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INSTRUCTORS’ BIOGRAPHIES
CASEY CAMPBELL is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater. He joined in 2008, after appearing in the smash production of Oklahoma! (Joseph Jefferson Nomination) as well as two productions of Blues’s holiday tradition, It’s a Wonderful Life. After moving to Los Angeles, Casey quickly became a full-time commercial actor, appearing in over 75 national and regional commercials for both on-screen and voice over, including a commercial that aired during the Super Bowl, the World Series, The NBA Finals, and the 2010 World Cup. He recurred as “Murphy” on the hit Disney TV Series, “Bunk’d” for three seasons, as well as appearing on other Disney shows such as “Best Friends Whenever”, “Bizaardvark”, and “Mighty Med”. He is currently the “voice” of NBA TV and NBA on TNT, and will voice a featured character in a massive video game franchise later this year. He currently lives in Burbank, CA and is represented by William Morris Endeavor, Artists First and Brady, Brannon and Rich. On-Camera Demo Reel & Commercial Playlist
GWENDOLYN (WENDY) WHITESIDE is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater and has served as Artistic Director since 2010, overseeing and producing nearly 40 productions (28 unique mainstage shows and 11 years of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!) In 10 seasons, 14 productions received Jeff Awards or nominations for outstanding play, musical, or solo performance. She’s a graduate of Northwestern University, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA), and a Kellogg Executive Scholar in Nonprofit management (Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University). As an actress, she’s received 5 Joseph Jefferson Awards, Citations, and nominations; 2 After Dark Awards; 1 Broadway World Chicago Award.
MANNY BUCKLEY is a proud Ensemble of American Blues Theater. He is a critically-acclaimed, award-winning actor and teaching artist, writer and director. In addition to American Blues, he’s worked at theaters throughout Chicago and the U.S. His stage work has been seen at Steppenwolf, including an originating lead performance in Hit the Wall that was named one of the best performances of the year by the Chicago Tribune and New Yorker magazine, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens, Chicago Dramatists, Shattered Globe, House Theatre of Chicago, Cincinnati Children’s Theatre, Studio Theatre, and many others. Manny’s screen credits include Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing, Pilgrim, Sugar, Chicago Fire (NBC), Sirens (USA) and Proven Innocent (Fox). He is a member of Actor’s Equity, SAG-AFRTA and the Dramatists Guild. Mr. Buckley coaches privately and guest lectures in Chicago.
SHANDEE VAUGHAN is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater and serves as the full-time Production Manager and resident AEA Stage Manager at American Blues Theater. She has 15 years of experience in technical theatre, 12 of which have been dedicated to stage management. In addition to the 7 years stage managing in Chicago, she spent 2 summers at the Pioneer Amphitheater as the Production Stage Manager of TEXAS Musical Drama, where she also performed on the fire stunt team. The show featured a cast of 65 actors, performing nightly for audiences of 2,200+ patrons. Shandee is a proud graduate of West Texas A&M University, where she earned her BA in Theatre Design and Technology. In her senior year, she had the rewarding experience of being the Production Stage Manager for her university’s production of Legally Blonde: The Musical, alongside the original Broadway tour music director Kyle Norris. She additionally stage-managed Iphigenia 2.0 that year, which was chosen to travel and perform at KCACTF in Shreveport, LA.
CAROLYN MINOR is the Education Associate at American Blues Theater and teaching artist. She’s been creating theater and performances in Chicago since 2001. She was a company member of the now defunct Knife & Fork Theatre Company that built artwork with a heavy emphasis on devised and movement-based pieces. She is a Production Manager at City Lit Theater. She has written pieces performed at You Only Live Once More for SoloCrowd Chicago, at AbbieFest for Knife & Fork, Brecht 3 High Fest for The Island Theater Company, and Ghostlight Ensemble’s Nightlight Series. As an advocate for empathy and early childhood exposure to the arts, she is grateful to reach students in a new and exciting way.