Shelby Lynn Bias (Mona, Mrs. Minton, Ms. Pefko)
Shelby Lynn Bias was previously seen on the Lifeline stage as Isadora in Middle Passage (2020/2022) and Eleanor Tilney in Northanger Abbey. She has had the pleasure of working with Northlight Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and most recently First Folio where she played Jo March in Little Women. A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, her international credits include Phoebe in As You Like It at Bard in the Botanics. Shelby is a member of the Lifeline Ensemble.
Patrick Blashill (Felix, Mr. Crosby, et al)
Patrick is an ensemble member since 1994 and has been in 30+ productions over the years. Some favorites include The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Bilbo and Frodo), Neverwhere (Old Bailey), Piano Tuner (Edgar/After Dark award), Pistols for Two (Tom), and Midnight Cowboy (Towny). Chicago credits include Choir Boy (Steppenwolf- U/S) Much Ado about Nothing (Oak Park Festival Theatre), Long Days Journey into Night (Eclipse Theatre), The Harvest, Journey’s End (Griffin Theatre), May the Road Rise Up, The Kelly Girls (Factory Theatre), The God of Isaac (Victory Gardens), Eurydice (Filament Theatre), Emma (Reverie Theatre). Films include Visiting Friends, The Dancing Monkey. TV appearances include Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, Empire. Patrick is represented by Gray Talent Group.
Tony Bozzuto (Jonah)
Tony has been an actor in Chicago for 15 years. Some of his stage credits include The Internationalist at Steppenwolf, Who’s Body and The Island of Dr. Moreau at Lifeline Theatre, Skin Tight with COR Theatre and On An Average Day with BackStage Theatre for which he received a Jeff Nomination. His television and film credits include Chicago Fire (NBC), Boss (NBC), Crisis(NBC), commercials for the NFL, T-Mobile as well as Animator (Film) and The Good Fight Series (YouTube and Vimeo).
Anthony Kayer (Dr. Asa Breed, Marvin Breed, et al)
Anthony (he/they) has been a member of Lifeline’s artistic ensemble since 2017 and is beyond excited to be back on stage with such a great group of folks! Most recently, he directed Lifeline’s world premiere of Extra Yarn earlier this Winter. You may have also seen Anthony at Lifeline in: Arnie the Doughnut (2011,) The Emperor’s New Threads, Lyle Finds His Mother, and Jane Eyre (2014.) Other Lifeline directing credits include: the world premiere of Bunny’s Book Club, Bunnicula (2018), and Assistant Director for Northanger Abbey (Non-Equity Jeff Award: New Work-Musical.) Other Chicago credits include work with Steppenwolf (The March), Chicago Shakespeare (Elizabeth Rex), Lookingglass/Uniting Voices Chicago (Sita Ram), Next Theatre (Iphigenia 2.0), the House Theatre of Chicago (The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz, u/s), inappropriate Theatre Company (R&J: a techno ballet, (the)Forget_Me\Knot,) and Assistant Directing with Lookingglass/Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Adventures with Aladdin.)
Vic Kuligoski (Franklin Hoenikker, Jack, Mr. Knowles)
Vic is thrilled to be making his Lifeline Theatre debut! His most recent credits include; The Kelly Girls, Last Night In Karaoke Town and May The Road Rise Up at The Factory Theater. Other Theatre credits in Chicago include; Christmas at Pemberley with Northlight Theatre, and Cloud 9 with Eclipse Theatre. Film and Television credits include Aaron Sorkin’s, “The Trial of The Chicago 7” on Netflix, Felix Pinero’s, “Adjunto,” “Night Sky” on Amazon Prime, Matt Everett’s Indie short film, “You Can Go Home Whenever You Want” and Jennifer Reeder’s upcoming Feature Film, “Perpetrator” which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival in NYC and will be streaming on Shudder this September. Vic also enjoys playing guitar and seeing concerts in the summer. He would like to thank his Friends, Family and his partner Jane for all of their support. Vic is represented by Grossman and Jack Talent.
Shea Lee (Newt)
Shea Lee returns to Lifeline, where she has also been seen in the KidSeries productions of Extra Yarn and You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? as well as the Lifeline national tour of Giggle Giggle Quack. Other favorite credits include Mr. Kotomoto is Definitely Not White (NoMads Art Collective), Over My Dead Body (Laughing Stock Theatre), and StarDog (independent). Shea is an alumna of Northwestern University, where her focuses included musical theatre, theatre for young audiences, and Asian American studies. She is also a founding ensemble member of Laughing Stock Theatre, Chicago’s premiere Commedia dell’Arte theatre company. Shea is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent.
Jocelyn Maher (Angela, Mr. Minton, et al)
Jocelyn is very grateful to be making her Lifeline and professional Chicago theatre debut with Cat’s Cradle! Having relocated to Chicago from the Seattle area where she was born and raised, Jocelyn has had the privilege of working with such theatre companies as ACT, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Book-It Repertory Theatre, Seattle Public Theater and The Horse in Motion. She holds her MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University and is proudly repped by DDO-Chicago. www.jocelynmaher.com
Mandy Walsh (Mrs. Crosby, Sandra, et al)
Mandy happily returns to Lifeline where she has previously been seen as Watson in both productions of Miss Holmes and Miss Holmes Returns, as well as Monstrous Regiment, Watership Down, and The Count of Monte Cristo (U/S). Other Chicago area credits include work with Paramount Theatre, A Red Orchid Theatre, 16th Street Theatre, Windy City Playhouse, WildClaw Theatre, The Factory Theater, and more. Regionally she has performed at Dunes Summer Theatre in Michigan City, IN. She has also appeared on NBC’s Chicago Fire and in the upcoming short film I Wish I Were Pretty. Mandy is represented by the lovely folks at Big Mouth Talent, Inc. www.mandywalsh.com
Johnard Washington (Bokonon, L. Boyd Johnson, Papa Manzano)
Johnard is thrilled to be working with Lifeline for the first time in Cat’s Cradle. Other credits–in no particular order–include. THIRST (Strawdog theatre-BTAA Nomination Best Featured Actor); AT THE TABLE (Broken Nose Theatre-Jeff Award Best Ensemble); GROSS INDECENCY (Promethean Theatre); HAND IN HAND (Akvavit Theatre); HOW WE GOT ON (Citadel Theatre); OUR LADY of 121st St. (Kitchendog Theatre-Dallas); THE HAIRY APE, THE AMERICAN DREAM IS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO (Oracle Productions); A HEDDA GABBLER, THE WALK ACROSS AMERICA FOR MOTHER EARTH, LEAR, THE SKRIKER, ELEPHANTS GRAVEYARD (Red Tape Theatre) Also: two awesome understudy gigs at Steppenwolf (KING JAMES and THE COMPASS.) SMU Grad. School at Steppenwolf. Ensemble member of Strawdog Theatre and Bramble Theatre Company. Stewart Talent. @johnardw
Gerrit Wilford (U/S Jonah)
Gerrit Wilford is ecstatic to be returning to Lifeline Theatre as a part of this amazing team! He has previously appeared at Lifeline as McGaffin and Quackenbush in the 2022 remount of The Middle Passage. Other Chicago theatre credits include: Hay Fever (City Lit Theatre) and The Secret Council (First Folio Theatre); regional theatre credits include: Much Ado About Nothing (Montana Shakespeare in the Parks), Othello, As You Like It, Into the Woods, and The Girl Who Cried Throgmonster (Texas Shakespeare Festival). He hopes you all enjoy this wonderful, wild ride of a show!
Reginald Hemphill (U/S Bokonon, L. Boyd Johnson, et al)
Reginald is a Chicago based actor excited to work with on Cat’s Cradle understudying Bokonon, Papa Monzano and L. Boyd Johnson. His recent credits include House Musical (Johnny) (Campsong Productions), Muffed (Company Leader) (Three Brothers), Twelfth Night (Sir Toby Belch) (Midsommer Flight), The HOA (Patrick) (Factory Theatre), Summer and Smoke (Archie Kramer) (Violet Sky Productions), and N (Deshaun) (GLP Productions). Reginald is currently represented by Actors Talent Group.
Rachel Silvert (U/S Mrs Crosby, Sandra, Angela, Mr Minton, et al)
Rachel Silvert is a Chicago-based actor, singer, and storyteller, and she is absolutely thrilled to get to play with the incredible folk of Lifeline Theater. Favorite credits include Women in Jeopardy! (Liz), A Kind of Love Story (Ally), Par for the Corpse (Andy), and she recently remounted her one-woman cabaret, Love Songs are Weird, and other reasons I’m single at Davenport’s Piano Bar to a sold-out audience. Rachel earned her BA in musical theater performance from American University. Represented by Promote Talent Agency. Enjoy the show! www.rachelsilvert.com @raysilv13
Orion Lay-Sleeper (U/S Felix Hoenikker, Mr. Crosby, et al)
Orion Lay-Sleeper is thrilled to be tied into the string game that is Cat’s Cradle. He has been performing in this ‘storming, husky, brawling city’ for a decade now, and has worked in theatre, film, and television throughout Chicago. Recent credits include The Last Queen of Camelot with Idle Muse Theatre, and Oak Park Festival Theatre’s The Tempest. He can also be seen on Chicago PD (NBC) and Easy(Netflix). A graduate of the Royall Tyler Theatre program at the University of Vermont, he also studied theatre at the University of King’s College, Halifax, Nova Scotia and at Ruota Libera Teatro, Rome. Orion has worked as a clown and circus arts educator in Chicago and teaches and directs Shakespeare in Vermont. You can follow his work at https://orionlaysleeper.weebly.com/
Kamille Dawkins (U/S Mona, Ms. Pefko, and Mrs. Minton)
Kamille Dawkins is a Chicago based theater artist and the artistic director of Strawdog Theatre Company. This is Kamille’s first show with Lifeline Theatre. Previous works include: The Revolutionists, Pillars of Community, Barbecue at Strawdog Theatre, Gender Breakdown at Collaboraction Theatre, Hand in Hand at Akvavit Theatre, Pinocchio The Folk Musical at Filament Theatre, If Scrooge Was A Brother at ETA Creative ArtsFoundation, and many others.
Kurt Vonnegut (Author of Cat's Cradle)
Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 11, 1922. After attending Cornell University from 1941-43 Vonnegut served in World War II and was captured during the Battle of the Bulge. As a prisoner of war, he survived the firebombing of Dresden by Allied forces on 13 February, 1945 in an underground meat-storage cellar. After returning from the war Vonnegut attended the University of Chicago as a graduate student in anthropology. Vonnegut’s first-hand experiences of Dresden, one of the darkest episodes in human history, would later provide the basis for Slaughterhouse Five (1969). With the publication of his fourth novel, Cat’s Cradle (1963), Vonnegut began to draw serious critical attention and broader popular appeal. Graham Greene’s assessment of the book as “one of the three best novels of the year by one of the most able living writers” presaged the serious critical attention Vonnegut’s later works would draw, not merely as genre fiction but as important, even formative, contributions to an ever-growing body of postmodern literature. Elements of pathos, fantasy, didacticism and dark humor merge in Vonnegut’s novels to provide an arresting mixture of entertainment and biting social critique. John Updike has praised Vonnegut as a rare “imaginer, as distinguished from a reporter or a self-dramatizer,” while Jay MacInerny describes him as “a satirist with a heart, a moralist with a whoopee cushion, a cynic who wants to believe. His fiercest social criticism is usually disguised in parable.” One theme that emerges consistently in Vonnegut’s works is the importance of basic human decency in a world of madness, chaos and pain. The best of his novels have left an indelible print on our literary landscape, inspiring generations of imitators, but no equals. A book that left an indelible mark on an entire generation of readers, Cat’s Cradle is one of the twentieth century’s most important works—and Vonnegut at his very best.
John Hildreth (Adaptor/ Playwright )
Previously at Lifeline John adapted Watership Down, Treasure Island, The Sirens of Titan, Johnny Tremain (2006 Non-Equity Joseph Jefferson award for New Adaptation), Around the World in 80 Days (2003 Non-Equity Joseph Jefferson award for New Adaptation), and Cat’s Cradle (2001). He also directed Crossing California, The Shadow, Rumplestiltskin Revisited, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (2009) and Scary Home Companion, and performed in Bunnicula (2004) and Snowflake Tim’s Big Holiday Adventure (2005). John lives in the NorthCenter neighborhood with his wife Kate and dog Millie.
Heather Currie (Director)
Heather is a member of the artistic ensemble at Lifeline Theatre, where she is an actor, director, and playwright; most recently directing the world premiere of the 6-part audio drama Sense & Sensibility, last season’s Dooby Dooby Moo and she cowrote, directed and choreographed You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? Recent Directing credits: Loki At the End of the World (CCPA), Spamalot (Wilmette Summer at the Bowl), Steel Magnolias (Big Noise Theatre). Favorite acting credits: Assassins (Studio Theatre at Tierra Del Sol); One Came Home, Duck for President, Mr. Popper’s Penguins (Lifeline Theatre); Godspell (Circle Theatre); and playing the Wicked Witch in WOZ: A Rock Cabaret featuring Andre De Shields (Victory Gardens Theater). Ms. Currie holds an M.F.A. in Acting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and teaches screenwriting in the department of Cinema and Television Arts at Columbia College Chicago.
Hanna Smaglis (Stage Manager)
Hanna is a stage manager and theatrical creator from Jacksonville, FL who is passionate about unconventional works and community-based art. Having recently earned a Bachelor’s degree in both Theatre and Spanish, Hanna continues to grow as a manager and collaborator anywhere off the stage; whether in the wings, a shop or a booth. Her most recent credit is crew member for Lucy and Charlie’s Honeymoon at Lookingglass Theatre. Previous credits in the DMV area include: Mlima’s Tale (SM) and The Rainmaker (SM) at 1st Stage Theater. Hanna is currently based in Chicago, IL.
Aly Amidei ((Costume Designer))
Aly is the Assistant Professor of Design at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an MFA in Costume Design from Carnegie Mellon University in 2000. She is an ensemble member, designer, and playwright at two pillars of Chicago ensemble-based storefront theatre: Strawdog Theatre Company and Lifeline Theatre. She was also a founding member and the artistic director for the horror theatre company WildClaw. Her costume and makeup designs have been featured at Steep Theatre, Michigan Shakespeare Festival, Magic Theatre of San Antonio, Lakeside Shakespeare, Irish Theater of Chicago, Buffalo Theater Ensemble, Dupage Opera, Stage Left, Artistic Home, House Theater of Chicago, Teatro Vista, Collaboraction, and Vitalist Theater.She worked for 15 years as the costume and makeup coordinator for the College of DuPage theater and dance department and as a professor at UNC-Charlotte for 7 years.
Saskia Bakker ((Props Designer))
Saskia is very proud to be making her Lifeline Theatre debut. Other recent credits include props design for The Dream King (Teatro Vista), props design for Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus (Young People’s Theatre), and puppet fabrication assistant for House of the Exquisite Corpse (Rough House Theatre). Saskia is a multi-faceted artist with experience in directing, puppetry, playwriting, and scenic design in addition to her props design expertise. You can see more of her work at saskiajbakker.com.
Addoris Davis ((Production Manager))
Adi is the production manager for Lifeline Theatre. Chicago credits include production management for The Jigsaw Bride (First Folio Theatre), The Secret Council (First Folio Theatre), Jeeves Intervenes (First Folio Theatre), Little Women (First Folio Theatre), and Neither Have I Wings To Fly (First Folio Theatre), Anna in the Tropics (Remy Bumppo Theatre Company [co-production manager]), Galileo’s Daughter (Remy Bumppo Theatre Company), and Lifeline Theatre’s From the Mississippi Delta. Originally from Alaska, they have worked as a stage manager for Cyrano’s Theatre Company, Anchorage Community Theatre, Alaska Fine Arts Academy, Pier One Theatre, and the University of Alaska.
Lindsay Mummert ((Scenic Designer))
Lindsay hails from Chicago and is excited to be working with Lifetime for the first time. Her recent credits include Spay (Rivendell), Gypsy (MTH Kansas City) A Mile in the Dark (Interrobang/Rivendell), At The Vanishing Point (The Gift), Innogen (Forest Park Shakes), Water By the Spoonful & A Wrinkle in Time (DePaul). Assistant design credits include Relentless (Timeline), Two Trains Running & Arsenic and Old Lace (Court), Nina Simone: Four Women (South Coast Rep), Between Two Knees (Yale Rep, McCarter, Seattle Rep), When Harry Met Rehab (Greenhouse), Mrs. Harrison (Indiana Rep), Peter and the Starcatcher (Oregon Shakes), and A Raisin in the Sun (Guthrie). She is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. More at lindsaymummert.com.
Ava Niemi ((Assistant Production Manager))
Ava Niemi is excited to be working with Lifeline for the first time! She is a recent graduate of Loyola University Chicago with a BA in theatre and political science. She has previously served as the assistant stage manager for Shaw vs. Tunney at Theater Wit. During her time at Loyola, Ava worked in the DFPA production office and was the production stage manager for The Old Man and the Old Moon. Ava would like to thank her family for their support.
Harrison Ornelas ((Technical Director))
Harrison was born and raised on the north side of Chicago. After graduating from Columbia College in 2015 Harrison has been Technical Directing for theater all over the city including Akvavit, Redtwist Theatre, Strawdog Theatre Co., Silkroad Rising, A Red Orchid, UrbanTheater, Red Tape Theater, Theater Wit, and Shattered Globe, just to name a few. He has also been the staff TD for the past three seasons at Theater on the Lake. Harrison is thrilled to now be working with Lifeline. Harrison is always looking for his next collaboration and creative challenge wherever his skills are needed.
NaVada Reed ((Assistant Stage Manager))
NaVada is so excited to be working on this show along with some amazing artists and even better friends, new and old! She is a Chicago-based artist and a graduate from Cardinal Stritch University with a BFA in Technical Theatre. Stage Management is NaVada’s second true love with traveling being the first and she hopes this show takes you on one fun ride where you may experience a turbulence of laughter. She wants to give a huge shoutout to all her friends and family for supporting her dreams always, especially Mom and Dad, Love you! @adavan_
Sarah Riffle ((Lighting Designer))
Sarah’s most recent shows include Little Women (First Folio), L’Elisir D’Amore (Lyric Opera Chicago,) West Side Story (Opera San Jose,) The Queen of Spades (Des Moines Metro Opera), La Hija de Rappaccini (Chicago Opera Theater,) and The Sound of Music (Arizona Opera.) Sarah has designed and worked for such companies as Tribeca Performing Arts Center, New York City Opera, and The New York Botanical Garden, Chatauqua Opera, Joffrey Ballet, Urban Arias in DC, BalletMet Columbus and Opera Orlando. She regularly works for Lyric Opera Chicago as a staff assistant and all her work can be seen at slriffledesign.com.
Stefanie Senior ((Sound Designer))
Stefanie is a freelance sound designer based in Chicago. Previous Lifeline Credits: Whose Body. Recent Chicago credits include: Passing Strange (Theo Ubique), Rock of Ages (Mercury Theatre), Be Mean To Me (Northwestern), Somewhere Over the Border, Enough To Let the Light In (Teatro Vista); Locusts (The Gift); Refuge (Theo Ubique). Regional: Ada and the Engine (Constellation Stage & Screen), The Inferior Sex (Trinity Rep). She also works on the podcast I’ve Been Meaning To Listen To That.
