Teaching Artists

2022 Team

Our touring teaching artists have years of experience in education and childcare not only as artistic educators, but also as classroom teachers, camp counselors, nannies, and tutors. In addition to their experience in education, Compass Creative Dramatics teaching artists are Chicago-based actors, directors, choreographers, stage combatants, playwrights, and other theatre professionals.
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We are dedicated to assembling teams of teaching artists who are just as passionate about children and education as they are about the work they do onstage - artists who are not only able to provide your students and families with a nurturing and engaging educational environment,
but who teach by example so that your students can, in turn, learn to lead by example.
Aliza Broder
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​Aliza is a recent transplant to Chicago, after graduating from West Virginia University with her BFA in acting in 2021. While at WVU, she had the opportunity to work as an assistant director for shows for the Morgantown Youth Theatre Academy, and is excited to bring her experience teaching and directing to Compass Creatives. Having grown up surrounded by the bustling theatre scene of Washington, DC, Aliza has attended and personally benefitted from arts and theatre education programs just like this one.
Elijah Cox
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Elijah Cox is an actor, writer, and teaching artist in Chicago. He has been onstage with Steep Theatre, City Lit Theatre, and The Chicago Musical Theatre Festival, among others. His plays have been performed and read at the McKay Arts Center, Colvin Theatrical, and with Asterisk Arts Collective. Elijah teaches musical theatre, improv comedy, and creative writing to students of all grade levels. He is a company member with PlayMakers Laboratory Theatre and is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago.
Harper Case
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Harper is a Chicago-based actor, improviser, and teaching artist! She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Acting from Case Western Reserve University, and a Certificate in Classical Acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She has previously taught acting camps and workshops for children of all ages.Favorite credits include Reckless (Rachel), Cry-Baby the Musical (Mrs. Vernon Williams), Henry V (Constable/Isabel), and Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again (Dina/Ensemble).
Valerie Eve deGroot
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Valerie Eve deGroot is a Chicago based actor and fine artist. Selected credits include Fefu and Her Friends (Cecilia Johnson), Love and Information (First Actor), and Henry IV Part 1 (Prince Hal). Her second full-length play, why are you laughing, which she developed in Josh Wilder class, is currently being workshopped after winning Denver's Dangerous Theatre Play-offs. She had her Chicago directing debut last summer with the Women’s Theatre Alliance New Play Festival.
Emma Noelle
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Originally from Mundelein, IL, Emma Noelle has been working as an actress and teaching artist in Chicago since 2018. She graduated Cum Laude from Florida Southern College with a BFA in Theatre Performance and she is excited to be back out on the road with Compass Creative Dramatics this year. In addition to acting, Emma holds her Property & Casualty insurance licenses, and is enthusiastic about fashion and animals. She is passionate about creating a more inclusive world, and has worked with several local charities since college to make the world a more positive place.
Sam Cheeseman
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Sam is an actor/educator based in Chicago, Illinois. A graduate of the University of Northern Colorado, Sam is excited to be a part of CCD's 2022 Season, Sam has spent recent years working with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks' Educational Tours as an actor/tour manager. He was one of the founding members of MSIP's “Virtual Shakes!” program designed in response to the pandemic. Outside of MSIP, Sam has taught for Nebraska Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare All-Stars, and Drama in the Driveway, among others. Chicago theater credits include Midsommer Flight, Invictus Theatre, Greatworks, Chicago Theatre Works, and more.
Sydney Ray
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Sydney Ray is an Actor, Singer, and Educator. In the past, she has been a teaching artist for EDGE of Orion Theater company, teaching musical theater to neurotypical and neurodiverse students, and is excited to be back teaching with Compass Creative Dramatics this summer. Based in Chicago, Sydney is an Ensemble Member of Ghostlight Ensemble Theatre Company, where she assists with the annual Nightlights Festival - plays for young audiences.  Her experience being a Special Education Classroom Assistant with Chicago Public Schools for over five years has bolstered her love of education, and sharpened her skills of being in the moment, patience, and problem solving.  So much so, she will pursuing her Masters of Social Work in the Fall of 2022 at University of Illinois Chicago's Jane Addams College of Social Work in order to become a School Social Worker. She loves traveling, sloths, and eating tacos.
Olivia Candocia
She/her/hers (what's this?)

Olivia is a Chicago based actor, director, performance coach, and voice over artist. She received her undergraduate degree in Acting at Illinois State University and studied starting grad school and studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her goal is to become a Registered Drama/Expressive Arts Therapist. 

Olivia is passionate about helping people feel alive and capable, especially through the means of theatre. She has toured with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Chicago Playback Theatre, The National Theatre For Children, and NOW Compass Creative Dramatics. She is so grateful she has had these opportunities to bring theatre and magic to so many communities. 

Olivia is a director for various high schools within the Chicagoland area. All of her productions are 4 dimensional and expose her audiences to the art of Whimsy and Play.