History

When we began Compass Creative Dramatics in the summer of 2012, we did so with the goal of providing programming that was accessible and affordable, allowing organizations and families to provide arts enrichment to their students despite funding cuts for activities across the board - and particularly, for programs in the arts.

We entered our first season of programming in June 2013, offering a week of summer camp in four locations. We wanted to focus not only on providing this programming in Chicago, but also on bringing our theatre camps back to the places where we had grown and learned as young actors. We therefore settled on offering two weeks of camp in the Chicago area, and one week in each of our hometowns: Bedford, Indiana, and Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Since beginning with four weeks of summer camps in three states in 2013, we have grown to offer dozens of summer camps, spring camps, and residencies across the country, from Florida to Kentucky to Michigan, and have been recognized as a partner of the Chicago Park District and Waukegan Park District. We are so pleased to be able to share our passion for education and for theatre with families and organizations across the United States.

Mission

Compass Creative Dramatics partners with school and community organizations to offer quirky, engaging theatre programming designed to provide arts enrichment and cultivate personal growth and character. We strive to provide these organizations an opportunity to enhance their current theatre education and life skills training as well as provide arts programming within schools and organizations with limited arts resources. 

We encourage students to take creative risks and trust without self-judgment, stretching their creativity and bravery "muscles" as they develop social skills like teamwork, respect, and empathy through their exploration of theatre.

Founders

Cassandra Quinn
Co-Founder & Marketing Director

​Cassandra is originally from Bedford, Indiana and graduated from Huntington University in with a B.A. in Theatre Performance and Sociology. She then spent a year and half working in various regional and educational theatres throughout the midwest which eventually led to her moving to Chicago in 2010 to continue pursuing her career in theatre. Chicago credits include Space Wars: the Panto! at Piccolo Theatre, Devour with 20% Theatre and As You Like It with Spectralia Theatre. However the majority of her professional career has been serving as an actor, director, and educator for numerous educational theatres including GreatWorks Theatre and Imagination Theater, and CLIMB Theatre.
www.cassandraquinn.com
Cathlyn Melvin
Co-Founder & Company Manager

Originally from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Cathlyn attended University of Wisconsin - Parkside in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where she received her BA in Theatre Arts while she tutored students, coached high school forensics and debate, and immersed herself in theatre!  She has had the opportunity to work with many wonderful theatres in Chicago and Milwaukee, including three awesome kids' shows with GreatWorks Theatre Company and the Jeff-Nominated productions Hickorydickory with Chicago Dramatists and The Count of Monte Cristo with Lifeline Theatre.
www.cathlynmelvin.com

Administrative Staff

Jessie Bond
Residency Coordinator & Teaching Artist

Jessie was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and returned here after graduating from Elon University in North Carolina, where she served as director and assistant director for a number of shows, including a production of her own full-length script, developed as part of the Elon College Fellows program. Jessie is a theatre critic for Splash Magazine and is a contributing member of the writing staff here at CCD.
Chad Bay
​Art Director

Chad has been living and working as a theatre artist in Chicago since graduating from the University of Wisconsin - Parkside, with a BA in Theatre Arts. Primarily an actor in school, Chad is totally stoked to be working with new mediums and old friends as Compass Creative Dramatics takes shape. He is a self-taught photographer and graphic designer, constantly seeking out new partnerships which help him further his craft and facilitate growth within Chicago's vibrant arts scene. When he's not working with CCD or other companies in the city, Chad can be found producing his own work through The Framework.
Andrew Clancey
Program Associate & Teaching Apprentice

Andrew has been an active performer in the Chicago area since August 2013, performing with Mercy Street Theatre, 20% Theatre Company Chicago, Chicago Fringe Festival, Citadel Theatre Company, and Oil Lamp Theater. Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he received a B.A. in Theatre Arts and a B.A. in Cinema and Comparative Literature from the University of Iowa in 2011. He came to Chicago in search of more opportunities as a performer and to explore exciting new artistic endeavors, like teaching and engaging the community in the arts.
Macy Marie Hernandez
Camp Coordinator & Teaching Artist

Macy Marie Hernandez received her BA in Theatre Arts and Communication Studies at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. She has stage managed with Quad City Theatre Workshop and was Head Coach for United Township High School's Speech and Drama team. Credits include: Keely and Du with Oakton Community College, Hairspray with Up and Coming Theatre, Bat Boy The Musical with Quad City Theatre Workshop, and was Assistant Producer for Fresh Film's recent feature film, Traveling Without Moving.

Resident Production Team

Compass Creative Dramatics works with costume designers, stitchers, graphic artists, and composers to create the sets, props, music, and costumes for our productions. The creativity of these working professionals delights our students as they learn their music, work with sets and props, and use their costumes.

Our freelance production team members vary slightly from show to show.
​You can find a full list of the freelance contributors with the show descriptions in our play library catalog.

Costumes

Kristen P. Ahern
​Resident Costume Designer

Kristen is a graduate of Western Michigan University, and is a shop manager and designer at Dominican University in River Forest. She spends her summers designing at Hope Repertory Theatre. www.kristenp.com
Amber Kessler Freer
Lead Stitcher

A graduate of Huntington University, Amber is now based out of Oak Park, IL, and is a company member at New Millenium Theatre Company and Red Theater Chicago. Credits also include Gorilla Tango, Collaboraction, and American Demigods. Amber has always loved making costumes and playing dress-up. Because, you know, every day is a chance to play dress-up.

Music

James Manno
​Resident Musical Arranger

James is a singer/songwriter, comedian, DJ, jingle composer, actor, writer, producer, sketch performer, late night talk show band leader, podcaster on AWSMradio, and now children's music composer and accompanist. He can be seen as front-man to his bands James Manno and the B.O.T.s and James Manno and the Happiness Band which plays music from a play he produced called "Happiness: the Pursuit and other Tragedies." Check out some of his music on soundcloud-  https://soundcloud.com/james-manny-manno.  
DJ Catnip
​Resident Sound Engineer

​DJ Catnip is an Artistic Associate for 20% Theatre Company Chicago and is a member of the Catharsis Junkies. She can be found as a music engineering ninja in various locations throughout the city, including Hamburger Mary's every 3rd Thursday of the month for OUTRock Chicago. When not working, she may be found drinking coffee and adding to her addiction of Pinterest.