a little bit about me

Chicago based for 13 years, I am a director, deviser, mover, teaching artist, grant writer, and producer. During the majority of my Chicago career, my artistic home has been Free Street Theater, where I’ve directed over 10 plays, and mentored over 180 youth. In addition, I have presented work through The New Coordinates, The Fly Honey Show, Steppenwolf Theater, and Pivot Arts. I’ve worked on pieces presented with Albany Park Theater Project, Third Rail Projects, the Goodman Theatre and Birch House Theater. I was listed as one of the top “50 People Performing for Chicago Theatre” (2019), have had my work featured in Teen Vogue, and have facilitated workshops at and for The National Civil Rights Museum, the Obama Foundation, University of Chicago Lab Schools, ProPublic Illinois, and more. I am a proud member of “the band” a performance art collaboration with morgan mcnaught, Maggie Kubley and Zandra Starks; a side-hustle grant writer; and a secret mathematician.

Focused on building and supporting creative universes & spaces, where new radical futures feel undenaiable, at moments, my processes or productions can feel like curling up under a weighted blanket, the next, the best water balloon fight of your life, but in the end always an invitation to continue the story. A call-to-action couched inside a fever dream, inside a dozen pops of confetti. 

Whether working with a musician, or directing a show with youth, I believe art should be utilized as a tool for change, challenge AND take care of its audiences/participants, build community, and ask, “How can art contribute to an international activist body of work?” 

Over the past few years, the majority of my work has been centered on environmental justice, consent, lifting youth voices, telling stories of Chicagoans, celebrating grassroots organizations,  and/or complicating the audience/performer relationship. I am continuously curious about deepening collaboration; how gathering people in any form, whether it's a music festival or one-person show, presents possibilities for change; and how to make artistic universes that envelop the audience.

When I’m not in rehearsal, taking a dance class, or writing a grant, you can find me winning Uno, watching YouTube videos of tornadoes, complaining about winter, or going to the lake whenever possible. 

scorpio sun. sagittarius rising. leo moon. she/her. hi.

business

Free Street Theater - Producing Artistic Director

The Theatre School at DePaul University - Adjunct Professor

Downstage Arts - Fundraising Consultant/Grant Writer

coming up next…

“21 North” by Gena Treyvus, presented through the Studio series at The Theatre School at DePaul University, premiering February 2024.

Free Street’s youth ensemble will present our newest work, created in collaboration with Respair Media and People for Community Recovery, in response to the podcast, Help This Garden Grow,” depicting the life and legacy of Hazel Johnson, one of the mothers of environmental justice, in May of 2024.