Chuck Spencer began working with Raven Theatre in 1987, and it wasn’t long before he became an official member of the ensemble. Over the years, Chuck has acted in many productions at Raven, including Raven’s 1995 production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN where Chuck played Willy Loman’s older brother Ben. 14 years later, in Raven’s 2009 remount of DEATH OF A SALESMAN, he is playing the part of Ben’s younger brother, Willy Loman! Chuck has also directed at Raven Theatre and co-wrote one of Raven’s children’s shows, HERE COMES THE SUN.
Ensemble
Since Raven Theatre was founded in 1983, it has always been defined by its ensemble, a collective of theatre artists dedicated to working closely together with the common goal of creating the best shows possible. These artists are vital to the success of each production, and the theatre as a whole.
What differentiates Raven’s ensemble from many others is the shear diversity of talent, ranging in age, gender, and skill type. When people think of a theatre ensemble, they usually define it as a group of actors. Raven’s ensemble is made up of artists with a multitude of artistic skills. Our artists not only act in plays, but also write, direct, design, compose and create. Please read more about our dedicated ensemble below.
Current Ensemble
Chuck Spencer
Liz Fletcher
Liz Fletcher first appeared in Raven’s 1991 production of VAMPIRES IN CHICAGO. After several more productions at Raven she became a core member of the ensemble. As an actress she has garnered much praise for her many roles, including the award-winning performances of Lorna Moon in GOLDEN BOY and Blanche Dubois in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Liz is also a specialist with hair, makeup and costumes.
Leif Olsen
Leif Olsen started his work with the Raven ensemble in 1997, in the award-winning classic comedy, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, a play in which he mastered Aram Katchaturian’s signature piece Sabre Dance on a toy xylophone. Soon after, he was invited into the Raven family as an ensemble member. Over the past dozen years Leif has flexed his creative muscles: building and co-designing several award-winning sets, and composing beautiful musical scores for such shows as A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, DANCING AT LUGHNASA, and most recently, HEDDA GABLER. Leif’s musical talents will be on display again in 2009 when he creates the score for DEATH OF A SALESMAN.
Greg Caldwell
Greg Caldwell began acting at Raven in 1998 when he was cast in the company’s longest running show to date, SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION. Since then he has performed in a variety of productions, including the award-winning shows, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. In recent years he played a friend to a serial killer in JESUS HOPPED THE ‘A’ TRAIN, a genius comedy writer in LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, and a grubby tour bus driver in THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA. Greg will return to the stage in 2009 to play the role of Happy in DEATH OF A SALESMAN.
Christine Ferriter
Christine Ferriter, is our most recent member of the Raven ensemble. Though she only became an official member in 2008, she has been creating some beautiful lighting designs for us for several years. Some of her designs include THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA, DANCING AT LUGHNASA, JESUS HOPPED THE ‘A’ TRAIN and most recently, HEDDA GABLER.
Mark Yates
Mark Yates became an honorary member of the Raven Ensemble in 2004, when he co-wrote the children’s show HERE COMES THE SUN. Though not a theatre artist by trade Mark has been extremely influential to Raven, artistically speaking. While in Chicago he worked closely with Producing Artistic Director, Michael Menendian and the rest of the ensemble in shaping the different seasons of plays that the company chose, attending rehearsals and providing much-needed feedback to the artists. Mark now resides in Panama City and continues to contribute to the Raven family.
Michael Menendian and JoAnn Montemurro
Co-Artistic Directors, Michael Menendian and JoAnn Montemurro co-founded the theatre in 1983, and continue at the artistic helm to this day. Michael has directed many of the plays and began designing sets as well, starting in 1995. He also co-wrote the various children’s theatre shows and is writing a new one this fall. JoAnn has been acting with the company from the beginning. She has enjoyed playing such major roles as Martha in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? and Amanda in THE GLASS MENAGERIE. With a sharp eye towards fashion and period dress, she has also designed the costumes for many productions, including most recently, the hit show HEDDA GABLER. In 2009, JoAnn will appear as Linda Loman in Raven’s season opener DEATH OF A SALESMAN, which will be directed by Michael.
Ensemble in Memoriam
Esther McCormick
Esther McCormick, began working with Raven Theatre way back in 1986, at the youthful age of 55, and was a core member of the ensemble until her death in August of 2009. Over the years she has been in a multitude of shows, including her Jeff-nominated performance in THE ROAD TO MECCA. She also played the role of Linda Loman in Raven’s first production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN in 1995. Esther’s last trip on to the stage at Raven was in the 2008 benefit performance where she dazzled the crowd with her portrayal of Sister Mary Ignatius.
