Matthew Reeder

Artistic Director

Matthew is the Artistic Director of BackStage Theatre Company.  Directing credits include Jeff Recommended productions Memory, Aunt Dan and Lemon, The Play About The Baby and Jeff Nominated On An Average Day.  Matthew’s credits also include the critically acclaimed production of Paula Vogel’s How I Learned To Drive.  Matthew has directed Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Metropolis Performing Arts Center.  Matthew is also a regular at Adventure Stage Chicago, where he directed the wildly popular theatrical adaptation of Louis Sachar’s Holes, as well as The Shakespeare Stealer, and Still Life with Iris. Other selected directing credits include Accomplice for Noble Fool Theatricals, The Glass Menagerie for Illinois Repertory Theatre, A Tempest by Aime Cesar for the Playing French Festival at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Woman in Black for Blue Ridge Theatre Festival.  Matthew’s production of David Ives All in the Timing and English Made Simple was featured at the 1999 Sibiu International Theatre Festival in Sibiu, Romania.  Matthew holds an M.F.A in Directing from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a B.S. in Musical Theater from Ball State University.

Brandon Anderson

Managing Director

Although Brandon was born and raised in Columbus, OH, he has known since his first trip to Chicago as a high school varsity Academic Quiz Team player that this city would be his home. In the 15 years between then and now, Brandon earned a B.S. in Public Relations from Xavier University in Cincinnati, and fell in love with live entertainment as a lead actor, vocalist, dancer and administrator with Shadowbox Live, one of the largest resident ensembles in the country. In addition to performing, Brandon served as the Media Relations Coordinator, Associate Marketing Coordinator, and Assistant General Manager for the company's Greater Cincinnati venue until July 2011, handling the day-to-day operations of the 150-seat venue and 25-member ensemble of artists and staff. As the new Managing Director for the BackStage Family, Brandon is beyond excited to take part in the company's evolution, and is honored to help spill the beans on one of his new hometown's best-kept secrets.

Celene Mielcarek

Development Director

Celene is happy to be working with BackStage and its incredible community as Development Director. Upon graduating from Marquette University with a B.A. in Theatre, she performed on various stages before finding her calling as a development professional. Celene also works in the Volunteer Programs & Donor Events office at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Administration at DePaul University.

Jen Poulin

Associate Artistic Director

Jen is thrilled to join BackStage Theatre Company as Associate Artistic Director. Her journey began with a magical experience stage managing Aunt Dan and Lemon. She also stage managed Memory and Three Days of Rain. This season, Jen will be directing the first piece for The Listening Series, as well as stage managing A Number. Jen recently collaborated with 2nd Story on a solo piece, Cabinalysis, for the Minnesota and Chicago Fringe Fests.She received her BFA in Theatre with an emphasis in directing from University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. After graduating, Jen spent several happy years teaching drama, music, and dance to grade school children in the north and southwest suburbs. She has had the pleasure of working with many fine Chicago companies, including Strawdog Theatre Company, Eclipse Theatre Company, WildClaw Theatre, Serendipity Theatre Collective, Steep Theatre Company, Mary Arrchie Theatre Company, and Silk Road Theatre Project. Chicago stage management credits include Eclipse Theatre, Theatre Mir, Mary Arrchie Theatre Company, Rasaka Theatre Company, WildClaw Theatre, and Silk Road Theatre Project. She holds a BFA in Theatre Studies from University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign. /p>

Jana Liles

Casting Director

Jana came to Chicago after receiving her B.F.A. in Theatre from Emporia State University in her home state of Kansas. Continuing to pursue her education, she completed her M.F.A. in Theatre Performance from The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. As an actress she has performed with such theatre companies as Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (Julius Caesar), Quest Theatre Ensemble (The Wizard of Oz), and Chemically Imbalanced Comedy (The Vietnamization of New Jersey and 2B (Or Not 2B)), while also appearing in numerous films and commercials. As a Casting Director she has cast multiple productions for Adventure Stage Chicago, including And a Child Shall Lead, Sinbad: The Untold Tale, Walk Two Moons and The Giver and for BackStage Theater Company the Jeff-nominated production Memory, Three Days of Rain, A Number and Scent of Flowers. Jana also works full time in the marketing department of Second City, and fronts the modern-lounge band Miss Honey and the Combs.

Susan Hamel

Asst. Development Director

Susan has been involved in educational and regional theatres across the country, in administrative, creative and backstage positions, for more than thirty years. A retired educator, she relocated to the Chicago area to pursue her passion because of the broad theatre opportunities available. While best known as a stage director, she is currently focusing on expanding her administrative resume and looking forward to working with BackStage Theatre in support of their fine productions. Her primary interest at BackStage is researching and writing grants. When not playing in the theatre, Susan is occupied as an educational consultant and tax accountant.

David Zoltan

Asst. Development Director

David has lived a dozen lives on his strange path to joining BackStage for his inaugural season as Assistant Development Director. From being a secretary to owning his own business, from selling cars to being a consultant, his passion has always been in the theatre, and he's excited to turn to his first love. David has worked as a fundraiser with Steppenwolf Theatre Company and is a thought leader in arts management through his new social media venture, ArtsAppeal. He sits on the Governors Circle of the Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council, and helped Victory Gardens Theatre develop its young professionals group, Pulp. David grew up in Detroit, got his bachelors degree at Michigan State in East Lansing, his Masters of Arts Management at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, but he calls Chicago the best home he's ever known.

Tony Bozzuto

He was last seen in the Jeff Recommended Memory and Orange Flower Water, and in On An Average Day. For about seven years, Tony has been honored to work his way around the Chicago theatre scene with such talented companies as Lifeline Theatre, Next Theatre, Metropolis PAC, and, of course, BackStage Theatre Co.  Whether on stage, television or film, Tony credits much of his skills and successes to his studies at the incomparable Hilberry Theatre in Detroit, MI, where he received his MFA.

Heath Hays

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.

Jessica Kuehnau

Recent Backstage Theatre include co-scenic design for Orange Flower Water, and costume design for On An Average Day last spring. As a recent graduate of Northwestern University, Jessica received her MFA in both set and costume design. Her Chicago credits include Rivendell Theatre (Jeff recommended These Shining Lives), Building Stage (Dracula), Pegasus Players (Ten Square, Jitney), and Steep Theatre (Parlour Song). She has also designed several productions with Adventure Stage Chicago (ensemble member), Griffin Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, MPAACT, and Metropolis Performing Arts Center. Jessica is currently the resident set designer and design professor at North Park University and full time teaching faculty at Northeastern Illinois University.

Lindsey Miller

Lindsey Miller became BackStage's newest Ensemble member in May 2009. She has stage managed BackStage's On An Average Day, The Memory of Water, Waiting for Lefty, and Bloody Bess: A Tale of Piracy and Revenge. Other Chicago credits include The Bay at Nice (Vitalist Theatre), Stone Cold Dead Serious (Circle Theater; Jeff Nominated). Lindsey has also worked with Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, The Road Company, and CLIMB Theatre.

Michael Pacas

Michael Pacas is currently performing in BackStage Theatre's production of Edward Albee's, THE PLAY ABOUT THE BABY. He recently appeared in City Lit’s MACBETH, directed by Susan Hart. Last season, performed the roles of Musgove in Griffin Theatre’s THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM; Mr. Peachum in The Hypocrites’ THE THREEPENNY OPERA and John Barrymore in William Luce’s tour-de-force, BARRYMORE (which he also directed and produced). A BackStage Theatre ensemble member, Michael played leading roles in their productions of THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH and TERRA NOVA. He also directed their production of MEDEA, in which he incorporated American Sign Language. He appeared in CORPUS CHRISTI (Ulysses/Bailiwick), which received a Joseph Jefferson Citation and an After Dark Award for Ensemble. Other acting credits include productions with Lifeline; Irish Repertory; Circle and Signal. Michael gives special thanks to Tim and his extended family including the Cult of Susan and Jeffrey. Visit http://pacas.ws for additional information on his theatrical activities. Later this summer, Michael will be attending the Eight Annual International Cabaret Conference at Yale University: an invitation only intensive nine-day teaching program in the art of cabaret performance and trains professionals for the live entertainment industry.

Eric Paskey

Eric Paskey has been an ensemble member with BackStage since 2006. He is a graduate of Kent State University and the ImprovOlympic training center. Credits with BSTC include Denise Druczwski's Inferno (Phil Ligras), The Skin of Our Teeth (Telegraph Boy), Medea (Son), The Ruling Class (Dinsdale), and Aunt Dan and Lemon (Andy). Eric has also had the pleasure of working with the National Theatre for Children, Collaboraction, Signal Ensemble Theatre, Dramatis Personae, Rubicon Theater Project, Halcyon Theatre Company, Arts/Lanes, and New Leaf Theatre. He is a devoted fan of Cleveland's professional sports teams and a pitcher for the Second City and iO softball teams. Little known fact: as a child, Eric had Who Framed Roger Rabbit completely memorized!

Sean Sullivan

Sean hails from Ohio where he earned a BA in theatre from The Ohio State University.  Sean has been an ensemble member with BackStage Theatre Company since his appearance as Roald Amundsen in Terra Nova (Jeff Recommended).  Since then, he has performed as Henry Antrobus in The Skin of Our Teeth (Jeff Award Winning), and as McKyle, the God of Electricity, in The Ruling Class.  Sean was also the master carpenter for The Skin of Our Teeth and scenic designer/carpenter for Anton in Showbusiness (Jeff Recommended), Denise Druckzewski’s Inferno (Jeff Recommended), and The Ruling Class. Sean freelances as a carpenter and stagehand in theatre and television for companies such as Chicago Scenic Studios, Inc. and Harpo Studios, Inc.  Away from BackStage, Sean has appeared on stage with Timeline Theatre in The General from America (Jeff Recommended), as Floyd in Fiorello! (Jeff Award Winning), and as Joe in The Children’s Hour (Jeff Recommended).  Sean was then cast as M’Ling in Lifeline Theatre’s The Island of Dr. Moreau (Jeff Award Winning). In 2008, Sean was the title character, Harlan ‘Mountain’ McClintock in Shattered Globe’s production of Requiem for a Heavyweight (Equity Jeff Award Winning) and garnered an Equity Jeff Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Principle Role for his portrayal.  Sean is represented by Stewart Talent Agency and is a member of Actor’s Equity.  He is currently starring as Johnny Cash in the Chicago cast of the Tony Award Winning musical, Million Dollar Quartet, now in its third year at the Apollo Theatre.  Sean takes the most pride in having met and married fellow ensemble member and best friend, Megan (Frei) Sullivan.

Megan E. Sullivan

Megan is a director, choreographer, instructor, designer, and performer of theatre, dance, and music.  Hailing from the ‘burbs of Detroit, she 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, Inc. (MI).  Following graduation, Megan served four years as Artistic Director/CEO of VSPA, Inc. and began working as a freelance artist.  She was invited to ensemble membership with BackStage Theatre Company while working as Costume Designer for Anton in Show Business, and has worked additionally as Specialty Designer (Flags), Costume Assistance- Terra Nova;  Assistant Director, Stage Manager/Board Operator- Denise Druczewski’s Inferno; MUSE, Production Manager, Co-Sound Designer, Co-Music Director- The Skin of Our Teeth; Music Director, Choreographer- The Ruling Class; Director/Choreographer- Zombies from the Beyond; Properties Designer/Set Dresser- On An Average Day; Properties Designer/Set Dresser- Aunt Dan and Lemon; Production Manager, Properties Designer- Orange Flower Water; Production Manager, Costume Designer- The Play About the Baby;  Associate Artistic Director- BSTC 2005 and 2006 seasons.  Megan is currently an in-demand director, instructor, and performer in various genres and groups in Chicago and is proudly married to Sean Sullivan (ensemble member), whom she met while working in BSTC.   Her favorite artistic experiences outside of BSTC include performing CONNIE in Good News with Director August W. Staub, BEBE in A Chorus Line with Director/Choreographer Linda Talcott-Lee, and an intimate Master Class with Tony-award winning Ann Reinking.

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.

Brandon Wardell

Brandon Wardell is a freelance Lighting and Scenic Designer in Chicago. He earned his MFA from Northwestern University, teaches at several Universities, and is an Ensemble Member at Adventure Stage Chicago. Recent lighting credits include Mrs. Caliban (LifeLine) Aunt Dan and Lemon (BSTC), The Hollow Lands (Steep), On An Average Day (BSTC), The Arab-Israeli Cookbook (Theatre Mir), John & Jen (Appletree), and The Robber Bridegroom (Griffin Theatre). Scenic Designs include Orange Flower Water (BSTC), Maria’s Field (TUTA), In Arabia We’d All Be Kings (Steep Theatre), Holes (Adventure Stage), Dracula (The Building Stage), and Be More Chill (Griffin Theatre). Teaching credits include Northwestern University, Columbia College Chicago, The University of Chicago, Illinois Wesleyan University, and North Park University. www.brandonwardelldesign.com

Amy Monday

Founding Member, Board of Directors

Amy is the former Development Director and a co-founder of BackStage Theatre Company. Under her direction, BackStage has met or exceeded its annual fundraising goals nearly every year since the company’s inception in 2000. Amy is also the Assistant Director of Development and Administration at the Evanston Community Foundation. Amy has a B.A. in Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has also completed the Philanthropy and Non-Profit Fundraising program at Northwestern University. She and her husband, Paul, have two children, Kaitlyn (5) and Kyle (18 months).

Brandon Williams

Treasurer

Aaron Andersen

Chairperson, Board of Directors

Aaron Andersen is a former actor who fell in with the wrong crowd and ended up in finance. After graduating from Huntington College in Indiana, he moved to the big city and worked in nearly every job available in theatre, usually in company management and on electrics crews. As an actor, Aaron performed in The Bomb-itty of Errors at both the Royal George Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, among other roles with various Chicago theatre companies. It's not clear exactly how or why, but he then worked as a management accountant for five years. Aaron is currently the budget analyst for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and is thrilled to serve the Board of Backstage Theatre Company as Treasurer.

Zach Cook

Secretary, Board of Directors

Anthony Downing

Member, Board of Directors

Jack Hickey

Member, Board of Directors

Jack Hickey  is a professional actor, director and producer. Since 2003, he serves as the Artistic Director for Oak Park Festival Theatre. A proud member of Actors' Equity Association, Jack has been a theatre professional for over thirty years. Jack served on the Board of Directors for Equity Library Theatre for 10 years, serving as President for 2 years and heading the Production Committee for six years. He also served on the Board of Directors for Chicago Dramatists' during their very early years. Additionally, Jack owns and operates a retail furniture business, Off The Wall Beds, where he designs and sells space saving wallbeds and furniture.

Heidi Unterbeck-Downing

Member, Board of Directors

Samuel Buti

Angela Campos

Kate Cares

Geoff Coates

Joe Court

Bilal Dardai

Anita Deely

Caitlin Emmons

Tom Haigh

Josh Hambrock

Jessica Hutchinson

Jason Huysman

Maggie Kettering

Laura Kollar

Tara Malpass

Joanna Melville

Yousif Mohammed

Jared Moore

Shane Michael Murphy

Patrick De Nicola

Shelley Nixon

Stephen Ptacek

Michael Reyes

Marisa Williams

Kyle Anderson

Brenda Barrie

Brenda Barrie, an ensemble member since 2008, was last seen with BSTC in the Jeff Recommended production of Aunt Dan and Lemon, the Chicago premiere of Beauty on the Vine, Li'l Bit in the acclaimed How I Learned to Drive, and Florrie in Waiting for Lefty, (Non-Equity Jeff Nomination-Ensemble).  Credits around town include Mrs. Caliban at Lifeline Theatre (Non-Equity Jeff Nomination-Principal Actress), The Ruby Sunrise at the Gift Theatre, Mariette in Ecstasy with Lifeline Theatre (Non-Equity Jeff Nomination-Principal Actress), understudying Of Mice and Men at Steppenwolf Theatre (SYA), Graceland at Profiles Theatre, A Streetcar Named Desire with Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, understudying St. Scarlet for American Theatre Company, Caravaggio with Silk Road Theatre Project, Tango at the Chopin Theatre, the 13th Annual Winter Pageant with Redmoon Theater, Ragnorak with Tantalus Theatre Group and Thimbleberry Gallows with GreyZelda Theatre Group.  Brenda earned her BFA in Acting from the University of Indianapolis and studied theatre at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland.  www.brendabarrie.net

Buck Blue

Brandon Bruce

Former Artistic Director

Danielle Marie Filas

Ben Goldman

Glenese Hand

Jeff Helgeson

Fannon Holland

Jason Kae

Former Artistic Director

Marcus Kamie

Christopher Kaye

Katherine Keberlein

Former Managing Director

Katherine was Managing Director for BackStage for five years. She is an actress as well, most recently seen as Roxane in Oak Park Festival’s Cyrano de Bergerac and as Suzanne in Don’t Dress for Dinner at the Royal George. For BackStage she was seen in How I Learned to Drive, The Ruling Class and Terra Nova. She has also performed with Theater at the Center, Illinois Theatre Center, Light Opera Works, Metropolis Arts Center, and Buffalo Theatre Ensemble. She is a proud member of SAG with numerous commercial and independent film credits. Katherine sings with Music of the Baroque and internationally with TrioChicago & Friends.

Matthew Kerns

Amy Beth Kirsten

Amy Beth Kirsten is a composer and is proud to have worked with BSTC in the good ol' days, from 2000-2003. She began composing late in life, having had her first composition lesson at the age of 30. Prior to this she studied piano performance and vocal jazz as an undergraduate and secretly composed when she was supposed to be practicing. Since then she has gone on to participate in some of the most coveted opportunities for young composers. She was a finalist in the American Composers Orchestra's New Music Reading in 2007; held a 2009 Rockefeller Residency in Bellagio, Italy; and held fellowships at Norfolk and Bang on a Can (both in 2009). For the 2010 summer season she travels to Blonay, Switzerland for a fellowship with 8th blackbird and to Mizzou to work with Alarm Will Sound. Ms. Kirsten earned a BA in Vocal Jazz Studies from Illinois’ Benedictine University, a Master’s Degree in Composition from Chicago College of Performing Arts, and receives a Doctorate in Composition from Peabody Conservatory in May of 2010. She currently teaches at University of Connecticut and lives in New Haven. www.amybethkirsten.com

Alexis Klossner

Ron Kuzava

A native of Detroit Michigan, Ron Kuzava has been acting in Chicago since 2001.  An Ensemble member since 2004, Ron has appeared in the following Backstage productions: Terra Nova (Birdy Bowers), Skin of Our Teeth (Announcer), The Ruling Class (Tucker), Bloody Bess (van Anders / Vicar) and The Memory of Water (Frank). Apart from acting, he also served as the Assistant Director for Backstage's production of Zombies from the Beyond.  Ron has performed with several other Chicago companies over the years including Signal Ensemble, Theo Ubique, Chopin Theater, WNEP, Wildclaw Theater and Defiant Theater.

Jennifer Marschand

Jennifer Marschand was the Company Manager of BSTC back in the early days. She appeared in such shows as Arsenic and Old Lace, The Family of Man, Everything's Sexy, and Everything's Sexy II. She was also the Assistant Director and Company Liaison for Fannon Holland's New York Fringe Festival production of Me, the Devil and Other Friends. Jennifer has performed with Steep Theatre, Theatre Building Chicago, Collaboraction, and has tumbled through the air with Aloft Aerial. She is a proud Company Member and former Associate Artistic Director of The Strange Tree Group.

Michael Osinski

Matthew W. Roth

Matt Roth is a director, actor, and lighting designer. From 2003–2008, he served as Chairperson of the Board of Directors for BackStage Theatre Company. He received his B.A. in English-Writing and Theatre from Knox College and Masters in Theatre Arts from SUNY Stony Brook. He is a former member of the Chicago View Points ensemble and has studied Viewpoints and Suzuki movement with Anne Bogart and the members of Saratoga International Theatre Institute. Directing credits include The Misanthrope (BackStage Theatre Company) and Seventy Scenes of Halloween (Chicago Viewpoint Ensemble).

Rob Smith

Kim Van Tuyl

Former Managing Director

Kim served as Audience Development Director for two years, before serving as Managing Director for one year. During her tenure, Kim led the company to a surplus budget and a 192% increase in subscribership over the last three years.

Kerith Wolf

Melissa Young

Former Artistic Director

Deanna Zibello

Deanna Zibello was part of BSTC's very first production, Arsenic and Old Lace in 2000, and designed or otherwise contributed to the next nine plays the company produced, through The Skin of Our Teeth in 2005. Deanna also served on BSTC's advisory board from 2001 to 2003. In 2006, Deanna moved to Seattle to pursue a Master's Degree in Scenic Design. She earned that degree from the University of Washington School of Drama in 2009. Now, Deanna lives in Seattle and works as a scenic designer and design assistant. You can see some of her work on her website, On a more personal note, Deanna owes her thanks to fellow BSTC alumn Matthew W. Roth for introducing her to her husband, Charles.

Seth Zurer

Seth has been in the Backstage ensemble since 2004 and served as Company Manager from 2005–2008. Backstage performance credits include Dr. Benjamin in Waiting for Lefty, the Tutor in Medea, the Stage Manager in Skin of our Teeth, and Edgar "Taffy" Evans in Terra Nova. He is especially proud of his work as co-creator and performer in The Mayor's Mouth, a live theatrical cooking show that chronicles the recent political history of Chicago through the recipes of its last six mayors.

Paul Monday

Board of Directors

Paul Monday has been involved with BackStage Theatre Company since 2000 as a production volunteer, stage manager, company archivist, webmaster, internal auditer, and nonprofit fundraiser. For the Board of Directors, he has served as Secretary, Treasurer, and now Chairperson. He has also served on BSTC's committees for New Works, Mission, Bylaw Revision, and Theatre Football. He works and volunteers for an educational publisher in Evanston, IL.

Kerensa Peterson

Former Literary Manager/Dramaturg/Ensemble

Kerensa Peterson, BFA in Dramatic Arts from Emporia State University and MFA in Acting from the University of Florida, is thrilled to be an Ensemble member of BackStage Theatre Company.  She has been seen in BackStage'sproductions of Medea and TheRuling Class. She is also a member of the Laboratory for the Development of Substitute Materials. Two of her favorite roles include Amanda in Glass Menagerie with the New World Repertory Theatre, and Agnes Eggling in A Bright Room Called Day with Speaking Ring Theatre Company. She has been a writer, performer, movement coach and/or director with Chicago Fusion Theatre, Theatre Hikes, Halcyon Theatre, The Side Project, Chicago Danztheatre, the Neo-futurists, Pintig Cultural Group, the Side Project and the Chicago production of Gutenberg! The Musical. Proud to be a lifelong arts educator, she teaches acting, voice and movement, and has worked as a media educator for Facets Multimedia, Inc.

Vallea E. Woodbury

Former Director of Marketing/Ensemble

Vallea E. Woodbury worked with the company for almost nine years starting in January 2002 when she joined the cast of  Me, the Devil, and Other Friends as The Black Lady (Cleo).  That show later became BackStage's first to be featured at the New York International Fringe Festival. Originally from the Bronx, New York, Vallea holds a B.S. in Fine and Performing Arts from Northwestern University and has completed training at the esteemed School at Steppenwolf. Vallea has been performing in and around Chicago for almost ten years, during which time some of her favorite roles include Me, the Devil, and Other Friends (obviously) and Everything's Sexy 2 (BSTC). Non-BSTC credits include work with Tony Award Winning actors at Ravinia in addition to roles with Second City Chicago, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Quest Theatre Ensemble, Open Eye Productions, American Girl Theater, Healthworks, Stage Two, The Factory, White Horse Theatre Company, Theatre Building Chicago, Quade Productions at the Royal George, Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, Light Opera Works, and Chicago Opera Theater. You can learn a bit more about her at www.Vallea.com.