Ellyzabeth Adler (Executive Artistic Director)
Ellyzabteh Adler is a multidisciplinary artist working in the genre of "Tanztheatre," weaving together theatre, dance, film, spoken word, and music. As founder of Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble (CDE) she has dedicated herself to forming partnerships with artists of all genres and generations to create unique, dynamic, engaging, and meaningful ensemble performances. She also teaches and mentors the next generation of performers who, in turn, serve as visiting artists and teachers in schools and community centers through CDE’s Books Alive and Poetry Alive to enhance literacy, numeracy, and arts awareness for thousands of underserved children in the Chicago area, as well as teaching traditional dance, theatre and visual art in the schools. Ellyzabeth studied dance at William Reilly Academy of Ballet and danced with the Springfield Ballet Company before earning a BFA in Performing Arts, with a minor in Broadcast Journalism at Roosevelt University. In 2000 she earned a Masters of Arts in Directing and Movement; as her thesis she developed CDE’s techniques for creating multidisciplined, kinesthetic, and socially engaging theatre. She has created and/or collaboratively adapted, directed and choreographed 10 full-length works including: T.S Eliot’s The Wasteland; Ever Your Own; Edgar; The Yellow Wallpaper; This Is Not A Pipe; Bindis and Bruises; and Touch and Mirrors - one-act plays based on the work of the Persian poet, Rumi. She has also created and choreographed over a dozen concert-length works focused on women’s issues, the female body, the human condition, and pathways to enlightenment. Among these works include HOPE based off the letters of incarcerated men, Unraveling Bill about her friend Theresa Blake who's brother Bill committed suicide after returning from Iraq. While these topic might appear heavy, there is alway a ray of hope and healing in every work that Ellyzabeth created. In 2017, she teamed up with long time colleague, Lucy Vurusic Rhiner of RE Dance to create Ethereal Abandonment based on the photography of Chicagoan Candace Casey about a group of friends who explore an abandoned theater and item they find tells a story of long ago. Ellyzabeth is also a published author with her short stories Full Moon Soulmate and Last Chapter. As a domestic abuse survivor, she has spoken at several conferences and activism events including for Between Friends, Light Up The Lakefront, Muslim Women's Association and Columbia College. Ellyzabeth has one very simple goal in life: to change in the world for the better, one person at a time. |
Hannah Blau is a Chicago-based teaching and theater artist. She teaches at Music House, Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble, and The Viola Project. She is a co-founder of Chicago Youth Shakespeare Alumni Players, a satellite organization of Chicago Youth Shakespeare, committed to CYS alumni outreach. Hannah has also worked with Redtwist Theatre, Rivendell Theatre, The Artistic Home, and Citadel Theatre. She is a graduate of the University of Manchester with a BA Hon in Drama, where she produced original research on theatre education’s role in the social and emotional development of high-school-aged young adults. Her most recent project is assistant directing Antigone with Redtwist Theatre.
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Jenise Y. Sheppard is excited to be playing Sigmund Freud in this production with Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble. A Chicago native who got their beginning at ETA Creative Arts Foundation and has since performed on the stages of the Globe Theater in London, the Goodman Theatre, and many more. They are a recent graduate of Washington University in St. Louis earning a honors degree in Drama and Interdisciplinary Environmental Analysis. Since then, Jenise featured in Invictus Theater Company’s Jeff Recommended production of Lynn Nottage’s “Ruined”, for which they received a BTA/Ira Aldridge Award for “Best Featured Actress in A Play”, the Hattie McDaniel Award. This is their second professional show in Chicago and they are excited to take part in this 20 year celebration. A special thanks to their family Joyce Debrah, Jawan Sheppard, and Ja’lia Sheppard and all extended family who support them. Thank you to friends who continue to show up for them. And of course to the lovely Ebby Offord who gave me my start in this town.
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Meet Wannapa P. Eubanks; she was in the original production of "This Is Not A Pipe," and we welcome her back to the stage this fall. She has been in several CDE productions, including "Touch," "Mirrors," and "Chicago Stories." Wannapa is a Butoh artist, improviser and choreographer. "I love working with Wannapa; she has a smile and energy that lights up the room!"- Ellyzabeth Adler |
Angel Page Smigielski (They/Them) is an actor, poet and artist from the small town of Middletown, DE. They found themselves back in Chicago after high school to be with family and study Acting at Columbia College Chicago. Productions they’ve been in include ‘S P A C E’, Marcus or The Secret of Sweet and more. This is Angel’s debut to Chicago theatre and their first time performing since the pandemic. Angel enjoys laughing uncontrollably, listening to music and annoying their momma. |
Courtney Reid Harris: This is Courtney’s first theatrical production since moving here to Chicago during this pandemic. After spending the last couple of years as an elementary educator, she is so jazzed to prance around a stage again! When she is not doing arts and crafts with her cat, you can see her around town doing stand up, sketch comedy, or watching films at the Music Box. Much thanks to her loving partner in crime, Kerry, and to the Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble for this wonderful opportunity to create! |
Mary Iris Loncto is a dancer, choreographer, actor, and interdisciplinary artist based in Chicago. She is a company member with Perceptual Motion, Inc., an intergenerational modern dance company. She is an Artistic Associate with Prop Thtr and Pop Magic Productions. She has trained at the American Dance Festival, the Boston Conservatory, STEPS on Broadway, and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. Mary Iris studied Theatre and Dance at Northwestern University. |
Mia Hilt: Mia is an emerging performer, new to the Chicago area! This past May she graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with degrees in Theatre Performance and Dance. Her favorite past roles include Viola in Twelfth Night (South Dakota Shakespeare Festival), Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Nebraska Repertory Theatre), and Elmire in Tartuffe (Struts & Frets). She is beyond thrilled to be making her Chicago debut with CDE in This Is Not A Pipe! |
Laura Sturm received her MFA from Northern Illinois University and has been working professionally in the Chicago area for over 20 years. She has taught acting, movement for actors, period styles and audition skills since 2001 at various professional training studios in Chicago including Act One Studios and The Actors’ Center. She currently teaches at Columbia College Chicago and has taught at several colleges in the area including NIU, North Central College, Governors State University and Oakton Community College. Laura is a company member with Organic Theater where she appeared in the last three seasons (before the pandemic), including playing Marie Antoinette in Lauren Gunderson’s The Revolutionists and the title role in Emilie, as well as directing the Jeff Award Nominated 2019 production of Sarah Ruhl’s Melancholy Play and the world premiere of Barbara Lhota’s Phantom Pain in 2017. Over the years, Laura has worked with such Chicago theaters as New Colony, Mary-Arrchie, Remy Bumppo, Victory Gardens, Boho, Stage Left, Northlight, Raven, Signal, Promethean, Bailiwick and she also spent a summer with the Texas Shakespeare Festival. She has been seen on the Chicago stage as Blanche in Streetcar, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Gertrude in Hamlet, Ana in The Clean House, and Mrs. Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer, to name a few roles. Other directing credits include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change for Quest Theatre Ensemble, Sheridan’s 18th century romp, The Rivals, the world-premieres of the zoo musical Tuxedo Love and the sci-fi existential comedy Ephemera. Laura also serves as a private acting and movement coach. Contact her at www.laurasturm.com to hear about movement classes and coaching!
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Morgan Van Dyne (They/Them) is an actor, dancer, musical theatre artist, and comedian who has been working in the industry for nearly 10 years. They have been seen on stage at The Second City, as well as in a number of films available for streaming. They are so excited to be a part of this unique and important production. Represented by Paonessa Talent. |
Julie Peterson: Julie is absolutely THRILLED to be joining the cast of This Is Not A Pipe! Julie attended the Boston Conservatory where she earned a BFA in musical theatre. Some of Julie’s favorite roles include: Ethel Merman u/s in The Book of Merman (Off-Broadway), Adelaide in Guys & Dolls, & Rona Lisa Peretti in Spelling Bee. Julie would like to thank her Mom, Dad, Tommy, & her dog Mr. Moose for all of their endless support! |
Keila Hamed-Ramos is a lifelong learner & lover of dance. Most recently seen as the Mistress in Drury Lane's Evita. Keila has also performed with Meadows Dance Collective, Joel Valentin Martinez, & Mariah Eastman Dancers. She has taught for Joffrey Ballet Community Engagement & has volunteered with DanceWorks Chicago. |
Emma Parssi is a Chicago dancer, singer, actor and choreographer. After graduating from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA), Emma assisted choreographer Shanna VanDerwerker on productions of Legally Blonde (BAMtheatere) and Mamma Mia (Music Theater Works). Selected performance credits include Spamalot (Mercury Theatre Chicago), Can-Can (Porchlight Music Theatre), and Do, Re, Mi (PMT). She was also a dancer with Esoteric Dance Project for their 2019 season. Choreography credits include: Ovidian Myths, a new play with movement written and directed by Barbra Zahora; The Cicada Dance, the video trailer for a new musical directed by Tammy Mader; and other various concert dance pieces for group and solo performance. Collaboration over multiple disciplines is her favorite way to create, and she is excited to work with Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble!
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Lila Rubin: A recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Lila is over the moon to have made her way back to the Windy City in pursuit of her artistic passions. Some of her professional credits include: Justice Theater Project’s “Black Nativity,” Weymouth in Motion, and Carolina Children’s Theater as a choreographer & camp counselor. |
Naomi Flores (Community Engagement Director)
Originally from Rockford, IL, Naomi graduated with her bachelor’s in interactive and Industrial Design from Syracuse University. Although she loved her program, Naomi has always felt compelled to find ways to directly work with her community. When she first moved to Chicago, Naomi was involved with community groups like Pilsen Alliance. She also worked with smaller groups looking to fight gentrification in the predominantly Latino neighborhood of Pilsen. Now, she is dedicated to mentoring young adults experiencing homelessness at La Casa Norte, and teaching students with Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble. For Naomi, the most rewarding part of their role is interacting and creating community with students and educators. This is where she truly thrives! Naomi is a mandated reporter, certified in adult and pediatric first aid, as well as adult mental health first aid |
Xiao Faria daCunha
The attached sample derived from the expectation for daughters from a traditional chinese family and how the reality counters that traditional belief (be good & submissive, get married and have a happy life) using symbolisms, creating a female figure beautifully dressed yet with her mouth stuffed (silenced). "They say don't speak much and you'll be happy. They say don't think much and you'll be just fine. They tell you to be a good girl — but what does that mean? They genuinely wished you a happily ever after — but whose happy ending is it?" https://www.xiaochineseart.com/paper-portfolio/taboo |
Cathleen Cramer
My collage work draws inspiration from remnants of daily domestic life to confront what is recorded and valued in the realm of the maternal. What propels the aesthetic of the work is a love of the rich patina of vintage imagery and text. From there, the elements I choose to incorporate relate specifically to the dominant aspects of my current life: my children and my home. I use personal photography, my kids’ doodles and writing, tape, fabric shards, wallpaper samples, leftover latex paint from home projects, and imagery from old books to create abstract collages with limited color palettes. Using these specific references, I address the invisible labor associated with being a mom. Through the repetition of shape, line, image, and pattern, I achieve structure and balance within the unplanned formation of the work. I make orderly the disorder that accompanies my daily life and, by working spontaneously and freely, I reject the limitations of the role of “mother,” making space for exploration and play. |
Gene Arthur
Aiding to the unique circumstances and individuals in a room, while being respectful to my own perception of the artform, I believe that visual art is the catalyst that forms a unique bond between those involved. With the firm belief that art is subjective, my practice comes from a certain ignorance within myself. Ignorance, grounded by curiosity, allows me to support my mind free from doubt – which inherently leads to the utmost support of the art around me and those who dreamt it. In my practice and my work, I aim to radiate a sense of individuality – beginning with stillness. What does it mean to have pause? Not only does stillness allow us time and space for our mental capacities, but our physical beings become charged in a way that is true to the self. I envision stillness as a profoundly beneficial form of self-care. In my opinion, caring for ourselves opens the gate to a better understanding of ourselves. I strive to create work that calls for the individual perception. Through the juxtaposition of theatrical elements combined with my passion for dance and visual art as a form of social justice, I aim to actualize concepts and emotions into movement that evokes agency. |
Jillian Dickson
The reality of women’s underwear seems to be one big dirty secret. The American public is exposed to a single type of women’s underwear, the sexy and the cute. These garments are stringy, lacy, silky and well hated by the vagina. The truth is, many women’s underwear is roomy, made of cotton, and filled with years of period stains. The “underwear” drawing series attempts to take these daily garments out of hiding and describe them as sacred in its golden frames and beautiful in the luscious detailing. |
Amy Tannenbaum
an artist of unique Fine Assemblage of Textiles, has been creating one-of-a-kind creations for over ten years, right here in Aurora Illinois. From afar, her pieces may appear to be painted, but with closer examination, true intricacy is revealed, each piece is constructed with its own specific textile! Her use of colors and technique is so intricate, that it amazes everyone who sees her fine art. She has a way of bringing her textile pieces to life. Amy uses recycled products, such as; yarn, magazines, newspapers, feathers, and a wide variety of paper to create these larger than life works of art. Her adoration for nature, and it's intricate details, is what inspires her work. Amy's background in art started at a very early age, often said, "I've been making art since I could hold a crayon!" She attended many shows and competitions throughout high school, but her profound technique didn't start until her early twenties. Her first textile piece, "Serenity," made out of torn newspaper, started her whirlwind exploration of different textiles. Her curiosity with different textiles gives her an endless strive to emanate the world around her through her artistic eyes. Her dream is to create full-time, and share her artwork with the world. New ideas are constantly flowing, Amy is definitely an artist to keep an eye on. You never know what jaw dropping masterpiece Amy Tannenbaum will create next! You can view her work on her website www.amytannenbaumart.com, or follow her on social media. |
Ivy Glaser
I explore intimacy and the energy of connection and heartbreak through messy and expressive figures, textures, and colors. My pieces are inspired by sketches I did while traveling. The paintings take these sketches deeper into the feelings and layers of meaning. The titles add a layer to juxtapose the intimacy and love witnessed versus the heartbreak I was going through while the moments were originally observed. I try to make my art as revealing as possible for anyone who may feel similar for or for someone to experience something new. |
Joshua Paul Weckesser (Lighting design)
Joshua Paul Weckesser is a lighting designer who's designs have been seen across the US as well as internationally. Josh's relationship with Chicago Danztheatre is stretching into it's second decade. He is founder of Bread & Roses Productions dedicated to providing production support to art-based organizations. TimeOut Chicago said that Josh’s “name seemed to pop up in every program.” Career highlights include lighting the first ever evening-length production of American Tap at the Kennedy Center, working with Karole Armitage in the Netherlands, and the national tour of Gobsmacked. |
Gabrielle Foreman (Stage Manager)
Gabrielle Foreman graduated from The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) in 2013 and later attended Indiana Wesleyan University, where she studied Vocal performance. She has performed as the Witch in "Into the Woods" and Hetty in "The Clever Artifice of Harriet and Margeret," which she debuted at the National Opera Association in 2016. The Chicago native has also sung with traveling groups, and as a soloist, across the United States, Mexico, and Italy. Though Gabrielle has always been passionate about telling stories through music and theater on stage, she is enthused by this opportunity to work behind the scenes |
Joe Griffin (sound design; he/him/his)
has been a recording engineer/sound designer for 30 years. Joe’s sound design and music credits include work with Lifeline Theatre, Steep Theatre, House Theatre, The Hypocrites, Promethean Theatre, Midsommer Flight, Commedia Beauregard, and ten years of summer Shakespeare at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills. He served as Music Director for Wildclaw Theatre’s “Deathscribe” festival of live horror audio drama for five years prior to lockdown. Joe’s music, both as a composer and as a songwriter, can be found at linktr.ee/joegriffinmusic. |