Patchwork New Play Festival Cast

STEVE-"Underneath" (Connor Green)
Connor is excited to be part of the Patchwork Play Fest! Originally from Michigan, Connor received his BFA in Acting from the Theatre School at DePaul University. Beyond acting, Connor can be found making music and getting outside. Connor can next be seen as Peter and Hal in Hope & Gravity, a new comedy presented by Towle Theatre
MOM-"Underneath" (Joette Waters)
Joette Waters is delighted to tread the boards at the Edge with Patchwork. She has performed on stage, in radio, film and television for over 45 years. She is an ensemble member of Vision Latino Theatre Company. As a singer she toured the U.S. and Canada with the musical group Stardust Vocal Trio. She is currently working on several film projects and a web series. She also enjoys her work as an acting and performance coach. For information about Joette, visit www.joettewaters.com
DAD-"Underneath" (Richard Engling)
Richard Engling is an actor, director, playwright, novelist and former Artistic Director of Polarity Ensemble Theatre. His books have been published in the US and UK. He has appeared in West Side Story, The Cherry Orchard, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Hamlet, Antigone, The Rivals, Tom Jones, Peer Gynt, Anna in the Afterlife, Leavings, The Good Husband, and Proof in Chicago, Skokie, and Barcelona. His comedic novel, ELECTRIC LADYLAND, set in the Chicago theatre scene will appear later this year. Read a sneak preview at www.richardengling.com.
1st CRITIC--"Ten Plagues, No Substitutions" (Erin Williams)
Erin Williams (First Critic) is a dancer, choreographer, and actor. As a founding member of Broken Spectacle Productions (Bowling Green, Ohio) her credits include The Drunken City, Exit Pursued by a Bear, The Christians, and Every Brilliant Thing. Since moving to Chicago, she has been seen in festivals with New American Folk Theater and The Runaways Lab. She is also a co-founder of the Chicago chapter of Prosocial Supper Club. She lives with her partner, David, and their dogs, and is most content to let him have the spotlight and keep her nose in a book.
2nd CRITIC--"Ten Plagues, No Substitutions" (Robert Williams)
Robert Williams (Second Critic) After studying Theatre & Vocal Performance at Rockhurst University in Missouri he nationally toured for several years and has now settled into Chicago. Stage credits include L'imitation of Life as Annie Johnson, Caged Dames as Earl Jean Washington, Angels in America; Perestroika as Belize, A Chorus Line as Richie, and See What I Wanna See as Janitor/Priest. While hanging out in Chicago Robert enjoys playing his Nintendo Switch while learning to master the Glass Armonica. Robert would like to thank his family and friends for their unwavering support.
WAITER--"Ten Plagues, No Substitutions" (Shane Roberie)
Previous credits include: SUNSET BOULEVARD (Porchlight Music Theatre), HEAD OVER HEELS (Kokandy Productions), POSEIDON! (Hell in a Handbag), EVIL DEAD, NIGHTMARE & NIGHTCAPS (Black Button Eyes) JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Citadel Theatre), DISASTER! (Chicago Theatre Workshop), INTO THE WOODS (Metropolis PAC)
ONE--"Abyss" (Travis Dahlhauser)
Travis is excited to be a part of the Patchwork Play Festival. A native of northern Illinois, Travis studied Theatre Education at college in Missouri and has performed in various theatres and film projects throughout both Los Angeles and the Midwest. Most recently Travis performed as Banquo in the Starlight Shakes product of Macbeth.
TWO--"Abyss" (Vanessa Theus)
A Beloit, WI native, Vanessa’s BMHS credits include “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (Millie), “The Wiz” (Dorothy). Majoring in Theatre at Denison University, collegiate credits include “A Streetcar Named Desire” (Blanche Dubois), “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Marcy), “Les Miserables” (Fantine) and an original musical by Gretchen Cryer, “Einstein and the Roosevelts” (Alice Roosevelt). Upon graduation, Vanessa moved to NYC where she performed in an off-off Broadway original “Possibility Junkie” directed by Gretchen Cryer and written by David Ippolito. Vanessa has been back in the Midwest playing (Witch #1) in RVC’s “Macbeth”, (Clarissa/Jo U/S) in JPAC’s “Little Women.” She is excited to make her Chicago debut with Patchwork!
HOST--"Abyss" (Kelsey Fortier)
Kelsey was born and raised in Chicago and has taken her love for theatre not only locally but regionally as well. She is an Actress, Teaching Artist, Writer and Creative. Some of her favorite credits include Night of The Living Dead, Proof, American Idiot the Musical, Footloose and her Two Regional Tours with The National Theatre for Children and One Regional Tour with Compass Creative Dramatics. You can also catch her working at 13th Floor Haunted House Chicago. Kelsey graduated Cum Laudé from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelors in Fine Arts-Acting. She is excited to be a part of this show full of great people.
ANYUTA--"Any" (Brittany Vogel)
Brittany is thrilled to be working with Eclectic Full Contact Theatre for this year's Patchwork Festival! Brittany, a Chicago native, has been seen on stages large and small across the city in musicals, storefront theater, and improv alike. Brittany has recently been named the 2021 "Best Performer in a Musical" from BroadwayWorld.com's Regional Theatre awards. When not performing, you can find Brittany doing yoga, tending to her sourdough starter, and looking at pictures of dogs on the internet. To learn more about Brittany and her upcoming projects, check out her website at www.BrittanyVogel.com or on instagram @brittanyelisevogel.
KLOCHKOV--"Any" (Faiz Siddique)
Faiz is an actor based in Chicago. This is his first production with Eclectic Theatre, and he is beyond grateful to work with such a fantastic team all around. Recently he was seen performing as Max (U/S) in Compass Theatre’s production of Wellesley Girl. Looking ahead, Faiz can be seen at Broken Nose Theatre in their production of After the blast; He is also excited to attend BADA’s Midsummer in Oxford program in the summer of 2022.
FETISOV--"Any" (Donaldson Cardenas)
Donaldson Cardenas, a writer, actor, and (fledgling) video-maker living in Chicago, has been storytelling for over 35 years. He's had shorts produced by Women's Theatre Alliance, Otherworld, City Lit's Art of Adaptation, and others. Additionally, he's participated in 24-hour play fests with both Eclectic Full Contact and B.Y.O.T. As an actor, some of his favorite performances have been "Leonard" in There is No Power for the Electric Chair (Trap Door), Ezra in Cam Baby (Chimera Ensemble), Beastman in The Tragedy of He-Manlet, Prince of Eternia (New Millennium), The Professor in Ulysses (Plagiarists); Det. Hill in Henry Moore is Melting (Cold Basement Dramatics), and Nosferatzenberger in Scott Janus: Monster Hunter (New Millennium). He's over-joyed to return to the stage and grateful to again work with Eclectic Full Contact, with whom he created and co-wrote the podcast series "Monocyte" and the one-shot "Interview with the Gorgon."
DINAH--"Dead Game" (Eileen Vorbach)
Eileen Vorbach is an actor, director and teacher. She has appeared at many Chicago area theaters and won a Jeff Citation for her portrayal of Jean in SKIRMISHES. She was seen in TELL ME WHAT YOU REMEMBER with Erasing the Distance, a company that illuminates mental health issue through theater. Eileen appears with Ed Asner in the independent film, LOVE MEET HOPE, which won the award for Best Dramatic film at the Hollywood Independent Reel Festival and was nominated for best drama at the Madrid Film Festival. As a director she won a Fringe First award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for MARTIN AND JOHN which was remounted in London at the Bush Theatre. In Seattle, directed TOUCH ME HERE, a multimedia piece with Margaret Piacenza . Most recently she served as assistant director on the Remy Bummpo production of THE FATHER. Eileen directed a web series, CALLIE’S SOLO available on YOUTUBE, PICASSO IN PARIS with Betsey Means and SCREW YOUR COURAGE OR THE BLOODY CROWN which played in New York before going to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Eileen has directed many solo shows with the Heroic Bard and WomanLore, Performing Women in History, where she is so-founder and resident director. She has been joyously teaching the Meisner Technique practically forever.
MICHELE--"Dead Game" (Michelle Thompson-Hay)
Michelle Thompson-Hay is originally from Columbus, Ohio but has been living and acting in Chicago for many years. She is a founding and former member of Corn Productions, theatre company. Some of Michelle’s other Chicago stage credits include "Corduroy", at the Broadway Playhouse, "Waist Watchers-The Musical" and “Bible Bingo” at the Royal George Theatre. Her recent on-camera credits include guest starring roles on The Chi (Showtime network) and Chicago P.D. (NBC) and the 2021 feature film, “Lacy’s Christmas Do-Over”. Michelle received her BFA in Theatre Performance from Otterbein University, in Ohio and has been a teaching artist at The Second City and at Emerald City Theatre.
NIGHT NURSE/VOICE--"Dead Game" (Guy Wicke)
Guy Wicke is an actor, improviser, and voiceover-er who has been performing around his hometown of Chicago since the turn of the century. Theatre credits include Life on Paper (Jackalope Theatre Company); Tres Bandidos (The Agency); A Murder Most Novel, The Basement Company (Death & Pretzels); Noises Off, The Mousetrap (Metropolis Performing Arts Centre); The Explorers Club, Don't Dress For Dinner (Citadel Theatre); and work with the International Voices Project, NoMads Art Collective, Continuum Theater, Intrinsic Theatre Company, Genesis Theatrical Productions, Clockwise Theatre Company, and Spartan Theatre Company. Film credits include Dubious Ruffians, The Courtship, In the Dark, Screens, Águila del Sol, Lifelines, and Blood Moon. Guy got his start with improvisation and has appeared on stages around Chicago and at comedy festivals in the Midwest and Canada. He enjoys teaching and directing improv too, and for several years has had the privilege of directing the notorious ladies of the Queen Bs. Guy has also dabbled in sketch, stand-up, and live lit shows, and can be spotted in the occasional commercial. Mostly though, he procrastinates and waits for death. Enjoy the show! GuyWicke.com
KEYSHAWN--"Wilcox Prom 2K13" (Destin Lorde Teamer)
Destin Lorde Teamer hails from North Chicago, IL and he is ecstatic to be working with Eclectic Full Contact Theatre. He is a recent graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. Regional credits include Tad in 5th City (Ma’at Production Association for Afrikan Centered Theatre), The Little Prince (Bowen Park Theatre), and American Storm (Theatre Seven of Chicago). He is also a dialect coach and a proud new member of the Voice and Speech Trainer’s Association (VASTA). Recent coaching credits include Relentless (TimeLine Theatre), Songs for Nobodies (Northlight Theatre), and Doctor Faustus (The Theatre School at DePaul University). He is represented by NV Talent.
MARTHA--"Wilcox Prom 2K13" (Emma Norville)
Emma Norville (she/her) is thrilled to be a part of Eclectic Full Contact Theatre's inaugural Patchwork Play Fest and thus make her Chicago debut! She received a BFA in acting from Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia and studied comedy at The Second City. Some of her previous theatre credits include Rosalind in As You Like It, Mother Teresa in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Lucy in Dracula, and Fighting Prawn in Peter and the Starcatcher. She's been in various independent films such as GetAWAY directed by Blayne Weaver, Cardinal by Todd Densmore, and F I V E by Will Sidaros. Lately she's been writing scripts for indie film projects and training at The Forge. You can catch her on the gram @emmanorville_ and her website, emmanorville.weebly.com.
BUCK BOSCO--"Spit Cat!" (Andrew Whatley)
Andrew is just plum tickled to be working with Eclectic Full Contact for the first time after having enjoyed their work from the audience a few times. Since moving to Chicago more than 26 years ago, he's been involved with more than 30 productions as an actor, director, and dramaturg - though never all of those things at the same time.
BO BOSCO--"Spit Cat!" (Alekzander Sayers)
Alekzander Sayers is a Chicago based theatre artist working as an actor, director, improvisor, fight choreographer, and teacher. Originally from Brewer, Maine, Alek was bit by the performance bug at a young age and carried that passion through to college where he received a BFA in Theatre with a focus in Acting from Barry University. While in college he worked throughout South Florida with City Theatre, Mad Cat Theatre, Project [Theatre], Verve Central, and the Naked Stage. He returned to his hometown to work at the Penobscot Theatre Company and performed in The Graduate (Benjamin Braddock), Shear Madness (Mikey Thomas), Rock of Ages (Franz), Oliver! (Mr Sowerberry/Ensemble), Beauty and the Beast (Monsieur D’Arque, Ensemble), and The Full Monty (Ensemble). During that time he also taught and directed with the Dramatic Academy at Penobscot Theatre Company, and from May 2018-January 2019 he served as the Interim Artistic Director of the Dramatic Academy. Alek moved to Chicago in February 2019 to pursue his long desired goal of studying improv. He enrolled in classes at iO and completed all levels in July 2020. He currently performs with "Big Banks” around the city. Other work in Chicago has included performing in the I AM… Fest in The Interrogation of Sandra Bland (Officer Encinia), Directing Three Two One as part of the Otherworld Theatre Company’s 2019 Paragon festival, and fight choregraphing Aces and Eights, produced by BYOT Productions.
BO BOSCO--"Spit Cat!" (March 5th) (Chris Grella)
Christopher John Grella- previously was an understudy and appeared in As You Like It for EFCT. Other Chicago credits include: The Winter's Tale (First Folio), Love & Information (u/s Remy Bumppo), Pride & Prejudice (Janus Theater), The Miracle Worker (JPAC), 4x2 (Gorilla Tango), Emma, Unmatched (Bluestone Theater) and both productions of Change the Night Owl.
BILLIE BOSCO--"Spit Cat!" (Natalie Welber)
Natalie Welber (Billie) is thrilled to be making her Chicago debut in Spit Cat, having just graduated from Northwestern University with degrees in Theatre and Religious Studies. Along with acting, she works as a playwright, poet, and substitute teacher. Up next, Natalie will be playing Peter in Improv Playhouse's spring/summer tour of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. For more, visit nataliewelber.com
PIERROT--"Spit Cat!" (Sara BenBella)
Sara BenBella is excited to be joining the Patchwork Theater Festival as Perriot in Spit Cat! They have been a Chicago based actor and director since graduating from Kent State University in 2018 and this is their first time back on stage in nearly two years. They hope you enjoy the festival and want to thank you for coming out to support live theater!
BESSIE BOSCO--"Spit Cat!" (Marianna Gallegos)
Marianna Gallegos is a Chicago based actress from New Mexico, one of her recent roles include Miranda in the feature film “The Last House of Horror” directed by Manny Velazquez. Marianna is a new company member of the Playmakers Laboratory and she is also performing as Woman (Understudy) for “This is Only a Test” with Broken Nose Theatre. You can also find her online in her mini-series “Heather Alpaca: Agent to the Animal Stars”. She is represented by The Rock Talent Agency here in Chicago.
CARLTON--"Irish Stew" (Al Herrmann)
Al Herrmann (Carlton, Irish Stew): Al has appeared onstage with Kane Rep, Akvavit, Strawdog, and MUSE Theatre Collective, and online with Escape Artistry, Kane Rep, and Theatre Y. Al received his MFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University in 2019. Al is excited to take part in the inaugural Patchwork New Play Festival with Eclectic.
LAURETA--"Irish Stew" (Jamie Link)
Jamie Link (LAURETTA in Irish Stew) is excited to be working with Eclectic Full Contact Theatre for the first time. She got her start working in the Chicago Theatre scene as a Stage Manager for various Red Tape Theatre productions. She has also worked as an actor, director, and Company Member at Corn Productions. Big thanks to Stephanie for this opportunity, and to Al for being an excellent scene partner.
RENE--"The Wanderers" (Lisa Stran)
Lisa Stran (Rene, The Wanderers) (she/her) is thrilled to be back onstage and in her first Eclectic production. She has been working in Chicago storefront theater since 1996 and has been a voiceover artist since 2001. She is currently the voice of "Lisa" for Lakeside Bank and just recorded her first episode of an animated series, "House of Rejects" by Paper Crown Pictures. Thanks for coming out to support local theater!
ZACH--"The Wanderers" (Michael Sprenger)
Mike Sprenger is a local Chicago actor. He studied musical theatre and Voice over performance at Columbia College Chicago, he's performed in Citadel Theater's production of 'Romeo & Juliet' as Mercutio, Rick Rogers in 'The Wild Women of Planet Wongo' at the Chopin Theater, and The Fox and the Phoenix's original adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol'.