Re/Generation Studio (2025-2026) playbill

Conchita Avitia (she/her/ella)

Design Highlight: Lighting

Conchita is a freelance Mexican-American Lighting Designer based in Chicago; she holds her BA in Theatre Design from Columbia College Chicago. Her work has been seen at, but not limited to: Concrete Content, Free Street, About Face, First Floor, Teatro Vista, Steep, and Steppenwolf Theatre. She is also a fellow Jeff Award nominee and recipient for her work on The Brightest Thing In the World and The Dream King. Conchita is also a proud ensemble member of First Floor theatre and Teatro Vista Productions. For updates and production photos, please visit: avitialighting.com

Theo Wampuszyc (they/he)

Stage Manager

Theo has been a queer theatre artist in one form or another for over a decade. Having moved from Michigan to Chicago to pursue an acting career, Theo soon discovered a penchant for the production side of things. Over the past five years has had the joy to stage manage, produce, and direct for several prominent theatre companies including Raven Theatre, Rivendell Theatre, About Face Theatre, Steep Theatre, Bring Your Own Theater, Gender Fucked Productions, the American Music Theatre Project, and more. Currently, he is pursuing his newfound passion for directing.  Still a devout performer, Theo indulges their dramatic side by performing as their drag persona “the Transjester” and by spending summers working as a beloved minor league baseball mascot in the Chicago suburbs.

Gemma Brennan (she/her)

“Sofia”

Gemma is a multidisciplinary artist based in Chicago, IL since 2010. She has a focused passion in fueling intersectional conversation and social togetherness through creative works. She has previously worked alongside Victory Gardens Theater, Porchlight Music Theatre, Black Ensemble Theater and Navy Pier Entertainment. Gemma holds training from Northwestern University, London Academy of Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and is a certified yoga instructor.

Landree Fleming (she/her)

Director

Directing credits include Modern Gentleman (About Face Theatre); Little Shop and Fun Home (Paramount Theatre); Snow Queen (Marriott Theatre); Never Better, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and Once Upon a Mattress (Theo Ubique); 9 to 5: The Musical (Metropolis Theatre); and Assassins (North Central College). She has performed at Drury Lane Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Porchlight Music Theatre, American Theater Company, Griffin Theatre, and Theatre at the Center. She stars in the Dungeons & Dragons series Encounter Party (Hasbro, Wizards of the Coast, eOne), streaming on Amazon Prime, Plex, Freevee, and Roku, adapted from her podcast of the same name. She has also appeared on Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med, and is represented by Stewart Talent.

Sonia Goldberg (she/they)

“Chris”

Sonia Goldberg is a performer, writer, educator, and a proud Chicago native. She is delighted to return to About Face, having been a part of their youth ensemble almost a decade ago. Catch her this summer playing Gwendolyn in The Importance of Being Earnest at Oak Park Festival Theatre. Recent credits include Splish Splash (Goodman Theatre); RAIN (Filament Theatre); Amélie, Into the Woods, American Psycho (Kokandy Productions); Twelfth Night, Corduroy, Measure for Measure (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oak Park Festival Theatre); Pippin (Music Theater Works); and Once Upon a Mattress (Theo). She is the Education Programs Coordinator at Court Theatre, and a teaching artist for the Musical Theatre Intensive at Goodman Theatre. They’ve studied at Butler University, LAMDA, and The Moscow Art Theatre School. www.soniagoldberg.com, IG: @soniagoldberg

Brynley Halverson (they/them)

“Oakley”

Brynley Halverson is a Nonbinary Transfemme actor/writer based in Chicago with a passion for Queer and Trans stories.  They are an artistic ensemble member at Lifeline Theatre and a founding member of Astral Stage Collective where they collaborated on and appeared as Maxy in the world premiere of Stardog and are a co-writer and play Xan in The Space Between.  Brynley has had the pleasure of working with many Chicago area theaters.  Some favorite roles include Olivia in Twelfth Night & The Nurse is Romeo & Juliet (Backroom Shakespeare Project), Louise in Private Lives (Raven Theatre), Harriet Smith in Jane Austen’s Emma (First Folio Theatre), Mariana / Mistress Overdone in Measure for Measure (Shakespeare Project of Chicago), Pisanio in Cymbeline (Midsommer Flight), as well as shows with Drury Lane, The Gift Theatre, Haven Chicago, First Floor Theater and many others.  Brynley earned their BFA in Musical Theatre from CCPA at Roosevelt University. They are currently seeking representation (RIP Shirley Hamilton).

Collin Quinn Rice (they/them)

“Ash”

Collin Quinn Rice (they/them) is a queer actor and photographer based in Chicago. They were most recently seen in Top Girls (Raven Theatre), The Singularity Play (Jackalope Theatre), Fairview (Definition Theatre), Laced, Le Switch (About Face Theatre), The Tasters (Rivendell), All Quiet on the Western Front (Red Tape Theatre), Mike Pence Sex Dream (First Floor Theater), The Harvest (Griffin Theatre Co.), and Hatfield & McCoy (The House). Regional credits include From on High (OddKnock Productions, Denver). TV credits include an Emmy-nominated episode of The Bear (FX/Hulu) and Work in Progress (Showtime). Collin is represented by DDO Chicago. Their comprehensive work can be found at www.collinquinnrice.com.

Paul Michael Thomson (he/him)

“Ensemble/Ethan”

Paul Michael Thomson is an actor, playwright, producer, and PhD candidate based in Chicago. As an actor, Paul Michael has worked regionally at Steppenwolf, Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Urbanite Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Southwest Shakespeare, and more, and his on-camera credits include All Happy Families, Drawn Back Home, Chicago Med, and Chicago Justice. His plays have been produced around the country, including: Pot Girls (The Story Theatre); brother sister cyborg space (Raven Theatre); Fremont Junior High Is NOT Doing Oklahoma! (Good Company Theatre, Live Theatre Workshop); What a Time to Be Alive (You Say That Every Time) (Great Plains Theatre Commons); Leave Me Alone! (The Story Theatre); The G.O.A.T., or Who Is Ximone? (Theatre L’Acadie, O’Neill Center NPC Finalist); and more. Paul Michael is a PhD candidate in Afro-American Studies through the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and his scholarly work has been published in Theatre History Studies, the Black Theatre Review, and Theatre Annual. He is a proud co-founder and Governing Ensemble member of The Story Theatre and is represented by Gray Talent Group. paulmichaelthomson.com @paulmichaelt

Elle Walker (she/her)

“Em”

Elle Walker is a proud Evanstonian who has made Chicago home for the last 12 years. Favorite stage credits include the world premiere of Sharifa Yasmeen’s The Devils Between Us and Picnic directed by Will Davis. She has also appeared in several TV shows and independent feature films.

Willow Wilhelm (they/them)

Playwright

Willow Wilhelm is a trans/non-binary actor and playwright based in Chicago. They are the co-creator and performer of Gender Play, or what you Will, which premiered at About Face Theatre in 2023. (Jeff Award nominations: Best Solo Performance and Best New Work). Willow has performed Gender Play across the US and Canada, including runs at Actors Theater of Louisville, Steppenwolf, and more. Most recently, they appeared in the world premiere of Interstate at Dixon Place NYC.

Additional credits include As You Like It, Macbeth, and Oklahoma! (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); RENT (Portland Center Stage); Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci (Goodman Theatre/STC); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oak Park Festival Theatre) and Straight White Men (Steppenwolf).

A proud Northwestern graduate, Willow is represented by Gray Talent Group.

IG: @mx.willwillhelm www.WillWilhelm.com

Megan Carney (she/her)

Director and Producing Artistic Director at AFT

Megan Carney is the Producing Artistic Director of About Face Theater in Chicago, a company dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ equity through community building, education, and performance. She has worked extensively as a teaching artist and was one of the founding directors of AFT’s education programs which grew into a year round intergenerational program. She earned her MFA in Theatre Arts from Virginia Tech with a focus on Directing and Public Dialogue and teaches in various settings for people of all ages. Megan’s work as a director and playwright has premiered in Chicago, New York, and through touring productions around the country including Audrey Cefaly’s The Gulf (About Face Theatre) Lisa Dillman’s The Walls (Rivendell Theatre Ensemble at Steppenwolf) Danielle Pinnock’s Body/Courage (Rivendell), and Holly Hughes’ Let Them Eat Cake (Dixon Place, NYC) among many others. She has published case studies and articles about models for community-based performance and been recognized with theatre industry awards, the GLSEN Pathfinder Award, an APA Presidential Citation, and induction in Chicago’s LGBT Hall of Fame.

Jyreika Guest (she/her)

“Vita”

Harrison David Rivers (he/him)

Playwright

Harrison David Rivers is an award-winning playwright, librettist and television writer based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Harrison’s works include WE ARE CONTINUOUS (convergence-continuum, Diversionary, Uptown Players, New Conservatory Theatre Center, Geva, Williamstown Theatre Festival), THIS BITTER EARTH (Soho Theatre, Ball State University, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, White Bear Theatre, Seattle Public, TheaterWorks Hartford, InterAct, About Face, Penumbra, NCTC), THE SALVAGERS (Yale Rep), THE BANDAGED PLACE (Roundabout), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (CenterREP, Geva), WHERE STORMS ARE BORN (Williamstown), WEATHERING (Karamu House, Penumbra), SWEET (Great Plains Theatre Conference, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, National Black Theatre), WHEN LAST WE FLEW (Out Front Theatre Company, Real Live Arts, TheatreLAB, Diversionary, NYFringe) and the musicals LAST OF THE RED HOT MAMAS with Sue and Lloyd Ecker (Bucks County Playhouse) and WE SHALL SOMEDAY with Ted Shen (Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Theater Latté Da, Joe’s Pub, Signature Theatre, The Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol, Transport Group/Public Theatre).

His work has been nominated for AUDELCO, Drama Desk, Drama League, Antonyo, Lamda Literary, Berkshire Theatre, and Jeff Awards. He was a Relentless Award winner in 2018 for THE BANDAGED PLACE and a GLAAD Media Award winner for WHEN LAST WE FLEW in 2010.

His television credits include ONE OF US IS LYING (Peacock), THE NEVERS (HBO) and WYTCHES (Amazon). He has developed projects with HBO and Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions.

Harrison is a recipient of McKnight, Jerome and Van Lier Fellowships; residencies with the Siena Art Institute, Berkeley Rep, Geva, New York Theatre Workshop, Williamstown and Duke University; and is currently under commission from History Theatre, Diversionary, Geva, La Jolla Playhouse and Minnesota Opera.

harrisondavidrivers.com

Hilary Williams (she/her)

“Dodie”

Chicago: The Shape of the Bones (New Theatre Project), Fool for Love (u/s) (Steppenwolf), Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V, Richard II, Julius Ceasar (Backroom Shakespeare); Mansfield Park (u/s) (Northlight); The Walls, These Shining Lives (Rivendell); Three Sisters (The Hypocrites); A Room with a View, Ms. Holmes Returns (Lifeline Theatre); Romeo & Juliet, Becky Nurse of Salem (Shattered Globe). Television: Emperor of Ocean Park; Chicago Fire; Chicago PD. Film: Older Children; When Cats Fly; Luteal. Education: The School at Steppenwolf; BA, Columbia College. Williams is a founding member of Bramble Theatre and a proud stakeholder of Backroom Shakespeare. This is Williams’ first time working with About Face. “Love to the rabbit, the bunny slug, and the mouse.” hilwill.com

Dionne Addai (they/she)

Facilitator and Producer

Dionne Addai is a performer, writer, director, and teaching artist local to Chicago. She works at About Face Theatre as their Director of Educational and Artistic Programming. Dionne is a passionate advocate for reproductive rights, racial justice, and free comprehensive sex education. Their artistic practice centers on educating to encourage sociopolitical action and mutual aid. As a performer, Dionne has multiple on-camera credits and has worked with over 20 renowned theatre companies (Merrimack Repertory, Raven Theatre, Filament Theatre; etc). She co-hosts a live-recorded podcast called Mad Liberation and releases music under the stage name “strawberry gelato.” Dionne is represented by Actors Talent Group.

Christina Casano (she/her)

Emerging Directors Producer and Creative Producer for Remy Bumppo

Christina Casano is a theatre artist based in Chicago. Her training includes a BA in Theatre from Miami University, Victory Gardens Theater’s Director’s Inclusion Initiative, and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Summer Professional Training Program. Selected directing credits: Dear Elizabeth (Remy Bumppo), I Build Giants and Poison (The Plagiarists), Henry IV Pt. 1 (Starling Shakespeare Co), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Stone Soup Shakespeare), The F*ck House (Strawdog Theatre), Plaid As Hell (Babes With Blades), Grape Leaves (workshop, Avalanche) Socks & Co. (workshop, Eclectic Full Contact Theatre), Work in Progress (workshop, The Plagiarists) How To Murder… (workshop, Bramble Theatre), Upline (workshop, Avalanche) Blood of My Mother’s (workshop, Wayward Sisters), Deep Shadows (audio drama, EFCT), Fame Heaux (staged reading, Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival). Other favorite projects: Short Shakes! Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Some Like It Red and The Epic of Gilgamesh, etc. (The Plagiarists), How To Defend Yourself (Victory Gardens), Bury Me (Dandelion Theatre), The Light Fantastic (Jackalope Theatre). She is the Creative Producer for Remy Bumppo and the former Artistic Director of The Plagiarists. www.cmrcasano.com

Nadya Naumaan (they/them)

Facilitator

Nadya is a Pakistani-American nonbinary queer Muslim artist working in theater and filmmaking in Chicago over the last six years as a director/associate director, dramaturg, producer, scriptwriter, playwright, stage manager, and actor. Previous credits include First Floor Theater’s One Party Consent (Director), About Face Theatre’s Mosque4Mosque (AD), Jackalope’s Pretty Shahid (Dramaturg/AD), Court Theatre’s Photograph 51 (AD), ITP’s I Call My Brothers (Dramaturg), and New Coordinates’ Love in the Time of Jonestown (AD). Nadya’s short film STUCK was screened at the Coalition of South Asian Film Festivals in 2020 in addition to several other film festivals. Their webseries, Pooj&Nad, was a finalist at The Mosquers Film Festival in 2022. Their latest short, A Simple Ask, was recently screened at the International South Asian Film Festival of Canada and Sundar Prize Film Festival.

Lexi Saunders (she/her)

Facilitator

Lexi is a director, performer, and teaching artist originally from Los Angeles. Their Chicago directing credits include Laced and Power in Pride (About Face Theatre), Roan @ The Gates (American Blues), The Departure (Haven), Eurydice (Jedlicka), Grounded (Theater of Thought), Fifty Shades of Shakespeare ((re)discover), the upcoming regional premiere of Natural Shocks; and various storytelling events with 2nd Story. Lexi has assistant directed at Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, Steep, Jackalope, and La Jolla Playhouse; and was honored to be selected for Victory Gardens’ inaugural Directors Inclusion Initiative and The Directors Haven. She currently teaches storytelling, acting, playwriting, and performance art for both teens and adults at 2nd Story, TimeLine Theatre, and Camp Bravo. In both their art and teaching practice, Lexi is passionate about creating spaces for people to explore and expand their voices through vulnerability, empathy, imagination, creativity, and collaboration. She is a member of the 2nd Story Collective and an Artistic Associate of About Face Theatre. BA/BS Theatre & Psychology, UC San Diego.

Dan Washelesky (they/he)

Emerging Directors Producer and Managing Director at Bramble Theatre Company

Dan Washelesky is a Chicago-based director, dramaturg, playwright, teaching artist, and the Managing Director of Bramble Theatre Company. Previously they served as Managing Director at The Passage Theatre, Director of New Play Development at Valiant Theatre, and Head of Dramaturgy at First Run Theatre. Selected credits: Manhattan Theatre Club (Dakar 2000), Steppenwolf Theatre (Describe the Night, The Children, The Rembrandt, Lindiwe), Paramount Theatre (An Act of God), A Red Orchid Theatre (The Targeted), Bramble Theatre Company (The Pets, Evil Perfect), Silk Road Cultural Center/Stage Center Theatre (Black Bear Island), Tramps Collective (The Grown-Ups), The Passage Theatre (The Miscellany, Happy Birthday Mars Rover, Spirits to Enforce), Valiant Theatre (First Called, The Reverend Dr. Paul(i) Murray), PrideArts (Dex & Abby, Afterglow), St. Louis Actors’ Studio (Blackbird), First Run Theatre (Prometheus’ Dream, Dreaming in Black & White, Bird’s Nest).

Courtney Abbott (they/she)

Intimacy Director

Chicago collaborations include: Midsommer Flight, City Lit, Promethean, Redtwist, The Story, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, About Face, The Gift, Remy Bumppo, Writers Theatre, Northlight, Oak Park Festival Theatre, Citadel, Inkwell, Metropolis, Paramount, Northwestern, DePaul, and Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. Film: K/O, Quiet in the House, Stars in the Water, Paper Planes, Lee Baby, Departing Seniors. Education: MFA, Ohio University; BS, Northwestern. Courtney is a Stakeholder in the Back Room Shakespeare Project. @backroomshakes CourtneyAbbott.com

Douglas Atkins (he/him)

“David”

Douglas Atkins is the Founding Artistic Director of Ways and Means Theatre, with work spanning classical, contemporary, and musical theatre. He holds an MFA from the University of Houston. His signature role, Alex More in Buyer & Cellar, has played at Main Street, Montgomery, and Stage West Theatres. Other credits include Jervis (Daddy Long Legs), Cornelius Hackl (Hello, Dolly!, Georg Nowak (She Loves Me), Touchstone (As You Like It), and Brutus (Julius Caesar). He is a member of Actor’s Equity Association and is represented in Chicago by TALENTXALEXANDER and in Texas by the Neal Hamil Agency. Much love to Charlie, Jack, and Olivia. Eternal gratitude to Megan and the About Face team for this opportunity.

Layke Fowler (he/him)

“Benoît”

Layke Fowler is very happy to be a part of Ways and Means Theatre’s first year. Recent credits include Wyrd (Lazy Susan Theatre Co.), Pussy Sludge (Facility Theatre), Macbeth and Network (Invictus Theatre Company). He also has appeared in shorts Killing Time, and All the Time in the World. If you have any questions about Chicago architecture, please ask after the show. Layke is also currently in Promethean Theatre Ensemble’s production of Antigone opening June 3rd. He is proudly represented by Big Mouth Talent.

Leanna Gianoutsos Oliveira (she/her)

Director

Leanna Gianoutsos Oliveira is a director and producer who earned her Bachelor’s in Theatre at the University of Central Florida and her Master’s in Directing at Roosevelt University. She is proud to be a Founding Ensemble Member of Ways & Means, a member of Artemisia’s ALC, and an associate producer at PlayGround Chicago. Leanna is incredibly grateful for this opportunity to work with About Face. Some of her favorite directing credits include workshop readings of Ikkan & the Sunweaver (Instrumental), Kumquats on the QT (Artemisia), and full productions of The Siren Song of Stephen Jay Gould (Haven), She Kills Monsters (BMSOA), Antigone (BMSOA), & Medea (BMSOA).

Jelani Julyus (he/him)

“Frank”

Jelani Julyus believes in the power of story to transform society and possesses a unique ability to find the hope nestled at the heart of every story. Jelani is grateful for the opportunity to work with Ways & Means Theatre. He dedicates his career as an actor to his children and hopes they learn that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. Visit jelanijulyus.com to learn more about Jelani’s career and training.

Malachi Marrero (he/they)

“Zachary”

Malachi Marrero is a Chicago based actor, dancer, and singer from Memphis, TN and alumni of The ACADEMY at Black Box Acting. Recent credits include The Three Musketeers (Idle Muse), Friends with Guns (A Short Leap), Inheritance OR Brothers of the Deep, Party at the Pantheon (Factory Theater); Seven Guitars, Much Ado About Nothing, A Christmas Carol (Milwaukee Repertory Theater); Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, Henry VI: The War of the Roses (Tennessee Shakespeare Company). He would like to thank his family and friends for their encouragement and support.

Mary Grace Seigel (she/her)

Stage Manager, Stage Directions

Mary Grace Seigel is an actor, director, wig tech, costume designer, and now stage manager living and working in Chicago. In her various roles, she has worked with theatres across the midwest including The Goodman, Chicago Dramatists, Artists Ensemble, Timberlake Playhouse, and Renaissance Theatreworks. Mary is a founding member of Ways and Means Theatre company. As always, much love and thanks to her endlessly supportive family and partner.

Anne Trodden (she/her)

“Sarah”

Anne Trodden is a native Chicago actor and writer with a focus on language-driven text. She holds a Master’s degree in Irish Theatre from Trinity College Dublin. A multi–Jeff Award winner—earning honors for Best Ensemble, Best Play, and Best Performer in a Supporting Role—she was recognized for her portrayal of Harper Pitt in Angels in America with Invictus Theatre. Her performance was also named one of the Top Performances of 2025 by the Chicago Tribune. She is currently represented by Big Mouth Talent.

Am Wyckoff (they/them)

Dramaturgy, French Consultant

Am Wyckoff is a dramaturg, director, deviser, musician, translator, and educator. Their work pulls from their time studying, loving, and living trans and queer theories and histories. Past productions include: Ikkan and the Sunweaver (Instrumental Theatre Company; Music Director), Noise (Wilbury Theatre Group; Ensemble/Band), Cassandra Sounds/Visions (Providence Fringe Festival; Director), Cassandra (Exponential Festival at the Brick; Assistant Producer), Hir (Wilbury Theatre Group; Dramaturg), and La Cage Aux Folles (Trinity Repertory Company; Dramaturg). They are so excited for you to see Le Switch!

Dionne Addai (they/she)

Playwright & Director

Dionne Addai is a performer, writer, director, and teaching artist local to Chicago. She works at About Face Theatre as their Director of Educational and Artistic Programming. Dionne is a passionate advocate for reproductive rights, racial justice, and free comprehensive sex education. Their artistic practice centers on educating to encourage sociopolitical action and mutual aid. As a performer, Dionne has multiple on-camera credits and has worked with over 20 renowned theatre companies (Merrimack Repertory, Raven Theatre, Filament Theatre; etc). She co-hosts a live-recorded podcast called Mad Liberation and releases music under the stage name “strawberry gelato.” Dionne is represented by Actors Talent Group.

Amy Boggs

Miracle Gbegan

Graybill Partington (she/they)

Sound Designer

Graybill Partington is a director, producer, educator, storyteller, and advocate for accessibility and mental health awareness and representation. With a passion for making theatre accessible to both audiences and artists, especially young people, Graybill’s experience includes serving as Head Adventure Guide for Seesaw Theatre (a student theatre company dedicated to creating accessible, immersive theatre for neurodivergent audiences), Special Events Coordinator and Artistic Director of WAVE Productions (a student theatre company dedicated to mentorship and uplifting collaborators), Education Intern at both Young People’s Theater of Chicago and Mudlark Theater Company, and as a S.L.A.Y. (Space for Leaders and Artistic Youth) Apprentice at About Face Theatre. Graybill has directed young people while working as a Resident Director and Theatre Intern at Brown Ledge Theater (a part of Brown Ledge Camp), as well as directed productions such as The Scarlet Letter and, most recently, Next to Normal, as a part of Northwestern University’s Student Theatre Coalition.

Graybill holds a BA in Communication with majors in Theatre and Psychology from Northwestern University and a certificate in Theatre for Young Audiences.

Rosalinda Rivera

Joanna Sempsey

Pen Wilder (they/them)

Co-Director and Lead Teaching Artist