The Wolves: Production Staff

PRODUCTION STAFF

PRODUCTION STAFF PROFILES

Jeremiah Barr (Scenic/Properties Designer & Technical Director) is very happy to be joining The Wolves team at Dominican. Some of his past credits include—Dominican University: The Prom, A Midsummer Night’s Cirque; Aston Rep: Language Archive, Buried Child, Equus, When We Were Young and Unafraid (Jeff nominated for best Scenic Design 2021); City Lit Theatre: Night of the Hunter, Playboy of the Western World, Black Button Eye’s Mary Rose, Evil Dead the Musical, Shockheaded Peter, Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog, and Nightmares and Nightcaps: the Stories of John Collar (Jeff nominated for best specialized design-puppets). You might have also seen his handy work at the Chicago Botanic Gardens Lightscape where he helps setup and create the large scale installations. When not designing or building shows, Jeremiah enjoys visiting strange and interesting places in search of mystery and adventure with his amazing partner Sam. 

Samantha K. Barr (Lighting Designer, Production Manager) is very happy to be working in the Martin again with such a fine team. Sam has been at DU for just over 10 years and has been fooling around with lights and electrics since a long time ago. Special thanks to everyone who listens to her rant about DMX and addresses while keeping her from falling off of ladders. Much love always to everyone who helps light the world.

Cyd Blakewell (Assistant Director/Soccer Coach) is enjoying her first time as assistant director and working at Dominican. It has been an incredible experience working with Krista, the team and this wonderful cast on a remarkable play. Cyd is an actor and casting director at the Gift Theatre where she is an ensemble member. Recent acting credits: Obliteration, The Locusts, Pillowman, Doubt (Gift); The Brightest Thing in the World (About Face); Birthday Candles (Northlight).

Ella Frazee (Assistant Stage Manager/Backstage Crew) is a freshman at Dominican studying Elementary Education and is very jazzed to be working on The Wolves! <3 that is all :)

Mateo Gutierrez (Production Stage Manager) is a junior at Dominican University studying Theatre Arts and History and is very excited to work as the lead stage manager for his first show! Past show credits include: House of the Exquisite Corpse with Rough House Play House (Production Electrician), Carousel with Music Theatre Works (Assistant Stage Manager), Blithe Spirit with Dominican University (Master Electrician), and No Man's Sky with Steppenwolf (Electrics Intern). He wants to thank his amazing stage management team who has been amazing through this process along with Krista Hansen and Sam Barr who have helped guide him through his first show process as a stage manager. 

Krista Hansen (Director/Sound Designer/Intimacy Consultant) has been with Dominican University Theatre Arts for over 20 years, serving as Artistic Director, Professor and department Chair. Krista holds a BA in Music and Theatre from Indiana University and an MFA in Acting and Directing from the University of Arizona. She has directed dozens of Dominican productions, including: A Midsummer Night’s Cirque, Mamma Mia!, The Addams Family, The Drowsy Chaperone, Macbeth, The Laramie Project, RENT, Noises Off and more. Krista has also appeared on the DU stage alongside her students in The Prom, Retrospective Revue and 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 many theatres throughout Chicagoland, including Aston Rep, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Erasing the Distance, and more. She is a recipient of the Davlin Diversity Award and the Singing Hoosiers Distinguished Alumni 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 wants to remind all the young women finding their way in the world—you are powerful, you are worthy, and you have a voice worth hearing.

Taylor Hart (Assistant Stage Manager/Backstage Crew) is a junior here at Dominican University, majoring in Communications with a minor in Theatre Arts. He had his first experience as an actor on stage last year during Blithe Spirit and has now decided to explore the technical part of the theatre process as an ASM! He is overjoyed to be able to experience another production with these great cast members and coworkers! <3

Bill Jenkins (Technical Assistant) has served on the faculty of Dominican University since 2003 and currently holds the rank of Professor, teaching a variety of courses in Theatre Arts as well as in the First Year Experience and Critical Reading, Writing, and Speaking programs. He has worked professionally as a scenic and lighting designer, technical director, and theatre consultant for nearly four decades and remains active in community projects and shows. He has designed and created hundreds of productions including dance, opera, concerts, and theatre, and has received local theatre critics’ awards for his work on several occasions. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University while working in Richmond, Virginia where he taught for ten years at Virginia Union University. In the Chicago area, he taught and designed for the theatre program at Roosevelt University before coming to Dominican where the school’s strong focus on diversity and human rights resonates deeply with his own commitment to gun violence prevention, social justice, and supporting victims of crime and traumatic loss, among others.

Melanie Thompson (Casting Assistant) is a proud staff member for the Performing Arts Centre at DU, as well as a Chicago-based freelance artist and technician. Past credits include: AstonRep, Oak Park Festival Theatre, Black Lives, Black Words International Project, Erasing The Distance, Bramble Theatre Co., 16th Street Theatre Co., Black Button Eyes Productions, Pride Films & Plays, Dominican University, and many others. She thanks her friends, family, Prince, Sheba, Winter, and Michael for their love and support. “When I dare to be powerful — to use my strength in the service of my vision — then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid” ~ Audre Lorde

Aiden Weeks (Assistant Stage Manager/Light Board Operator) is a freshman majoring in Fashion Merchandising. They've ventured into stage management with several productions at their high school, most recently stage managing for the U-46 Summer Production of Carrie the Musical. They're very excited to continue exploring this passion beyond high school. He is so thankful to Krista for giving him this opportunity and to Mateo for being an amazing SM! Also, to Ella for always being there <3

Andrea White (Costume Designer, Costume Shop Manager) is a local freelance costumer and sewing person. She grew up in southeastern Indiana surrounded by trees and pets. She attended Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, where she fell in love with costuming and graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts. In addition to her work experience in costumes and wardrobe, Andrea has over 8 years of experience as a professional tailor. She has enjoyed working with her costume shop students to bring The Wolves to life! Outside of costuming, Andrea enjoys nature, spending quality time with her extremely sassy 22-toed cat, and watching movies. She is deeply grateful to everyone who has supported and encouraged her to pursue her love of theatre!