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Grab a drink. Find your seat. Share a laugh.
At Yellow Rose Theatre, it’s all part of the experience.
Alex Fortune [He/Him/His]
Playwright- Hello From the End of the World
Alex Fortune is a playwright/screenwriter Based in Chicago. His play Forsythian Dweller’s Club won a golden lanyard award at the Minnesota Fringe Festival, and has been adapted into a feature film, recently premiering at WorldFest-Houston. Other works include the plays Narrative Machine Broke and Leave only Crumbs as part of Footholds Volume 4 and 6 (The Impostors Theatre company), and the short film Waves on Concrete (prod. by Tangerine Dreams). Alex’s other new short play Halberdiers runs June 4-13 with The Impostors Theatre Company as part of Footholds Vol. 7.
Anna Joy Yee [She/Her]**
Front of House and Playwright- Benny's Last Dance
Anna was born in the Middle East, raised in the Midwest, and currently lives in Chicago. Select theatre credits include Airport Time, TV Land, and multiple immersive productions with Yellow Rose Theatre since 2020; No Such Thing (Rivendell Theatre); Right to Be Forgotten (Raven Theatre); and Hellcab (Agency Theater). Her television credits include Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. (NBC), Easy (Netflix), and various national commercials and voiceovers. Outside of acting and writing, Anna enjoys exploring Chicago’s restaurant scene with her husband, Josh, and their dog, Gracie. Love you both so much!
Annie Smith [She/Her]
Set Designer
Annie is a Chicago-based multi-disciplinary designer and artist. Her work is often seen at Young People's Theatre of Chicago in Lincoln Park, including their upcoming production of Hula Hoopin' Queen. Her past work includes Hula Hoopin' Queen at YPT, 4.48 Psychosis at Backyard Theatre Company, and Arms and the Man at Forest Theatre Company.
Claire Thompson [She/Her]
Director - Benny's Last Dance, Violette's
Claire Thompson is a director, actor, and teaching artist who recently moved to Chicago and is excited to experience her first Chicago Summer! She was recently seen in Grizel: Ireland’s Pig Faced Lady at the Edge Theatre, and has worked regionally at Trinity Repertory Company, Penobscot Theatre Company, and White Heron Theatre Company. She graduated from Brown with a dual degree in Theatre and History, and has worked as an actor, director, assistant director, production assistant, stage manager, dramaturg, and teaching artist. Claire is thrilled to be working with Yellow Rose on this production, and she hopes you enjoy your time at Club Shush! Website: clairecdthompson.com
Devin Sugerik
Playwright - My Lord
Devin Sugerik is a hack fraud. He writes short plays sometimes, he writes comedy sketches sometimes, he does improv sometimes, he does video editing sometimes, he directs and films videos sometimes, he acts in commercials sometimes, and he acts on stage sometimes. What can't this dude sometimes do?!?
Represented by Chicago Talent Network
Instagram: @devinesugerik
For business opportunities: devinsugerikbusiness@gmail.com
Jay Donley
Fight/Intimacy Designer
Jay Donley (Violent Delights) Is honored, to be working on Club Sush! His stage combat journey began at the tender age of four, when his aunt Polly gave him a plastic sword and shield. In 2008 he was fortunate to have the opportunity to take a stage combat course at his alma matter; EMU, beginning his study of movement. He would go on to take workshops with the SAFD, and later IDC, further honing his focus on storytelling through movement. Now, living in Chicago he continues to ply his trade as a founding member of Violent Delights Staged Combat and Intimacy Design, creating choreography, consulting, and teaching workshops. Jay is most proud of his ability to create compelling narrative moments in scenes of violence and intimacy, spin a fabulous yarn, and the time he once wrestled a more than slightly tipsy adult brown bear to a begrudging draw.
JD Hartner
Playwright - Violette's
JD Hartner is a Chicago based playwright, and general theater person, originally from Kansas. She graduated from Loyola University and Kansas City Kansas Community College, where she studied theater and journalism. Besides being involved in shows in college, and some 24 hour play fests, this is JD's first production here in Chicago. She is very excited that you came to see the show and hopes you enjoy it!
Joe Bushell
Director - My Lord!, The Neighborhood House and Playwright - The Chicago Spore
Joe is overjoyed to have helped bring Club Shush! to life with these remarkable humans. As a Yellow Rose ensemble member, he has acted in, directed and written for several prior YR productions. Other recent theatre credits include The Black Book (The Beautiful City Project), Unnecessary Farce (Buffalo Theatre Ensemble), Angels in America (Invictus Theatre), Dames at Sea (Citadel Theatre), The Outsider (Buffalo Theatre Ensemble), Bill W. and Dr. Bob (Theatre 68) and The Wizards (Free Street Theatre). Many thanks and much love to his wonderful wife Elizabeth, family and friends.
Judy Wolf [She/Her]
Playwright - After Oz
Judy is a Chicago playwright and this is her second production with Yellow Rose, and third production in Chicago. Judy is also an actress and a serious coffee drinker. Working on a sci-fi novel and a one woman show.
Katherine Wettermann [She/Her]
Casting Director and Director - The Chicago Spore, After Oz
Katherine Wettermann is a founding ensemble member with YRT. She is excited to bring the company’s original work to life through collaboration with our brilliant artists. Recent stage credits include The Outsider (Buffalo Theatre Ensemble), Mauritius (Parker Players Theatre), and Bill W. And Dr. Bob (Theatre 68- Midwest and Pacific NW Tour). Katherine was recently seen as recurring co-star Nurse Owens in Chicago Fire. Represented by Talent X Alexander. Education: University of Miami. KatherineWettermann.com
Kelly Levander [She/Her]
Head Director and Director - Shush!, Shush! Reprise
Kelly Dupree Levander is thrilled to see the work of Yellow Rose Theatre continue to grow and expand this summer with its newest production, Club Shush! Speak Easy, Laugh Hard. Working alongside Sean Frett and the full YRT ensemble, she has found it a joy to watch this show develop, while also expanding the circle of artists connected to the theatre.
Both a director and performer, Kelly moved to the area because of Chicago’s vibrant new works scene and its dynamic storefront theaters, known for their intimate and experimental productions. In addition to her work with Yellow Rose Theatre, Kelly has collaborated with notable Chicago-area theaters including Avalanche Theatre, Red Theater, Bramble Theatre, Citadel Theatre, Jackalope Theatre, Muse of Fire Theatre, and Artemisia Theatre. Prior to making Chicago her home, she performed with numerous regional theaters across the U.S.
Kelly dedicates this show, and all future Yellow Rose shows, to Joseph Zaki, the founder of YRT, whose enthusiasm for life and the creative process will be dearly missed. She also extends heartfelt thanks to Olga Bittel, who is helping Yellow Rose keep Joseph’s dream alive.
Madeline Diego [She/Her]
Playwright - The Neighborhood House
Madeline Diego has been a proud ensemble member of the Yellow Rose Theatre since 2021. You'll usually catch her on stage playing aliens, crazy directors and erratic french girls but this time she put her writing skills to the test. She's excited to go with you on the wild journey that is Club Shush!
Maeve Carroll [She/They]
Assistant Stage Manager
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Maeve is a good old all arounder working across theatrical disciplines as a director, actor, dramaturg, and stage manager. Maeve also daylights as a non profit professional. They graduated from St. Olaf College in 2024 with degrees in Theater and Sociology. Stage Management: Moonwatchers, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (Lazy Susan Theater Co.) Dramaturgy: Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (Lazy Susan Theater Co.), Cabaret (St. Olaf College Bondi Apprenticeship) Directing: The Effect (St Olaf College), Starkid’s Firebringer (EMPTY Theater Co.)
Nathan Keiller
Lighting Designer
Nathan Keiller’s aesthetic is homemade, and as a member of Sandbox, has been helping them bring theatrical lighting into non-traditional spaces. He first worked with Sandbox in 2024 with their joint production with Circuit Theater of Richard II. He has since designed for Avalanche’s production of Time is a Color and the Color is Blue, Split Lip’s show What If We Kissed in the Dead Animal Barn, and Sandbox’s Romeo & Juliet. Right now he is working with Yellow Rose Theater, Split Lip, Circuit Theater, ProductionProductions, and Avalanche. He is a freelance designer, an electrician, as well as an actor. He would like to quickly thank Buck Blue for his support and advice. Thank you for supporting storefront theatre and enjoy the show!
Nino LoGrasso
Production Artist
Nino is a multimedia artist from Springfield, IL who lived in Chicago for many years (and is currently missing the summer here. What a maroon!). Sculpture, painting, animation, clowning, carpentry, filmmaking, screen printing, special effects... he's tried 'em all (with varying degrees of success, but always with unbridled enthusiam)! He loves old cartoons, animals, his friends and family (and using gratuitous parentheticals, commas, and exclamation points)!!! He'd like to thank the hep cats at The Yellow Rose for inviting him to noodle out some doodles for this swingin' production. It was a gas, Dig? @flipswytchstudio on instagram
Sean Frett [He/Him]
Head Writer and Playwright - Shush!, Shush! Reprise
Sean Frett is elated to be returning to the stage with Yellow Rose Theatre, as well as returning as Head Writer for this production. Sean is a Chicago-based actor, writer, and producer who is privileged to work alongside the inimitable Kelly Levander as Co-Artistic Director of YRT. His gratitude goes to the passion of his fellow YRT ensemble members, the encouragement from his friends and family, and the boundless love and support from his husband, Greg.
Sophia Vitello [She/Her]
Dramaturg, Casting Director, and Costume Designer
Sophia is so thrilled to be returning to the YRT stage. Previous roles include Ruby Adams (Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Clowns), Gabrielle (Cinderella), and Martha Jefferson (1776). She has had the great honor of working with other Chicago companies such as City Lit, Broken Nose Theatre, and Metropolis Performing Arts Center. Much gratitude to the cast and crew of Club Shush!, and all her love to her friends and family.
Sophie Davidson [She/Her]
Assistant Costume Designer
Sophie is delighted to join the team at Yellow Rose and has had the best time filling out the Club Shush! world! Thank you to my work wife, Sophia, for bringing me onto this production and trusting me with your visions. Check out my styling and photography @oieaio on instagram.
Taylor Blum [She/Her]
Stage Manager
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Taylor is super excited to be making her Yellow Rose debut! She is a graduate of Indiana University with a B.A. in Theater and Drama and a focus in stage management. Her most recent show was Gaslight (ASM) at Oil Lamp Theater and she spent her previous summer at Post Playhouse in Nebraska where she did productions of Guys and Dolls (ASM), Nunsense Jamboree (SM), Newsies (ASM), Lucky Stiff (ASM), and Into the Woods (SM). Some of her others stage management credits include Head Over Heels, Cabaret, The Wedding Singer, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Jekyll & Hyde. She is so grateful to her friends and family for all of their support!