Teaching Artists & Administrative Team
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
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.
Jessie Bond
Teaching Associate and Assistant Office Manager
Jessie was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and traveled to North Carolina to attend Elon University, where she recently graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Theatre Studies and English. Returning home to the city she loved, Jessie began her professional theatre career as an Education Intern with Compass Creative Dramatics in the summer of 2015. At Elon, Jessie 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. On weekends, Jessie can sometimes be found attending and reviewing Chicago theatre for Splash Magazine or practicing her violin.
Jessie was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and traveled to North Carolina to attend Elon University, where she recently graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Theatre Studies and English. Returning home to the city she loved, Jessie began her professional theatre career as an Education Intern with Compass Creative Dramatics in the summer of 2015. At Elon, Jessie 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. On weekends, Jessie can sometimes be found attending and reviewing Chicago theatre for Splash Magazine or practicing her violin.
Rebecca Melzer
Relationship Marketing Coordinator & 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.
Nora Ulrey
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Fall Marketing Intern
Originally from Detroit area, Nora has had the pleasure of working with Chicago theater companies as CityLit, Pride Films & Plays, Nothing Without A Company, Aston Rep, TUTA, 20% Theatre Co, Strangeloop, Forget Me Not Theatre, Redmoon, First Floor Theatre. She is an artistic Associate of Random Acts Theatre Co. Other children's theater include GreatWorks Theatre Ensemble, a touring company and performs throughout the school year. Other regional theater work includes Parallel 45, Michigan Shakespeare Festival, Colonial Williamsburg, Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. She is the receipt of the 2014 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Children's Hour (Pride Films and Plays). Her film work in Spoiled Child (Jarvis Productions) she won Best Lead Actor at First Run Film Festival. She is a graduate of Western Michigan University with BA in Theatre Performance. |
Freelance Artists
Kristen P. Ahern
Resident Costume Designer
Kristen P Ahern has been designing and constructing costumes all over the greater Chicago area for over 5 years since graduating with her BA from Western Michigan University in 2010. She is frequently immersed in educational theatre spending 4 of the last years shop managing and designing at Dominican University (Rent, Drowsey Chaperone) in River Forest and her summers at Hope Summer Repertory Theatre (Hot Mikado, Les Miserables). Other favorite Chicago area credits include Floyd Collins with Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, Taming of the Shrew with Muse of Fire, and Girl in the Train with Chicago Folks Operetta. 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, go to www.kristenp.com.
Kristen P Ahern has been designing and constructing costumes all over the greater Chicago area for over 5 years since graduating with her BA from Western Michigan University in 2010. She is frequently immersed in educational theatre spending 4 of the last years shop managing and designing at Dominican University (Rent, Drowsey Chaperone) in River Forest and her summers at Hope Summer Repertory Theatre (Hot Mikado, Les Miserables). Other favorite Chicago area credits include Floyd Collins with Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, Taming of the Shrew with Muse of Fire, and Girl in the Train with Chicago Folks Operetta. 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, go to www.kristenp.com.
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. |
DJ Catnip
Sound Engineer, Peas & Harmony, The Wizard of Oz, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and The Jacksons & the Beanstalk
DJ Catnip 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. DJ Catnip 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.
DJ Catnip 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. DJ Catnip 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.
