One of the greatest gifts of working in theatre is the electrifying experience of creation through collaboration. Mayday Mayday Tuesday has been a year-long experiment made through workshops, rehearsals, and confabulations of actors, designers, technicians, and stage managers all focused through the artistic lens of playwright Carlos Murillo. Back in spring 2010, Carlos assigned the MFA 3 class a simple exercise of live interviews that we re-played and re-combined.
Over the following year, he re-imagined and expounded these details into what I, the actors, and our artistic team crafted for you to experience tonight. Such tiny grains of inspirational dust have formed, through collaboration, the charged clouds of this rock-and-roll storm of a play. Congrats to this year’s graduates!
-Dexter Bullard, Director
B IOGR APHIES
CHRIS BOYKIN (Richard, Dane/Isaac’s Father) 3rd Year MFA/Acting. Derek has played with companies such as TimeLine, Court, Greasy Joan, Uma and Trap Door (Best Ensemble Jeff Citation). His Theatre School credits include Katurian in The Pillowman, Athos in The Three Musketeers, Nino in Electricidad and Ben Weatherstaff in The Secret Garden. He just finished acting in Next Theatre’s Lab Series, and he designed the violence for Redtwist Theatre’s upcoming production of Bug. He is proudly represented by Paonessa Talent Agency.
MCKENZIE CHINN (Eliza, Kate/Ghost of Isaac’s Mother) 3rd year MFA/Acting. Before moving to Chicago, Mckenzie appeared at D.C’s Studio Theatre in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Alan Ball’s All That I Will Ever Be. She also appeared in The School for Scandal and the regional premiere of Opus at the Baltimore’s Everyman Theatre and Wendy McLeod’s Apocalyptic Butterflies at The Bay Theatre in Annapolis. Theatre School credits include A Raisin in the Sun (Phyllis E. Griffin), The Civic (Sandy Shinner), Life During Wartime (Robin Witt), Blood Pudding (Sharon Bridgeforth), and Loose Knit (Trudie Kessler). Mckenzie spent the past winter creating Neofuturist-style theatre in classes with Mary K. Fons and Bilal Dardai.
PATRICIA LAVERY (Trish) 3rd year MFA/Acting. Patricia grew up in Northwestern Ohio and holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan, where favorite roles included Desiree in A Little Night Music and Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible. At DePaul, Patricia had appeared as Marlene in Top Girls, Gale in Life During Wartime, Mrs. Higgins in Pygmalion, the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet and Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret. She is a member of AEA and SAG and is represented by the Paonessa Talent Agency.
ARAM MONISOFF (Michael/Mikhail) 3rd year MFA/Acting. Aram is originally from Nyack, New York. He graduated in 2008 from Lawrence University with degrees in Theatre and Opera. Recent roles include Herr Schultz in Cabaret, Henry Higgins in Pygmalion, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare in the Valley, and Alan/Shahriyar in 1001.
SEAN PARRIS (Shawney, Gravedigger, Rob/Isaac) 3rd year MFA/Acting. Sean was born in Los Angeles and raised in Miami and Georgia. He graduated from Georgia State with a BA in Theatre and a minor in film.
LAUREN PIZZI (Alex, Lily, Annie) 3rd Year MFA/Acting. Lauren is a native of San
5DePaul University
B IOGR APHIES (c o n t.)
Francisco, California, and a founding member of the Improv Ensemble, Revolving Madness. She received her BFA in theatre from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Theatre School credits include Life During Wartime directed by Robin Witt, Cousin Alice in the Aquarium directed by Barry Brunetti, Pygmalion directed by Jess Jung, Agave in The Bacchae directed by Krissy Vanderwarker, and Abuela in Electricidad directed by Lisa Portes.
CHRIS RICKETT (Gummy Rickett) 3rd year MFA/Acting. Chris received his BA in Theatre from University at Albany in 2005. He is a company member of the Saratoga Shakespeare Company in historic Saratoga Springs, New York. Professional credits include Hamlet (Hamlet), As You Like It (Touchstone), Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry), and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged (Jess). Chris is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and The Society of American Fight Directors.
AARON RUSTEBAKKE (Harrison Pryce, Martin, PJ Buck) 3rd year MFA/Acting. Born and raised in Colorado, Aaron received his BA from Mesa State College. While at The Theatre School, he performed in U.S. Drag, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Romeo and Juliet. Aaron has worked professionally in Colorado, New York, and Kentucky. Notable productions include A Christmas Carol, Servant of Two Masters, Barefoot in the Park, A Tuna Christmas, and The Santaland Diaries. This summer Aaron was seen in Saratoga Shakespeare Company’s production of Hamlet.
CARLOS MURILLO (Playwright) Carlos Murillo is an internationally produced playwright. His plays include A Thick Description of Harry Smith, Diagram of a Paper Airplane, Dark Play or Stories For Boys, Mimesophobia, A Human Interest Story, Schadenfreude and many others. They have been produced at The Humana Festival of Actors Theatre of Louisville, Theatre @ Boston Court in LA, the Vigszinhaz in Budapest, Theatre der Stadt Aalen in Germany, Actors Express, Salt Lake Acting Company, Circle X, En
Garde Arts, Walkabout Theatre, Theatre Seven and others. His work has been seen at the Sundance Theatre Lab, The Public, Bay Area Playwrights Festival, The Watermill Center, The Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis, The Kennedy Center, Portland Center Stage, South Coast Rep and others. His plays have been published by Dramatists Play Service, Playscripts, Smith & Kraus, and Theatre Forum. Awards include The Ofner Prize from the Goodman, The National Latino Playwriting Award (1996 & 2006), The Otis Guernsey Award from the William Inge Theatre Festival and a Jerome Fellowship. Carlos is currently working on commissions for Steppenwolf and Playwrights Horizons. He is the Head of the BFA Playwriting Program at The Theatre School and is a resident playwright of New Dramatists in New York and Chicago Dramatists. He lives in the south side of Chicago with his wife, Lisa Portes, and their two children Eva Rose and Carlos Pablo.
DEXTER BULLARD (Director/Showcase Season Artistic Director/Head of Graduate Acting) Recent directing credits include Circle Mirror Transformation at Victory Gardens, The Big Meal at American Theatre Company, Odradek at HOUSE Theatre, Mistakes Were Made Off-Broadway and at A Red Orchid Theatre, Reverie with Second City at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, Lady at Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre Off-Broadway, Gas for Less at the Goodman Theatre. In 2004, Dexter was awarded the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Direction Off-Broadway for Tracy Letts’ Bug, as well as a Drama Desk Nomination for Outstanding Director. In 1995 Dexter co–founded Plasticene, whose critically–acclaimed experimental works have been featured in Chicago, Europe and New York City. With Plasticene, he has directed and collaboratively created over fourteen original works including The Palmer Raids (2003) and From A Fading Light (2010). Since 1996, Dexter has directed and taught with The Second City, developing revues at both Chicago and Detroit. Back in 1990, Dexter founded The Next Lab at The Next
6 DePaul University
B IOGR APHIES (c o n t.)
Theatre where he directed Bouncers, for which he received a Jefferson Citation and an After Dark Award. He received his undergraduate degree in acting from Northwestern University and his MFA in Performance from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
BRENDAN BOSTON (Scenic Designer) 4th year BFA/Scenic Design. Theatre School design credits include: The Sugar Wife (2009) directed by Patrice Egleston, Iphigenia 2.0 (2009) directed by Thomas Weitz and Thieves Like Us (2010) directed by Kimberly Senior. Assistant scenic design includes Central School of Speech and Drama’s production of Black Snow in London where he studied theatre in the fall of 2010.
WHITNEY MCBRIDE (Costume Designer) is honored to return to The Theatre School as a guest designer after graduating in 2008. Design credits include Chicago Dramatists, DC Fringe Festival, Walkabout Theatre, Theatre Seven, Theatre Mir, Next Theatre, Pegasus Players and 16th Street Theatre. Whitney is the Costume Supervisor at Writers’ Theatre and adjunct faculty at the Academy of Performing Arts in Hammond.
MATT GAJOWNICZEK (Lighting Designer) 4th Year BFA/Lighting Designer, His credits include lighting designer for, The Civic, A Midsummer’s Night Dream and The Maids, and assistant lighting designer for Mother Courage & Her Children (Minneapolis), The Skriker, Mother Courage & Her Children (Chicago) and Bud, Not Buddy. He has been the master electrician for 1001, Alice in Wonderland, and House of Blue Leaves. Additionally, Matt works as a freelance lighting and sound technician as well as a lighting designer for special events around the Chicago area. As of May 2010, Matt founded a company which specializes in full service production support, as well as in installations and sales of equipment to theaters and other venues.
JEFF GARY (Composer/Sound Designer) 3rd year BFA/Sound Design. Jeff’s design and composition work has been heard at The Theatre School in Medea, Much Ado About Nothing, The Skriker, Cabaret, Four Twins, Inky, Romeo and Juliet, Pygmalion, and Loose Knit. He had the pleasure of assisting Andre Pluess in his design for Electricidad, and Victoria (Toy) DeIorio for her design for 1001. Jeff is the proud recipient of the 2011 Michael Merritt Award and is the Sound Assistant for Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s 2011 Summer Season. He was also the Master Engineer on Sobriquet’s Everything Ends, and Katie Kuffel’s Weather Rods.
ROSS HOPPE (Projection Designer) 4th year BFA/Scenic Design. Ross designed scenery for this fall’s Theatre School production of Cabaret, last year’s Chicago Playworks production of Holes, and The Goat, Or Who is Sylvia at Redtwist Theatre in Chicago. Recently, Ross assisted Broadway designer Robert Brill on the new musical White Noise at the Royal George Theatre in Chicago. Ross will be attending the University of Virginia in the fall to pursue an MFA in Scenic Design and Technical Direction.
BRAE SINGLETON (Stage Manager) 3rd year BFA/Stage Management. Brae’s past Theatre School credits include Stage Manager for Ghosts and The Three Musketeers as well as Assistant Stage Manager for The Monster Under The Bed, House of Blue Leaves, Bud, Not Buddy, and Thieves Like Us. Professional credits include Stage Manager for Mami, Where’d My O Go and a stage reading of Bread and Salt at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park as well as Assistant Stage Manager for Thieves Like Us at The House Theatre of Chicago.
MEGHAN OWEN (Assistant Director) 3rd Year BFA/Theatre Arts.
TONY KENDRICK (Assistant Scenic Design) 3rd Year BFA/Scenic Design. Toni has designed Much Ado About Nothing and Loose Knit at DePaul. Assistant set design credits include
7DePaul University
B IOGR APHIES (c o n t.)
A Raisin in the Sun and Haroun and the Sea of Stories. She has also worked as a props designer at Strawdog Theatre Company. She will be designing Nancy Drew and the Sign of the Twisted Candles next winter and will be technical director Faustus in the fall.
JAKE KVANBECK (Assistant Lighting Designer) 4th year BFA/Lighting Design. Jake hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota. His Theatre School credits include the lighting design for Much Ado About Nothing, Cabaret, The Pillowman and Waiting for Lefty. His assistant lighting design credits include Thieves Like Us, Macbeth and House of Blue Leaves. He has been the master electrician for A Raisin in the Sun, Dancing At Lughasha, Macbeth and Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said.
JEN SELEZNOW (Technical Director) 4th Year, BFA/Theatre Technology. Originally from the Washington D.C. area, this is Jen’s twelfth show at The Theatre School. She has worked as Technical Director (Electricidad, The Pillowman), Assistant Technical Director, Master Carpenter, and held positions in the electrics department. In 2010, Jen was the recipient of the USITT Midwest Section Founder’s Award. She is currently the Production Manager for Bug (Redtwist). Jen studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London this past fall where she was the Technical/Production Manager on a devised piece, To Be Taken With Water: The Verbatim Project. Previously, Jen was the Technical Director for Mami, Where’d My O Go? (Lifeline) and Flyer (Bayside Theater, Delaware). She has enjoyed working with the Utah Shakespearean Festival, Fisher Theatrical (Baltimore, Maryland), The Theatre School’s Scene Shop, and freelance drafting in Chicago.
RACHAEL CLAXTON (Paint Charge) 3rd Year BFA/Scene Design. Rachael’s Theatre School credits include scenic designer for Hedda Gabler and Waiting For Godot, assistant scenic designer for The Pillowman, as well as assistant scenic artist for A Midsummer Night’s
Dream. Rachael has trained in scenic art at Cobalt Studios. She has also worked as a scenic artist for TriArts Playhouse in Sharon, Connecticut and The Contemporary American Theatre Festival outside of Washington, DC.
ELIZABETH G. SMITH (Master Electrician) 3rd year BFA/Lighting Design. Elizabeth is originally from Orlando, Florida. Her previous Theatre School credits include lighting design for A View From the Bridge; Assistant Lighting Designer for The Secret Garden, Romeo and Juliet, and Loose Knit; and Master Electrician for Romeo and Juliet and Pygmalion.
JOHN CULBERT (Dean). In Chicago, John has designed scenery and/or lighting for the Buckingham Fountain, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Garfield Conservatory, Chicago Park District, Field Museum of Natural History, Goodman Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Chicago Opera Theatre and more than thirty productions at Court Theatre. At the Court Theatre, he received several Joseph Jefferson nominations and a Jeff Award for The Triumph Of Love. Other Chicago productions include Regina for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Hughie for the Goodman Theatre, Glass Menagerie, Man Of La Mancha for Court Theatre and A Year With Frog And Toad for Chicago Children’s Theatre. John has designed scenery and/or lighting for the Boston Lyric Opera, St. Louis Opera, Baton Rouge Opera, Southern Repertory, Cleveland Orchestra, McCarter Theatre and Bristol Riverside Theatre. At The Theatre School he has designed productions of The Misanthrope, Streetcar Named Desire, The Rose Tattoo, The Women, The Snow Queen, Rip Van Winkle and Stage Door.
8 DePaul University
THE THEATRE SCHOOL AT DEPAUL UNIVERS IT Y
Mission Statement
The Theatre School at DePaul University educates, trains, and inspires students of theatre in a conservatory setting that is rigorous, disciplined, culturally diverse and that strives for the highest level of professional skill and artistry.
A commitment to diversity and equality in education is central to our mission. As an integral part of the training, The Theatre School produces public programs and performances from a wide repertoire of classic, contemporary and original plays that challenge, entertain, and stimulate the imagination. We seek to enhance the intellectual and cultural life of our university community, our city and the profession. For admissions information, telephone (773) 325-7999 or 1-800-4-DEPAUL.
Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences
Chicago Playworks offers a live theatre experience to students, teachers and parents in the Chicago metropolitan area. It is our mission to provide theatre for children that reflects their experiences in a contemporary, multi-ethnic, urban environment.
Founded as the Goodman Children’s Theatre in 1925, Chicago Playworks is the city’s oldest continuously operating children’s theatre. It has been the first theatre experience for audiences of Chicago’s young people for more than seven decades and was one of the first major theatres for children in the United States. In 1997 and again in 2003, Chicago Playworks was honored by the Illinois Theatre Association with the Children’s Theatre Division Award, for its outstanding long-term contribution to children’s theatre. In 1980, Chicago Playworks was awarded the prestigious Sara Spencer Award by the Children’s Theatre Association of America (now the American Alliance for Theatre and Education).
Chicago Playworks is a vital aspect of the training at The Theatre School at DePaul University. Students gain pre-professional experience in an extended run before a most demanding and appreciative audience. Chicago Playworks presents three unique productions to more than 35,000 young people each season and has entertained more than 1 million schoolchildren and families since 1925.
The Theatre School ShowcaseContemporary Plays and Classics
Presenting diverse and exciting productions, The Theatre School Showcase blends imagination and cultural impact with three plays, and rounds-out the season with a fourth production featuring the graduating MFA in Acting candidates. The Theatre School Showcase offers a unique opportunity to see tomorrow’s industry leaders today, by introducing the raw creativity and dedicated collaborations of artists at the beginning of their careers. Their work is powerful, imaginative, and new.
Merle Reskin Theatre
The Merle Reskin Theatre was built in 1910 as the Blackstone Theatre, designed by Chicago architects Marshall & Fox. The stone façade and mansard roof of the French Renaissance-style building have been modified only slightly over the years. The interior finish of French walnut and gold was designed by Plamondon & Tetze to give the appearance of a European opera house. Prior to DePaul’s purchase of the theatre in 1988, it had been home to vaudeville, the Federal Theatre Project and the touring productions of the Shubert Organization. The Theatre School brings an audience of more than 45,000 people to the theatre each season.
9DePaul University
THE THEATRE SCHOOL BOARD
DEPAUL UNIVERS IT Y ALUMNI
Sustaining MembersPatricia Costello Slovak,
Chair Sondra Healy, Chair EmeritusJoseph AntunovichKathleen M. BetteMary Spalding BurnsKyle DeSantisDavid DunningJames FitzpatrickJohn M. LenckosCatherine McBreenDon McLeanIrene Michaels
Carol MorsePenny ObenshainVonita ReescerMerle ReskinJohn SamolisMsgr. Kenneth Velo
Professional AssociatesScott L. Ellis, Hon.
Co-ChairSamantha FalbeScott FalbeZach HelmCriss HendersonPaul Konrad
Paula LisbeAmy K. PietzJohn C. ReillyBernard SahlinsCharlayne WoodardDennis Zacek
Honorary BoardDr. John Ransford Watts,
Dean EmeritusDr. Bella Itkin-Konrath,
Faculty EmeritusJoseph Slowik, Faculty
EmeritusLord Piers Wedgwood
The Office of Alumni Relations provides many opportunities to help graduates maintain a lifelong connection to classmates and the university. Alumni can connect with current students, participate in volunteer opportunities and attend a variety of events and programs throughout the year and across the country. For more information about the alumni community, please visit alumni.depaul.edu or call (800) 437-1898.
DONORS
Listings in the honor roll reflect contributions and pledge payments made to The Theatre School between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.
President’s ClubGifts of $1,000 and above annually qualify for membership in the President’s Club, DePaul’s honor society of donors. The President’s Club comprises giving circles named for former university presidents.
*$1,000,000 lifetime giving+ Donor has made a special philanthropic pledge to DePaul University between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010~ Denotes President’s Club membership, Fr. Richardson Circle, for recent graduates
& Joanne PlummerPSEGThomas ReedyBernard Sahlins & Jane SahlinsRosemary SchnellSegal Family FoundationMr. & Mrs. R. Michael ShehornCharles SmithPhil Varchetta, COM ‘49Susan Vargo, THE ‘98Monsignor Kenneth VeloWedgwood USABonnie Zimmer
$500-$999Katherine AbelsonRosemary S. & John F. BannanJohn BowabJohn BridgesRussell Bruzek, GSDChild’s Play Touring TheatrePatricia CoxJoseph CushingJames FitzpatrickArny GranatMark L. Hawkins, COM ‘01; MBA
‘06John & Kelly HoogenakkerKIMark Kijek, MD & Barbara Kijek,
MDKirkegaard AssociatesVirginia LarsonGerald McLaughlinDr. Richard Meister & Joan
GSD ‘65Hobart Senior High SchoolJames JensenBJ JonesShane KellyDonald LivesayJanet MessmerDavid Mold, MFA ‘97Gregory Reger, COM ‘73David Saltiel~Ronald Seeley Jr., THE ‘06Showtime NetworkNorbert Sieracki, COM ‘49Stearns Family Charitable FundNeele & Bonnie StearnsJoanne Velasquez (Trustee) &
Arthur R. VelasquezCatherine WeidnerDennis Zacek, LAS ‘63
$100-$249Anonymous (1)Linda BoskellyNicholas Bowling, MFA ‘96Jane BrodyJeffrey Bruckerhoff, THE ‘94Mark & Linda BurnsDean CorrinCarole Doris, JD ‘76 & Dr. Peter
MFA12, TBAAn ensemble piece to be performed by MFA III actors,
to be directed by a guest from the Chicago theatre community.May 11 - 20, 2012 (previews 5/9 & 5/10)
CHICAGO PLAYWORKS FOR FAMILIES AND YOUNG AUDIENCES
The Witchesby Roald Dahl, adapted by David Wood, directed by Ernie Nolan
October 25 – December 3, 2011(Recommended for ages 7 and up)
Nancy Drew and the Sign of the Twisted Candlesbased on the book by Carolyn Keene
adapted and directed by Damon KielyJanuary 14 – February 28, 2012
(Recommended for ages 8 and up)
Barrio Grrrlbook and lyrics by Quiara Alegría Hudes
music by Bill Sherman, directed by Lisa PortesMarch 27 – May 19, 2012
(Recommended for ages 7 and up)
12 DePaul University
SCHOL ARSHIP INFOR M ATION
A priority at The Theatre School is to make sure any student who has the talent to be admitted to our conservatory training program, can attend regardless of their financial means. For the vast majority of our students, pursuing their passion for the theatre profession is a financial struggle. We work hard every year to make funding available to help our students reach their professional goals.
AWARDSThe total in endowed scholarship accounts is $1,739,923
Faculty member, Janet Messmer signed a bequest intention for an endowed scholarship to be awarded to a Costume Technology student.
Dominic G. And Helen T. Parisi made a Charitable Remainder Gift Annuity Trust gift in the amount of $40,000
Four alums have pledged $10,000 leadership gifts to set up an endowed scholarship to be awarded to a Theatre management or Stage Management student: Susan Vargo (BFA/Theatre Management, ‘98), Producer and Brand Manager for Viacom, Matthew Lambert (BFA/Theatre Studies ’94), currently 1st Assistant Stage Manager for the Touring Production of The Lion King, Teresa Aguilera (BFA/Production Management ’98), currently Senior Audience Coordinator for the Oprah Winfrey Show at Harpo Studios, and Anthony Johnson, (BFA/Production Management ’95), Production Manager and lighting designer, Brentwood School, Santa Monica CA.
SCHOLARSHIPSAlum Frederick Spaulding (Goodman ’73) gave a leadership gift of $10,000 which completed the Lighting Design Endowed Scholarship.
Merle Reskin made a $15,000 pledge payment to the Merle Reskin Endowed Scholarship and to an expendable scholarship for 09-10.
John Bowab made an additional gift to the Lois Nettleton Memorial Scholarship.
A final payment of $12,575 was made from the estate of Julia K. Olsansky to the Olsansky Scholarship.
Alum Scott Ellis made a pledge payment of $10,000 to the Joseph Slowik Scholarship and to an expendable scholarship for 09-10.
Alum Robert Shook and Leslie Shook made a pledge payment to the Lighting Design Scholarship.
John R. and Joyce L Watts made an additional donation to the John R. and Joyce L. Watts Endowed Scholarship for a playwriting student.
Andrea Ganzel Saccone made an additional gift to the Mark Ganzel Memorial Scholarship.
Rachel Kraft, Joyce Chelberg and Gerald McLaughlin made additional gifts to the Michael Maggio Endowed Scholarship.
Alums Becky Borczon, Lynn Rott Lentz, and Dana Wise made contributions to the Itkin and Slowik Endowed scholarships.
If you are interested in making a gift to support student scholarships or a program at The Theatre School, please call Tessa Craib-Cox, Director of Development at 773-
325-7929.
13DePaul University
ALUMNI FACTS
Over 700 alumni were listed in Theatre School News during its 13th year of production. TSN is an electronic alumni activity newsletter published monthly (except July). Though originally created as a vehicle to communicate alumni activities among alumni, it is now also used for admissions, recruitment, fund raising, advertising and promotion. It is also responsible for gradually increasing the number of alumni within the school’s database with active electronic and snail-mail addresses and phone numbers. The statistics below are based on issues between August 2008 and June 2009. http://theateschool.depaul.edu/tsn
The listings included the following selected alumni activities:
•Alumni worked at 146 different Chicagoland area theatre companies.
•More alumni worked at Chicago Shakespeare, Goodman, Victory Gardens, Steppenwolf, TimeLine and Next theatres, and The Second City.
•Alumni worked at 62 different theatre and film festivals internationally including Toronto Film Festival, Montreal Film Festival, New York International Fringe Festival, Los Angeles International Film Festival, French Festival of New Plays, Chicago Improv Festival, 22nd Chicago Latino Film Festival, and countless Shakespeare Festivals across the country.
•Alumni have worked at 90 different schools including Yale, USC, The Art Institute of Chicago, University of Michigan, Columbia University, NYU, Walter Payton College Prep, Columbia College, Notre Dame, Old Town School of Folk Music, SUNY Purchase, Steppenwolf School, and The American Film Institute
•Alumni worked on 34 Broadway/touring shows including A Chorus Line, August: Osage County, Addam’s Family the Musical, Gypsy, In the Heights, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Legally Blonde, Mary Poppins, The Seagull, West Side Story, Wicked, Xandu, and You’re Welcome America: A Final Night with George W. Bush.
•Alumni worked at 55 other theatres in the New York area.
•Alumni worked at 48 different theatres in California.
•Alumni worked in 41 different states.
•Alumni worked in 19 countries other than the United States including Argentina, Australia, Bogata, Canada, England, France, Germany, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria and Thailand.
•Alumni worked on 103 films this year including Alice in Wonderland, Fast and the Furious 4, Funny People, High School Musical 3, I Love You Man, Milk, Nine, Public Enemies, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight, The Soloist, The X-Files: I Want to Believe, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and You Don’t Mess With Zohan.
•Alumni worked on 434 theatre productions.
•Alumni worked on more than 30 different television channels ABC, Bravo, CBS, NBC, VHI, HBO, CW, MTV, Showtime and Fox, on 70 different programs including 24, Brothers and Sisters, Castle, Criminal Minds, Damages, Desperate Houswives, Grey’s Anatomy, Heroes, Lipstick Jungle, Mad Men, Monk, Private Practice, The Oprah Winfrey Show, True Blood and Weeds.
•Alumni have multiple television shows in syndication or online including Arrested Development, Mad About You, Babylon-5, Providence, Early Edition and The X-Files.
•Alumni worked on 20 commercials or voiceovers for products including Allstate Insurance, Apple, Best Buy, Cingular Wireless, Comcast, Honda, Illinois State Lottery, Mountain Dew, Toyota, Union Bank.
•Alumni worked at more than 30 production companies including Fox Searchlight Productions, Miramax Films, Paramount Vantage, Spyglass Entertainment, Starmaker Group, Tribeca Productions, Universal Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures.
•40 alumni are Artistic or Co-Artistic Directors of theatres.
•Alumni were featured in numerous articles in publications including USA Today, The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reader, Chicago Sun-Times, Time Out Chicago, American Theatre Magazine, PerformInk and the Washington Post.
14 DePaul University
THEATRE SCHOOL FACULT Y / STAFF
John Culbert – DeanDean Corrin – Associate DeanLinda Buchanan – Associate Dean for
CurriculumChristine Binder – Chair, Design and Technical
ADMINISTRATION Anna Ables - Director of Marketing and Public
RelationsJason Beck - Director of AdmissionsJohn Bridges - Assistant Dean, Director of
Administration, Alumni RelationsTessa Craib-Cox – Director of DevelopmentMitsu Gee – Executive AssistantAnastasia Gonzalez – Budget ManagerJoshua Mangilia - Technical Operations
ManagerMeghan Beals McCarthy – Coordinator of
Academic ServicesAndrea Tichy - Manager of PR and Special
EventsMelissa Tropp – Admissions Assistant Jeanne Williams – Production CoordinatorDexter Zollicoffer – Diversity Advisor
ACTING & DIRECTINGDexter Bullard – Head of Graduate Acting,
Artistic Director/The Theatre School Showcase
John Jenkins – Head of Undergraduate ActingLisa Portes – Head of Directing, Artistic Director/
Chicago Playworks
MOVEMENTPatrice Egleston – Head of Movement
VOICE AND SPEECHClaudia Anderson – Head of Voice and Speech
DESIGNChristine Binder – Head of Lighting DesignLinda Buchanan – Head of Scene DesignNan Cibula-Jenkins – Head of Costume DesignVictoria DeIorio– Head of Sound DesignNan Zabriskie- Head of Make Up
TECHNICAL THEATREShane Kelly – Head of Theatre TechnologyJanet C. Messmer – Head of Costume
TechnologyFrank Wukitsch – Head of Stage Management
THEATRE STUDIESBarry Brunetti – Head of Theatre ArtsCarlos Murillo – Head of PlaywritingAlan Salzenstein – Head of Arts LeadershipMarcie McVay – Interim Head of Theatre
ManagementRachel Shteir – Head of Dramaturgy
LIBERAL STUDIES
TECHNICAL STAFFDeanna Aliosius – Costume Shop ManagerSo Hui Chong – StitcherTim Combs – Technical DirectorChris Hofmann – Director of ProductionTim Jarrell – Reskin Sound TechnicianJacob Josef – Technical AssistantJen Leahy – Reskin Technical DirectorDawn G. McKesey – Assistant Costume Shop
ManagerMax Raynolds – Reskin Assistant Technical
DirectorGerry Reynolds – Scene Shop Foreman Ron Seeley – Master ElectricianWayne W. Smith – Property Master, Safety
OfficerJoanna White – Scenic Artist
For more information, check our Web site: http://theatreschool.depaul
Dean .................................................................................................................................................. John CulbertTheatre Manager ............................................................................................................................ Leslie ShookDirector of Marketing and Public Relations ............................................................................... Anna AblesManager of Public Relations and Special Events ..................................................................Andrea TichyMarketing Assistants ......................................................................... Jake Kvanbeck, Meredith Matthews,
Group Sales Representative .................................................................................................... Linda RM JonesGroup Sales Assistant ............................................................................................................. Shane SweeneyAdministrative Assistant ................................................................................................................... Liz CalvertOffice Assistant ...................................................................................................................Meghan McDonaldChicago Playworks House Manager ...................................................................................LaKisha JacksonTheatre School Showcase House Manager ....................................................................... Juliet W. TrieloffReskin Technical Director ................................................................................................................... Jen LeahyReskin Assistant Technical Director ......................................................................................... Max RaynoldsTechnical Assistant ........................................................................................................................... Jacob JosefMaster Electrician .............................................................................................................................. Ron Seeley Reskin Sound Technician ...................................................................................................................Tim Jarrell
Kelly Montgomery, Lauren Pizzi, Nicole Prahin, Chris Rickett, Brae Singleton, Rose Streit
Admissions Assistants .............................................................................................. Anna Bosy, Chris Boykin, Azar Kazemi, Sally LaRowe
Administration Assistants .......... Micaela Alaniz, Sasha Alekseyeva, Marc Bowser, Mark Bonham, McKenzie Chinn, Amy Eingold, David Daniels, Pamela Davis,
Rhiannon Falzone, John Kristoff, Jerry Kurian, Jake Kvanbeck, Mark Lancaster, Meredith Matthews, Jenna Moran, Brittany Squier, Shannon Sullivan, Sam Tank
Costume Shop ................................................................................................ Cara Adams, Jessica Burgwald, Kara Dent, Camilla Hansen,
Elizabeth Lamona, Constance Lee, Adrienne Littlefield, Kelly Neuls,
Carmen Dutton, Lauren Genta, Lorena Gomez, Lauren Lundy,
Morgan Madison, Dan Smeriglio, Tara SmithbergerMake Up Shop ........................................................................................... Carmen Briwa, Jessica Burgwald,
Dan Dvorkin, Kelsey Jorissen, Taylor Payne, Colin Sphar, Kristy Staky, Rose Streit,
Megan Truscott, Williams Wever, Sarah Jo White Mat Cleaners ....................................................................................................... Jared Green, Patricia Lavery,
Manuel Ortiz, Sean ParrisProp Shop ............................................................... Toni Kenrick, Tierra Novy, Thomas Peacock-Preston,
Jillian Rothman, Megan Truscott, Rachel WatsonMerle Reskin Theatre Crew ..................................... Kelly Claussen, Will Deleguardia, Michael Dodge,
Rachel Claxton, Sam Hillyer, Kelly Montgomery, Thomas Peacock-Preston, Mike Ross, Sarah Schultz,
Brae Singleton, Elizabeth Smith, Shawn WatsonScene Shop .....................................................Ian Blinstrup, Kelly Claussen, Nickolas Falconer Fleming,
Vanessa Fusi, Noah Hayman, Alex Long, Andrew McCarthy, John Ofori, Claudia Peterson,
Seth Randall-Tapply, Anders Wahl, Jon WoelferStudio Coordinator .............................................................. Matt Baca, Nicole Prahin, Elizabeth Thomas
NO SMOKINGIn compliance with the City of Chicago Clean Air Ordinance, smoking is prohibited in the Merle Reskin Theatre. We appreciate your cooperation.
EMERGENCY EXITSPlease note the location of emergency exits in the theatre.
CELLULAR PHONES, TEXT MESSAGING, RECORDING DEVICES, PHOTOGRAPHY, PAGERS, FOOD AND BEVERAGESPlease do not use the above listed items in the theatre. Patrons with electronic pagers or cellular telephones are asked to either turn off their equipment in the theatre or check them with the House Manager prior to curtain. We discourage text messaging during the performance. The light from the screen can bother other patrons. We allow photographs to be taken before and after but never during the performance. You may also check cameras and recording equipment with the House Manager who will secure them until final curtain. As a special favor, we ask that young people do not chew gum. Water fountains are located in the lower lobby and in the lobbies of the mezzanine and balcony.
RESTROOMSRestrooms are located in the lower lobby, the mezzanine, and balcony. A new accessible restroom is located on the main floor inside of the theatre.
LOST AND FOUNDIf you find an item or have lost an item, please contact the House Manager. You may also call (773) 325-7968 the next day to determine if an item has been found.
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE CALLSPatrons with electronic pagers are requested to either turn off their pagers in the theatre or check them with the House Manager prior to showtime. Should you need to give an emergency telephone number where you can be reached during a performance, please alert the House Manager of your seat location and give the Box Office telephone number for emergencies, (312) 922-1999. After Box Office hours, use (773) 325-7968 as an emergency number.
SENNHEISER INFRA-RED LISTENING SYSTEM FOR OUR HEARING-IMPAIRED PATRONSWe require the security deposit of a driver’s license or other identification during the performance. The I.D. will be returned when you return the headset.
LARGE PRINT PROGRAMSYou may request a large print program from the ticket taker or the House Manager.
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETINGSelected performances at the Merle Reskin Theatre will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Call the Box Office or see the website for the schedule.
