Allison Sokolowski (Artistic Director/Founder/Conductor/Ensemble) 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 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
Jamie Redwood (Managing Director/Ensemble/Musician) is a Chicago performer who focuses on bringing radical kindness to the stage and rehearsal room. Jamie is the keyboardist for local “y’allternative” band, The Kantors. She is a proud ensemble member of the Chicago Playback Theatre Ensemble, Theatre Above the Law and Idle Muse Theatre Company. When she’s not performing, Jamie spends her time working with Piano Power, offering private and group piano/voice/guitar lessons to people of all ages. Check out her Instagram for more information on performances and life updates @jamie.rdwd
Lindsey Chidester (Company Director/Stage Manager) is a Chicago administrative assistant by day, Chicago storefront stage manager by night. Her goal is to always lend an empathetic ear to those who need it, as well as be supportive help for the ensembles she’s involved in. She is a grateful member of the Chicago Playback Theatre Company and Idle Muse Theatre Company. When Lindsey isn’t working, you can find her bopping to music, reading and hanging out with her two cats Oliver and Lyra.
Chase Nuerge (they/them) (Integrity Representative/Ensemble) is a Chicago-based actor whose passion is making relevant and political theater, especially normalizing gender non-conformity. Previous roles include Zhey in [Trans]formation (The Living Canvas and Nothing Without a Company), Zelazny in Down the Rocky Road and All the Way to Bedlam (Otherworld Theater), and Sad Boy in Wasteland Hero (Reutan Collective).
Christina Melgar (Marketing Director/Conductor/Guest Artist) is so excited to not only be joining the CPTE for her fourth season…but joining the leadership team as the Marketing Director as well! When she isn’t at rehearsal; Christina is either petting her adorable Corgi Jayde, kicking it back with her partner, or running her sales consulting business called “Christina Connects”. She looks forward to seeing you at our shows!
Sophia Pietrkowski (Vibes Chair/Ensemble) is a Chicago based actor with a BFA in Acting from Calarts (2018). An active company member of Collaboraction, Sophia is passionate about community justice theater. Most recently, Sophia performed as the lead in Chagall in School with ShPIel performing identity in Louisville at the MEX Theater. A founding company member, this is her fifth season with CPTE.
Gayle Starr (Ensemble) is a visually impaired actor who holds a BS in Speech from Northwestern University, an MFA in Theater for Youth From University of Texas Austin and an MSW from UIC Jane Adams school of social work. She is currently employed as a school social worker for Chicago Public schools, as well as, a theater director and instructor for Devonshire Play house in Skokie. Gayle also acts and sings around town. Her most import accomplishments are her 25 year marriage to the always entertaining Evans Poulos and parenting her amazing twins Dora and Joanna, who are both receiving theater degrees at University.
Clarissa Worcester (they/them) (Lead Teaching Artist) grew up on Sauk, Peoria, Meskwaki, and Očeti Šakówiŋ land now known as Sterling, IL. They can be found slinging scoops at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, taking movement-based theatre classes, or making scrambled eggs while thinking a little too hard about the intersections of healing, justice, and art. Fueled by a belief in the power of personal stories and embodiment, Clarissa is thrilled to be in their Playback Theatre journey with this ensemble!
Donyae Asante (Teaching Artist/Artistic Associate) is a singer-songwriter, actor and playwright. The R&B and hip-hop artist, who released his first two albums in 2019, recently released his third album, HeavenEarth. Recent credits include The View Upstairs (Jefferson Performing Arts Society) Vanya & Sonia & Masha and Spike (Crescent City Stage) and Where The Suga Still Sweet (No Dream Deferred). Asante has one goal in his artistry: to show peace is possible when you step within and focus on your divine power.
Luke Wallens (Teaching Artist/Artistic Associate) is an actor, improviser, playwright and drama therapist. He has performed with the B. Iden Payne silent improv troupe, Golden and with the LGBTQ+ sketch comedy troupe, Martini Ranch. He has taught improv to kids and teens with disabilities and continues his drama therapy work here in Chicago in collaboration with the Institue for Therapy through the Arts and CPTE. When he’s not in the theatre, he enjoys taking his dogs out for walks, trying new baking recipes and gardening.
Dawn M. Pirani Brumfield (Teaching Artist/Artistic Associate) is a daughter, sister, spouse and mom. She is deeply committed to mental health advocacy, awareness and education. Dr. Dawnn graduated from the Vanderbilt Divinity School and the Chicago Theological Seminary with advanced degrees in Counseling and Pastoral Care. She founded the Trifocus Counseling & Consulting Services, a community clinical practice dedicated to meeting folks right where they are. In her rare spare time, she loves spending time with her family and friends, writing and watching sports with her parents.
Darrick Jackson (Training Consultant) is thrilled to be helping the Chicago Playback Theatre Company. Darrick was involved with South End Playback in Boston several years ago. Professionally, he works with ministers and seminarians and sometimes incorporates playback in his trainings. He thanks his husband Jim, and cats, Merlin and Morgana, for all of their love and support.
Marianna Gallegos (Artistic Associate) (she/they) is a Chicago based actor, puppeteer and teaching artist. She is also an ensemble member with Playmaker’s Laboratory and is a Lookingglass Teaching Artist.
Lisa Roth (Artistic Associate) has a BFA in acting and a lifelong love of the theater. She works as a psychologist and an expressive arts therapist specializing in trauma and grief. Before moving to Chicago in 2021, Lisa spent the last 13 years acting & directing with various theater companies in Oregon & Washington. She has also been a member of Playback Theater Northwest in Seattle, WA and a back-up player for Sparkle Heart Players in Olympia, WA. Lisa believes in the power of sharing our stories to connect, heal and inspire.
Armando Brigham (Artistic Associate) is a writer and performer from Michigan. He’s performed at the Annoyance, iO, Zanies, Second City, Bughouse, and Clash on Clark. He’s grateful to have played small, but also, unmemorable roles in the Chicago One shows, South Side, and The Bear. When Armando isn’t performing with Playback, you can catch him at Zanies, working on overly-ambitious pottery projects, or read his work in The Onion.
Sarah Schmitt (Artistic Associate/Musician) is a Chicago based actor and musician. She received her undergraduate degree in elementary education and Spanish at Monmouth College while also participating in theatre, improv, and gospel groups. After college, she spent a few years living abroad in Granada, Spain and Queretaro, Mexico where she performed in bands and taught theatre. Sarah has always appreciated the act of listening and storytelling and feels lucky to share this passion with the Playback team and its audiences.
Kennedy Frazier (Artistic Associate/Musician) was born in the Ozarks and raised by storytellers. Inspired by her family’s generational tales and the quiet magic of nature, she fell in love with theatre as a way to make sense of the world and imagine something beyond. Now, as a multidisciplinary artist and behavioral health educator in Chicago, she continues to practice a theatre of imagination. Drawing on applied improvisation, playwriting, music, and movement, Kennedy believes in the power of the arts to transform the way we care for each other.
Rian Sondag (Artistic Associate) 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 and improv at different venues around the city and is currently directing the ongoing independent project, The Underground. Check out her Instagram (@therealriansondag) for more info and general silliness.
Nehanda Loiseau Julot (Artistic Associate) resides in Evanston, Illinois with her husband and rambunctious toddler. She is a financial planner by day and theatre artist always. Her theatre work has taken many turns: performing, playwriting and producing. Essays highlighting her theatre work have been published in several publications. She is Founder and CEO of Wealth I Am LLC, which teaches financial empowerment through techniques in storytelling. Learn more: wealthiam.net, Instagram: @wealthiam2020, Facebook: @wealthiam.net
Liam Schlosser (Artistic Asociate) is a Chicago performer. He recently earned his MFA in Performing Arts at Savannah College of Art and Design, and moved to Chicago in August of 2023. Recent credits include productions with Corn Productions and Chicago Kids Company. Aside from theatre arts, Liam is a NASM certified personal trainer and currently coaches group fitness at OrangeTheory Fitness. Whether it’s teaching individuals acting or coaching group fitness, Liam is passionate about helping others better themselves.
Ryan Hultman (Guest Artist) is an actor, improviser, and writer living in Chicago, IL. He can also be seen performing at improv theatres around the city with Whimsy Lohan (@whimsylohan.io) and BIG FREAK. This is his second season with CPTE and he’s thrilled to return as a guest artist!