STEPHANIE MATTOS she/her (Virginia Bass) is an actor, fight director and combatant in Chicago. She is a member of the Society of American Fight Directors and Artistic Associate with Babes with Blades Theatre Company and Midsommer Flight. Credits include: NOTES FROM THE FIELD (TimeLine Theatre Co.), THE DUCHESS OF MALFI (Asst. Fight Director, Babes with Blades Theatre Co.) LAST NIGHT AND THE NIGHT BEFORE (Steppenwolf Theatre Co.), MARYS SEACOLE (Griffin Theatre Co.), LIGHT FALLS (Steep Theatre Co.), TWELFTH NIGHT (Midsommer Flight). Regional: REENTRY (Montana Repertory Theatre). TV: THE CHI. Represented by Big Mouth Talent. www.stephaniemattos.com. IG:asmattering.
BRADFORD STEVENS he/him (John Bass) A native Chicagoan, graduated from the DePaul Theater School in 2002. He is crazy excited to be back at the Raven working with this amazing cast and crew on PRODIGAL DAUGHTER. His stage credits include, THE HAIRY APE (Orcale Theater), JESUS HOPPED THE A TRAIN (Raven Theater), SUPERIO DONUTS (Mary Archie Theater). Film and TV credits include CHICAGO PD, 61ST STREET, and the DAZZLING COOL CAT JONES web series. Bradford gives big time thanks to Mom, Val, LG and Sweetie for all of their love and support.
BRYANT HAYES he/him (Rev. Eugene Maxwell) is thrilled to be making his Raven Theatre Debut! Previous credits: SWEAT (Paramount), THE VENETIANS (Oak Park), DAY OF ABSENCE (Congo Square), BENT (Muse Theatre Collective), ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA (Oklahoma Shakespeare). Bryant holds an MFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University and a BFA in Acting from the University of Central Oklahoma. He would like to thank all of his family and friends for all of their love and support. Bryant is Proudly represented by Stewart Talent.
STEF BRUNDAGE they/them (George Oakley) is so happy to be back in Chicago working with this wonderful team at the Raven. After graduating from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 2023, Stef grew into an intercontinental life in their career as a professional actor. Stage Credits include THE WILD DUCK (Off-Off Broadway), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (First Folio Theatre), DEATH OF A SALESMAN (Irish Classical Theatre), LULU (Torn Space Theatre), PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE (American Rep Theatre), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Historic Palace Theatre), SOUTH PACIFIC (Lancaster Opera House). Stef’s on-camera work can be seen streaming on OTV in 2019’s For Better which won multiple LGBTQAI+ awards, including a nomination for Best Acting Duo at the Indie Shorts Festival. They are a member of the Guild of Italian American Actors and an Actor’s Equity Membership Candidate. Stef has a Masters Degree in Classical Acting from LAMDA and is represented by The Harter-Allen Agency in the UK.
RJW MAYS she/her (Lottie Dickerson) is a Chicago-based Actor who is excited for her debut at Raven Theatre. Recent acting credits include IN MY GRANNYS GARDEN (Goodman Theatre); THE WHISTLEBLOWER (Theatre Wit); THINK FAST JORDAN CHASE (Filament Theatre); MARYS SEACOLE (Griffin Theatre); THIS IS ONLY A TEST, PLAINCLOTHES, KINGDOM (Broken Nose Theatre) THE RIDICULOUS DARKNESS (Sideshow) LEAVINGS (Polarity); KATRINA MOTHER IN-LAW OF ‘EM ALL (Interrobang); HOODOO LOVE U/S w/perf (Raven Theatre); TRUE WEST U/S w/perf (Steppenwolf); TO CATCH A FISH U/S w/perf (Timeline Theatre); SKELETON CREW U/S w/perf (Northlight). Television Credits include: DIARRA FROM DETROIT, 61st STREET, SOUTHSIDE, POWER BOOK IV: FORCE, CHICAGO PD and THE CHI.
SÓL FULLER she/her (Daisy Bass) is a Chicago native singer, songwriter, producer, visual artist, and actor. Her acting career began at 6 years old when she was the lead in the award-winning short film, CHILDREN OF COLOR. She attended The Chicago High School for the Arts where she studied visual arts, and will earn her BFA in Acting in May, 2024. Sól has received a write up in Chicago Reader for her recent role as Isabella in MEASURE FOR MEASURE (Forest Park Theatre). Other recent credits include Janet/Mrs Chatham/ Reporter in FRINDLE (Griffin Theatre- Tour) and Angel in BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY (UIC Theatre). She was also featured in The Q Brother’s DA MIXTAPE, for which she produced/scored music, and was featured in The Q Brother’s Emmy-award winning “It’s On” campaign for NBC Sports. The music video for her latest single entitled “Constellations” won numerous awards including “On-Camera Talent” and “Original Song” (Accolade Global Film Competition) and “Cinematography” (Experimental, Dance, & Music Film Festival) . Her single “Jealous” was featured in Lyrical Lemonade, and Live Nation’s Ones to Watch.
SIERRA COACHMAN she/her (U/S Virginia Bass) is a Chicago-based actor. She holds a BFA degree in Acting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with a minor in Africana Studies. Theatre credits include RELENTLESS (u/s, performed; TimeLine and Goodman); MARYS SEACOLE (u/s, performed; Griffin Theatre); FEN (u/s; Court Theatre); THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME (CCM); REVOLT. SHE SAID. REVOLT AGAIN. (Falcon). Television credits include THE BIG LEAP. Sierra is represented by Gray Talent Group. Instagram: @scoh2
BEN IZLAR JR. he/him (U/S Rev. Eugene Maxwell) is a Chicago-based actor and this is his first time working with Raven’s Theatre! He is coming right off the heels of doing THE TIME MACHINE: A TRIBUTE TO THE 80s (The Black and Ensemble Theater) and DRUNK SHAKESPEARE (The Lion’s Theater).
JUSTIN TSATSA he/him (U/S George Oakley) is an Idaho native, University of Utah BFA graduate and Chicago-based actor; and stoked to be making his Raven debut. Theatre credits include: HANNAH AND MARTIN (Shattered Globe), A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Footlik Theatre). FALLING (Interrobang Theatre Project)-Jeff Award recipient, THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS (Eclipse Theatre Company), ‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE (Babcock Theatre), A FEW GOOD MEN (Pioneer Theatre Company). He is also a proud alumnus of the Shattered Globe Protégé Program. Thank you to my incredible offstage family.
DELYSA RICHARDS she/him (U/S Lottie Dickerson) is an actress and creative artist. She has performed in various stage plays and has a number of recognition and accolades for her work with S I.U.E. Theatre Department, The Agency, MPAACT, and Invictus Theatre. She wrote and directed a one-woman scene entitled STREET WISE for The Agency Basement Series. She has also guest starred on two artistic podcasts, and performed in her first virtual one woman production with StageLeft Theatre. She recently was a performing understudy for the production, THE MOUNTAINTOP. She is thrilled to be apart of the understudy cast for THE PRODIGAL DAUGHTER with Raven Theatre!
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JOSHUA ALLEN he/him (Playwright) is returning with the final installment of The Grandboulevard Trilogy, following THE OCTOBER STORM and THE LAST PAIR OF EARLIES. His work has been produced and developed at Raven Theatre, Hudson Stage, Cape Cod Theater Project, Primary Stages, The Lark Play Development Center and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. An alumnus of New Dramatists, he has also been a member of the Ars Nova Play Group and the Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers’ Group at Primary Stages. His television writing and producing credits include Hostages (CBS), Empire (FOX), Almost Family (FOX), From Scratch (Netflix), In Treatment (HBO) and The Morning Show (Apple TV). Joshua is a graduate of the University of Southern California and the Juilliard School.
JERRELL L. HENDERSON he/him (Director) is a Theatre Director, Puppeteer, and African American Theatre Historian and Archivist. A recipient of a 2023 Henson Foundation Workshop Grant and the 2022 League of Chicago Theatre’s Samuel G. Roberson Jr. Fellowship; Jerrell recently presented an original shadow play titled, AMERICANMYTH: CROSSROADS with Free Street Theatre. Other directing projects include RAGTIME at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, REVERIE by James Ijames with Azuka Theatre, MLIMA’S TALE with Griffin Theatre (Jeff Award nomination for Direction and Best Play) and UNTITLED with Inis Nua Theatre (Barrymore Award nomination for Outstanding Direction of a Play). He received his MFA in Theatre Directing from Northwestern University (2015), is a member of Lincoln Center’s Directors Lab (2012), and serves on the board of Directors Gathering, a national organization based in Philadelphia, PA which offers theatre directors consistent community, resources, and elevation. He also serves as the creator/curator of black_theatre_vinyl_archive on Instagram. black_theatre_vinyl_archive is an extensive collection of vinyl albums which honor contributions from members of the African Diaspora in Theatre/Musical Theatre History.He is represented by the Gurman agency (https://gurmanagency.com).
KRISTEN BAITY They/Them (Cultural Sensitivity Specialist & Intimacy Designer) is a Chicago-based intimacy professional, cultural/gender sensitivity specialist, and all-around theatre nerd. Chicago credits include LAST NIGHT AND THE NIGHT BEFORE (Steppenwolf) TICK, TICK… BOOM (BoHo Theatre), THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS (Theo Ubique Theatre), RENT (Porchlight Music Theatre); AMERICAN PSYCHO: THE MUSICAL, SWEENEY TODD, CRUEL INTENTIONS (Kokandy Productions); MOSQUE4MOSQUE and THE MAGNOLIA BALLET (About Face Theatre) Regional credits: 9 TO 5 (Metropolis Performing Arts Center) SUGAR IN OUR WOUNDS, and STONEWALLIN’ (Richmond Triangle Players). Kirsten received their BA in Theatre from Columbia College Chicago and is a proud member of Intimacy Coordinators of Color’s inaugural cohort.
LILY ANNA BERGMAN she/her (Props Designer) is a Chicago-based designer for theater, exhibits, and immersive experiences. She has worked with the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Chicago Scenic Studios, University of Chicago, Original X Productions, Northlight Theater, The Gift Theatre, Theater Row, New York. Classical Theater, and more. With Sage Creative Group, Lily serves as a project manager and set dresser for immersive experiences and touring exhibitions, including Harry Potter: Magic at Play, The Office Experience, The Friends Experience, and Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea. She is a graduate of LaGuardia HS of the Arts, Vassar College, and the Moscow Art Theater NTI Program.
LINE BOWER they/them (Technical Director) is a Chicago-based technical director, carpenter, and scenic painter. Additionally, they are a proud ensemble member of Babes With Blades Theatre Company! They received their BA in Theatre Technology & Design and Stage Combat from Columbia College Chicago. Assorted TD credits: PORT OF ENTRY (Albany Park Theatre Project), THAT MUST BE THE ENTRANCE TO HEAVEN (Visión Latino—JEFF AWARDED), THE S PARADOX (BWBTC), and JANE: ABORTION AND THE UNDERGROUND (Idle Muse). You can frequently find them building for Northlight Theatre, or carrying a variety of loose lumber pieces on the CTA.
JARED GOODING he/him (Lighting Designer) is happy to be back for the at Raven designing The October Storm last season. His design credits include shows for Goodman Theater, Writers Theater, Court Theater, Depaul University, Victory Gardens, TimeLine Theatre, Madison Children’s Theater, University of Illinois Chicago Theatre, University of Indiana Northwest, Remy Bumppo Theatre, Strawdog Theatre, The Hypocrites, Definition Theatre, First Floor Theater, About Face Theatre, MPAACT, and Pegasus Theatre,Syracuse Stage, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Indiana Repertory Theater, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Bristol Riverside Theater, STAGES Theater, Florentine Opera Company. He was the lighting assistant for The Wiz Live on NBC, and has associate designed at the Kennedy Center in DC. He is an Ensemble Member with American Blues and MPAACT theaters. And he was recently awarded the Emerging Designer award at the Michael Merritt awards. He spends weekends as a professional DJ. His work is featured at goodingdesigns.com
GREGORY GRAHAM he/him (Costume Designer) is a Chicago costume designer and milliner. His credits include: The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice (Court Theatre)); Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet, Dream: A Community Reimaging of A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Mothers (Gift Theater) The Writer (Steep Theatre); Blues for an Alabama Sky, Anna in the Tropics, Routes (Remy Bumppo Theatre); The Porch on Windyhill, Garbologist, Fireflies (Northlight Theatre); Once (Writers Theatre); Is God Is (A Red Orchid Theatre); From the Mississippi Delta (Lifeline Theatre); A Mile in the Dark (Interronbang Theatre Project); The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre); 1919 (Steppenwolf Theatre); Enough to Let The Light In (Teatro Vista); Private Lives (Raven Theatre); Ernest Shackleton Loves Me, Rent, Porchlight Revisits:Passing Strange (Porchlight Music Theatre); On the Greenbelt, Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins (Strawdog Theatre); The Facts of Life: Satan’s School for Girls, The Drag Seed (Hell in a Handbag Productions). Regional: The Wiz (Children’s Theatre of Madison); Raisin (Skylight Music Theatre); Blood at the Root ( Millikin University, School of Theatre and Dance). Education: BA in Theatre Design, University of Illinois at Chicago . www.gregorygrahamdesign,com
ASHLEY KEYS she/her (Associate Director) is a Chicago area Director and Stage Manager. Ashley is so excited to be a part of this production! She has been a part of numerous productions at Columbia College Chicago and in the city of Chicago. Some of her previous works include directing THE BLUEST EYE (Columbia College Chicago) BLOOD AT THE ROOT (ETA Creative Arts), Assistant Directing THE LUCKIEST (Raven Theatre) and Assistant Directing AVENUE Q (Music Theatre Works) She graduated in 2022 with her BA in Theatre with a concentration in directing from Columbia College Chicago. She would like to thank all her friends and family for all their support!
CATHERINE MILLER they/them (Casting Director) is excited to be back at Raven Theatre, having cast Brother Sister Cyborg Space, Night Watch, The October Storm, Right to be Forgotten, Private Lives, The Luckiest, Sundown, Yellow Moon and Hoodoo Love. They have also cast productions for About Face Theatre, Theatre Wit, Chicago Children’s Theatre, American Musical Theatre Project, Northwestern University, BoHo Theatre, Haven Chicago, Jackalope Theatre, Red Tape Theatre, and First Floor Theater among many others. Catherine was a 2021 3Arts Make A Wave recipient and was recently featured in American Theatre Magazine’s Role Call. They also were on NewCity Magazine’s 2020 + 2019 Players: The Fifty People Who Really Perform for Chicago and the Windy City Times’ 30 Under 30 list. Catherine has a BFA in Dramaturgy/Criticism from The Theatre School at DePaul with a minor in gender studies.
RENEE MORENO she/her (Assistant Costume Designer) is a Chicago-based designer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is excited to work with Raven Theatre for the very first time! Alongside her design work for local theaters, Moreno has spent most of her costume career working in mascots, crafting elaborate outfits for schools, corporations, and sports teams. Her work has recently evolved towards performance-based costumes, highlighting her fashion knowledge and dedication to the performing arts. This includes assisting Gregory Graham in ROUTES and ANNA IN THE TROPICS (Remy Bumppo Theater) assisting Izumi Inaba with Remy Bumppo’s PASSAGE and assisting Finnegan Chu in GALILEO’S DAUGHTER (Remy Bumppo). In addition, she has worked in collaboration with Mother Twin on Jesse Morgan Young’s FULL BUSH as well as creating stage looks for artists such as Ariel Zetina and Angelíca Grace with Rocky the Shop.
LAUREN M NICHOLS she/her (Scenic Designer) is a Jeff-nominated designer, model builder, and draftsman. Chicago: A HOME WHAT HOWLS (Steppenwolf); MOTHERS, THE PILLOWMAN (Gift Theatre); FLOOD (Shattered Globe); ANNA IN THE TROPICS, BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY (Remy Bumppo); TIGER STYLE (Writers); BERNARDA! (Teatro Vista); MOTHERHOUSE (Rivendell). Regional: CINDERELLA (Village Theatre- Seattle); and ROSE (Renaissance Theatreworks- Milwaukee). She has also designed for UIC, University of Chicago, DePaul Opera, Glass Apple, Firebrand, Hell In a Handbag, Northwestern, and BoHo. Assistant wok: Court, Julliard, NY Theatre Workshop, St. Louis Opera, Goodman, Asolo Rep, Milwaukee Rep, The Alliance, and Oregon Shakes. Upcoming: HOT WING KING (Writers). Teaching: Adjunct Professor- The Theatre School-DePaul University. Education: MFA Northwestern. laurenangeldesigns.com
STEFANIE M SENIOR she/her (Composer & Sound Designer) is making her Raven Theatre debut and is no stranger to new plays. She is very excited to present this one to the world. Favorite recent Chicago credits include: JERSEY BOYS & ROCK OF AGES (Mercury Theatre); iBERNARDA!, ENOUGH TO LET THE LIGHT IN, and the Chicago premiere of SOMEWHERE OVER THE BORDER (Teatro Vista), CAT’S CRADLE (Lifeline Theatre, Jeff-Award Nominated); PASSING STRANGE and the Chicago premiere of REFUGE (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre). Regional credits include NUNCRACKERS (Milwaukee Rep), SOMEWHERE OVER THE BORDER (City Theatre) and THE INFERIOR SEX (Trinity Rep). She also works on the podcast I’VE BEEN MEANING TO LISTEN TO THAT.
RITA VREELAND she/her (Stage Manager) is delighted to return to Raven where she previously stage managed THE LUCKIEST. Other favorite recent projects include ERNEST SHACKLETON LOVE ME at Porchlight Music Theatre, A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Drury Lane, three years of THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE, and productions at Mercury Theatre, Victory Gardens, Route 66 Theatre Company, Theatre at the Center, Northlight Theatre in Skokie, and The Galway International Arts festival in Galway, Ireland. She is the proud wife of actor Tom Hickey and mom to eleven-year-old Charlie, and this year she is celebrating her 23rd anniversary as a member of Actors’ Equity Association. Thank you for supporting live theatre!
LUCY WHIPP she/her (Production Manager) is a Chicago-based production manager, stage manager, and a generally useful set of hands to have around. She is the production manager at Raven and is honored to produce “brother sister cyborg space” as her second show after a successful run of NIGHT WATCH last fall. Recent production credits that made her smile: Assistant Stage Manager on SHORT SHAKES! ROMEO & JULIET (Chicago Shakes), Assistant Production Manager on the immersive production PORT OF ENTRY (APTP/TRP); Production Stage Manager of world premieres GENDER PLAY: OR WHAT YOU WILL and THE MAGNOLIA BALLET (About Face); ANNA IN THE TROPICS and ROUTES (Remy Bumppo); ASM for KITTY & GEORGIANA: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY (Northlight); WOMEN OF SOUL (Mercury); MR BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY, WHO’S HOLIDAY (Theater Wit); PLANO (First Floor Theater). She is proud to be a Governing Ensemble member at The Story Theatre. She has worked with The Story since Season I, stage managing LEAVE ME ALONE! and AT THE WAKE OF A DEAD DRAG QUEEN, production managing MARIE ANTOINETTE AND THE MAGICAL NEGROES, and producing several emerging playwright workshops and festivals including THE (W)RITES OF SUMMER as a part of Steppenwolf Lookout’s Summer 2023 season. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity. Thanks to the Raven team, the Story team, and to everyone who has done their part to save the planet through activism.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
This season is sponsored in part by a grant from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation.