Kamille Dawkins (Montgomery/et al)
Kamille (she/they) is a Chicago based theater artist and artistic director of Strawdog Theatre Company. Previous works include: Native Son, Cat’s Cradle at Lifeline Theatre, 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 Arts Foundation, and many others.
Cael Fevrius (Owusu/et al)
Cael makes his professional Chicago and Lifeline debut. Other recent credits include Charlemagne in Pippin (CCPA), Steward/ Cinderella’s Father in Into the Woods (CCPA), Tommy Ross in Carrie (Vero Beach Theatre Guild), and Rent (StageFright Academy). He has also facilitated the start of theatre company StageFright Academy, which is focused on increasing diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in his hometown of Fort Pierce, Florida. @ftc.fevrius
Anthony Kayer (Prof. Ogilvy/et al)
Anthony (he/they) joined Lifeline’s artistic ensemble in 2017 and is beyond excited to be back on stage with this incredible group of artists! Most recently, he was seen on the Lifeline stage in Cat’s Cradle (2023.) You may have also seen him at Lifeline in: Arnie the Doughnut (2011,) The Emperor’s New Threads, Lyle Finds His Mother, and Jane Eyre (2014.) Lifeline directing credits include: the world premieres of Extra Yarn and 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, Chicago Shakespeare, The Fly Honey Show, Lookingglass/Uniting Voices Chicago, Griffin Theatre, Next Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, inappropriate Theatre Company, and Lookingglass/Chicago Symphony Orchestra. “Keep looking up.” @cosmicferni
Amanda Link (Asst. Prof. Whitehurst)
Amanda joined Lifeline’s artistic ensemble in 2013. Most recently she adapted Leaf. Directing credits include Anna Karenina, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2019), Sparky!, The Velveteen Rabbit (2014), and The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! (2014). Acting credits include Click, Clack, Boo! A Tricky Treat, Duck For President (2008 and 2012), How To Survive A Fairy Tale, Dooby Dooby Moo, and Half Magic. Also at Lifeline, she has worked as choreographer, movement designer, dramaturg and assistant director. Amanda also performs with The Lifeline Storytelling Project. Other Chicago credits include work with Griffin Theatre, Factory Theater, Kasey Foster’s Dance Tribute Series, the side project, The Mill, The Anatomy Collective, and Sandbox Theatre Project. Amanda is featured in the podcast Remote. Amanda holds a BFA in Acting from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University and is also a graduate of the Conservatory Program at the Second City training center.
Jocelyn Maher (Dr. Wittington/et al)
Jocelyn is so grateful to return to Lifeline after last appearing in Cat’s Cradle. Recent credits include: A Lie of the Mind (Raven Theatre), Macbeth, Twelfth Night, Sense and Sensibility (Illinois Shakespeare Festival), and Cry It Out (Oil Lamp Theatre). Jocelyn holds a BA in Drama: Performance from the University of Washington and an MFA in acting from The Theatre School at DePaul. Love and thanks to M,D,L and Sunny.
Mark Mendelsohn (Prof. Wittington/et al)
Mark is delighted to be making his return to Chicago theater with Lifeline and War of the Worlds! Recent roles include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oberon/Theseus), God of Carnage (Michael), City of Good Abode (Mayor Henry Loeb), and The Odd Couple (Oscar). When not teaching high-school English or providing voiceovers for anime shows, Mark enjoys sifting through the used-LP bins at record stores, perfecting his espresso-making technique, and taking advantage of all the breweries in the Chicago area. As always, he sends bucketfuls of love and thanks to his family and friends for their support and encouragement, especially his wife, Christine.
Karla Serrato (Bautista/et al)
Karla (she/her) is thrilled to be making her Lifeline Theatre debut! Recent credits include: A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre), The Best Friggin’ Songs of The Second City and Deck the Hallmark (The Second City), Jeff nominated Somewhere Over The Border (Teatro Vista Productions), and Chicago Med, Season 10 (NBC). Karla is a proud Latine actor eager to continue seeing equity and inclusion in the performing arts. So much love to her amazingly supportive family. Karla is represented by Gray Talent Group and is a member of SAG-AFTRA. IG: @Karla__Serrato.
Mandy Walsh (Bronski/et al)
Mandy is over the moon returning to Lifeline after being seen in last season’s productions of Cat’s Cradle and Native Son! She has also previously appeared at Lifeline 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, and Lakeside Shakespeare in Frankfort, MI. She has also appeared on NBC’s Chicago Fire and in the upcoming short film Mandy is represented by the lovely folks at Big Mouth Talent, Inc.
Isa Guitian (U/S Bautista & Bronski/et al)
Isa (she/they) is excited to be working on her first show with Lifeline. Most recently, she spent two summers at Door Shakespeare, appearing in Emma, Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, and The Old Man and the Old Moon. Other regional credits include: Twelfth Night (Idaho Shakespeare Festival tour), Midsummer Night’s Dream (Montana Shakespeare in the Schools), Hamlet (Utah Shakespeare Festival Tour), A Christmas Carol (Guthrie Theater), and two seasons at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Isa has a BFA from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater Actor Training Program and is a proud native of Baltimore, MD.
Gary Henderson (U/S Prof. Wittington & Prof. Ogilvy/et al)
Gary (he/him) is over the moon to be back at Lifeline, where you may have last caught him going on as understudy in Neverwhere as Richard Mayhew. Most recently, Gary worked with Idle Muse in The Tempest as Ariel. In Chicago, Gary has worked with First Folio Theatre, Birch House Immersive, The Goodman, and Lifeboat Productions. In January, Gary wrapped filming on The Black Cat: The Neverwhere Chronicles, making its premier in October 2025. Thanks to the cast and crew of War of the Worlds for this incredible show! Thanks to Reggie for the tireless hours running lines, the loving assistance setting up and taking down the ring light and backdrop for video auditions (again, and again), and being the most patient audition reader I’ve ever known. Gary is proudly represented by BMG Talent.
Charlie Irving (Asst. Prof. Whitehurst & Dr. Wittington/et al)
Charlie (she/they) is a Jeff-nominated actor based here in Chicago. Charlie is excited to be working for the first time with Lifeline Theatre! Charlie is a company member of New American Folk Theater and has worked with others like TUTA, The Artistic Home, Invictus Theatre, The Factory Theater, The New Coordinates, Redtwist and more. Thank you to my family, friends, Josiah and LR for all your support.
Ethan Miles Perry (U/S Montgomery & Uwusu/et al)
Ethan is a Chicago based actor from Detroit, Michigan. He got his B.F.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign in 2019. For theatre work, he was an Acting Apprentice for American Players Theater’s 2022 summer season in Hamlet (dir. Jim DeVita), Sense & Sensibility (dir. Marti Lyons), and A Raisin in the Sun (dir. Tasia A. Jones) as a part of the Montana Shakespeare in the School’s Much Ado About Nothing (dir. Melanie Keller) and various shows at Illinois Theatre. For TV/Film work, he was on Empire (FOX).
John Hildreth (Adaptor)
John has been a Lifeline ensemble member since 1999. He adapted Cat’s Cradle (2023) (Non-Equity Jeff Award: New Adaptation), Watership Down, Treasure Island, Johnny Tremain (Non-Equity Jeff Award: New Adaptation), The Sirens of Titan, Cat’s Cradle (2001) and Around the World in 80 Days (Non-Equity Jeff Award: New Adaptation). He directed the MainStage productions of Crossing California, The Shadow and Scary Home Companion, and the KidSeries productions of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (2009) and Rumpelstiltskin Revisited. John also appeared in the 2004 KidSeries productions of Bunnicula and Snowflake Tim’s Big Holiday Adventure.
Heather Currie (Director)
Heather is the Managing Producer and a longtime member of the Artistic Ensemble at Lifeline Theatre in Chicago. Most recently directing (Jeff nomination) the production of John Hildreth’s Jeff Award winning adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle. At Lifeline: Sense and Sensibility (Audio Drama,) You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy?, One Came Home, The Time Warp Trio, Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters. Other directing credits include: Into the Woods, Spring Awakening, Spamalot, Always Plenty of Light at the Starlight All Night Diner, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Ms. Currie holds an M.F.A. in Acting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has been teaching theatre and film in higher education for 30 years and currently teaches in the department of Cinema and Television Arts at Columbia College Chicago.
Miranda Coble (Stage Manager)
Miranda (she/her) is a huge sci-fi nerd who is thrilled to be joining this incredible artistic team! She bills herself as a multidisciplinary artist focused on directing, lighting and sound design with a splash of acting. Miranda has trained with Moscow Art Theater and SITI Company, where her love for physical theater only grew. Some favorite credits include: Twelve Angry Jurors (Director), Lightning Thief (Director), Titus Andronkids! (Tammy), and Poor People! (Sound Designer). She has had the pleasure of working with Facility Theater, Hell in a Handbag, Mudlark Theater, Corn Productions, Cleveland Public Theater, and the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival.
Aly Amidei (Costume Designer)
Aly is an Associate Professor of Costume Design and the Associate Chair of the Department of Theatre and Drama at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a costume designer and playwright focusing on new works and re-envisioned classics. She has designed at Strawdog Theatre, Steep Theatre, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Children’s Theatre of Madison, Michigan Shakespeare Festival, and Irish Theatre of Chicago, to name a few. Favorite Lifeline designs include: Northanger Abbey, Emma, Neverwhere (2018), Cat’s Cradle, Watership Down, Three Musketeers, Soon I Will Be Invincible, Count of Monte Cristo, and The Woman in White. She also has designed costumes and did the adaptation on two children’s plays: Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters and Bunny’s Book Club. Previously, she worked for fifteen years as the costume and makeup coordinator for the College of DuPage theater and dance department and as a professor at UNC-Charlotte for seven years.
Rebecca Dose (Asst. Stage Manager)
Rebecca is thrilled to be working on her first show on Lifeline Theatre’s MainStage! Rebecca is a Chicago-based stage manager, working with several companies throughout the city. Her most recent work includes stage managing with Blue Man Group Chicago, Chicago Humanities, and Magik Theatre in San Antonio, Texas.
Joe Griffin (Sound Designer/Composer)
Joe (he/him) has been a recording engineer/sound designer for over 30 years. He recently completed music and composition work on Fahrenheit 451, his 25th show at Moraine Valley Community College. Other design work includes: Commedia Beauregard’s Bard Fiction and A Klingon Christmas Carol, These Shining Lives at Oakton Community College, and Coronado at Steep Theatre. Joe is thrilled to be back at Lifeline Theatre, where he sound-designed You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? and The Time Warp Trio.
Lindsay Mummert (Scenic Designer)
Lindsay is thrilled to be back at Lifeline. Regional Theatre: Sherwood: The Adventures of Robinhood (St. Louis Repertory), Barefoot in the Park (Peninsula Players). Chicago Credits: Spay (Jeff Award Nominee), A Mile in the Dark (Rivendell Theatre), Ironbound (Raven Theatre), Cat’s Cradle (Lifeline Theatre). She was the assistant scenic designer for Peter and the Starcatcher (OSF), Relentless (Timeline Theatre+The Goodman), A Raisin in the Sun and Skeleton Crew (Guthrie Theatre), Two Trains Running, Arsenic and Old Lace, East Texas Hot Links (Court Theatre). Off Broadway/Tour credits: Between Two Knees (Associate Scenic Designer, PACNYC, Seattle Rep, Yale Rep, McCarter Center). Film/TV: Netflix’s Zero Day and Happy Gilmore 2 (Assistant Art Director). Education: B.F.A. in Scenic Design from The Theatre School at DePaul University. More at lindsaymummert.com.
Harrison Ornelas (Technical Director)
Jenny Pinson (Props Designer)
This is Jenny’s seventh production with Lifeline having previously served as Props Designer on Fable-ous, Arnie the Doughnut, You Think it’s Easy Being a Tooth Fairy, The Man Who Was Thursday, The Time Warp Trio, and Bunny’s Book Club. She has also designed props at Emerald City (Hansel and Gretel, Dr. Doolittle, Cinderella, Peter Pan), Route 66 (High Fidelity: The Musical), Oakton Community College (A Flea in Her Ear, M. Butterfly, Harvest), Drury Lane Oakbrook (Thoroughly Modern Millie, High School Musical), American Theater Company (Disgraced), Theater Wit (The North Plan), A New Colony (Rewilding Genius), Steep Theatre (Posh, Birdland, Pomona), About Face Theatre (After All the Terrible Things I Do, The Secretaries), Light Opera Works (Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady), Remy Bumppo (Seascape, Pygmalion), and A Red Orchid Theatre (Pilgrim’s Progress, Small Mouth Sounds), Victory Gardens Theater (The First Deep Breath) as well as many productions at The University of Chicago where she is the Props Manager for the Theater and Performance Studies program.
Sarah Riffle (Lighting Designer)
Some of her most recent shows include Cat’s Cradle (Lifeline Theater) 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 (HGO, LOKC, 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.
Avery Spellymeyer (Lighting Supervisor)
Christopher Vizurraga (Producing Director)
Christopher has been with the artistic ensemble since 2021. He made his first appearance on the Lifeline Stage in 2015 with Miss Buncle’s Book. Since then, he’s been seen on Lifeline’s stage in Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters, Giggle Giggle Quack [2018 Tour], Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile [2019], and Middle Passage [2022]. He’s also been in the cast of Lifeline’s audio drama adaptations of Sense and Sensibility and Click Clack Moo, and was the assistant director for Dooby Dooby Moo [2023]. Other regional credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and I <3 Juliet (Illinois Shakespeare Festival), Captain Blood and Women in Jeopardy (First Folio Theater), Macbeth, Pericles and A Flea in Her Ear (Michigan Shakespeare Festival), A Q Brothers’ Christmas Carol for two seasons (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), One Man, Two Guv’nors (Court Theater), Pirandello’s Henry IV (Remy Bumppo), Titus Andronicus (Haven Chicago), and many more. He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Shorter College, and was an Emerging Professional Resident with Milwaukee Repertory Theater in 2013/14.
Ellinora Wondra (Costume Assistant)
Ellinora is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned a double major in Textiles & Fashion and Theatre & Drama. She is currently designing Treasure Island at Festival Theatre and serving as assistant costumer on Peter Pan and Excalibur with First Act Children’s Theatre. Recent credits include costume designing Spring Awakening at UW–Madison, where she also performed and collaborated on multiple productions as an actor, assistant designer, and wardrobe supervisor. Her past roles include Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Joan Watson in Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson, and assistant costume designer on Orlando. Outside of the theatre, Ellinora enjoys exploring innovative and sustainable approaches to costume and fashion design.
