Morven Higgins began taking classes at Piven in 6th grade and was immediately captivated by the Workshop’s focus on ensemble, play, and storytelling. She remained involved at Piven throughout her teen years and went on to become a member of its prestigious high school performance ensemble, the Young People’s Company (YPC), which she now direct. Morven began training as a Piven teacher while she was an undergraduate at the University of Chicago where she earned a BA in English. She has developed and taught classes in improvisation, scene study, sketch comedy, writing, and directing, always working to help each student develop their own creative voice within a collaborative, ensemble setting. Her background in writing and communication informs her work as YPC Director which focuses on producing contemporary student-driven adaptations of stories, myths, fairy tales, and literary works that speak to relevant themes of social justice, resilience, and identity. She is also committed to Piven’s mission of theatre education and training and enjoys mentoring new teachers and directors.

Olivia Avrick has been taking classes at Piven since 4th grade and became involved in Young People’s Company in high school. After graduating from Macalester College with a degree in media and cultural studies and political science, Livvie returned to Piven as an apprentice and assistant teacher. When Livvie’s not at Piven, she’s working as a digitial engagement specialist at AIDS Foundation Chicago.

has been a part of the Piven community for almost twenty-five years. Beginning as a student of Byrne and Joyce Piven, Jennifer became part of the Workshop faculty in 1993 teaching theatre games, improvisation, story theatre and scene study to both young people and adults. At Piven Theatre, Jennifer’s professional directing credits include Never in my Lifetime (named one of the Top 10 Shows of the year by the Chicago Sun-Times), Burn This (Jeff Recommended), Book of Days (Chicago premiere), Mad Forest (After Dark Award: Best Ensemble), Our Country’s Good, Great Expectations (world premiere), Lady Chaplin and her Tramp (world premiere), Mad Dancers (Chicago premiere), Tusk Tusk (Chicago premiere), and Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (Jeff Recommended). Since 1997, she has been an adapter and director with Piven’s acclaimed Young People’s Company and currently curates Piven’s Annual Lab Season of New Works. Other directorial credits include: State and Madison: The Chicago Grid with Theatre 7’s Chicago Landmark Project, Pangs of the Messiah at Silk Road Theatre Project, The End of Civilization as we Know it for the Ripped Project with American Blues Theater, Storybox with the Chicago Improv Festival (assistant director), For You Were a Stranger at The Hothouse, Orlando (assistant director) at the Actor’s Gang in Los Angeles. She is a Theatre Communications Group’s New Generation Fellow, an adjunct faculty member of Northwestern University, and has been a teaching artist with Urban Gateways, the Illinois Arts Council, Marwen, DePaul University, and National-Louis University.

Description: Kara Kowalski is a Chicago-based playwright and graduate of Northwestern University where she studied English and Theatre. In high school, she was a proud member of Piven’s Young People’s Company and could not be happier to be back, directing this year! In addition to directing and teaching, Kara joined Piven’s team as the Development Associate. She is so grateful for the home she’s found at Piven and the wonderful team that has made it possible!

Sally Kozminski is a writer, dramaturg, performer, and an alumna of Young People’s Company. She’s grateful to Jen, Morven, and Livvie for welcoming her onto the YPC 2025 team, and hopes you enjoy the show. You can connect with her (and/or find out what a dramaturg is) on her website, sallykozminski.com.

Zosia Nowak started as a student at Piven Theatre Workshop in middle school before eventually joining Performance Project and then the Young People’s Company. Zosia was part of the Steppenwolf Youth Council and trained in the Goodman youth programs before studying abroad to explore abstract theatre and performative dance. After apprenticing and interning at the workshop for many years she is thrilled to be back home as an assistant teacher, in the hope that she can learn to give back the gifts she had been given. Zosia was last seen in Piven’s Wise Woman, has assisted in the PEEP program, in multiple middle school and young adult classes and is now working with the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade ensemble, as well as assistant directing a story for the Young People’s Company.

Anna Walker (she/her) is a stage and production manager in the Chicago area and is thrilled to be stage managing both YPC and Performance Project for the third year in a row. Previous credits include work with Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, Haymarket Opera, Utah Festival Opera, and Griffin Theatre company. Anna also serves as Piven’s Facilities and Production Manager. Otterbein University graduate.

Louise “Scout” Gregory is a Chicago-based actor, costume designer, and visual artist. Having most recently worked as a wardrobe crew member for Blue Man Group Chicago, other credits include wardrobe for Toni Stone at the Goodman (2023), Costume Design Assistant for Miz Martha at Steppenwolf (2022), and Wardrobe Cover for Lookingglass Alice at Lookingglass Theatre. Company (2022). Scout attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating as a proud member of the class of 2020.

Morgan Laszlo (they/them) is a Chicago based scenic designer and painter. They graduated from Columbia College Chicago. Recent paint work includes Arcadia at the University of Chicago, House of the Exquisite Corpse at Rough House. They have also worked with Hell in a Handbag and Peninsula Players Theatre.

Emmitt Socey (they/them) is a Chicago-based Lighting Designer and Director with roots in Indiana. Emmitt most recently designed lights for Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs 'A Christmas Carol' Again at The Den and co-directed Orange Julius at their alma mater, Loyola University Chicago. They have worked as a director, dramaturg, lighting designer, and mentor at Earlham College, where they will return to design two Chekhov One-Acts this spring. Emmitt fills the gaps in their calendar with photography, electrics overhire, and watching Barry once a week with their friends. They're stoked to get to work with the folks at Piven for the first time!