Raven-CatHotTinRoof

Raven Theatre Company presents

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

by Tennessee Williams Directed by

Michael Menendian Stage Managed by

Jen Short Set Design Ray Toler

Lighting Design Christine Ferriter

Sound Design Katherine M. Chavez

Properties/Set Dressing Mary O’Dowd

Costume Design Mina Hyun-Ok Hong

Technical Director Andrei Onegin Composer Leif Olsen

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service on behalf of the University of South, Sewanee, Tennessee.

Raven Theatre Company is funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, Polk Bros. Foundation, Yates-Feldman Foundation, The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Field Foundation, The Alphawood Foundation, The Arts Engagement Exchange through The Chicago Community Trust, The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, S & C Electric Company, The Department of Cultural Affairs, CityArtsII, a city agency, The Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development through The Chicago Community Trust, The Kinder Morgan Foundation, and The Saints.

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF is partially underwritten by Carla and Allan Price, Carol Zsolnay, Marcia Welcome, Rich McClowry and Ron Zweig.

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A B O U T R AV E N T H E AT R E Raven Theatre is an ensemble of directors, actors, writers, and other theater artists dedicated to presenting American classics and other works that illuminate the American experience, while taking occasional forays into world theatre. Founded in 1983, Raven now enters its 28th season. Some highlights from past years include: Talley’s Folly (1985), A Texas Trilogy (1988), A Memory of Two Mondays (1991), The Crucible (1992), Cobb (1993), The Time of Your Life (1994), The Glass Menagerie (1996), You Can’t Take it With You (1997), Six Degrees of Separation (1998), Glengarry Glen Ross (1999), A View from the Bridge (2000), Marvin’s Room (2002), Golden Boy (2003), A Streetcar Named Desire (2004), Dancing at Lughnasa (2005), American Buffalo (2006), The Night of the Iguana (2007), columbinus (2008), Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train (2008), Hedda Gabler (2009), Death of a Salesman (2009), and Twelve Angry Men (2010) Along with its critically acclaimed program of great American theatre, Raven also produces a variety of other projects, including a Workshop Series of new and experimental works, and a Children’s Theatre Series. Starting in 2000, Raven initiated its public school partnership program with Hayt Elementary School across the street from our new theater. Since then we have expanded our partnership program to include Hayt Elementary, Stone Scholastic Academy, Peirce Elementary, Senn High School, and Sullivan High School. The education and outreach program consists of performing arts classes and presentations that are incorporated into the school’s regular educational offerings. Raven Theatre also offers a year-round program of classes at our facility to young students. If you are interested in finding out more about these classes visit our website at www.raventheatre.com or call us at 773.338.2177.

Raven Theatre Company is committed to serving everyone in our community. The Raven Theatre Opportunity Program makes up to 5% of the seating capacity of all Raven Theatre productions available at reduced or free admission for participants who do not have the ability to pay. Please contact us at 773-338-2177 for information on this program.

Visit our website at www.raventheatre.com for current information on Raven Theatre.

CAST Reverend Tooker.........................................................................................................................Mike Boone Gooper.......................................................................................................................................Greg Caldwell Servant.................................................................................................................................Justin Castellano Maggie............................................................................................................................................Liz Fletcher Brick......................................................................................................................................... Jason Huysman Mae.................................................................................................................................................Eleanor Katz Big Mama...................................................................................................................... JoAnn Montemurro Dr. Baugh............................................................................................................................Jonathan Nichols Big Daddy.............................................................................................................................. Jon Steinhagen Setting: Big Daddy’s Mansion on his Plantation in the Mississippi Delta Time: 1956 There will be two short intermissions

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6156 N. Clark Street, (773) 743-1797 Directly across the street!

P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Director..........................................................................................................................Michael Menendian Stage Manager.................................................................................................................................Jen Short Assistant Stage Manager...............................................................................................Justin Castellano Composer..........................................................................................................................................Leif Olsen Set Design...........................................................................................................................................Ray Toler Costume Design....................................................................................................... Mina Hyun-Ok Hong Sound Design.............................................................................................................Katherine M. Chavez Lighting Design................................................................................................................ Christine Ferriter Technical Director............................................................................................................... Andrei Onegin Assistants to the Technical Director.................................................... Adrian Rozendaal, Buck Blue Properties/Set Dressing.......................................................................................................Mary O’Dowd Scenic Artist...............................................................................................................................Tamar Daskin Dramaturg................................................................................................................Kristen Williams Smith Singing & Off Stage Voice.....................................................................................................Llou Johnson Additional Voices.............................................................................Sophia Menendian, Kathy Chavez Graphic Design/Videography...............................................................................................Kelly Rickert Videographer...............................................................................................................................Luke Millett Photographer.........................................................................................................................Dean LaPrairie Media Relations................................................................................................................ Christa van Baale Hair Consultant............................................................................................................................Liz Fletcher

A D M I N I S T R AT I V E S TA F F Producing Artistic Director.....................................................................................Michael Menendian Co-Artistic Director.................................................................................................... JoAnn Montemurro Operations Manager............................................................................................................... John Weagly Director of Education and Outreach.............................................................................Kelli Strickland Events Coordinator................................................................................................................ Teri McCaskill Literary Manager ....................................................................................................................... Paul Thelen House Managers.................................................................................................Kerry Reed, John Weagly, Teri McCaskill & Michael Shane Abbott Accounting...............................................................................................Levinson, Simon, Hein & Bilkey, P.C. & A.C.T. Group Ltd. Web Site Manager..................................................................................................... Christopher Vaughn Computer Consultant............................................................................................................Mary T. Duros Administrative Assistant.............................................................................................. Adrian Rozendaal Interns/Volunteers..................................... Susan Lieberman, Sophia Menendian, Jalesia L Ivery Ushering Services..........................................................................................................................The Saints Legal Council............................................................................................................................. John O’Leary

R AV E N T H E AT R E A R T I S T I C E N S E M B L E Greg Caldwell Christine Ferriter Liz Fletcher

Esther McCormick (In Memoriam) Michael Menendian JoAnn Montemurro

Leif Olsen Chuck Spencer Mark Yates

B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S Merrill Essex Stuart Gold Richard Jamerson, Treasurer Michael Menendian Marilyn (Lynn) Pierce

Allan Price, President Carla Price Jane Rodak, Secretary Susan Rozendaal Christine Williams Sue Wilsey

Carol Zsolnay, Vice-President Tim Rasmussen (Special Board Consultant)

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F R I E N D S O F R AV E N Jann Iaco Ann Clements

Danni Parpan Michael McCormick

Dan Schaefer

WHO’S WHO MICHAEL BOONE (Reverend Tooker) is excited to be working again at Raven Theatre with such a talented cast and crew. Other Raven credits include A CLEAN WELL-LIGHTED PLACE, THE ROOM, TALK TO ME LIKE THE RAIN and YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU. Mike is a graduate of the Steven Ivcich Conservatory and has studied at the Royal National in London. Many thanks to Michael for being crazy enough to cast him and much love & thanks to mom, dad, Terrence, Annie, Jann and Teri for all their support!

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W EE K LY TI C K ET

GIVE AWAYS

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GREG CALDWELL (Gooper) Was last seen on the Raven stage as Roy in THE ODD COUPLE. Greg has worked with Raven for over a decade and became an ensemble member in 2008. Some of his favorite productions include: DEATH OF A SALESMAN, JESUS HOPPED THE ‘A’ TRAIN, LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA, THE SEA GULL, BOOK OF DAYS, A HATFUL OF RAIN, THE MAN WHO HAD ALL THE LUCK, TALKIN’ BASEBALL/ TITANS & TALL TALES, SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION,

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and the Jeff Award winning productions of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE and A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE. Greg is a graduate of the Second City Training Center. He would like to thank Mike for the chance and the wisdom and Chris for the craft.

LIZ FLETCHER (Margaret) has worked regularly with Raven since 1991, has been an ensemble member since 1997, and was most recently seen giggling, cooing, and having a “wonderful” time as Gwendolyn Pigeon in Raven’s 2010 production of THE ODD COUPLE. Other favorite Raven roles include: Essie in YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, Lee in MARVIN’S ROOM, Lorna Moon in GOLDEN BOY (Supporting Actress Jeff Citation), Agnes in DANCING AT LUGHNASA, and Blanche in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Leading Actress Jeff Citation). An MFA graduate from NIU, some of her other Chicago credits include: THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET and THE MOTHERS with Chameleon Productions, and RACE at Strawdog Theatre Company.

A heapin’ dose of love goes out to incredible friends and family, who always make me wish the days were longer. Thanks Mommy. Thanks Gran.

JASON HUYSMAN (Brick) is excited to be working with Raven Theatre once again, having appeared in DEATH OF A SALESMAN. Chicago theatre credits include: BackStage, Greasy Joan, Steppenwolf, and Trap Door. Jason would like to thank Robyn, Griffin and his family for their love and support.

W H O ’ S W H O ( c o n t .)

ELEANOR KATZ (Mae) is thrilled to be working with Raven Theatre for the first time! Most recently, she made her Chicago debut as Zeva in Babes With Blades’ THE LAST DAUGHTER OF OEDIPUS. Other credits include Shelby in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Rizzo in GREASE, Ophelia in HAMLET, Dunyasha in THE CHERRY ORCHARD and Lala in THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO. Originally from New Jersey, Eleanor holds an MA in Acting from East15 Acting School in London, England and a BA in Theatre Arts from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. It has been her great joy to work on another show with her extraordinary husband, Justin.

JONATHAN NICHOLS (Dr. Baugh) is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Raven again having previously played Rev. Bobby Groves in Raven’s production of BOOK OF DAYS. Past Chicago credits include: Sir Robert Chiltern in AN IDEAL HUSBAND and Richard Greatham in HAY FEVER both at Circle Theatre, Parsole/Beach/Maudie in City Lit Theatre’s PIGS HAVE WINGS, Antonio in THE TEMPEST with Shakespeare on the Green, Richard the Lionheart in Rising Moon Theatre’s THE LION IN WINTER as well as several productions with Eclipse Theatre and Oak Park Festival Theatre.

JOANN MONTEMURRO (Big Mama) is a co-founding member and Co-Artistic Director of Raven Theatre where she has appeared as an actress in many roles. Some of her favorite roles include: Elizabeth Proctor in THE CRUCIBLE, Beatrice in A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, Bessie in MARVIN’S ROOM, Kate in DANCING AT LUGHNASA and Arkadina in THE SEA GULL. JoAnn earned a Joseph Jefferson Award for Outstanding Performance for the title role in LUANN HAMPTON LAVERTY OBERLANDER. Along with Co-Artistic Director Michael Menendian, JoAnn received a special Jeff Award for Outstanding Contribution to Chicago Theatre in 2008. She has done costumes for several productions including GOLDEN BOY, A FEW GOOD MEN, THE MAN WHO HAD ALL THE LUCK, HEDDA GABLER and, most recently, THE ODD COUPLE. JoAnn is a graduate of the Goodman School of Drama.

JON STEINHAGEN (Big Daddy) has appeared on the Raven Stage as Felix in THE ODD COUPLE and Judge Brack in HEDDA GABLER. Recently, he appeared as Birdboot in Signal Ensemble Theatre’s production of THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND. Other roles include Senator Raitcliffe in DEMOCRACY and Roy in PLAZA SUITE (both for Eclipse Theatre), Flan in SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION and John Dickinson in 1776 (both for Signal), and Eppa Morton in his own play THE ANALYTICAL ENGINE at Circle Theatre.

Jon is a four-time Jeff Award winner for musical direction, writing, and acting, and is a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists. Among his Jeff-nominated plays and musicals are THE TEAPOT SCANDALS and THE ANAYLTICAL ENGINE (winner of the Julie Harris Playwriting Award); his play ACES will have its world premiere at Signal in May 2011. He is a Signal ensemble member and artistic associate of Porchlight Music Theatre.

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Save the Date

Upcoming Events at Raven Theatre: October 22 Out at Raven with Cat on a Hot Tin Roof February 7 Subscriber Only invited rehearsal of Radio Golf February 27 Opening Night of Radio Golf March 4 Out at Raven with Radio Golf May 16 Subscriber only invited rehearsal of The Cherry Orchard June 5 Opening night of The Cherry Orchard June 10 Out at Raven with The Cherry Orchard

For more information visit us on the web at www.raventheatre.com or call us at 773-338-2177

Ticket SPECIALS Visit Footlights.com to check out the latest event discounts.

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P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F TENNESSEE WILLIAMS (Playwright, 1911-1983) Born Thomas Lanier Williams in Columbus, Mississippi, in 1911, Tennessee Williams first earned respect as a playwright in 1944 with his Chicago premiere of THE GLASS MENAGERIE, which was soon followed by a highly successful run on Broadway, earning Williams the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award at age 34. He then moved to Mexico and began writing A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, which earned him the Pulitzer Prize in 1948. Over the next thirty years, his reputation continued to grow and he saw many of his plays produced on Broadway, including CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, for which he won a second Pulitzer Prize in 1955, THE ROSE TATTOO, which won the 1952 Tony Award for Best play, and THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA, for which he won a second New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award in 1961, as well as a Tony. Often using people and situations from his own life as inspiration for his characters and plot lines, Williams tackled many controversial and personal topics including homosexuality, depression and addiction to drugs and alcohol.

In addition to twenty-five full-length plays, Williams produced dozens of short plays and screenplays, two novels, a novella, sixty short stories, over one hundred poems, and an autobiography.

MICHAEL MENENDIAN (Director) is a co-founding member and the Producing Artistic Director of Raven Theatre, where he has directed and designed many of the productions. He has earned multiple Joseph Jefferson and After Dark awards for direction, and design.

JEN SHORT (Stage Manager) Jen is happy to return to the Raven after stage managing 12 ANGRY MEN last season. Last fall, she had her Chicago debut with Janus Theatre’s all-female production of ROMEO & JULIET as Romeo. Previous management credits include LUNCH AT THE PICADILLY, THE LOVER, AN EVENING OF MAGICAL SONG, SHE LOVES ME.

Previous performance credits include Brooke in NOISES OFF, Queenie in THE WILD PARTY (Kiedrowski), Orlando in AS YOU LIKE IT, and Hermia in A MIDSUMMER... Jen holds a B.A. In Theatre Arts from Catawba College.

RAY TOLER (Set Designer) has been designing sets for Raven Theatre productions for over 25 years, including last season’s THE ODD COUPLE. Also well known as a Director and Actor, Ray was the first person accepted into the Goodman Theatre’s directing internship program when it began in 1976. As an actor, he has appeared in the movies HOME ALONE, U.S. MARSHALS, STRAIGHT TALK, A THOUSAND ACRES and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN among others, as well as the TV programs ER, THE UNTOUCHABLES and EARLY EDITION. He was recently featured as Alderman Philip Rossi in the soon-to-be-released feature film CHICAGO OVERCOAT. Ray holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Florida State University.

ANDREI ONEGIN (Technical Director) has enjoyed designing the sets for two of last year’s productions at the Raven: DEATH OF A SALESMAN and HEDDA GABLER. He has also served as TD at the Raven for the last three seasons.

His other work in Chicago has included designing sets for THE COLORED MUSEUM and BLACK NATIVITY (Congo Square), CAT’S CRADLE (Lifeline), PRINCESS CLUB, THE BALLOON MAN and THE GOLDEN TRUFFLE (Redmoon), THE DAY OF KNOWLEDGE (Stage Left), HAMLET (Yamaworks), FLOOD and ROSMERSHOLM (Alchimia). He has designed and built theater interiors (lobby, house, stage) for Redmoon Central and Actors Gymnasium. He designed objects and was technical director for Hanchback 07, Lunatique 07 and Loopthopia 07, Twilight Orchard, Sam Zell’s Birthday Party (for Redmoon), operas THE TALES OF HOFFMAN, COSI FAN TUTTE, THE CRUCIBLE and the legendary WAA-MU SHOWS in 1999 and 2000 (for Northwestern University).

During the last 30 years of Andrei’s Raven Theatre 7

P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F ( c o n t .) theater career he has participated in and accomplished more than 110 productions, and worked for such legendary companies as Moscow Art Theater, Kabuki and Comédie-Française.

He received his MFA in 1992 from The Moscow Art Theater School. Andrei would like to thank all of his incredible Chicago colleagues and friends for their support and help.

CHRISTINE FERRITER (Lighting Designer) has been working with Raven Theatre since 2005 and has previously designed the lighting for their productions of TWELVE ANGRY MEN, HEDDA GABLER, JESUS HOPPED THE ‘A’ TRAIN, LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA, AMERICAN BUFFALO, BOOK OF DAYS, A FEW GOOD MEN, and DANCING AT LUGHNASA. Besides being a member of Raven’s Artistic Core, Christine is also the Resident Designer & a core member of The Anatomy Collective here in Chicago and the Resident Lighting Designer for Circus Flora based in St. Louis, MO. Christine was recently nominated for the 2009 Michael Maggio Emerging Designer Award and for a Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best Lighting Design for her work on Congo Square Theatre’s production of THE SAINT JAMES INFIRMARY. She holds a BFA in Lighting Design from The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University.

MINA HYUN-OK HONG (Costume Designer) makes her Raven Theatre debut with CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF .

Ms. Hong recently designed costumes for a Chicago Goodman Theatre production of THE SINS OF SOR JUANA this year. Her design credits include Northwestern University productions of THE SINS OF SOR JUANA, directed

by Henry Godinez; THE WHO’S TOMMY, directed by Geoff Button; and RHINOCEROS by Catherine Miller Hardy. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at the Utah Tuachan Theatre, George Bernard Shaw’s GETTING MARRIED, Johann Strauss’s operetta DIE FLEDERMAUS. A native of South Korea, Ms. Hong

earned a BA in fashion and textile at An-dong National University in South Korea and a BA in theatre at Brigham Young University in Utah. She recently completed her coursework in Stage Design in Costume at Northwestern University’s MFA program.

KATHERINE M. CHAVEZ (Sound Designer) is happy to be back at Raven. She’s a graduate from Columbia College with a BA in Audio Arts & Acoustics. Sound design credits include: A TASTE OF HONEY, RUTHLESS: THE MUSICAL, SCORCHED, A PACK OF LIES, PIRATES OF PENZANCE, and THE WILD PARTY at Columbia, and JESUS HOPPED THE ‘A’ TRAIN, HEDDA GABLER, and THE ODD COUPLE at The Raven Theatre. Sound engineered for Noble Fool Theatricals in St. Charles. Credits include: SOME ENCHANTED EVENING, A CHRISTMAS STORY, GODSPELL, ALTAR BOYZ, THE TAFFETAS, and PLAID TIDINGS. Currently, she’s working at Loyola University in the IT department as a project coordinator. She’d like to thank everyone in the audience for supporting live entertainment and her parents for supporting her.

MARY O’DOWD (Properties/ Set Dressing) created props for THE ODD COUPLE, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, HEDDA GABLER, MISAMERICA, and COLUMBINUS here at Raven. She recently propped BALLAD OF THE SAD CAFÉ and AFTERMATH for Signal Ensemble Theatre. Other prop and set dressing credits include Lifeline, Prop Thtr and the Theatre of Western Springs. Mary was seen recently in Signal’s production of THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND. LEIF OLSEN (Composer) began working with Raven Theatre as an actor in 1997 in YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU and shortly after that became a member of the Raven’s artistic staff.

The last time his music was heard on the Raven stage was for DEATH OF A SALESMAN last season. Over the years Leif has enjoyed building sets, co-designing sets, acting and writing Raven Theatre 9

P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F ( c o n t .) music for the Raven. Leif, along with Michael Menendian has received Jeff awards for his set design for A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE and NIGHT OF THE IGUANA. Leif was also nominated for best music score for A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE and won the After Dark Award for his music for DANCING AT LUGHNASA. Leif also wrote music for the film DESIGN which was accepted into the Sundance film festival in 2002. Leif thanks his beautiful daughter Liv and wife Debbie for their love and patience over all the crazy years of music and theater.

(Properties Designer), and DREADFUL PENNY’S EXQUISITE HORRORS with Tantalus Theatre Group (Set Designer).

Tamar graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in Theatre.

JUSTIN CASTELLANO (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to make his ASM debut with Raven Theatre. Justin received his BA in Theatre Arts from DePaul University’s Barat College Campus. Justin has made the transition from onstage to backstage and his recent work in Chicago includes builds for A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at the Writer’s Theatre, SPIN at Theater Wit and THE HIDING PLACE at Provision Theater as well as makeup work with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Chicago Opera Theatre. He has also worked as an Associate Producer for BLACK GOLD and an Assistant Camera Man for AMERICA’S TOUGHEST JOBS, both with TruTV. Justin is very excited to be working with his talented wife, Eleanor, on this production.

KRISTEN WILLIAMS SMITH (Dramaturg) is very excited to return to Raven. She is a graduate from the Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, with an MFA in Theatre and is currently a theatre professor at Kennedy King College. Kristen directed the long running hit VERBATIM VERBOTEN at the Royal George Theatre and the one man show AMERICAN CAKE both in Chicago and New York City. Since moving from Maine eight years ago she has both directed and acted with several companies in and around the Chicagoland area, including; Lookingglass, Chicago Opera Theatre, Trap Door Theatre, and Appletree Theatre to name a few. Kristen played Hannah Jelkes in Raven’s production of NIGHT OF THE IGUANA and since then has been the company stand in actor for Raven, performing as The Woman in DEATH OF A SALESMAN, Mrs. Elvsted in HEDDA GABLER, Carol in LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, and most recently as Mae in a scene from CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at the annual Raven benefit. She is hoping Mike will let her attempt the character of Brick if the show extends!

TAMAR DASKIN (Scenic Artist) is excited to be working at Raven Theatre for the first time. Recent painting projects include HUNTING AND GATHERING with Theatre Seven and TOBACCO ROAD with American Blues Theatre. She also painted CINDERELLA at the Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire (TYA Production), and was a painter at Peninsula Players for SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL ADVENTURE in 2008. She was the resident Scenic Artist at Timber Lake Playhouse for the 2008 season. Other Chicago credits include DURANGO at Silk Road Theatre Project (Scenic Artist), 20% Theatre Company’s TESTER (Set Designer), THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED with About Face Theatre

TERI MCCASKILL (Events Coordinator/ House Manager)is honored to be joining Raven Theatre. Her involvement with Raven began in 1995 when she performed in Raven’s first production of Death of a Salesman. She has been happily involved with Raven ever since, providing box office support, assisting with fundraising events, performing (YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, and LORD BYRON’S LOVE LETTER) and directing (A PAIR OF PINTERS, A CLEAN, WELL-LIGHTED PLACE, TALK TO ME LIKE THE RAIN). She is grateful for this opportunity to combine her theater and corporate experience (project administration, meeting/

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P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F ( c o n t .) event planning and coordination; presentation/communication preparation) to help Raven’s continuing efforts to establish itself as an important voice in regional theatre.

JOHN WEAGLY (Operations Manager/ House Manager) has been rattling around Chicago theater box offices for the last fifteen years. Besides being the former Operations Manager for Organic Theater, he’s also helped out at Mary-Arrchie, Bailiwick, Lifeline, Goodman and several small companies that have come and gone. As a playwright, he’s had plays produced by Strawdog Theatre, Second City, Circle Theater, Artistic Home, Bailiwick, Collaboraction and numerous other companies around the world. As a fiction writer he’s been published in multiple languages and won multiple awards.

PAUL THELEN (Literary Manager) is excited to join Raven Theatre as Literary Manager and to spearhead the Theatre’s effort to develop new plays that illuminate the American experience.

Paul is a doctoral candidate in Northwestern University’s Interdisciplinary PhD in Theatre & Drama program where his research focuses on issues of veracity in public performance. At Northwestern, he has taught several courses in the Theatre Department, and he coadapted a play for the main stage.

Paul currently serves as Fellow and Program Coordinator in the Center for Leadership and Assistant Master in

the Residential College. He has toured as an actor with the Nebraska Theatre Caravan and performed in cities across the Midwest. Paul earned his BFA from Creighton University and his JD from the Iowa College of Law. KERRY REED (House Manager) joined the Raven family in 2002 when they opened this fantastic space. She enjoys starting your Raven experience with a smile and warm welcome, as well as, addressing any of your needs.

On occasion she manages to slip away from the box office and appear on stage as she did in AMERICAN BUFFALO (foot traffic) and in DINER TALES (customer). Kerry truly enjoys her time here at Raven finding it a good complement to her career as a children’s librarian where she performs a one-woman show (storytime) a few times a week for adoring preschool fans. Special thanks to Mike, JoAnn, and Amazing Liz. CHRISTA VAN BAALE (Media Relations) has fifteen years of experience working in theatre management and administration. In Chicago, she has had the pleasure of working with companies including Defiant (RIP), The Gift, Strawdog, Open Eye Productions, The Artistic Home, Hell in a Handbag and Blindfaith Productions. Prior to Chicago, she worked with Nebraska Theatre Caravan, Celticfusion, Cedar Point Amusement Park and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Christa also handles Media Relations for the Neo-Futurists and Trinity Academy of Irish Dance.

SPECIAL THANKS Alla Bikchurina, Sandra Barnard, Gregory Caldwell, Jessica Gregory Salvage One, Liv and Deb Olsen, Jay Rea, Millie Hurley Spencer, and Theatre of Western Springs Opening Night Sponsor: Bananas Foster Cafe Extra Special Thanks to all of the individuals and businesses who made generous donations to Raven Theatre in the past year.

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