About Face Theatre’s Board of Directors is a group of dynamic and dedicated volunteers who collaborate with the staff to fulfill the mission. If you would like to learn about joining our team through board service, please send your resume and letter of interest to boardprospect@aboutfacetheatre.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Board of Directors
LISA BOWDEN (she/her)
With a commitment to equity, Lisa is a professional in the fields of business consulting and public service. She has served in leadership capacities managing finances, grants, and marketing. She has established new companies in competitive marketplaces, implemented successful marketing strategies, and improved employee performance and development through training programs. Lisa is an educator, mentor, and longtime advocate for people living with disabilities, those without a permanent address, and those experiencing food insecurity. She holds a Master of Business Administration from University of Illinois, a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College School of Public Affairs, City University of New York, and a Bachelor of Arts from Daemen College. Affiliations include the Winnemac Dog Friendly Area committee; Girl Scouts, USA; and initiatives addressing the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community, supporting her elders, and mentoring the next generation.
JOJO BROWN (she/her)
Artist Representative
Jojo Brown is a Chicago-born actress, most known for playing ‘Mindy’ on the Freeform/Hulu original series Single Drunk Female. Raised in Chicago, Jojo began her professional career as a teen in the Resident Youth Ensemble at American Theatre Company, where she received acting training, participated in research trips, and performed in two documentary-drama plays on their mainstage. In 2017, she dropped out of theatre school to move to NYC and make her Off-Broadway debut, starring in MCC Theatre’s production of CHARM. Variety Magazine called her performance “effervescent” and “darling.” Since then, Jojo has acted in numerous stage plays, Sundance-selected independent films, and hit series on networks including Showtime, NBC, Comedy Central, and more. In 2022, Condé Nast’s LGBTQ publication them called Jojo Brown a “scene-stealing star” for her portrayal of recovering alcoholic Mindy, on Single Drunk Female. The Advocate Magazine included Jojo in their list of top-ten Queer Rising Hollywood Stars. Jojo has recently moved back to Chicago and is so excited to call About Face Theatre an artistic home. After a successful run of The Brightest Thing in the World in About Face’s 2023-2024 season, her love and commitment to this theatre was solidified, and she is proud to be an Artistic Representative on the Board.
MICHELLE BUSCEMI (she/her)
Treasurer
Joining AFT’s Board as Treasurer is Michelle’s final act in a 20-year performative finance career that began as a financial statement auditor with one of the Big 4 Public Accounting firms; she maintains an active Certified Public Accountant license. While visiting Chicago in June 2023, Michelle became aware of AFT’s existence and knew she had to get involved with this pro-social collective created to tell queer stories. She splits her time between South Chicago and Florida to be near family after spending the past four years working on a global finance project during which she mainly lived in Europe. Michelle is proud to serve and support AFT on its mission of advancing LGBTQ+ equity.
AMY HUTCHISON (she/her)
Amy Hutchison is proud to return to the About Face board of directors, having served from 2013 to 2016. Her awe and enthusiasm for the company was first ignited by Patricia Kane’s delicious comedy PULP in 2007, and her esteem for AFT and Youth Theatre artists has continued to grow year over year. Amy is a theatre and opera director who stages works across the USA and internationally. Her work with local companies includes Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theatre, Chicago Fringe Opera, South Shore Opera, and Folk Operetta. She has served on the music faculty of Northwestern University and has directed for DePaul University, as well. She is on the Advisory Board of Kia Smith’s fabulous South Chicago Dance Theatre. Amy is on the finance team of the elite law firm Jenner & Block and is a member of its LGBTQ Forum. She flat-out loves life in Chicago and can’t wait to see you at The Den for the next About Face show!
SARAH POWERS (she/her)
Sarah is the founder and Principal of Powers Creative Group. She has worked for over 15 years with communities in Atlanta, Detroit, Rwanda, Washington (DC), rural Alabama, upstate New York, Richmond (VA), and now Chicago to build their capacity, gain partnerships and power, and achieve social impact. She is proud and grateful for her education: a Bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Public Health and a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Michigan. She also created Outburst: A Pride Sketch Revue at Coalition Theater in Richmond, and moved to Chicago to find even more gays who love sketch comedy.
JOHN ROONEY (they/he)
Chair
John is honored to return to About Face Theatre, where they got started as an artistic intern and a stage manager for five About Face Youth Theatre productions (and a Wonka Ball or two!). John has spent over 15 years as a facilitator, project manager, educator, and artist for organizations such as artEquity, FARSIGHT Agency, Nicole Brewer’s Anti-Racist Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Red Tape Theatre, and of course About Face Theatre. Currently, John is the Manager of People and Culture at Chicago Humanities. They are driven to create enriching, equitable, and healing spaces for staff, volunteers, and communities connected to nonprofits and public service organizations who are providing vital services and offerings. In their spare time, they are proud to be singing and dancing in the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus (CGMC). They look forward to supporting About Face Theatre and connecting to all those in the About Face community!
AMANDA SUCKOW (they/them)
Amanda’s deep appreciation for About Face Theatre is grounded in the value of Queer people telling Queer stories. Amanda supports arts educators in Chicago Public Schools as the Music Content Specialist for the Department of Arts Education. They hold an MMEd from VanderCook College of Music and an MBA in Arts Innovation from the Global Leaders Institute. As an interdisciplinary artist, Amanda blends narrative storytelling and sound design to reveal unexpected connections. Their expertise in educational best practices, identity, and leadership has been showcased at the National Association for Music Education, Northwestern University’s TEACHx, and the Luigiani International Music Festival. Amanda’s artistic expressions can be found in Stillpoint Magazine, Beyond Queer Words Journal, and their mother’s living room. Amanda lives in Chicago with their partner, three cats, and shelves of books organized by color.
ED TALIDEH (he/him)
Secretary
Ed Talideh has a silly British accent and a love for the performing arts (literally – his husband is a theatre director). He moved to Chicago from the UK many years ago (as part of his career in biotech business management) and fell in love with About Face Theatre’s shows. He recommends you do the same. Having subsequently learned a lot more about the organization behind the shows, Ed fell in love with AFT’s vision and mission (not least the awesome Youth Theatre program!) and is now hono(u)red to bring his business experience to AFT’s board in a fundraising and networking function. Indeed, if you’re reading this, he’ll probably ask you for money at some point. When not writing sardonic biographies, he can be found making questionable design choices, rehearsing karaoke duets, and talking lovingly to his houseplants.
Honorary Board
Rob Abernathy
Jim Andrews
Pat Ewert
Ted Grady
William W. Greaves
Chris Landgraff
Michael Leppen
Dwight A. McBride
William J. Michel
Mary Morten
Mike Sullivan