso, Actress in a Principal Role - Play
Duet for One, Stockyards Theatre Project
Michele's past theatre credits include: all four Action Movies with Defiant Theatre, Sisters with Roadworks and
Bondagers with Shattered Globe. Michele was also a co-Artistic Director for Yugen Theatre, and while there,
appeared in Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet and The Playboy of the Western World. She is also a
founding member of Babes W ith Blades.
Brigitte Ditmars, Choreography
Camp Nimrod for Girls, Live Bait Theater
Brigitte received a Jeff Citation for Choreography of Pinafore!, Bailiwick, and choreographed other productions for
Bailiwick as well as Brown Couch Theatre an Northshore Baptist Church. As an actor, she has appeared in
productions for New Tuners, Footsteps, The Baum House, Sweetback Productions and Hell in a Handbag.
Ronnie Duncan, Actor in a Supporting Role - Musical or Revue
Parade, Bailiwick Repertory
A junior at DePaul University, Ronnie hails from Miami, FL where he attended New W orld School of the Arts.
Previous productions include: title role in King Lear, Creon in Antigone, Toledo in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and
Bagherra the Panther in The Jungle Book. A professional dancer, Debbie Allen selected him to play the title role in
Papito's Story, and he is the Artistic Director/Choreographer of The DuncoFunk Dance Company.
Stephen Feder, Actor in a Supporting Role - Musical or Revue
Merrily We Roll Along, White Horse Theatre Company
Stephen is an Associate Producer for Towers Productions TV series Conspiracy for The History Channel. He
received his masters from the London School of Economics and bachelor's from the University of Illinois, where he
appeared as Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Mr. MacAfee in Bye, Bye Birdie and
Bud Frump in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
Misha Fiksel, Sound Design
The Rocket Man, The House Theatre of Chicago
No bio available.
Liz Fletcher, Actress in a Principal Role – Play
A Streetcar Named Desire, Raven Theatre
A Raven ensemble member for seven years, Liz previously received a Jeff Citation for Supporting Actress for her
role in Golden Boy. Other Raven credits include: Social Security, Marvin's Room, Six Degrees of Separation, You
Can't Take It With You and The Time of Your Life. Other Chicago credits are The House on Mango Street and The
Mothers, Chameleon Productions, and Race, Strawdog. She received her M FA from Northern Illinois University.
Nicholas Foster, Actor in a Principal Role - Musical or Revue
Parade, Bailiwick Repertory
This is Nicholas' first Bailiwick production. Other shows include: Younger Brother in Ragtime, Light Opera
W orks; Jackie in The Wild Party, Circle Theatre; Cain/Japheth in Children of Eden and Cinderella's Prince/The W olf
in Into the Woods, Porchlight Theatre; Emcee in Cabaret, Baby in Danny and Eugene in Grease, Pheasant Run
Theatre; Jason in Jason and the Golden Fleece and Henry in The Water Chalice with Theatre Building, Chicago;
and Cinderella's Prince in Cinderella, Emerald City Theatre. He also has performed his cabaret shows Now and
Then and A Holiday Retrospective at Davenport's, Chicago.
Joe Foust (with Geoff Coates), Fight Choreography
Action Movie: The Play, Defiant Theatre in association with Keith Geller and John York Noble
A founding member of Defiant (R.I.P.), Joe is now appearing in End Game at Court and just completed the lead in
Accidental Death of an Anarchist at Next. Other credits include: The Beard of Avon, The Goodman; Mother
Courage and Her Children, Steppenwolf; 12 shows with Chicago Shakespeare Theater; A Winter's Tale, The Seagull
and Major Barbara, Remy Bumppo, SantaLand Diaries, Theatre W it; Kabuki Medea, W isdom Bridge; four shows
with Milwaukee Shakespeare; six seasons with Peninsula Players and three seasons with Oak Park Festival Theatre.
Page 4, Jeff Citation Nomination Bios, 2005, The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee
Audrey Francis, Actress in a Principal Role - Play
The Credeaux Canvas, Circle Theatre
Currently studying at Second City Training Center, Audrey completed the conservatory program at the School of
Steppenwolf and holds a BA in journalism and video production from Colorado State University. She was
understudy for Damage Control at Noble Fool Theatre and appeared in Circle Theatre's New Plays Festival, The 24Hour Project, Stop Kiss, Private Eyes, Miss Firecracker Contest, The Vagina Monologues and Hellcab. On TV, she
can be seen in Donnie Brasco: The True Crime Documentary on The History Channel."
Sean Graney, Director - Play (2 nominations)
Equus, The Hypocrites
Leonce und Lena, The Hypocrites
Sean has many credits to his theater career, including a 2004 Jeff Citation nomination for New Adaptation for
Camille/LaTraviata, The Hypocrites; 2003 Jeff Citation for Direction-Play for Machinal, The Hypocrites, and 2002
Jeff Citation for New Adaptation for Ajax.
Terry Hamilton (2 nominations)
Actor in a Principal Role - Play
This Happy Breed, TimeLine Theatre Company
Actor in a Supporting Role - Play
Pravda, TimeLine Theatre Company
Terry made his TimeLine debut in This Happy Breed before appearing in Pravda, his other Jeff Citation nomination.
Previously, he appeared as Robert E. Lee in The Killer Angels, Lifeline, and The Man Who Fell in Love with the
Moon, Breathing Under Water and Lysitrata, Running W ith Scissors. Favorite roles include the title role in McBett
and Claudius in Hamlet.
Kyle Hamman, Actor in a Supporting Role - Play
Fuddy Meers, Strawdog Theatre Company
As a Strawdog ensemble member, Kyle has appeared in 10 of its last 13 shows, including the Jeff Citation
nominated Detective Story. Other credits include: the Mother in Flanagan's Wake, Noble Fool; Tulsa Lovechild,
CollaborAction, and Skinner in Freedom of the City, Mary-Arrchie. Other theatres where he has been seen are
Northlight, Visions & Voices and Chicago Dramatists.
Andrew Hansen (3 nominations)
Sound Design and Original Incidental Music
Antigone, greasy joan & co.
Original Incidental Music
This Happy Breed, TimeLine Theatre Company
Andrew also created the music design for TimeLine's It's All True, also receiving several Jeff Citation nominations.
Other recent works include: Sailing to Byzantium, Caffeine Theatre; Romeo and Juliet, Summer Shakespeare at
Notre Dame; Meet John Doe, Shattered Globe; Paragon Springs, TimeLine, and Our Town, W riter's Theatre.
Juliet Hart, Actress in a Supporting Role - Play
It's All True, TimeLine Theatre Company
A founding member of TimeLine, Juliet's other appearances with the company include The Seagull, Not About
Nightingales, Gaslight, No End of Blame and Summit Conference. Other theatres where she has appeared are The
Organic, Prop, Zebra Crossing and Chicago Shakespeare. She received an MFA in acting from DePaul University.
Matthew Hawkins, Fight Choreography
Curse of the Crying Heart, The House Theatre of Chicago
No bio available.
Page 5, Jeff Citation Nomination Bios, 2005, The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee
Erik Hellman, Actor in a Supporting Role - Play
Impossible Marriage, Strawdog Theatre Company
Erik previously appeared in Strawdog's production of Puntilla and His Man Matti and understudied for Remy
Bummpo's Arcadia. He reprised his role in the staged reading of General Desdemona, 78th Street Theatre, New
York, originally performed at the Edinburg Fringe Festival. A graduate of Northwestern University, Erik is a
member of "Dog, a theatre company" and performed in Windows Server 2003: Active Directory Infrastructure,
chosen by Chicago Tribune critic M ichael Phillips as one of the best plays of 2004.
Anita Hoffman, Actress in a Supporting Role - Musical or Revue
The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Circle Theatre
Anita's previous Circle productions was as Truvy in Steel Magnolias, which received a Jeff Citation nomination for
Ensemble, and as Hesione in Triumph of Love. Other roles at Pegasus, Trap Door and Pheasant Run have included:
Betty, The Foreigner, Mother Superior, Nunsense, Arlene, Baby, Marlene, Ballroom, Rose, God's Favorite, Elsa von
Grossenknueten, Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Lady Angkatell, The Hollow, Carlotta, Hollow, and the world
premiere's of Muscle and Jest a Second.
Jeff Jones, Costume Design
Parade, Bailiwick Repertory
Jeff previously costume designed Gypsy and Dr. Sex for Bailiwick, where he is an Artistic Associate. He also has
directed several shows at Bailiwick and other Chicago theatres and performed in various productions around the
country.
Jeffrey Kelly, Costume Design
The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Circle Theatre
Jeffrey previously received three Jeff Citations for Costume Design for Circle's Triumph of Love, Nine and The
Secret Garden as well as two Jeff Citation recommendations for productions at Pegasus. Other Circle productions
include: The Wild Party, She Loves Me and The Life. He has designed regional productions of Follies, Into the
Woods, Sideshow, Assassins, Gypsey and A Little Night Music as well as From the Mississippi Delta for Arena
Stage, W ashington DC, and Bubblin' Brown Sugar, African tour. Besides Pegasus, his work as been seen in
Chicago at Lifeline, Next, Northlight and The Goodman.
Laurie LaMere Klapperich, Costume Design
Curse of the Crying Heart, The House Theatre of Chicago
No bio available.
Phillip C. Klapperich, New Work
The Rocket Man, The House Theatre of Chicago
No bio available.
Raymond Kurut, Actor in a Principal Role - Play
Cry Havoc, Bailiwick Repertory
After receiving his bachelor's degree in acting from Illinois State University, Raymond was selected as a
Steppenwolf Theatre company Acting Intern for the 2002-03 season. Previous productions include Homebody
Kabul, Steppenwolf; Romeo & Juliet, The Merchant of Venice and A Midsummer Night's Dream, Illinois
Shakespeare Festival, and A Flea in Her Ear, Illinois State University.
Mark Larson, Actor in a Supporting Role - Musical or Revue
Merrily We Roll Along, White Horse Theatre Company
Mark's other Chicago credits include John Hinckley in Assassins, Black Box Studio, and Friedrich in Sound of
Music, Drury Lane. He is currently a member of Social Issues Repertoire Ensemble for Imagination Theatre. He
received his BA in theatre/acting from Illinois State University.
Page 6, Jeff Citation Nomination Bios, 2005, The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee
Susan Lieberman, New Work
Arrangement for Two Violas, Vision and Voices Theatre
Susan co-authored with David Rush the musical Prairie Lights, receiving a Jeff nomination for Best New W ork, and
is currently working with him on the musical Whirlybirds. Other plays include The Pink Parlor, National
Playwrights Conference finalist; Marek's Monkey, produced by Chicago Dramatists, and Steamship Quanza,
produced in Chicago and upstate New York. She has received regional Emmy nominations for her children's
television scripts, Sandy and Sam, W GN-TV, and Prairie Latkes, W BBM-TV. Other teleplays are Charlie's Risk
and A Hill of Beans. A graduate of Duke University, Susan was a production assistant at Charles Marowitz's Open
Space Theatre and worked for producer Thelma Holt at The Round House in London. She was Associate Editor of
Theatre Crafts magazine for four years before returning to Chicago, where she is a Resident Playwright at Chicago
Dramatists.
Frances Limoncelli, New Adaptation
Strong Poison, Lifeline Theatre
Frances is an ensemble member at Lifeline, appearing in their productions of Pistols For Two, Precious Bane,
Pinocchio and as the title role in Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. She has also directed several productions at Lifeline including
Simple Jim and His Four Fabulous Friends, The Story Of Ferdinand, Miss Bianca and Cooking with Lard. As an
adaptor, she created The Emperor's Groovy New Clothes and Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch with
composer/lyricist George Howe. She also adapted Whose Body? at Lifeline in 2002 and, most recently, Strong
Poison in 2004. Around Chicago, Frances has appeared in Shear Madness at the Blackstone; The House Of Martin
Guerre and Cry, The Beloved Country at The Goodman; Master Class at Northlight Theatre, and Falsettos at Apple
Tree to name a few. Frances graduated from the Boston Conservatory with a BFA in theatre performance and an
emphasis in directing.
Ronan Marra, New Work
Landslide, Signal Ensemble Theatre
Ronan is a co-founder of Signal Ensemble Theatre and serves as the company's general artistic director. He directed
Signal's world premiere of Landslide, as well as the company's productions of Waiting for Godot, Much Ado About
Nothing and his own Learning to Fly (featuring fellow Landslide nominee, Georgann Charuhas). In its awardwinning one-act version, Learning to Fly has been performed in Chicago, New York, and at Marra's alma mater,
Kent State University. His one-act, Off the Hook was produced by New Leaf Theatre. Marra has also directed Say
Goodnight, Gracie by Ralph Pape, The Swan by Elizabeth Egloff and The Messiah by David Keller. He will direct
Signal's upcoming remount of Waiting for Godot, and he is a network playwright with Chicago Dramatists.
Darrelyn Marx, Actress in a Supporting Role - Musical or Revue
Jane Eyre, Circle Theatre
In addition to appearing in Apple Tree's A Man of No Importance, Darrelyn's favorite roles are Anna in The King
and I, Abigail in 1776, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof and April in Company. Other roles include: Solveig in Peer
Gynt, Gwendolyn in Becket and Head Nun in The House of Blue Leaves.
Martin McClendon, Scenic Design
Action Movie: The Play, Defiant Theatre in association with Keith Geller and John York Noble
Martin designed previous Defiant sets of Bluebeard and The Mystery of Irma Vep, receiving Jeff Citation
nominations for both, in addition to Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage, Sci-Fi Action Movie in Space Prison,
Macbeth, Godbaby, The Love Talker, Burning Desires and Phaedra's Love. He received degrees in acting from the
University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and Rockford College.
Sjunneson McDanold, Lighting Design
The Lady from the Sea, greasy joan & co.
Jenna also designed greasy joan's productions of Marisol and Dreams of Desire. Other lighting design credits
include: Amadeus for Porchlight and Camille/La Traviata for The Hypocrites. She works at Becker Studios as a
carpenter and sells her artwork in small shows. During summers, she works as a pyrotechnician for BriteStar
Productions doing fireworks shows in several Chicago suburbs.
Page 7, Jeff Citation Nomination Bios, 2005, The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee
Michael Menendian, 2 nominations
Director - Play and (with Leif Olsen), Scenic Design
A Streetcar Named Desire, Raven Theatre
Michael is a co-founder of Raven Theatre, where he has directed and designed several productions. Some favorites
include: A Texas Trilogy, The Crucible, Cobb, Death of a Salesman, You Can't Take It With You, Glengarry Glen
Ross, Marvin's Room, Golden Boy, Social Security, The Man Who Had All the Luck and A View from the Bridge,
earning Jeff Citations for acting, directing, lighting design and production as well as Jeff Citations for other
productions. He has directed productions in Boston and other Chicago companies, including New Haven Playhouse
and Victory Gardens Theatre.
Michael Miller, Music Direction
Spoon River Anthology, Theo Ubique Theatre Company in association with Michael James
Michael received degrees in music (piano, oboe, composition) as a scholarship student at the University of Iowa and
the New England Conservatory of Music. Since then, he has worked with various theater and ballet companies in
the Midwest and New England, including Theo Ubique Theatre Company, Northern Lights Playhouse, River North
Dance Company and others. He is also Director of Music at St. Simon's Episcopal Church in Arlington Heights.
Michael actively gives solo piano and organ recitals around the region and as a private lesson instructor and
composer, recently performing the compositions Byzantine Fantasy for English horn and harp and Five Romantic
Songs for countertenor and piano.
Dorothy Milne, Director - Play
Strong Poison, Lifeline Theatre
Dorothy is an ensemble member and the Artistic Director of Lifeline Theatre, where she directed numerous
productions, including Strong Poison, Trust Me on This, Far from the Madding Crowd, Around the World in 80
Days (Joseph Jefferson Citation— Director), Whose Body?, Jane Eyre (After Dark Award-Direction) and Pistols for
Two. As an actor at Lifeline, she most recently appeared in Cooking with Lard. Dorothy is also a member of the
writing-performing group the Sweat Girls (www.sweatgirls.org) and most recently directed Stardust for Griffin
Theatre, now running at the Theater Building.
Jared Moore, Lighting Design
Inventing Van Gogh, Bailiwick Repertory
Jared is a resident designer for Bailiwick and New Leaf and has lit more than 50 Chicago productions the past two
years. He received a 2004 Jeff Citation for Lighting Design for Misery, Pyewacket, and After Dark Award for
Savage in Limbo, Infamous Commonwealth Theatre. Bailiwick credits include: Animal Farm, Parade, Cry Havoc,
Sin: A Cardinal Deposed (both Chicago and Boston productions), Naked Boys Singing! and The Christmas
Schooner. Other credits include: The Conversation, Pyewacket; Brilliant Traces and Girl in Hyacinth Blue, New
Leaf, and Rasa Dance Theatre.
Gregor Mortis, Sound Design
Action Movie: The Play, Defiant Theatre in association with Keith Geller and John York Noble
Greg just completed his Chicago Shakeapeare Theatre debut in Kabuki Lady Macbeth. Other Kabuki credits include
Kabuki Medea, W isdom Bridge Theatre, Achilles: A Kabuki Play and Kabuki Medea, Illinois Kabuki. Chicago
credits include: Uba Raw, Action Movie: The Director’s Cut, Sci-Fi Action Movie in Space Prison, Dracula, Red
Dragon, Women and Water, Defiant Theatre, Wireless Radio Theatre: Programme One, Two, Three, Julius Caesar,
Measure for Measure, The Green Bird, Return to the Howard Bowl, Strawdog Theatre Company, When Circus and
Theatre Collide, Midnight Circus, Among the Dead, Factory Theatre, and Heart of a Dog, New Drime Productions.
Jeremy Morton, Director - Musical or Revue
Merrily We Roll Along, White Horse Theatre Company
Jeremy graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with degree in speech communication and
education. He also directed A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and How to Succeed in Business
Without Really Trying in Champaign. He currently teaches speech, English and drama at Prospect High School and
has directed for Apple Tree’s summer theatre camp. He previously directed W HTC’s productions of Songs For A
New World, Starting Here Starting Now and The Who’s Tommy.
Page 8, Jeff Citation Nomination Bios, 2005, The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee
Richard Norwood, Lighting Design
A Clockwork Orange, Defiant Theatre
Richard’s other credits for Defiant include: Dope!, Cleansed, Sci-Fi Action Movie, Burning Dsires, Bluebeard,
Phaedra’s Love, Caligula, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Red Dragon, The Ugly Man, and Apt Pupil. Other designs
include Automobile Graveyard, Trapdoor Theatre Company, and Without Subtitles, Playwright’s Center. Richard
also designs for Zephyr Dance and holds the position of Lighting Supervisor at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Kevin O'Donnell, Original Incidental Music (2 nominations)
Cave With Man, The House Theatre of Chicago
Equus, The Hypocrites
Kevin previously received Jeff Citation nominations for original music for The Hypocrites' productions of
Camille/La Traviata and Machinal and composed the music for this season's production of Leonce und Lena. Other
credits include music for The Rocket Man, The House Theatre of Chicago; Salao and the 12th Annual W inter
Pageant, Redmoon, and Poems of Replaceable Kings, Mad Shak Dance Company for the PAC/Edge Festival. A
founding member of Mad Shak, Kevin has been Composer-in-Residence since 2000. He also drums, records and
tours with Andrew Bird, Kelly Hogan and Jon Rauhouse.
Leif Olsen (with Michael Menendian), Scenic Design
A Streetcar Named Desire, Raven Theatre
Leif is a Raven ensemble member, appearing in You Can't Take It W ith You and Talkin' Baseball. He has codesigned sets for several productions, including Social Security and The Man W ho Had All the Luck. He also has
scored music for several Raven productions, receiving a Jeff Citation nomination for A View from the Bridge in
addition to scoring Marvin's Room and Golden Boy. In 2001, he scored the music for the film Design, which
premiered at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival.
Nigel Patterson, Actor in a Supporting Role - Play
It's All True, TimeLine Theatre Company
A London native, Nigel has appeared in several Chicago productions including: A Tale of Two Cities, Steppenwolf
Arts Exchange; Detective Story, Strawdog; Judgment at Nuremberg, Shattered Globe, The Devil's Disciple, Theo
Ubique (Jeff Citation nomination); The Countess, Gift, and The Last of Mrs. Cheyney, Bailiwick. Recent roles in
the United Kingdom are Mitch in A Streetcar Named Desire, the Prince of W ales in The Madness of King George
and Henry VIII in A Man for All Seasons.
Marc Pera, Actor in a Principal Role - Musical or Revue
Jane Eyre, Circle Theatre
Marc was nominated for a Jeff Citation for his role as Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden, Circle Theatre.
Other favorite roles are: the Baker in Into the Woods, Theatre Hikes; Cliff in Cabaret, Porchlight, and W illie
Conklin in Ragtime, Light Opera W orks. He also has worked with Northlight, Bailiwick, Pegasus and The
Journeyman. He recently joined the cast of School House Rock Live!, a Chicago-based touring company.
Jason Powers, Actor in a Principal Role - Play
The Credeaux Canvas, Circle Theatre
A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and Central Michigan University, Jason has been living and acting in
Chicago for five years. Previous roles include: Milo and Major Major in Catch 22, Signal Ensemble; The Peddler
in Molly's Rock, Raven, and Sebastian in Twelfth Night, Theatre Hikes.
Tommy Rapley, Choreography (2 nominations)
Cave With Man, The House Theatre of Chicago
The Rocket Man, The House Theatre of Chicago
No bio available.
Page 9, Jeff Citation Nomination Bios, 2005, The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee
Sean Reid, Actor in a Supporting Role - Musical or Revue
Parade, Bailiwick Repertory
Sean previously appeared in the Bailiwick musicals of Q, Pinafore! and Dr. Sex and in various staged readings and
workshop productions for new musicals, including The Stages Festival at New Tuners, Madame X and Sweeney
Todd for Ravania's Sondheim 75 festival. He also has performed with Porchlight, Lyric Opera, Pegasus Players and
Emerald City Theatre and has composed three musicals.
John Sanders, Actor in a Principal Role - Play
Arrangement for Two Violas, Vision and Voices Theatre
John originated the role of Peter Chase at the Chicago Dramatists reading of Arrangement for Two Violas and the
LeapFest production at Stage Left Theatre, where he is Director of Artistic Development. He received a Jeff
Citation nomination for supporting actor in Stage Left's Burying the Bones and has appeared in Prairie Lights and
The Memorandum. Other Chicago credits include work at W riter's, Steppenwolf, Irish Repertory, Next, Chicago
Dramatists, The Hypocrites, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble and Defiant.
Laura Schellhardt, New Adaptation
The Outfit, Serendipity Theatre Company
Laura received her MFA in playwriting from Brown University and previously headed the playwriting program at
Northwestern University. She participated in the new play series at The Goodman, Northlight and Trinity Repertory
Company as a reader of new plays, assistant director and director of development. She directed and taught theatre at
Piven Theatre for four years and founded Kaleidoscope Kids, a theatre school for children. Original works include:
On Yellow Wings, The K of D, Searching for Lochness, Inheritance, Je Ne Sais Quoi, Shapewhifter and Courting
Vampires. Her book, Screenwriting for Dummies, is published by W iley Publishing.
Steve Scott, Director - Play
Big Time, Eclipse Theatre Company
Steve is an ensemble member for Eclipse, artistic associate for About Face and one of six resident directors for
W BEZ's Stories on Stage. Other Eclipse productions he directed are: Landscape of the Body, Childe Byron and The
Eccentricities of a Nightingale. He recently directed the world premier of W! for Theatre W it and received an After
Dark Award for Outstanding Direction of Wit for The Goodman Theatre, where he has been an Associate Producer
since 1987 and overseen more than 100 productions. He received Jeff Citation nominations for Nightengale, New
Tuners Theatre, and Orphans, CT 2 Ensemble, and appeared in Are You Now or Have You Ever Been? at Next,
which received a Jeff Award for Outstanding Ensemble. Other theatres where he has directed are Metropolis
Performing Arts Center, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Theatre at the Center in Munster, Red Hen, Organic Touchstone
and Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University, where he is a faculty member. He currently serves as an NEA
site evaluator and a member of the Jeff Committee's Artistic and Technical Team.
Sean Sinitski, Sound Design
A Clockwork Orange, Defiant Theatre
Sean's other Defiant credits include Hamlet, MacDuff and Marcus Andronicus, and he recently appeared as
Turtleneck Inspector in Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Next Theatre. Other Chicago credits are: Shylock,
Strawdog; W alpole in The Doctor's Dilemma, W riter's; Dion in The Winter's Tale, Chicago Shakespeare, and
Exeter in Henry V and the Stranger in Balm and Gilead, The Hypocrites. Later this summer, Sean will appear in the
remount of Strawdog Theatre’s Detective Story at Theatre on the Lake.
Alison Siple, Costume Design
Leonce und Lena, The Hypocrites
Alison is the costume design assistant for Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, where she worked on The People vs. Friar
Lawrence, King John, Rose Rage, A Little Night Music and Sunday in the Park with George. Other costume design
credits include: Camille/La Traviata (Jeff Citation nomination) and Machinal, The Hypocrites; Aqui Estoy and Heat
Included, Albany Park Theatre Project; Nelson Algren: For Keeps and A Single Day, Lookingglass; The
Cosmonaut's Last Message, CollaborAction, and Alcestis, Egyptian Rat Screw and The Linder Briefs, Uffish. She is
a Production Affiliate with Lookingglass and graduate of Northwestern University.
Page 10, Jeff Citation Nomination Bios, 2005, The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee
Adrienne Smith, Actress in a Supporting Role - Play
The Sum of Her Parts, the side project
Adrienne is co-Artistic Director of The Free Associates Theatre Company, and has appeared in many shows with the
company, including the title roles in Laura and My Cousin Rachel. Other recent credits include The W omen with
Headstrong Productions and the Midwest premiere of Denis Johnson's Shoppers Carried by Escalators into the
Flames at the Viaduct. Regional credits include Lend M e a Tenor, Anything Goes and The Mikado. She directed
the original parodies Alfred Hitchcock Resents, Improvanov, W hat the Dickens?! and the world premiere musical
The Ceiling.
Michael E. Smith, Actor in a Supporting Role – Play
Curse of the Crying Heart, The House Theatre of Chicago
No bio available.
Sandy Snyder, Actress in a Supporting Role - Play
Strong Poison, Lifeline Theatre
Sandy is a founding member of Lifeline where she has performed in more than 25 MainStage and KidSeries™
productions. Her Lifeline performance credits include, most recently, Strong Poison, Trust Me on This, Somebody
Loves You, Mr. Hatch, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Lizard Music and A Wrinkle in Time. Her KidSeries™
directing credits include the original productions of My Father's Dragon, Bunnicula and Stuart Little. Currently,
Sandy teaches drama classes in elementary schools and is the coordinator of Lifeline's In-School Residency Program
in conjunction with Chicago Public Schools.
Jon Steinhagan, Actor in a Principal Role - Musical or Revue
The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Circle Theatre
Jon previously received three Jeff Citations and four After Dark Awards for musical direction and/or songwriting.
He also appeared in the Circle production of She Loves Me and was composer/lyricist for People Like Us, Inferno
Beach, Emma and Company and The Trial of Joseph K.
Carla Stillwell, New Work
The Divine Order of Becoming, MPAACT
Carla joined M PAACT in 1997 and is Director of Artistic Development/Production Coordinator, Playwright-inResidence and tours nationally with the company. She made her playwrighting debut with Carla. . .In Search of my
Silky Underthings in 2000 (excerpts later published in Alibi Transcripts, a book of African American monologues)
and her first full-length piece, Defending Myself, in 2002. Her 22-year career began at age 10 when she started
touring with a children's theatre company and with the Chicago Park District as a teen. Her professional
appearances have been in Kosi Dasa (Jeff Recommended), Afrosynthesis, Piece Meal Clan, The Inside, Beneath a
Dark Sky, Within the Dream, Exoskeletal Blues and most recently Relevant Hearsay. . .Stories from 57. Carla has
been writing poetry for several years and her book of poetry, The Definition Book, will soon be published. Her
poetry can be seen on the Chicago Poetry.com website or live at Hot House and the Spoken W ord Café.
Nick Sula, Music Direction
Merrily We Roll Along, White Horse Theatre Company
Nick has performed as musical director and pianist for schools and theater companies in the Chicago area including:
W hite Horse Theatre Company, Village Players Theater and Porchlight Music Theatre. Other favorite theatrical
productions include: The Who’s Tommy; Starting Here, Starting Now; Songs for a New World; Rocky Horror Show
and Sweeney Todd. He enjoys performing, teaching, accompanying vocalists, composing, assisting with music
ministry for churches and musically directing productions in and around Chicago. He received his degree in music
from DePaul University, where he studied piano with Alan Swain and Melody Lord. Nick performs regularly with
his jazz trio, and has worked as accompanist at Roosevelt and Northwestern Universities.
Joel Sutliffe, Actor in a Supporting Role - Musical or Revue
The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Circle Theatre
Previously at Circle, Joel appeared in The Wild Party and Hello Again. Other productions in Chicago and the
Midwest include: Guys and Dolls, Rocky Mountain Repertory; The Spitfire Grill, Apple Tree; Muscle, Bronzeville
and Sunday in the Park with George, Pegasus (receiving an After Dark Award and Jeff Citation for Best Actor –
Musical).
Page 11, Jeff Citation Nomination Bios, 2005, The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee
Sarah Swanson, Actress in a Principal Role - Musical or Revue
Jane Eyre, Circle Theatre
Sarah previously received a Jeff Citation for her performance as Lily in The Secret Garden at Circle Theater and
currently is preparing a one-woman cabaret for the 2005-06 season. Before arriving in Chicago from her home state
of Nebraska, she appeared as Pitti-Sing in The Mikado, Kansas University, and as Tessa in The Gondoliers, The
Kansas City Civic Opera.
Walter Tambor, Music Direction
The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Circle Theatre
W alter made his Circle debut with The Mystery of Edwin Drood. He has been Music Director and worked with
other Chicago theatre companies, including Emerald City, Porchlight, Renegade and Phoenix Ascending. He is an
active coach and musician and teaches at DePaul University Community Music Division, Chicago Children's Choir
Academy, Chicago Center for the Performing Arts and is an Assistant Organist/Choral Director for St. Clement's
Church in Lincoln Park.
Demetria Thomas, Actress in a Principal Role - Play
The Divine Order of Becoming, MPAACT
Demetria earned her Bachelor's degree in Theatre from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI. After
completing a turn as a Journeyman at The W arehouse Theatre in Greenville, SC, she relocated to Chicago to
continue her career. Other credits include Tawanda in Live Bait's production of Love Child and Cass in Stage Left's
production of Burying the Bones.
Megan Van De Hey, Actress in a Supporting Role - Musical or Revue
The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Circle Theatre
Previously at Circle, Megan appeared in The Wild Party and Hello Again. Other credits include Spitfire Grill at
Apple Tree, receiving a Jeff nomination; A New Brain, Children of Eden and A Little Night Music at Porchlight, and
Man of La Mancha with Phoenix Ascending.
Mike Vieau, Actor in a Principal Role - Play
A Streetcar Named Desire, Raven Theatre
Mike previously received a Jeff Citation for acting and Jeff Citation and After Dark nominations for writing. His
previous Raven productions include Golden Boy and A View from the Bridge. Productions at other theatres include:
Here Comes a Regular and The Vinyl Shop, Factory Theatre; Petrified Forest, Mary-Arrchie; I Am a Fool, Studio
108; Living in the Present Tense, Hope and Non-things; Shakespeare's Dog, Griffin; 3 Cuba, Live Bait, and
Machinal, Chopin. W riting credits include I Am a Fool, The Vinyl Shop and Here Comes a Regular.
Joey Wade, Scenic Design
Impossible Marriage, Strawdog Theatre Company
Using family connections in Savannah, GA, Joey brought in real Spanish moss for the set of Impossible Marriage.
He received a Jeff nomination for The Price at W riter's Theatre and has designed for Steppenwolf, Trap Door, The
Hypocrites, W alkabout, Chicago Dramatists, Bailiwick, Seanchai, National Pastime, European Rep, Gilead, Centre
Theatre, Playhouse and a former resident designer for Bog Theatre. He has assisted internationally reknowned
master designer Ralph Kotai for Timons of Athens, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Nottingham Playhouse, United
Kingdom; Scottish National Opera, Teatre de l'Orange, Italy, and The Ralph Kotai Retrospective Exhibition, Lethaby
Gallery, London. He has designed for theatre, film, opera and dance in his native Atlanta as well as New York,
North Carolina, Indiana and the Virgin Islands. He teaches stagecraft and design at Francis Parker School.
Sara C. Walsh, Scenic Design
The Vow, Stage Left Theatre
Sara is an actor, artist and teacher and makes her Stage Left debut in this production. She has also appeared in
productions for Lifeline, Emerald City, W riters' and Pegasus Players, and recently graduated from the Second City
Conservatory.
Ben Wilhelm, Lighting Design
The Rocket Man, The House Theatre of Chicago
No bio available.
Page 12, Jeff Citation Nomination Bios, 2005, The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee
Cassie Wooley, Actress in a Principal Role - Musical or Revue
Merrily We Roll Along, White Horse Theatre Company
Cassie's other Chicago credits include: understudying Petra in A Little Night Music, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre;
Emma in Tintypes, American Theatre, and Sally in The Pool of Bethesda, Umalleniay Productions. She trained with
the Neighborhood Playhouse and received her BFA from DePaul University.
David Zak, Director - Musical or Revue
Parade, Bailiwick Repertory
David has been Artistic Director of Bailiwick since its founding in 1982. Favorite new works premiering at
Bailiwick are Dr. Sex and Sin: A Cardinal Deposed. He received a 2003 Special Jeff Citation for Bailiwick's
diversity of work and Jeff Citations for New W orks for The Hiroshima Project and The Count of Monte Christo.
Other Jeff Citations, Nominations or Recommendations include: Animal Farm, Incorruptible, Light in the Heart of
the Dragon, Pope Joan and Son Fire. Recent works include The Golem, Chicago Jewish Theatre, world premiere of
108 Waverly, ninth production of The Christmas Schooner, Bailiwick, Misery, Pyewacket, Naked Boys Singing and
Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical, featured at the 2003 New York Fringe Festival. Other awards include: After
Dark Awards for direction of Southern Baptist Sissies, In the Deep Heart's Core and Equus; Torch Award from the
Human Rights Campaign, and Distinguished Career Alumni Award from MacMurray College.
Page 13, Jeff Citation Nomination Bios, 2005, The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee