Elizabeth Hartnett (Board President) serves as the board chairperson of CPTE. A recent transplant to Chicago, she has previously worked in theaters as a stage manager, producer, and costume designer. When not working in theaters, Elizabeth works in advocacy and loves spending time in nature.
Lindsey Chidester (Secretary) is a Chicago based theatre maker. She is a stage manager extraordinaire, having worked with various storefront theatre companies, including the Chicago Playback Theatre. She is a proud ensemble member with Idle Muse Theatre.
Kiayla Ryann (Chairperson) is a multidisciplinary creative leader, poet, and arts strategist based in Chicago. Her work sits at the intersection of art, wellness, and community engagement, where she designs and leads programs that use storytelling and performance to support reflection, connection, and collective care. She has created and curated multiple community-centered cultural initiatives, including Red Talk and Poet’s Tea & Pleasure, and brings experience in arts leadership, trauma-informed facilitation, and grant strategy. Kiayla is pleased to serve on the Board of Chicago Playback Theatre, supporting the organization’s mission to elevate community stories through live performance.
Jamie Redwood (Treasurer) is a Chicago based actor and musician. In addition to her performance career, she serves as the Financial Director and is the Board Treasurer for the Chicago Playback Theatre Ensemble. When she’s not performing, Jamie spends her time working with Piano Power, offering private piano/voice/guitar lessons to people of all ages. Check out her Instagram for more information on performances and life updates @jamie.rdwd (Instagram)
Allison Sokolowski (Chairperson) is an actor, storyteller, and proud Chicagoland native with a B.S. in Acting and English from Illinois State University represented by Lori Lins Ltd, and she is grateful to practice Playback Theatre in this great city. She was a founding member of the Illinois State Playback Theatre Ensemble where, for over two years, she performed in shows and helped lead outreach workshops with the local Boys and Girls Club. She has also studied at the Centre for Playback Theatre in New York and with several leading Playback Theatre teachers worldwide, including the founders of Playback Theatre. Allison is most interested in imaginative, innovative, and socially rooted productions and projects, and you can learn more about her and her work at http://allisonsokolowski.wixsite.com/allisonsokolowski
Rian Sondag (Chairperson) is a Chicago-based comedian and storyteller with a passion for laughter and independent theater. She received her BA in Theater from Miami University. She can be found performing sketch, improv, and karaoke at different venues around the city, and is a proud member of her recreational softball team- Retrograde. Check out her Instagram (@therealriansondag) for more info and general silliness
Lee Peters (Chairperson) is a Creative Arts Professional who specializes in education and storytelling in all its forms. Lee is grateful to have had many opportunities to work with and impact the lives of young people as teacher and director for over 20 years. He is currently a company member wit Playmakers Laboratory, an Artistic Associate with Chicago Playback Theatre, a teacher and director with Ovation Academy, and a teaching artist with Chicago Dantztheatre and Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education.