Teaching Artists
Cathlyn Melvin
Development Director (Co-Founder)
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 across the Midwest, including the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Milwaukee Shakespeare, and Youngblood Theatre Company. Chicago credits include Antigone and King Lear: A Radio Play with The Framework, 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. Learn more about Cathlyn at www.cathlynmelvin.com.
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 across the Midwest, including the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Milwaukee Shakespeare, and Youngblood Theatre Company. Chicago credits include Antigone and King Lear: A Radio Play with The Framework, 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. Learn more about Cathlyn at www.cathlynmelvin.com.
Cassandra Quinn
Marketing Director (Co-Founder)
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. To find out more about Cassandra's professional life outside of Compass Creative Dramatics, please visit www.cassandraquinn.com
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. To find out more about Cassandra's professional life outside of Compass Creative Dramatics, please visit www.cassandraquinn.com
Michael Cotey
Summer Camp Workshop Instructor (Chicago & Waukegan)
Michael Cotey is a Chicago-based director and actor, and is currently earning his MFA in Directing from Northwestern. Michael was the Founding Artistic Director of Youngblood Theatre (Milwaukee, WI 2009-2013) where he directed Cartoon andSpirits to Enforce which both appeared on ‘Best of the Season’ lists in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The Flu Season which was featured in American Theatre Magazine in a profile on playwright Will Eno. Other directing credits include Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Illinois Wesleyan University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and First Stage. As an actor Michael has worked with the Utah and Illinois Shakespeare Festivals, Milwaukee Rep, First Stage, Next Act, In Tandem and Youngblood. Michael has been an Academy Lead Teacher and In-School Educator for First Stage Children’s Theatre for grades K5-12. Subjects include acting foundations, auditions, scene work, and story drama. www.michaelcotey.com
Michael Cotey is a Chicago-based director and actor, and is currently earning his MFA in Directing from Northwestern. Michael was the Founding Artistic Director of Youngblood Theatre (Milwaukee, WI 2009-2013) where he directed Cartoon andSpirits to Enforce which both appeared on ‘Best of the Season’ lists in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The Flu Season which was featured in American Theatre Magazine in a profile on playwright Will Eno. Other directing credits include Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Illinois Wesleyan University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and First Stage. As an actor Michael has worked with the Utah and Illinois Shakespeare Festivals, Milwaukee Rep, First Stage, Next Act, In Tandem and Youngblood. Michael has been an Academy Lead Teacher and In-School Educator for First Stage Children’s Theatre for grades K5-12. Subjects include acting foundations, auditions, scene work, and story drama. www.michaelcotey.com
Adrian Garcia
CPD Theatre Enrichment Educator
Adrian is very excited to teach for Compass Creative Dramatics this summer. He studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and graduated from Dartmouth College with a B.A. in Theater. Around Chicago, Adrian has worked with students at Salmon P. Chase Elementary with American Theater Company's Chicago Chronicle, and students at Roberto Clemente Community Academy with ATC's American Mosaic program. He has coached the speech and improv teams at Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn, IL. He was last seen on stage in A Fine Line at Clockwise Theatre in Waukegan, Il, Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol by NightBlue Performing Arts Co, performing for young audiences all over Chicagoland with the Windy City Players' tour of Cinderella, The Traveling Players' performance of As You Like It, Piccolo Theater's Christmas panto Space Wars, Adventure Stage Chicago, and more. He is currently acting with the cat-centric webseries Catastrophes (catcatastrophes.com) and an independent short film based on Henry IV parts 1 & 2. He is looking forward to the Chicago Fringe Festival. Adrian would like to thank Compass Creative Dramatics for the opportunity to teach again!
Adrian is very excited to teach for Compass Creative Dramatics this summer. He studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and graduated from Dartmouth College with a B.A. in Theater. Around Chicago, Adrian has worked with students at Salmon P. Chase Elementary with American Theater Company's Chicago Chronicle, and students at Roberto Clemente Community Academy with ATC's American Mosaic program. He has coached the speech and improv teams at Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn, IL. He was last seen on stage in A Fine Line at Clockwise Theatre in Waukegan, Il, Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol by NightBlue Performing Arts Co, performing for young audiences all over Chicagoland with the Windy City Players' tour of Cinderella, The Traveling Players' performance of As You Like It, Piccolo Theater's Christmas panto Space Wars, Adventure Stage Chicago, and more. He is currently acting with the cat-centric webseries Catastrophes (catcatastrophes.com) and an independent short film based on Henry IV parts 1 & 2. He is looking forward to the Chicago Fringe Festival. Adrian would like to thank Compass Creative Dramatics for the opportunity to teach again!
Rebecca Melzer
Relationship Marketing Coordinator & Resident Teaching Associate
Rebecca Melzer was born in Buffalo, New York and is currently a senior at Columbia College Chicago going for her BA in Musical Theatre with a Teaching Artist minor. While studying at Columbia she also works as a peer tutor and has collaborated in a plethora of arts. She has participated in theatre throughout high school and college and has interned for other companies such as Steep Theatre. She just finished recording a radio drama series in voiceover and a short CD of her music. Recently she has been teaching the Perspectives Joslin campus after school drama club. She has been working with them on creating their own play to be performed at Columbia’s Manifest. You can currently find her at Compass Creative Dramatics interning and indulging in the theatre education. To learn more about Rebecca you can visit her website at www.rebeccamelzer.com.
Rebecca Melzer was born in Buffalo, New York and is currently a senior at Columbia College Chicago going for her BA in Musical Theatre with a Teaching Artist minor. While studying at Columbia she also works as a peer tutor and has collaborated in a plethora of arts. She has participated in theatre throughout high school and college and has interned for other companies such as Steep Theatre. She just finished recording a radio drama series in voiceover and a short CD of her music. Recently she has been teaching the Perspectives Joslin campus after school drama club. She has been working with them on creating their own play to be performed at Columbia’s Manifest. You can currently find her at Compass Creative Dramatics interning and indulging in the theatre education. To learn more about Rebecca you can visit her website at www.rebeccamelzer.com.
Dimokratia Michalopoulos
Preschool Educator
Summer Camp Workshop Instructor (Waukegan)
Dimokratia was born in Chicago, moved to San Diego for high school, and came back to Chicago to study theater. She recently graduated from Columbia College in Chicago where she received a B.A. in Musical Theater Performance and was last seen playing Joanne in their main stage production of RENT. Immediately after graduating she was lucky enough to have the opportunity to join Imagination Theater as an ensemble member. Dimokratia is also a vocalist and has been featured at The Jazz Showcase in Chicago, Power 92 Radio, and NBC 5 News. She currently performs at Davenport's Piano Bar, and sticking to her Greek roots, can be found singing bouzoukia at Spectrum Bar and Grill in Greektown.
Summer Camp Workshop Instructor (Waukegan)
Dimokratia was born in Chicago, moved to San Diego for high school, and came back to Chicago to study theater. She recently graduated from Columbia College in Chicago where she received a B.A. in Musical Theater Performance and was last seen playing Joanne in their main stage production of RENT. Immediately after graduating she was lucky enough to have the opportunity to join Imagination Theater as an ensemble member. Dimokratia is also a vocalist and has been featured at The Jazz Showcase in Chicago, Power 92 Radio, and NBC 5 News. She currently performs at Davenport's Piano Bar, and sticking to her Greek roots, can be found singing bouzoukia at Spectrum Bar and Grill in Greektown.
Martha Reddick
Preschool Educator & Social Media Manager
Martha was born and raised in Knoxville, TN and is currently an actor and educator in Chicago. She earned a masters in English education from the University of Tennessee where she performed at the Clarence Brown Theatre, a LORT-D region theatre. Besides working with CCD, she is a company member of the St. Sebastian Players and the assistant director of the WildCat Theatre Conservatory based at Randolph College in Virginia. She has a deep passion for educational theater and loves helping kids of all ages build their creativity muscles!
Martha was born and raised in Knoxville, TN and is currently an actor and educator in Chicago. She earned a masters in English education from the University of Tennessee where she performed at the Clarence Brown Theatre, a LORT-D region theatre. Besides working with CCD, she is a company member of the St. Sebastian Players and the assistant director of the WildCat Theatre Conservatory based at Randolph College in Virginia. She has a deep passion for educational theater and loves helping kids of all ages build their creativity muscles!
Nick Stockwell
Summer Camp Workshop Instructor (Chicago & Waukegan)
Nick Stockwell was born in Boulder, Colorado and attended the University of Colorado where he graduated in 2009 with a BFA in Theatre Performance. Post graduation Nick helped create Devil's Thumb Productions in Boulder which successfully ran for 3 seasons producing 7 shows in Boulder and 1 in Chicago. Nick arrived in the Windy city in May of 2010 and started working as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Grove High School speech and debate team. He has had the privilege of working on many wonderful projects, both on stage and film, and if you are interested to know what he is currently up to you can visit his website www.nickstockwell.com
Nick Stockwell was born in Boulder, Colorado and attended the University of Colorado where he graduated in 2009 with a BFA in Theatre Performance. Post graduation Nick helped create Devil's Thumb Productions in Boulder which successfully ran for 3 seasons producing 7 shows in Boulder and 1 in Chicago. Nick arrived in the Windy city in May of 2010 and started working as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Grove High School speech and debate team. He has had the privilege of working on many wonderful projects, both on stage and film, and if you are interested to know what he is currently up to you can visit his website www.nickstockwell.com
Kelly Yacono
Summer Camp Workshop Instructor (Chicago)
Kelly is super excited to be part of the educational team with Compass Creative Dramatics! She's been an actor in Chicago for quite some time and has loved the art of character voices for even longer. She's worked with such companies as Strawdog Theatre, Emerald City and Babes With Blades Theatre Company where is an Artistic Associate. Kelly performs with GreatWorks Touring Theatre where she's gotten to create a lot of different and fun characters. She's also beginning to delve into the world of voice over. She can't wait to meet you all!
Kelly is super excited to be part of the educational team with Compass Creative Dramatics! She's been an actor in Chicago for quite some time and has loved the art of character voices for even longer. She's worked with such companies as Strawdog Theatre, Emerald City and Babes With Blades Theatre Company where is an Artistic Associate. Kelly performs with GreatWorks Touring Theatre where she's gotten to create a lot of different and fun characters. She's also beginning to delve into the world of voice over. She can't wait to meet you all!
Freelance Artists
Kristen P. Ahern
Costume Designer, Peas & Harmony, The Wizard of Oz & Alice in Wonderland
Kristen P. Ahern has been designing costumes for theatre and film in the Chicago area for over two years following graduation with her B.A. from Western Michigan University. In this time she has had the pleasure of working with many companies including Sigsaly Entertainment, Collaboraction, Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, and Eclipse Theatre Company as well as suburban children's companies Big Deal Productions and Metropolis Theatre. Kristen is also the costume shop manager at Dominican University and a company member of Strange Bedfellows Theatre. Kristen is grateful to have the opportunity to be an artist and collaborator in this wonderful environment and to introduce a new generation to the performing arts. For more information please visit www.behance.net/kristenp.
Kristen P. Ahern has been designing costumes for theatre and film in the Chicago area for over two years following graduation with her B.A. from Western Michigan University. In this time she has had the pleasure of working with many companies including Sigsaly Entertainment, Collaboraction, Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, and Eclipse Theatre Company as well as suburban children's companies Big Deal Productions and Metropolis Theatre. Kristen is also the costume shop manager at Dominican University and a company member of Strange Bedfellows Theatre. Kristen is grateful to have the opportunity to be an artist and collaborator in this wonderful environment and to introduce a new generation to the performing arts. For more information please visit www.behance.net/kristenp.
Tyler Anderson
Graphics, The Wizard of Oz
Tyler Anderson is a self-taught comic artist and freelance graphic designer living outside of Chicago. He is the artist and co-creator of the webcomic In the Year of the Rabbit and can typically be found in front of his computer scribbling erratically. You can find his webcomic at intheyearoftherabbit.com. It’s about a bunny and a samurai and their adventures in Edo-period Japan.
Tyler Anderson is a self-taught comic artist and freelance graphic designer living outside of Chicago. He is the artist and co-creator of the webcomic In the Year of the Rabbit and can typically be found in front of his computer scribbling erratically. You can find his webcomic at intheyearoftherabbit.com. It’s about a bunny and a samurai and their adventures in Edo-period Japan.
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 with a college friend through a new theatre initiative, The Framework. www.facebook.com/frameworktheatre
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 with a college friend through a new theatre initiative, The Framework. www.facebook.com/frameworktheatre
Jimi Bonogofsky
Illustrator, Peas & Harmony and The Wizard of Oz
Jimi hails from Redding, California, and graduated from Huntington University with a B.S. in Digital Media Arts: Animation. Jimi is an illustrator and animator, with a passion for storytelling. She is never without a sketchbook and will twitch erratically if not allowed to release from her mind the world of all things cute and fantastical. She also has a heart for families who are looking at adoption, and has had the honour to design adoption profiles to make those dreams come true. She is currently employed at Simpson University as the Creative Design Assistant in addition to working on illustration and design freelance projects. Her animation has been featured in numerous film festivals including “I Think I Might Be” in the Chicago International Children's film festival and the "Tiger's Gift" which won best Animation at the Sundial festival in 2012. To find out more about Jimi’s projects and work you can visit http://jkbono.com.
Jimi hails from Redding, California, and graduated from Huntington University with a B.S. in Digital Media Arts: Animation. Jimi is an illustrator and animator, with a passion for storytelling. She is never without a sketchbook and will twitch erratically if not allowed to release from her mind the world of all things cute and fantastical. She also has a heart for families who are looking at adoption, and has had the honour to design adoption profiles to make those dreams come true. She is currently employed at Simpson University as the Creative Design Assistant in addition to working on illustration and design freelance projects. Her animation has been featured in numerous film festivals including “I Think I Might Be” in the Chicago International Children's film festival and the "Tiger's Gift" which won best Animation at the Sundial festival in 2012. To find out more about Jimi’s projects and work you can visit http://jkbono.com.
Josh Holte
Musical Arranger, Alice in Wonderland
Josh is a recent graduate of UW-Parkside in Kenosha, WI. He now lives in Sheboygan, WI, with his wife and daughter, and is the Director of Youth Ministries at St. Luke United Methodist Church. Josh brings his creativity to Compass, arranging piano accompaniment for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Josh is a recent graduate of UW-Parkside in Kenosha, WI. He now lives in Sheboygan, WI, with his wife and daughter, and is the Director of Youth Ministries at St. Luke United Methodist Church. Josh brings his creativity to Compass, arranging piano accompaniment for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Spencer Jones
Musical Arranger, Peas & Harmony
Spencer is the Director of Choirs at Omro Middle and High School in Wisconsin. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh with a degree in Music Education. While at UW Oshkosh Spencer took private composition lessons with Dr. James Chaudoir. Spencer has composed and conducted pieces for the University choir, chamber ensembles, and the Omro Singers. Along with composing Spencer is a member of the Master Singers men’s choir and is forming an elite men’s ensemble that will perform works from the Renaissance and Baroque time periods.
Spencer is the music coordinator at Immanuel UCC church in Neenah where he formed the SBS choir which performs during Sunday services. Outside of composing, and working with choirs he runs his own piano studio. During any free time Spencer enjoys spending time with his wife, two dogs, three cats, his friends, and kayak fishing.
Spencer is the Director of Choirs at Omro Middle and High School in Wisconsin. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh with a degree in Music Education. While at UW Oshkosh Spencer took private composition lessons with Dr. James Chaudoir. Spencer has composed and conducted pieces for the University choir, chamber ensembles, and the Omro Singers. Along with composing Spencer is a member of the Master Singers men’s choir and is forming an elite men’s ensemble that will perform works from the Renaissance and Baroque time periods.
Spencer is the music coordinator at Immanuel UCC church in Neenah where he formed the SBS choir which performs during Sunday services. Outside of composing, and working with choirs he runs his own piano studio. During any free time Spencer enjoys spending time with his wife, two dogs, three cats, his friends, and kayak fishing.
James Manno
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Musical Arranger, The Wizard of Oz and The Jacksons & the Beanstalk
James Manno 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. |
Mel Ruder
Sound Engineer, Peas & Harmony and The Wizard of Oz
Mel Ruder is very active in the theatre and music scenes in Chicago where she sound designs and DJs. She is an Artistic Associate for 20% Theatre Company Chicago and most recently sound designed their production of Electra and Orestes. She is also a member of the Catharsis Junkies, a team of devoted artists who are dedicated to producing art that is rich in spectacle and content and relevant right now. Earlier this year she featured her DJ skills for “Our Fair City” season 3 Launch party, and the video release party for Chicago based band, Fatally Cool. Mel 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.
Mel Ruder is very active in the theatre and music scenes in Chicago where she sound designs and DJs. She is an Artistic Associate for 20% Theatre Company Chicago and most recently sound designed their production of Electra and Orestes. She is also a member of the Catharsis Junkies, a team of devoted artists who are dedicated to producing art that is rich in spectacle and content and relevant right now. Earlier this year she featured her DJ skills for “Our Fair City” season 3 Launch party, and the video release party for Chicago based band, Fatally Cool. Mel 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.
