Connar Brown Sprenger (Kitty)
Connar Brown Sprenger has performed on the Lifeline stage as a Cow (U/S Dooby Dooby Moo), as a Fluffy Chicken (Skunk and Badger), and is now excited to be a Kitty! Other recent Chicago credits include Black Comedy, Matt and Ben (Theatre Above the Law), The Tempest (Idle Muse Theatre Company), Poor People! The Parody Musical (Hell in a Handbag Productions), andThe Spongebob Musical (Kokandy Productions). When she’s not performing, she can be found annihilating an entire bag of sour candy. Connar is a proud ensemble member of Theatre Above the Law, and is grateful for her agents at NV Talent. Give her a follow @JGCBrown97.
Danny Andrew Bennett (Tom)
This is Danny’s second time on the Lifeline stage, you may have been able to catch him understudying Duck & Farmer Brown in Click Clack Boo! A Tricky Treat earlier this season. Some other recent credits include Catch Me If You Can (Little Theatre of the Rockies), as well as productions like Eurydice, The Duchess of Malfi, and The Imaginary Invalid at the University of Northern Colorado. @dankybankett
Katie Incardona (Mrs. Cuttingbalm)
Katie Incardona is delighted to be working at Lifeline again! Selected theatrical credits include Leaf (Lifeline Theatre), Happy Days Are Here (Again) (Steep Theatre), Drunk Shakespeare (Brassjar Productions), Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (Strawdog Theatre), The Ministry of Mundane Mysteries (Bramble Theatre), and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Filament Theatre). She has also performed in The Back Room Shakespeare Project’s Richard II and Julius Caesar. Katie has a BA in theatre from Northwestern University and is proudly represented by Big Mouth Talent. IG: @katieincardona @slaydndpod
Carter Sherman (Understudy Kitty)
Carter is making her Lifeline debut! Past credits include Nell Gwynn and The Lord of the Rings (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Go Dog Go/Ve Perro Ve (Chicago Children’s Theater), Miranda: A War-Torn Fable (Impostors Theater Company, *Jeff Nomination – Best Performer in a Short Run), A Christmas Carol (Metropolis Performing Arts Center), Heathers (Surging Films and Theatrics). Carter is also an impassioned intimacy choreographer, dedicated to improving rehearsal-room safety across the industry. carterrosesherman.com
Sazi Bhakti (Understudy Mrs. Cuttingbalm)
Anasazi is thrilled to be making her debut appearance at Lifeline theatre. Her Chicago credits include Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet (A Crew Patches), Comedy of Errors as their intimacy coordinator (Chicago Shakespeare Company), as well as performing on the stages of the Second City, iO Theater, and the Annoyance. Nationally and Internationally she has worked at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Island Shakespeare Festival and the HIN & WEG festival in Austria. She is currently developing a new show for Theater Unspeakable and is an alumni of École internationale de théâtre Jacques Lecoq (MFA).
Lukas Gassmann (Understudy Tom)
This is Lucas’ (he/they) first production with Lifeline Theatre! Originally from Houston, Texas, Lucas is a recent transplant to Chicago. Recent Chicago credit is The Day The Dogs Began To Talk (Thompson St. Opera Company). Other recent credits include Seance on A Wet Afternoon (Lone Star Lyric Theatre) & L’Italiana in Algeri (Opera in The Heights). As an active freelance performer & educator, Lucas performs as a vocalist and trumpet player in the genres of classical, jazz, and musical theatre. Lucas received his B.A. in Music from Sam Houston State University in Texas.
Calvin Adams (Director)
Calvin is so excited to be making his directorial debut with Lifeline Theatre after joining the ensemble in 2025. You may remember him from a previous KidSeries production, appearing on stage in Extra Yarn. He also performed in, as well as co-wrote/devised an immersive experimental show with multiple fellow ensemble members, including playwright Jessica Wright Buha, producing Stardog for Rhinofest 2023. Originally from Minnesota, where, after graduating from the U of MN/Guthrie Theater Actor Training Program, he worked with the Guthrie Theater, Park Square Theater and The Playwright’s Center. He then hit the road, acting and teaching theater essentials across the west for multiple years with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks and Utah Shakespeare Festival, all before settling here in Chicago, bringing this play to you. He loves this community and hopes this story can strengthen that same love in all of you.
Jess Wright Buha (Adaptor)
A proud member of Lifeline’s artistic ensemble, Jess Wright Buha’s previous adaptations include Anna Karenina, One Came Home, Lyle Finds His Mother, We Found a Hat, and Extra Yarn. Local credits include Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Portage Park (Filament Theatre), and War Song, Ulysses, and Circle House (the Plagiarists). Other credits include SoundLab Live, Powell Hall Playlist, Dance Party, and Magic Quest (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra) and Sparky! (National Children’s Theatre, Johannesburg). She also recently wrote a critically-acclaimed audio drama for Marvel Entertainment (X-Men: Age of Orchis, Radio Mode), and co-wrote Unwell: A Midwestern Gothic Mystery, which won the 2021 BBC Best Podcast Award. www.jesswrightbuha.com
John Szymanski (Composer)
John is happy to be back working on his fourth show at Lifeline, where he previously worked on One Came Home, I Found A Hat and Extra Yarn 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 a solo artist.
Bobbie Buie (Scenic Designer)
This is Bobbie’s first time working with Lifeline, as well as their premier Chicago design. Past credits include Hope Repertory Theatre (scenic and props design), Iowa Stage Theatre Company (scenic design), and Story Theatre Company (lighting design). Bobbie graduated from Iowa State University (BA, Performing Arts and BA, English) in 2025. Check out their portfolio and stay up to date on upcoming projects @bobbiebuiedesigns on Instagram, or on their website: bobbiebuie.com.
Reiley Duffy (Props Designer)
Reiley is excited to be doing her first show at Lifeline! This is Reiley’s second year in Chicago and she has worked at various theaters including A Christmas Carol at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, A Bright Room Called Day at Greenhouse Theater, and Avenue Q at Raue Center School for the Arts. Reiley has also worked with Norwegian Cruise Line on SIX, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, and Choir of Man. During her summers, Reiley is the Props Team Lead at Stagedoor Manor Training Arts Center, and has worked on shows such as SUFFS, Mean Girls, Radium Girls, and Little Shop of Horrors. In her free time, Reiley is an avid reader always looking for her next biography or historical fiction book. She also loves taking pictures of her cat Nino and her roommates cat Benny. Much love to her parents, Abby, and Siubhan.
Hannah Wien (Lighting Designer)
Hannah Wien is a multi nominated Jeff designer who is thrilled to be making her debut at Lifeline on such a fun and meaningful show. If you see theatre around the city, you may have seen Hannah’s work around town recently Macbeth at Invictus Theatre Company, Little Red Riding Hood at Actors Gym, resident designer for Identity Dance and many more. Hannah also frequents Mountain Theatre Company in North Carolina, having done their Holiday show, Forever Plaid and many more. They are stoked to be working on this adaptation, as they grew up in children’s theatre and have such a passion for teaching young kids this wonderful art.
Saawan Tiwari (Costume Designer)
Saawan Tiwari (Costume Designer) is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan. Beyond designing, they are a Corps member of the Good Apples Collective and a teaching artist. Credits: Off-Broadway- The Gospel According to Heather (Theatre 555). Additional credits –Smokefall (Wild Door Theater Company), Endlings (Hedgerow Theatre), The Seven (Juilliard School), Sex and the Abbey (Wiley Water Productions), Road Kills, Cunnicularii, Cityscrape (Good Apples Collective), Picher Project (Dixon Place), Sitayana (Waves of Love), Hip Hop Cinderella (New Victory Theatre), Bruise and Thorn (Pipeline Theatre Company). Saawan is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ and AAPI communities. saawandesigns.com
Emily Hayman (Sound Designer)
Jaime Nebeker (Puppet Designer)
Jaime moved to Chicago in February ‘24 from Boise, ID where she co-founded and operated HomeGrown Theatre for ten years. HGT is where she got her puppetry roots, producing the highly anticipated annual Horrific Puppet Affair. She and her sister are making puppet theatre and films under their newly formed company, Rubicon Studios. Notable projects include short films Lorelei (Strangecraft Productions) and Those Beneath the Ground (Rubicon Studios), short plays Unrecognizable World and Marv and Kathleen (Rubicon Studios) performed at the Chicago International Puppet Festival, and My Strange Darling (LED). Jaime wears many theatre making hats and as an actor has several upcoming projects: Dear Rhoda (Shakespeare Project of Chicago), Poor Behavior (Oil Lamp Theater), and will be returning for a second season with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks this summer. She is delighted to be working with her neighborhood theatre, Lifeline! jaimenebeker.com
Diane Fairchild (Production Manager)
Diane is a local and regional freelance lighting designer, and she has been an ensemble member of Lifeline Theatre since 2017. Diane has designed several productions at Lifeline including Click, Clack, Boo!, The Conductors, Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, Leaf, Skunk and Badger, Miss Holmes Returns, Whose Body?, Northanger Abbey, and Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters. Her work on Lifeline’s productions of A Tale of Two Cities and Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol was recognized with Non-Equity Jeff Awards. She holds an M.F.A. in Lighting Design from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and a B.F.A. in Design and Technology for the Theater from Wright State University in her hometown of Dayton, Ohio. While in New York, Ms. Fairchild designed at The Juilliard School, Dixon Place, New Georges, NYU’s Experimental Theatre Wing, HERE Arts Center, and Joyce Soho. In 2003, she moved to Chicago and dove into its rich theater scene. Chicago area credits include work with Rivendell (ensemble), Academy of Movement and Music, MOMENTA, Irish Theatre of Chicago, Raven, Teatro Vista, Wilmette Parks District, Theater Wit, Northlight, Court, Sideshow, and Victory Gardens. She also designs and mentors design students at Wheaton College, Grant Community High School, and C.A.S.T (Communication, Arts, Speech and Theatre: Percy Julian Middle School). Regional credits include work with Michigan Shakespeare Festival, The Human Race, 1st Stage (Tysons Corner), City Theatre, Intiman, Trinity Rep, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and Boise Contemporary Theatre. She is a proud member of USA829 and a proud mom of Xander and Quincy.
Rebecca Dose (Stage Manager)
Rebecca Lynn Dose is thrilled to be back at Lifeline Theatre for another great production. Rebecca is a Chicago-based arts management professional, serving in several capacities in the theatric, experiential, and live event fields. Her most recent roles include work with companies such as Blue Man Group Chicago, the Chicago Humanities organization, the Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University, and the Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. You can learn more about her work at rebeccalynndose.com.
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 on 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.
Avery Spellmeyer (Lighting Supervisor)
