Skunk and Badger

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  Connar Brown (Puppeteer, Orange Fluff)

  Connar Brown (She/Her) is exited to be returning to Lifeline; once as a cow understudy and now as a flock of chickens! Some recent favorite theatre credits include The SpongeBob Musical (Kokandy Productions), Grimm (Theatre Above the Law), I Promised Myself to Live Faster (Hell in a Handbag), and Dooby Dooby Moo (Lifeline Theatre). Connar is a proud ensemble member of Theatre Above the Law. When she’s not performing, she can be found annihilating an entire bag of sour candy. Give her a follow @JGCBrown97.

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  John Drea (Badger)

  John Drea (He/Him) Lifeline Theatre: WHOSE BODY? Chicago: THE SOUND INSIDE (Goodman Theatre); SOLARIS (Griffin Theatre, Jeff Nomination); CHAGALL IN SCHOOL (Grippo Stage Company, Jeff Nomination); TWELFTH NIGHT, CYMBELINE (Midsommer Flight); AMERICAN PSYCHO (Kokandy Productions); A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Goodly Creatures Theatre); FREE SPACE (Possibilities Theatre). Off-off Broadway: ONEIRONAUT (The Outer Loop). Regional: DEATHTRAP (Constellation Stage). Television: ASHLEY GREEN, THE ONION. Upcoming: LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD (Steppenwolf). He is represented by Big Mouth Talent. @johndrea1998

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  Amanda de la Guardia (Aunt Lula, Orloff, Hedgehog, et al. )

  Amanda (She/Her) happily returns to Lifeline Theatre’s Kid Series. You may have seen her on the Lifeline stage previously as Ma/Nate in Extra Yarn, or 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).
  

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  Vic Kuligoski (Skunk)

  Vic Kuligoski (He/Him) is thrilled to be returning to Lifeline Theatre where he was last seen in Cat’s Cradle as Franklin Hoenikker. His most recent credits include; Seagulls at Oak Park Festival Theatre, 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 Feature Film, “Perpetrator” on Shudder. 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. @jamesvk
  

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  Ksa Curry (U/S Puppeteer)

  Ksa Curry (She/Her) is delighted to be joining the Lifeline Theatre for the first time for such a sweet show! Recent Chicago credits include The Revolutionists (Oil Lamp Theater) and Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (Strawdog Theater). Recent regional theater credits include Once (San Luis Obispo Repertory Theater), Mother Road (PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theater), and Secret Garden (PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theater). You can see her this summer in Oil Lamp Theater’s production of Mary’s Wedding. She is a graduate of PCPA’s Acting Conservatory and Chico State University. www.ksacurry@gmail.com

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  North Rory Homewood (U/S Badger)

  North Homewood (He/Him) is thrilled to be making his Lifeline debut, after recently receiving an Equity Jeff Award nomination for his work on London Road (Shattered Globe). Other recent theatre credits include Twelfth Night (Midsommer Flight), The Winter’s Tale (Oak Park Festival Theatre), Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (Black Button Eyes), Mamma Mia! (Music Theater Works), Veronica’s Room (Madkap Productions), Working (Theo Ubique), and Southern Comfort (Pride Films and Plays). He has also been seen on television in Work In Progress (Showtime). North is represented by Gray Talent Group and dedicates his work on this production to Echo – you, like chickens, were wondrous.

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  Robert Smedman (U/S Skunk)

  Robert (He/Him) is so excited to be making his Chicago stage debut in Skunk and Badger at Lifeline Theatre! After graduating with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Oakland University in 2020, Robert moved home to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan during the COVID pandemic. In 2022, he moved to Chicago and has been mainly working in TV, including Chicago Fire, Deli Boys (Hulu) and Resignation. Robert would like to thank his friends and family for their constant and tireless support. Enjoy the show!

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  Lexy Hope Weixel (U/S Aunt Lula, Stoat, et al.)

  Lexy Hope Weixel (They/Them) is honored to be working with Lifeline for the first time. Some recent Chicago acting credits include That’s Weird Grandma (Playmakers Laboratory), American Myths: Crossroads (Free Street Theater) The Crucible (Invictus Theatre), I Build Giants (The Plagiarists), and Twelfth Night (Midsommer Flight). Lexy holds a BS in Arts Administration – Theatre from Butler University. They also studied at the Moscow Art Theatre School. Visit www.lexyweixel.com to learn more.

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  Alan Donahue (Ensemble Member) (Adaptor)

  Alan Donahue (He/Him) is a long-time member of the artistic ensemble (since 2001). He is mostly known for his design work—he has designed scenery, properties, lighting, projection, and/or puppets for over sixty Lifeline productions. But he has also previously adapted two MainStage productions: Trust Me on This and Crossing California. And two for KidSeries: Bongo Larry & Two Bad Bears and Sophie’s Masterpiece. He is thrilled to be entrusted this time to adapt Amy Timberlake’s heartfelt book. He is currently designing scenery and properties for a Dollywood production: From the Heart—The Life and Music of Dolly Parton.

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  Brian Tochterman Jr. (Director)

  Brian (He/Him) is thrilled to be directing his first KidSeries production with Lifeline after years of performing in them! Recent acting credits include “Dooby Dooby Moo,” “The Time Warp Trio,” and “You Think It’s Easy Being The Toothfairy” (Lifeline Theatre). Brian has also directed a number of sketch shows with Mudlark Theater, where he is a resident teaching artist. He would like to thank his family, his three cats, and his partner, Megan, for all their love and support. Brian is represented by DDO Chicago.

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  Saskia Bakker (Props and Puppet Design)

  Saskia Bakker (She/Her) is a Chicago based prop and puppet designer who is very excited to be working with Lifeline again! Recent Prop Design credits include BROTHER SISTER CYBORG SPACE (Raven Theatre), CAT’S CRADLE (Lifeline Theatre), and THE DREAM KING (Teatro Vista). Upcoming Prop Design credits include BLACK SUNDAY (Timeline Theatre). Additional credits include assistant direction for DOGS OR CATS: AUGMENTED BODY (Steppenwolf LOOKOUT series), fabrication assistant for HOUSE OF THE EXQUISITE CORPSE (Rough House Theater 2022), and design intern for SIX FEET APART ALL TOGETHER (Double Edge Theatre). She graduated with a BFA in Theatre Arts from The Theatre School at DePaul University in 2022.

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  Addoris Davis (Production Manager)

  Addoris Davis (they/she) 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.

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  Diane Fairchild (Light Designer )

  Diane is a local and regional freelance lighting designer. 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, Joyce Soho, and several NYC Fringe Festival productions. In 2003, she moved to Chicago and dove into its rich theater scene. Chicago area credits include work with Rivendell (ensemble), Raven, Teatro Vista, Babes with Blades, the side project, Wilmette Parks District, Citadel, Erasing the Distance, Theater Wit, Wheaton College, Piven, Boho (Artistic Affiliate), Next, Northlight, Court, Sideshow, and Victory Gardens. Regional credits include work with Intiman, Trinity Rep, Michigan Shakespeare Festival, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and Boise Contemporary Theatre. Her excellence in design has earned her nominations for Jeff, Broadway World Chicago, and Wilde Awards. At Lifeline, Diane has designed Her Majesty’s Will, Fable-ous!, Northanger Abbey, Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters, One Came Home, and The Velveteen Rabbit. Her work on Lifeline’s A Tale of Two Cities was recognized with a Non-Equity Jeff Award for Outstanding Lighting Design.

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  Valerio Torretta Gardner (Sound Designer )

  Valerio Torretta Gardner (Sound Designer) is thrilled to be working with Lifeline for its production of Skunk and Badger. Past credits include Sleeping with Beauty, Gay Card, Tango, Jack Off The Beanstalk, Tommy On Top, When There Are Nine (PrideArts Center); The Full Monty (Nebula Theater); The Billboard (16th Street Theater). He e’d like to thank his friends and family for their continued support.

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  Jessica Gowens (Costume Designer)

  Jessie Gowens (Costume Designer, She/Her) is happy to be returning to work with Lifeline Theatre, previously she designed Extra Yarn. Her other works include: A View From The Bridge (Shattered Globe Theatre), The Crucible (Invictus Theatre), Extra Yarn (Lifeline Theatre), The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (Nominated for a Non -Equity Costume Design Jeff Award) and Upon This Shore (Idle Muse Theatre), Henchpeople and Digging Up Dessa (Theatre Above The Law). Ms. Gowens holds a BFA in Costume Design and Tech from Northern Arizona University and has been the Resident Wardrobe Supervisor at DePaul University for five years.

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  Ava Niemi (Stage Manager)

  Ava Niemi (she/her) is excited to be collaborating with Lifeline Theatre again! She is a recent graduate of Loyola University Chicago with a BA in theatre and political science. She has previously served as the assistant production manager for Cat’s Cradle at Lifeline. Recent credits include assistant stage manager for T. S. Eliot’s Four Quartets (Athenaeum Center), Shaw vs Tunney (Grippo Stage Company), and production assistant cover for Selling Kabul (Northlight Theatre). Ava would like to thank her family for their support.

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  Isa Noe (Scenic Design)

  Isa Noe (They/Them) is delighted to design with Lifeline for the first time. Recent Chicago design credits include Ruddigore (Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company), The Consul (Third Eye Theatre), and Baked! (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre). Isa received their Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University with a focus in scenic design. They would like to thank their family, mentors, and partner for their loving encouragement and unwavering support.

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  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 and is excited for his inaugural show with the company, Whose Body?. Harrison is always looking for his next collaboration and creative challenge wherever his skills are needed.

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  Karen Wallace (Lighting Supervisor )

  Karen is a queer, mixed-race Chicago based Lighting Designer and Theatre Planning Intern at Schuler Shook. She graduated in 2022 with a BFA in Lighting Design from The Theatre School at DePaul University. Karen has worked throughout Chicago. Recent credits include Lighting Design for A Town Called Progress with Promethean Theatre Company, Assistant Lighting Design for A Very Hungry Caterpillar at Chicago Children’s Theatre, and Lighting Supervisor for various productions at Lifeline Theatre. Beyond theatre, Karen values time spent outdoors with her family and friends. They enjoy creating and sharing art rooted in interpersonal connection and powerful emotions on both a small and large scale.

Every year, our KidSeries Student Matinee Program serves over 3,000 students, 35 schools, 120 classrooms, and 185 teachers with school-day performances. Student Matinees are at 10:30am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the run of our KidSeries shows. Learn more about our KidSeries Student Matinees HERE

Coming Soon!