A Midsummer Night's Cirque: Production Staff
PRODUCTION STAFF
| Director / Sound Design / Intimacy Choreagrapher | Krista Hansen |
| Scenic & Properties Design / Technical Director | Jeremiah Barr |
| Costume Design | Becca Duff |
| Lighting Design / Production Manager | Samantha K. Barr |
| Makeup Design | Emma Brandenburger, Andrés Mota |
| Hair Design | Andrés Mota |
| Choreographer | Dyanna Daniels |
| Aerial & Assistant Director | Alli Braun |
| Production Stage Manager | Maryah Paige |
| Costume Shop Manager | Andrés Mota |
| Dance Captain | Ben Paynic |
| Sound Technician | Allie Wright |
| Spotlight Operator | Maxel McLoud Schingen |
| Assistant Stage Managers | Mateo Gutierrez, Nadine Young |
| Properties Assistant | Andy Alvarez, Michelle Cruz |
| Wardrobe Assistants | Gillian Adkins, Hailey Benoit, Micailyn Lara, Jasani Thompson |
PRODUCTION STAFF PROFILES
JEREMIAH BARR (Scenic / Properties Design / Technical Director) is very pleased to be with the outstanding team of A Midsummer Night's Cirque. Some of this other credits include, Romeo & Juliet (scenic), Silent Sky (props), She Kills Monsters (puppets). When not designing Jeremiah is the TD here at Dominican as well as at several other theatre companies around the city. Many thanks to Krista and the entire team, and a big thank you to Samantha - my wonderful partner in crime.
SAMANTHA K. BARR (Production Manager / Lighting Design) is pleased to be working with such a fine group of artists on A Midsummer Night's Cirque. Past credits include light design for Buried Child and When We Were Young and Unafraid (AstonRep Theater Co), production management for Playboy of the Western World (City Lit Theatre), and production management for the 2021/2022 Dominican University Theater Arts Lab series. Samantha would like to thank the fantastic cast and crew of this show, and as always Doc, Scout and Jeremiah for the endless love, support and fur balls.
EMMA BRANDENBURGER (Makeup Design) is a senior at Dominican University. After graduation she plans on using her theatre arts major and fashion design minor to pursue a career in costume design. When she's not working backstage or in the costume shop Emma also enjoys performing. Her last performance was in Dominican's production of Mamma Mia! last fall, and her most recent designs were featured in Dominican's Silent Sky last spring. Emma would like to thank all her friends and family for their endless support.
ALLI BRAUN (Aerial Director / Assistant Director) see cast bios.
MICHELLE CRUZ (Properties Assistant) has had the pleasure of working with an amazing cast on A Midsummer Night’s Cirque as the costume designer’s assistant. Michelle would like to thank her peers here at Dominican for being able to have the opportunity to work with a fantastic cast and crew of this show.
BECCA DUFF (Costume Design) is an alumna of Dominican University and is delighted to return as costume designer. She is a Chicago-based designer, actor and creator. Recent costume credits include Spay (Rivendell Theatre) and Chagall in School (Grippo Stage Company). She has also performed with Metropolis and Erasing the Distance and can be seen in Midsommer Flight’s production of Twelfth Night in December. Love to Alli.
DYANNA DANIELS (Choreographer) began her dance training in 2003 through Western Illinois University’s dance department and the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center Dance Troupe. She received her Bachelor's in business marketing from WIU and her MFA in choreography from Jacksonville University. Dyanna is an adjunct dance instructor at Dominican University, North Central College, and Aurora University as well as a teaching artist at The Paramount School of Arts. Dyanna opened DLD Dance Center in 2011 and it has become a project of passion for her and the community. Dyanna and her incredible staff have made DLD a home away from home for students and families. Providing a safe and inclusive space for students to learn and grow is her goal as a studio owner, educator, and mentor.
MATEO GUTIERREZ (Assistant Stage Manager) is very excited to be part of his first college production. He is a freshman majoring in theatre arts, focusing on technical design. He has worked in theatre throughout high school and is truly looking forward to three more years of working with Dominican.
KRISTA HANSEN (Adaptor/Director / Sound Designer / Intimacy Choreographer) is in her 20th year with Dominican, serving as Artistic Director, Professor and Chair of Theatre Arts. Krista holds a BA in Theatre and Vocal Performance from Indiana University and an MFA in Acting and Directing from the University of Arizona. She has directed dozens of Dominican productions, including: Mamma Mia!, 9 to 5, The Addams Family, Romeo & Juliet, The Drowsy Chaperone, Macbeth, Legally Blonde, The Laramie Project, RENT, Noises Off and more; and has also appeared on stage alongside her students playing the title role in Mother Courage and Her Children. As a director, actor, intimacy choreographer, and voice/movement/dialect coach, Krista has worked with numerous theatres throughout Chicagoland, including AstonRep, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Erasing the Distance, and more. She is a recipient of the Davlin Diversity Award, serves on the Advisory Board of The Beautiful City Project, and is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. Krista sends love to Charlotte and the boys; and gratitude to the wonderful team of collaborators for indulging her creative whimsy and bringing this complex and enjoyable version of Midsummer to life.
ANDRÉS MOTA (Makeup & Hair Designer / Costume Shop Manager) is a Mexican costume designer now based in Chicago. He graduated from The National School of Theater Arts (Mexico City) with a BA degree in theatre design, a specialization in costume design, and diplomas in costumes for TV, film and advertising; and costuming the clown from Cirque du Soleil. Some Mexican credits includes: El Casamiento, Opción Múltiple, Aura (Opera version), Tanto Ruido para Nada (National School of Fine Arts), Telefonemas (Hefesto Teatro, University Theater Festival Finalists); Short films: Veronica, Adios Hamburgo (Argos Productions) Nada Cambia? (SAE Institute Mexico); Dance performances: En el Ombligo de la Luna (Contempo-Danza), Hibristofilia (National School of Classic and Contemporary Dance Mexico). Chicagoland credits Southern Gothic as assistant costume designer/wardrobe coordinator, costume designer for Buried Child (AstonRep), Man of The People (Stageleft Theatre), and costume shop manager at Dominican University.
MAXEL MCLOUD SCHINGEN (Spotlight Operator) is a freelance lighting designer/technician and performer based in Chicago. For business inquiries, email maxschingen@gmail.com.
MARYAH PAIGE (Production Stage Manager) is excited to be the stage manager for this production of A Midsummer Night’s Cirque. Maryah is a Dominican University student, in their final year, striving for a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts. They are an upcoming stage manager in the Chicago theatre scene. Maryah would like to thank the cast and crew for all their work, and especially Mel for her never-ending support and humor.
BEN PAYNIC (Dance Captain) see cast bios.
ALLIE WRIGHT (Sound Technician) is a senior at Dominican University and is so excited to be joining the team of incredible people putting on this performance of A Midsummer Night’s Cirque. Though her role normally lands her in the box office during the performing arts center’s productions, she is thrilled to be entering into the technical world with such a unique show and her best friends Helena and Hermia. Allie would like to thank all her friends in the cast and crew who have welcomed her with kindness and made this such an enjoyable experience.
NADINE YOUNG (Assistant Stage Manager) is happy that she got to be assistant stage manager again for Dominican's fall play! Nadine is a junior undergrad and theater major at Dominican University. This is her third show and second year as assistant stage manager. Last year at Dominican, she worked on the musical Mamma Mia! and play Silent Sky. She hopes that everyone enjoys A Midsummer Night's Cirque!