I was born on a farm in far upstate New York, but my parents soon moved us to a bustling metropolis of almost two thousand people, where I grew up in your standard 1970’s family unit of four kids, two parents and one station wagon. After graduating from Bradley University with a B.S. in Economics, I moved to Chicago, and took a sales job with Procter & Gamble. My biggest sale was to a young coed from Michigan State and a couple years later Tami and I were married, and I quit my job to pursue a career in standup comedy. I eventually headlined clubs around the country and landed 7 national TV spots on shows like Evening at the Improv, MTV and Comedy Central. A few years later my good friend Harry talked his way into a Saturday night sports radio show and asked me to join him. We eventually hosted the afternoon drive show on ESPN Radio, and I spent 10 years on the air in Chicago on ESPN, WCKG, the Morning LOOP and WGN.

In 2004 I co-wrote with Tim Clue the comedy Leaving Iowa that premiered to great box office success and critical acclaim at Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theater. It was nominated by the Detroit Free Press for Best New Play. Tim and I produced and directed a one year run at the Royal George in Chicago and the play was published in 2009 and still enjoys over 50 productions a year across the country. We also published a children’s book about bullying, Patty and the Stump. The majority of the last decade was spent coaching youth sports and working as a speaker and corporate entertainer. Recently, Clue and I founded MindSlap Meetings, a virtual meeting communication company.

A couple years ago Harry and I decided to take a shot at turning his story into a play. It took much longer than 8 weeks to write…. And here we are.

We still live in Evanston and our children, Mickey and Samantha, have both graduated college and live nearby in Chicago.

The only radio experience I had was going on the air several times when I was on the road doing stand-up comedy. For some reason they kept me on for an hour in Minneapolis and as I was walking out the door the guy flipped me a cassette that had my hour on it. I took out the commercials and proceeded to pitch myself to both sports stations in Chicago. Greg Solk, the program Director of what was then AM 1000, gave me a 4 week Saturday night audition, I called Spike, and somehow turned that into 25 years on some of the biggest radio stations in Chicago, ESPN, WGN, and The LOOP. The most prominent shows I was on were, CARMEN, JURKO and HARRY, THE DANNY BONADUCE SHOW, (Where because of Danny‘s generosity I got my big break.) THE JONATHON BRANDMEIER RADIO SHOWGRAM, and the nationally celebrated MIKE & MIKE. The most successful show I was on was MAC, JURKO, & HARRY, where we enjoyed spending time as the number one Afternoon Drive show in all of Chicago on both AM and FM. I did shows with Mark Carman, Jarrett Payton, and my all-time favorite radio program the most misunderstood show in the history of Chicago radio, HARRY & SPIKE.

Even though we hardly talked about it on the air, my favorite sport will always be thoroughbred horse racing. My dad had horses since I was a kid and while my sister was in a dance studio my brothers and I grew up going to the track. The best horse we ever had was the exhilarating closer Cryptoclarence. His bloodlines can still be found in almost every major stake race in America.

As an actor, I got to co-Star in the cult classic, Mad Magazine Presents: UP THE ACADEMY, and had a couple of lines in Risky Business, The Package, Bonnie Hunt’s Return to Me, as well as the television movie, The American Dream.

I have two kids that are both wonderful when they want to be. 16 year-old Reggie, and Lucy, is about to turn 21.

I can perform the entire movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life”, in 86 seconds.

On a personal note,
I can’t thank Don Clark, enough. For the opportunity, the friendship, and reminding me, “No retreat, baby, no surrender!” I miss my best friend Tom, so much!! I wish he were here to take in all of this and ask me, “What the hell were you thinking?”

Most importantly, if I can get sober, anyone can.

Jackson Gay is a director and co-Producing Artistic Director of New Neighborhood https://www.newneighborhood.net. Upcoming work includes the new musical SCKBSTD (book by Mike Rafael with music by Bruce Hornsby); God’s Ear (Juilliard); New Neighborhood’s Endless Loop of Gratitude (REP); Goldie, Max & Milk by Karen Hartman (59e59), and Partnership (Mint Theater). Directing work includes Lucy Thurber’s Transfers for Audible, MCC and New York Stage & Film; Endless Loop of Gratitude with New Neighborhood (New Ohio’s Ice Factory); The Seagull (Juilliard); Kleptocracy by Kenneth Lin (Arena Stage); Lover Beloved with Suzanne Vega and Duncan Sheik (Alley Theater); These Paper Bullets! by Rolin Jones with music by Billie Joe Armstrong (New Neighborhood, Atlantic, Geffen, Yale Rep – Critics Pick Time Out NY, Best Production and Adaptation LA Sage Awards, Time Out Los Angeles, Connecticut Critics Circle Award Best Production and Best Director). Jackson has taught directing and acting at Williams, Yale, New School, Sarah Lawrence, and Columbia. Jackson is the 2021 Guild Hall Artist-in-Residence in East Hampton, NY. Jackson and New Neighborhood recently joined forces with Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and The Commissary to produce Why Would I Dare: The Trial of Crystal Mason. In collaboration with Dan Butler and DMNDR, New Neighborhood produced the first 24-hour reading of Filibustered and Unfiltered: America Reads the Mueller Report which inspired more than a dozen other events across the country. Featured everywhere from the Los Angeles Times (“a live-theater summer sensation!”) to Breitbart News (“the single most boring and pointless way to waste your time!”), the tidal wave of public readings reached its apex when it was name-checked in Congress during Robert Mueller’s nationally televised public testimony. BFA Acting University of the Arts.  MFA Directing Yale School of Drama.

Jack Viertel, Senior Vice-President of Broadway’s Jujamcyn Theaters, has also served as the company’s Creative Director, in charge of overseeing the development of new projects for the company’s five Broadway theaters, including five of August Wilson’s legendary ten–play “Century Cycle”, beginning with the Pulitzer Prize-winning THE PIANO LESSON.  His earliest shows for Jujamcyn were the original production of INTO THE WOODS and M. BUTTERFLY. He has been instrumental in bringing many Tony winning new plays, musicals and revivals to Jujamcyn’s theaters, including ANGELS IN AMERICA, Jerry Zaks’s legendary production of GUYS AND DOLLS, GRAND HOTEL, CITY OF ANGELS, JELLY’S LAST JAM, the Brian Dennehy production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN, PROOF, DOUBT and CLYBOURNE PARK. He produced the Patti Lupone revival of GYPSY and the critically acclaimed revival of FINIAN’S RAINBOW. He was a co-producer and conceiver of the longest running musical revue in Broadway history, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE, the conceiver of the critically acclaimed AFTER MIDNIGHT, and served as the dramaturg for HAIRSPRAY. The musical and movie THE PROM was developed from his original concept.

From 2000 to 2020 he also served as Artistic Director of the Tony-honored Encores! series at New York City Center, where he has overseen the presentation of over 60 productions including such shows as DAMN YANKEES, FOLLIES, LOST IN THE STARS, HOUSE OF FLOWERS and 1776.

In 2016 he published the New York Times bestseller THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN MUSICAL (Farrar, Straus & Giroux).

He is also the author of the book for the musical TIME AND AGAIN, based on Jack Finney’s novel, spent two years as the dramaturg of the Mark Taper Forum, in Los Angeles, and was the chief theater critic and arts editor of the Los Angeles Herald Examiner from 1980-85. He got his professional start playing National steel-bodied bottleneck guitar behind Bonnie Raitt, Son House and The Pointer Sisters.

Regina is a Chicago-based scenic designer from Puerto Rico. She has had long standing relationships with the Latinx Theatre’s renowned Teatros including Repertorio Español, the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, Teatro Vista and Pregones Theater. She has also completed projects for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, American Players Theatre, the Goodman Theatre and Boundless Theatre Company, amongst others. Regina is a Fellow of the NEA/TCG Career Development Program for Designers and the Princess Grace Awards, USA; a Regional Associate member of the League of Professional Theatre Women; and company member with Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Chicago; and Boundless Theatre Company, San Juan/NYC. She is the Head of the Scenic Design program at The Theatre School, DePaul University, and a founding organizational member of La Gente: The Latinx Theatre Design Network. www.Garciaportfolio.com

Caitlin is a costume, scenic, and puppet designer. Most recent credits include: Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (Strawdog); Diamond’s Dream, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (Chicago Children’s Theatre); Stick Fly (Writers Theatre); Exquisite Corpse; The Walls of Harrow House (Rough House); Mlima’s Tale (Griffin Theatre); Shipwrecked (Oil Lamp); Whose Body; The Man Who Was Thursday; Bunny’s Book Club (Lifeline); The River (Boho); and The Ballad of Romeo and Juliet (American Myth Center, NC). She also is a co-founder of the Chicago based costume crafts business Craftiga. She earned her MFA at Northwestern University. CaitlinMcLeodDesign.com

Simean “Sim” Carpenter is an award-nominated, African American stage and lighting designer who has been developing creative works since the age of 13.

Sim was introduced to stage design through a high school theater program in Baltimore, Maryland, where he learned the art of visual storytelling, set construction, stage design and lighting. What Sim refers to as a “happy mistake” opened the door to many opportunities. He has a gift for creating environments that immerse the audience, allowing them to experience the moments along with the characters.

Sim is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. He has worked as a freelance teaching artist, as well as a lighting, projection and set designer in Chicago, IL and has toured with theater companies and music groups throughout North America. He currently resides in Dallas, TX where he works as an Assistant Lighting & Video Director for T.D. Jakes Ministries.

Sim holds a deep passion for social equality. His goal as a designer is to use his many mediums to tell captivating stories to bridge the gap between what is and what’s right in our world.

Recent credits include: Xavier Omar: Moments World Tour, Hoodoo Love, Middle Passage, Dutch Masters, HELA, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Native Son, and Eurydice; with upcoming productions at Raven Theatre, Shattered Globe Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre and Porchlight Music Theatre.

simcarpenter.com

Mr. Nardelli is co-owner of Aria Music Designs, LLC which provides music and sound for theatre, film, and other media ventures. Off Broadway credits include Lookingglass Alice at The New Victory Theatre. Regional theatres include The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, McCarter Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Milwaukee Rep Theatre, The Court Theatre, Hartford Stage, Congo Square,  Buffalo Arena Stage, The Alley Theatre, American Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Northlight Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre AppleTree Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre, Meadow Brooke Theatre, The Gift Theatre, Northwestern Theatre,  Depaul Theatre, Notre Dame Summer Shakespeare, Shakespeare On The Green,  Oak Park Festival Theatre, Dolphinback Theatre, American Girl Theatre (New York, Chicago),  Skylight Opera, and Wright State University Theatre. He has recorded, mixed and produced cast albums for 8 musicals. Over 400 Film, TV, DVD, and computer game credits worldwide. He has been nominated 9 times for a Jeff Award and won four times. His memberships include USA #829, ASCAP and IATSE #2.  Ray lives in Chicago with his wife Lynn and two children Elliot and Olivia.

Michael Commendatore is a projection designer originally from Rhode Island and currently living in Chicago with his amazing wife, Katie, and sassy but sweet cat, Sebastian. Michael blends his love for film and theatre traveling around the country designing projections for theatre, opera, dance, installations and more. Past Chicago productions include Let’s Explore with Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Knuffle Bunny with Emerald City Theatre, Oresteia at DePaul University, Orange Rope and Encounter Series with Collaboraction, and Little Red Cyrano with Red Theatre. Outside of Chicago, Michael has designed at The Public Theatre, Boston Lyric Opera, Music Theatre Wichita, Yale Repertory, Colgate University, Williams College, SUNY Stonybrook, Vancouver Fringe Festival, and more. He also has had the opportunity to work on shows at Juilliard, Carnegie Hall, Steppenwolf Theatre, and The Lincoln Center Theater. Michael holds an MFA in Design from Yale School of Drama. To see some of his work, visit his website at Michaelcommendatore.com

Laura Stanczyk is an independent Casting Director and Producer.   She graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 1986.   She is a member of the Casting Society of America, Actors Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild.

She has been nominated six times for Artios Awards for Excellence in Casting and won for the Broadway revival of FOLLIES.  She has cast dozens of Broadway, Off-Broadway and International plays and musicals including the hailed revivals of SIDE SHOW and RAGTIME, as well as the universally acclaimed Duke Ellington revue, AFTER MIDNIGHT.  She has worked on multiple independent films, including the upcoming FOURTH WALL DOWN.

She was a member of the Senior Artistic Staff of the McCarter Theatre for four years and was their Resident Casting Director for six.   She works with countless regional theatres across the country including The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Shakespeare Theatre of Washington D.C, the Wilma Theatre in Philadelphia, the Long Wharf Theatre, Hartford Stage, Center Theatre Group, La Jolla Playhouse and The Alliance Theatre to name a few.

She began her career with Jay Binder casting where she was an associate for eight years and cast JUDGEMENT AT NUREMBERG, URINETOWN, SWEET CHARITY, WONDERFUL TOWN, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOLF, SWEET CHARITY and CHICAGO among countless other readings, workshops and productions.

Off-Broadway: The Woman in Black (McKittrick Hotel, The New York Times Critic’s Pick and Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Play Revival). In Chicago, her credits include Macbeth and The Tempest with Posner and Teller, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); The 39 Steps (BrightSide Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare 400 Chicago Civic Orchestra of Chicago); and The Valkyries (Gorilla Tango Theatre).   Her regional credits include The Woman in Black (Spoleto Festival, Cleveland Play House, Royal George Theatre-Chicago, Pasadena Playhouse, Seattle Rep); The Tempest (The Smith Center, South Coast Repertory); A Christmas Carol, Gutenberg! The Musical!, and Forever Plaid (Milwaukee Repertory Theater); Murder for Two (Hope Summer Rep), and Completely Hollywood Abridged (Old Creamery Theatre). Internationally, her credits include Next to Normal, Seussical!, and Blooming Season (Shanghai Conservatory of Music). www.MaggieSpanuello.com

Shapiro is the owner of Shapiro Production Mgmt, and currently works as the Interim Production Manager for Columbia College Chicago. In the years prior to the pandemic he served as General Manager for Miracle the Musical at the Royal George Theatre and Eleanor’s Very Merry Wish at the Greenhouse. Prior he worked as Production Manager at Emerald City Theatre and Victory Gardens; Hand to God, Fun Home, Native Gardens. Other freelance credits include DISENCHANTED and UNSPEAKABLE at the Broadway Playhouse, commercial productions of Splintered Soul and Twisted Knots with the Chicago Commercial Collective, Jeff nominated productions of Heathers and Tomorrow Morning with Kokandy Productions, Jeff nominated productions of The Rainmaker and Buddy – The Buddy Holly Musical with American Blues Theatre, Stupid Fucking Bird and Caught with Sideshow Theatre, Memphis, In The Heights, Far From Heaven, Sweeney Todd, Funny Thing Happened, Side Show, and Jeff Awards winning productions of Dreamgilrs, Ain’t MisBehavin’ and Sondheim on Sondheim with Porchlight Music Theatre where he was an artistic associate. Aaron was the founding Artistic Director for Oracle Theatre where he served for 4 years. He is also the co-founder of Studio BE/MCL Chicago in Lakeview where served as Executive Director for 5 years and was a lead producer on Jersey Shore the Musical. Shapiro has worked for over 100 different theatre/production companies, as well as educational and cultural institutions throughout Chicago.

Luci Kersting’s most recent credit was Assistant Stage Manager at Paramount Theatre for Kinky Boots. She has been the Stage Manager at TimeLine Theatre for Rutherford and Son, Cardboard Piano, Master Class, To Catch a Fish, Boy and The Audience. Other Chicago Credits include: TimeLine Theatre A Disappearing Number, Sunset Baby, and Spill (Production Assistant); Goodman Theatre Smokefall, A Christmas Carol, and Rapture, Blister, Burn (Stage Management Intern). She comes from Kansas City, MO where she worked with the Coterie Theatre, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival and The Unicorn.

Emma Franklin is a freelance stage manager originally from Seattle. Chicago credits: Chicago Shakespeare Theater: I Banquo, I Cinna; First Floor Theater: Sugar in Our Wounds; Evanston Dance Ensemble: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Space Odyssey, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Regional: Ever in the Glades (Kennedy Center Family Theater, DC), Dolly Parton’s Smokey Mountain Christmas Carol (Colonial Theater, Boston). Film: What We Find in the Sea (LA Shorts International Film Festival selection). Emma graduated from Northwestern University, and spends her summers in Alaska as a commercial fisherman.

Alexander Coddington is a director, dramaturg, and artistic administrator originally from the rainy Pacific Northwest. Previous work in Chicago includes Macbeth (dir. Aaron Posner & Teller) at Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Pirandello’s Henry IV at Remy Bumppo Theatre Company. Regional credits include work on productions at Hartford Stage, Utah Shakespeare Festival, American Players Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, Next Act Theatre, UPROOTED Theatre, and Third Avenue Playhouse. Alex is the former Audience Development Coordinator at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre and is a past Directing Apprentice at Hartford Stage and Casting Intern at Chicago Shakespeare. He spent most of the pandemic living and working in beautiful Door County, Wisconsin.

Pemberley Productions is a partnership between Martin Platt, Doreen Sayegh, and Tim Smith. Pemberley tours work from Europe in the USA and work from the USA across the world. We also operate as general managers for commercial theatre productions in New York, Chicago and on tour in the USA. In 2019 and 2020, we were thrilled that over 200,000 people saw a show either general managed or produced by Pemberley.

Current and upcoming projects include: The Woman in Black at The McKittrick Hotel, NYC; How the Hell Did I Get Here, starring Leslie Nicol at Pittsburgh Public Theater and on tour; Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at The Ahmanson Theater, Los Angeles; and the final in Richard Nelson’s 12-play Rhinebeck Panorama: What Happened?: The Michaels Abroad at Hunter Theater Project, NYC. www.pemberleyproductions.com

Donald Cameron Clark, Jr., Esq. is a renaissance man who believes in the power of storytelling, whether to a jury, in a theater, or to his grandchildren. Clark began his professional career as a trial attorney at some of Chicago’s most venerable law firms. His memoir, Summary Judgment, was recently published. Clark is Executive Producer of the award-winning feature film “Guest Artist,” written by and starring Jeff Daniels. He produces plays on Broadway and in regional theaters. Clark co-owns the Chicago Magic Lounge—a nightlife venue that is top rated on TripAdvisor and one of “Chicago’s Best” according to Chicago Magazine.

Donaldcameronclarkjr.com