Joshua Allard

Costume/Makeup Designer

Ken Barnard

Amee Binder

Megan E. Frei

Director/Choreographer/Musical Director

Hailing from the 'burbs of Detroit, Megan received a degree in Music Education from Central Michigan University while performing and working in the University Music and Theatre Departments, Highlands Playhouse (NC), and Vision Studio of Performing Arts (MI). Following, she served as Director of Vision for four fabulous years, began working as a freelance artist, and made her move to Chicago in 2004.  Megan is an in-demand teacher and director for a plethora of activities–voice, piano, acting, dance, musical theatre.  She also performs in various genres, settings and groups.  Favorite artistic experiences:  an intimate master class with the Ann Reinking; as CONNIE in Good News, directed by acclaimed August W. Staub; as BEBE in A Chorus Line, directed/choreographed by Emmy-award winning Linda Talcott-Lee; ZOMBIES FROM THE BEYOND! BSTC credits: Terra Nova (Flag Designer, Costumes), Anton in Show Business (CostumeDesigner), Denise Druczweski's Inferno (Assistant Director,  Stage Manager/Board Operator), The Skin of Our Teeth (Production Manager, Co-Sound Designer,Co-Music Director, and MUSE), The Ruling Class (Music Director, Choreographer), Zombies from the Beyond (Director/Choreographer), On An Average Day (Props Designer); BSTC 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 seasons (Associate Artistic Director).

Matthew Gottlieb

Boyd Harris

Heath Hays

Scenic Designer

Heath is a BackStage Ensemble member, where he has designed set for On An Average Day, The Memory of Water, Beauty on the Vine, Bloody Bess and Zombies from the Beyond as well as the Jeff-recommended shows Waiting for Lefty and Medea.  He also designed sound for BackStage's The Ruling Class and Seanachi Theatre's drama Whistle in the Dark. He designed set for Infamous Conmmonwealth Theatre's Keely and Du, GreyZelda's Jeff-recommended production of A View From The Bridge as well as their Desire Under the Elms, and Hell in a Handbag's Caged Dames. Heath has also worked for Grounded Theatre, Arena Dinner Theatre, and Village Players.

Steve Hickson

Brian Aloysius Kafel

Props Designer

Matt Kooi

Lighting Designer

Run Kuzava

Assistant Director

Lori Mages

Stage Manager

Colleen E. Miller

Elizabeth Hope Morgan

Annie Passanisi

Phillip S. Seidman

Eva Swan

Rebekah Ward-Hays

Rebekah is honored to be an ensemble member with BSTC. Her first production with the company was the title role in the world-premier production Denise Druczweski's Inferno–which garnered the cast and crew Critic's Choice in the Reader and Rebekah an invitation to join BackStage. After that she was delighted to be a part of the Jeff-Recommended adventure, Thornton Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth, where she received her first Jeff Citation for Principal Actress in a Leading Role as Sabina. Her next production with us was as Charlie in the summer hit Zombies from the Beyond. Rebekah played Edna in BSTC's Jeff-Recommended revival of Clifford Odet's Waiting for Lefty, and Catherine in Shelagh Stephenson's The Memory of Water. In addition to BackStage, she has worked with numerous Chicago theatres, some of which include Court Theatre, Northlight Theater, Remy Bumppo Theatre, Strawdog Theatre, the side project, Serendipity Theatre, and Collaboraction. She is an Oak Park resident and wife to BSTC ensemble member and designer, Heath Hays, and a mother to three lovely felines, which will suffice in terms of children (for now).