Board of Directors

LISA BOWDEN (she/her)
Vice-Chair

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.

JIM HENNESSEY

Jim Hennessey is the Head of Marketing at Code Platoon, a nonprofit that helps members of the military community transition from service to careers in technology. Beyond his professional work, Jim is deeply rooted in Chicago’s arts and LGBTQ communities. He currently serves on the Board and leads marketing for Stonewall Sports Chicago, an LGBTQ and ally social sports league with more than 4,000 participants that raises over $140,000 each year to support local service organizations. Jim has also served on the Boards of the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, The Kiki Queens, The Welcoming Committee, the Human Rights Campaign of Tennessee, the Clemson University LGBTQ Alumni Association, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tennessee. A lifelong performer with a background in musical theater, he continues to sing with the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus.

Jim and his husband Marshall are proud supporters of theatre and LGBTQ causes across Chicago, and he looks forward to contributing to About Face Theatre’s mission and community.

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!

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)
Secretary

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)
Treasurer

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.