Calvin Adams (Archduke/Pa/Sneebles/Mr. Crabtree/Johnny)
Calvin is thrilled to be making his debut at Lifeline, and the Chicago theater scene at large. He most recently worked on a tour of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, where he also performed in their high school educational tour of Much Ado About Nothing. In Minnesota, where he is from originally, he has also worked with The Guthrie Theater, The Playwright’s Center, The Mystery Cafe, Fearless Productions and Park Square Theater. He is a proud graduate of The University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program. You can also find his instrumental music under his name on all streaming platforms. It’s the perfect music to knit to.
Amanda de la Guardia (Ma/Nate/Ms. Doom/Dr. Gibbons)
Amanda (she/her) joyfully returns to Lifeline Theatre after a pesky pandemic interrupted her previous appearance as Governor Bunny in Neither. Past Chicago credits include: Auntie Drosselmeyer, The Nutcracker (The House Theatre of Chicago), Melody, X Marks the Spot (Chicago Children’s Theatre) Judge Goll, Fear and Misery in the Third Reich (Haven Theatre Co.), Glinda Witch of the North, The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz (The House Theatre of Chicago), Actor 1 & 4 (performing u/s), United Flight 232 (The House Theatre of Chicago), Agnes Eggling, A Bright Room Called Day (Spartan Theatre Co.), and Little Maria, Living Large in a Mini Kind of Way (Teatro Luna/16th St. Theatre).
Bradley Halverson (Mars/Mr. Gloom/Mr. Norman)
Bradley (they/them) is excited to be on the Lifeline stage for the first time. Most recently Bradley was seen as Louise in Private Lives (Raven Theatre), Harriet Smith/Miss Bates in Jane Austen’s Emma (First Folio Theatre), and Rabbit in Winnie-the-Pooh (Littlebrain Theatre). They have performed with other Chicago area theaters such as First Floor Theater, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Refuge Theatre Project, Brown Paper Box Co, and many others. Bradley earned their BFA in Musical Theatre from CCPA at Roosevelt University and is proudly represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent.
Shea Lee (Annabelle)
Shea is over the moon to be back working with Lifeline Theatre. She is a graduate of Northwestern University, where her focuses included musical theatre, theatre for young audiences, and Asian American studies. Favorite credits include Giggle Giggle Quack (Lifeline Theatre national tour), Mr. Kotomoto is Definitely Not White (NoMads Art Collective), The Conductors (Kerfuffle TVY), and most recently, Over My Dead Body (Laughing Stock Theatre). She is also a founding member of Laughing Stock Theatre, Chicago’s premiere Commedia dell’Arte theatre company. Shea is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent.
Alexander Christie (U/S Mars/Mr. Gloom/Mr. Norman)
Alexander (he/him) is excited to make his Lifeline Theatre debut with Extra Yarn! He is a recent graduate of Northwestern University where he studied theatre, sociology, and acting for the screen. Originally from Rochester, NY, he formed a strong relationship with Geva Theatre Center where he trained and most recently taught young artists through their summer academy program. Previous credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Blackfriars Theatre), White Christmas (Music Theater Works), and Something Rotten (Northwestern). He would like to thank his roommates, his family, and especially Marguerite for all their support! Website: alexanderjchristie.com.
Bryan Kravitz (U/S Archduke/Pa/Sneebles/Mr. Crabtree/Johnny)
Bryan is so excited to get a chance to debut with Lifeline Theatre on such a fun production. His recent credits include: Creating Arthur (Theater Wit), Frost/Nixon (Redtwist Theatre), as well as Proof and Glass Menagerie at Colorbox Theatre. He is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago as well as The Second City’s conservatory program.
Gaby Labotka (U/S Annabelle)
Gaby (she/they/anything respectful) is a Chicago-based, multi-disciplinary theatre artist who works as an actor, director, intimacy director, fight director, and choreographer across the country. She is a fierce advocate for respect, empathy, representation, inclusion, and safety in the theatre, and they are dedicated to making art that reflects that. They are so excited to finally be collaborating at Lifeline! Selected: Neverland (Peter Pan, Prop Thtr); Groups of Ten or More People (Roz/Co-Director/Co-Writer, Littlebrain Theatre); The Hammer Trinity (Rienne/Kathryn et al U/s, The House Theatre of Chicago); Peter and the Starcatcher (Swing, Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Training: Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), Pig Iron Advanced Performer Training, Illinois State University (BA, Acting and Directing with Exceptional Merit in the Arts), Intimacy Directors & Coordinators, Society of American Fight Directors. www.gabylabotka.com @Theatre_Warrior. Keep Smiling!
Mo Phillips-Spotts (U/S Ma/Nate/Ms. Doom/Dr. Gibbons)
Mo is excited to be a part of her first production at Lifeline! Recent credits include: Dopeness Presents: Black to the Future (Annoyance Theater), understudy for Together at Last (Second City MainStage) and the NBC Universal Bob Curry Showcase. You can see her performing around town with Baby Wants Candy, and ComedySportz Chicago.
Jessica Wright Buha (Adaptor)
A proud member of Lifeline’s artistic ensemble, Jessica’s previous adaptations include Anna Karenina, One Came Home, Sparky!, Lyle Finds His Mother, and We Found a Hat. Local credits include Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Portage Park (Filament Theatre), and War Song, Ulysses, and Circle House (the Plagiarists). Regional credits include Cinderella and SoundLab Live (co-productions of Filament Theatre & St. Louis Symphony Orchestra). International credits include: Sparky! (National Children’s Theatre, Johannesburg). She is also an award-winning audio dramatist, and the proud mama of seven-year-old Miles and four-year-old Molly.
John Szymanski (Composer)
This is John’s third show at Lifeline, where he previously worked on One Came Home and I Found A Hat also in collaboration with Jessica Wright Buha. Previous Chicago theatre credits include composing/music direction/sound design for Theatre Oobleck, the Factory Theatre, the Whiskey Radio Hour, the National Theatre of Scotland, Adventure Stage Chicago and The Neo-Futurists. John is also an active musician who has toured internationally, you may have seen him perform recently on various instruments with Jon Langford, Bethany Thomas, Rachel Drew, Emmy Bean, Even In Blackouts, Hushdrops and as an occasional solo artist.
Anthony Kayer (Director)
Anthony (he/they) joined Lifeline’s artistic ensemble in 2017 and is thrilled to be back at it after having last stage directed all the way back in 2020 with the world premiere of Bunny’s Book Club. Other Lifeline directing credits include: Bunnicula (2018), Assistant Director for Northanger Abbey (Non-Equity Jeff Award: New Work-Musical); as well as assistant directing with Lookingglass/Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Adventures with Aladdin). He first worked with Lifeline while he was pursuing his B.F.A. in Acting from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, starring as Mr. Bing in Arnie the Doughnut [2011] and has also acted in the Lifeline productions The Emperor’s New Threads, Lyle Finds His Mother, and Jane Eyre (2014.)
Adrian Griffey (Stage Manager/C.C.O.)
Adrian (he/him) is grateful to making his debut to Lifeline, and to the Chicago theatrical scene. A recent transplant from the South, Adrian is a Florida Native working at a variety of theatrical companies across the United States. Some of his credits include stage managing the 2022 production of A Christmas Carol for the Richmond Shakespeare Festival in Richmond, Indiana, where he is also an alumnus from the company, along with stage managing for theatrical companies down in Orlando, Florida. He has also worked for the 2021-2022 season at Two River Theater, in New Jersey, and worked for Arkansas Repertory Theatre in Little Rock, AR for their 2019-2020 season.
Noah Ginex (Puppet Designer)
Noah has building creatures and puppets in Chicago and around the country for over 20 years, and is so pleased to be returning to Lifeline for the fifth time. He previously built penguins for Mr. Popper’s Penguins (2015), a bunny for Bunnicula (2018), crocodiles for Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2019) and a trio of judges for last Fall’s Dooby Dooby Moo. You can find more of his work on Instagram @noahginexpuppetco, or his website, noahginex.com. Many thanks to Stephanie and to Maggie, the queen of Puppyland.
Jessie Gowens (Costume Designer)
Jessie is an independent Costume Designer and Wardrobe Supervisor. She received her Bachelor of Science in Technical Theater and Design. Since then, she has been working as the Resident Wardrobe Supervisor at DePaul University Theater School and designing freelance around the city. Most Recently worked on The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde with Idle Muse Theater and was nominated for a Jeff Award in the Costume Design category. Previously she worked with Theater Above the Law on their productions of Hench People, Digging Up Dessa, and Grimm (2021). Jessie also supervised Love Actually: The Unauthorized Parody Musical put on by Right Angle Theater at the Apollo Theater and Hurricane Diane put on by Wit Theatre.
Thee Ricky Harris (Music Director)
Thee Ricky Harris is a performer and music director throughout the city. He’s music directed The Tragedy of King Christophe (The House Theatre of Chicago), Drowsy Chaperone (Chicago Christian High School), Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (Strawdog Theatre), Broadway Bound Dance Class (All About Dance), First Deep Breathe (Victory Gardens Theatre), The House That Will Not Stand (Victory Gardens Theatre), Hoodoo Love (Raven Theatre), Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (Lifeline Theatre), Direct from Deathrow the Scottsboro Boys (Raven Theatre – Jeff Award for Best Ensemble), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Beverly Arts Center), to name a few. Follow @thee_ricky_harris to be in the know of everything going on in Chicago!
Emily Hayman (Sound Designer)
Emily is a Chicago-based sound designer and composer. This is Emily’s second design at Lifeline, where she also worked on Dooby Dooby Moo. Other recent sound design credits include: Men on Boats (Illinois Wesleyan University), The New Play Festival (Northwestern University); Squirrel Girl Goes to College, NEWSBREAK: an escape room, and Come Back, Little Sheba (DePaul University). Assistant sound design for New Stages (Goodman Theatre), The Notebook (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Seagull (Steppenwolf), and Choir Boy (Steppenwolf). Emily received her BFA in Sound Design from The Theatre School at DePaul University.
Becca Jeffords (Lighting Designer)
Becca is thrilled to be returning to Lifeline for Extra Yarn. Previously at Lifeline, she designed Bunnicula (2018), Neverwhere (2018), Arnie the Doughnut (2017), Sparky! and Soon I will be Invincible. Some Chicago credits include: At the Vanishing Point (The Gift); Private Lives, Sundown Yellow Moon, A Doll’s House, Nice Girl (Raven Theatre); A Snowy Day with Beatrix Potter, Wake Up Brother Bear (Chicago Children’s Theatre); Southern Gothic (Windy City Playhouse). She received her MFA in Lighting Design from Northwestern University and graduated from Columbus State University Summa Cum Laude in Production Design. For more information, visit www.beccajeffords.com.
Joe Johnson (Scenic Designer)
Joe is a recent graduate of the MFA design program at Northwestern, having earned is degree in scenery and costumes. Past work at Northwestern includes: Legally Blonde, The Glass Menagerie, Peerless, and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. His set design for Karel Capek’s The White Plague was selected to exhibit in the online gallery for the Prague Quadrennial Common Design Project of 2020. He also recently designed Marys Seacole with the Griffin Theatre Co. and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Madkap Productions in Skokie, IL. You can see more of Joe’s work on his instagram @joethomasjohnson or his website www.joethomasjohnson.com.
Sam Paulson (Properties Designer)
Sam is a prop designer working in television and theatre. Originally from Pennsylvania he has been in Chicago for the past 5 years. He graduated from Ithaca college with a bachelors in Cinema and Photography. This is his first production with Lifeline, and he has enjoyed the experience of working on an original production. Recently, he worked in the props department on Chicago Fire, The Shining Girls, as well as the ALDI seasonal campaign. He also worked in the production office on Justified: City Primeval and Station Eleven.
