PRODUCTION TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

CHARLES SMITH (playwright) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater.  Plays include The Reclamation of Madison Hemings, Objects in the Mirror, Free Man of Color, Knock Me a Kiss, The Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues, Freefall, The Gospel According to James, Jelly Belly, Pudd’nhead Wilson, Les Trois Dumas, Denmark, Sister Carrie, The Sutherland, Black Star Line, Takunda, Cane, and City of Gold. His plays have been produced by Indiana Repertory Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, The Acting Company, People’s Light, The New Federal Theatre, Penumbra, Crossroads Theatre Company, Shakespeare & Company, Penguin Repertory Theatre, Ujima Theatre Company, The Colony Theatre, St. Louis Black Rep, Weissberger Theater Group, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Jubilee Theatre, Ensemble Theatre in Houston, Pegasus Theatre Chicago, Westcoast Black Rep., Robey Theatre Company, Berkeley Repertory Theater, Ensemble Theatre in Cleveland, IndependentTheatre in Adelaide, South Australia, the HBO New Writers Project, the International Children’s Theater Festival in Seattle, and The National Black Theatre Festival.

He has been commissioned by Cleveland Play House and The Acting Company, and has received multiple commissions from Victory Gardens, Indiana Rep, and Goodman. He received the 2024 Kesselring Prize for Playwriting for his play, The Price of the Ticket. Other awards include a Joseph Jefferson Award, a John W. Schmid Award, two Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Awards, the Illinois Arts Council Governors Award, the Joyce Award, the Cornerstone National Playwriting Award, The National Black Theatre Festival’s August Wilson Playwriting Award, Princess Grace Fellowship, the Theodore Ward National Playwriting Award, two Black Theatre Alliance Awards for New Work, the NBC New Voices Award, and numerous other AUDELCO, Jeff, NAACP, and Black Theatre Alliance award nominations.

He is an alumnus of New Dramatists, a graduate of the University of Iowa Playwrights Workshop, one of the founding members of the Playwrights Ensemble at the Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago, Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Presidential Research Scholar in the Arts and Humanities at Ohio University and has taught playwriting at Northwestern University, for the Prague Summer Program in Creative Writing in the Czech Republic, and for the Center for Dramatic Art in Groznjan, Croatia.

His plays may be obtained through Dramatic Publishing, Samuel French, Northwestern Press, Smith and Kraus, Swallow Press, and Alexander Street Press.

CHUCK SMITH (director) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater where he directed Leroi Jones’ Dutchman, Flyin’ West, & The Reclamation of Madison Hemings. He is a member of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees and is a Goodman Theatre Resident Director. He is also a resident director at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe in Sarasota, Florida. Goodman credits include the Chicago premieres of Pullman Porter Blues; By the Way, Meet Vera Stark; Race; The Good Negro; Proof and The Story; the world premieres of By the Music of the Spheres and The Gift Horse; James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner, which transferred to Boston’s Huntington Theatre Company, where it won the Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Award for Best Direction; A Raisin in the Sun; Blues for an Alabama Sky; August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean, Two Trains Running and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom; Objects in the Mirror, Having Our Say, Ain’t Misbehavin’ the 1993 to 1995 productions of A Christmas Carol; Crumbs From the Table of Joy; Vivisections from a Blown Mind and The Meeting.

He served as dramaturg for the Goodman’s world-premiere production of August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean. He directed the New York premiere of Knock Me a Kiss and The Hooch for the New Federal Theatre and the world premiere of Knock Me a Kiss at Chicago’s Victory Gardens Theater, where his other directing credits include Master Harold… and the Boys, Home, Dame Lorraine and Eden, for which he received a Jeff Award nomination.

Regionally, Mr. Smith directed Death and the King’s Horseman (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Birdie Blue (Seattle Repertory Theatre), Jitney and Gem of the Ocean (Nashville Shakespeare Festival), The Story (Milwaukee Repertory Theater), Blues for an Alabama Sky (Alabama Shakespeare Festival) and The Last Season (Robey Theatre Company). At Columbia College he was facilitator of the Theodore Ward Prize playwriting contest for 20 years and editor of the contest anthologies Seven Black Plays and Best Black Plays. He won a Chicago Emmy Award as associate producer/theatrical director for the NBC teleplay “Crime of Innocence” and was theatrical director for the Emmy-winning “Fast Break to Glory” and the Emmy-nominated “The Martin Luther King Suite”.

He was a founding member of the Chicago Theatre Company, where he served as artistic director for four seasons and directed the Jeff-nominated Suspenders and the Jeff-winning musical Po’. His directing credits include productions at Fisk University, Vanderbilt University, Roosevelt University, Eclipse Theatre, ETA, Black Ensemble Theater, Northlight Theatre, MPAACT, Congo Square Theatre Company, The New Regal Theater, Kuumba Theatre Company, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, Pegasus Players, the Timber Lake Playhouse in Mt. Carroll, Illinois, the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, and the University of Wisconsin in Madison. In 2019 he received an Honorary Ph.D. from his alma mater Governors State University and has received lifetime achievement awards from The African-American Arts Alliance of Chicago, the League of Chicago Theaters and the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee. He is a 2003 inductee into the Chicago State University Gwendolyn Brooks Center’s Literary Hall of Fame and a 2001 Chicago Tribune Chicagoan of the Year. He is the proud recipient of the 1982 Paul Robeson Award and the 1997 Award of Merit presented by the Black Theater Alliance of Chicago.

SHAYNA PATEL (scenic design) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. She recently designed Misery for American Blues. Her credits include Oh The Places You’ll Glow and The Best Kept Secret: Tell Everyone! (The Second City), The Kid at The Edge of Everything (COCA) , A View From The Bridge (Shattered Globe), Last Stop on Market Street, Junie B. Jones and Dory Fantasmagory (Young People’s Theatre Chicago), Jocey Y Las Mariachis, That Must Be The Entrance To Heaven, and Sancocho (Vision Latino Theatre Company), and National Merit (Boho Theatre Company). Born in England, she later moved to Chicago for college and fell in love with the city. She holds a BA, Summa Cum Laude- Theatre Design. shaynadesigns.com

JARED GOODING (lighting design) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater. His design credits include designs for Writers Theatre, Court Theatre, Florentine Opera Company, Indiana Repertory Theatre, First Stage Theater, Depaul University, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Victory Gardens Theater, TimeLine Theatre, Bristol Riverside Theater, Madison Children’s Theater, University of Illinois Chicago Theatre, University of Indiana Northwest, Remy Bumpo Theatre, Strawdog Theatre, The Hypocrites, Definition Theatre, Windy City Playhouse, Sideshow Theatre, Jackalope Theatre, First Floor Theater, About Face Theatre, MPAACT, Pegasus Theatre, and serving as the Lighting Assistant for The Wiz Live on NBC along with Associate Designing for Lookingglass Theatre’s touring of Lookingglass Alice in Miami and Denver. He spends weekends as a professional DJ and his design work is work is featured at goodingdesigns.com.

LILY WALLS (costume design & wardrobe supervisor) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. Other Chicago companies she has worked with have included Haven (Science Fiction/Double Feature, Titus Andronicus), Midsummer Flight (Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Akvavit (Bad Girls, Rising Temperatures, Family Drama) and City Lit (Hound of the Baskervilles). She would like to thank her friends, family and community for the support and renewal they give, her husband Michael for everything, and August for being the best.

RICK SIMS (co-sound design) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. He has composed and designed sound for numerous Chicago-area theaters, including Steppenwolf Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, American Blues Theater, Congo Square Theatre, Writers Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Griffin Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Hypocrites, House Theatre of Chicago, Court Theatre, American Theater Company, Victory Gardens Theater, Raven Theatre, Steep Theatre, Northlight Theatre, and About Face Theatre. His additional credits include The Getty, Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, Playwrights Horizons, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and Portland Playhouse. Rick won Jeff Awards for Sound Design for Moby Dick and Hepheastus (Lookingglass Theatre Company), a Black Theatre Alliance Award for Brothers in the Dust (Congo Square Theatre), and has received several nominations for both awards. Rick also wrote the book, music, and lyrics for Hillbilly Antigone at Lookingglass Theatre Company, where he is an Artistic Associate.

WARREN LEVON (co-sound design) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater. His previous Blues credits (as an actor) include Dutchman/Transit, Waiting for Lefty, and Ripped. Warren is a sound designer and engineer years who works with various theatre companies throughout the city, including recent credits at Invictus Theatre, Pulse Theatre Company, and Oakton College.

TYSON CARTER (properties design) is thrilled to be making his official debut with American Blues, after years of cheering on the ensemble from the sidelines. He’s collaborated with the company before through the Arts and Business Council of Chicago and has lent a hand with the annual Blues Bash live auction. Tyson has also written and directed for the Ripped! Festival, and when he’s not in the theater world, he’s helping students find their voice as an Assistant Coach for the Cary-Grove Speech Team.

RICHARD LUNDY (stage manager) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. Chicago credits include: American Blues Theater: It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, The Reclamation of Madison Hemings, The Last Wide Open, Misery. Raven Theatre: Night Watch. Theater Wit: The Whistleblower. Mercury Theater: Clue. Venus Cabaret: Lady Day at Emerson’s…, Company. Timeline Theater: Paradise Blue, The Last Wife, Sunset Baby. Levin Productions: Assassination Theater. Next Theatre:16 productions including The Adding Machine: A Chamber Musical (World Premiere). Writers’ Theatre: Oh Coward!, The Maids. Famous Door: Suburban Motel, Porchlight: Meet John Doe. Also: Hypocrites, Northlight, Remains, Victory Gardens, Organic, Halstead Theatre, Wisdom Bridge. National tours: Miss Saigon (First National Company: Cameron Mackintosh). I Love Lucy Live! (David George). Regional: Olney Theatre Center: Miss You Like Hell, Oil. Also: Trinity Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Shakespeare & Company, Folger Shakespeare. 37-year member of Actors Equity. 31-year husband of the remarkable Carmel Carroll.

MICHAEL TRUDEAU (facilities manager & ME) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater and is thrilled to be working with Blues again.  Past Blues credits include Lighting Design for Misery, Scenic/Lighting design for Stand Up If You’re Here Tonight and Technical Director for It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! (2015-2017, 2021-2024), Yankee Tavern, Little Shop of Horrors, and Side Man, among others. Outside of American Blues, he works full time at Northwestern University as the Associate Lighting and Sound Supervisor for the Wirtz Center.

NATE WALCZYK (Production Manager) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. Past shows include Misery, It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, & The Last Wide Open (American Blues Theater), Photograph 51 (Webster University), Angels in America Pt. I & II (Repertory Theater of St. Louis), and The Steadfast Tin Soldier (Lookingglass Theatre Company). Nate is also the Lighting & Sound Technician for Northwestern University’s Wirtz Center. He is a graduate of The Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts in St. Louis, Missouri and is extremely proud of his two perfect cats, Calvin and Ponyo.

TOM DANIEL (Technical Director) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. He recently served as technical director for Misery at American Blues Theater. For Tom, there is no greater joy than to transform a two dimensional set design into a three dimension world for artists to create on. Most recent projects include Zac Efron (Token Theatre), The Cave and Road Signs at A Red Orchid. Other set builds include Attempts on Her Life (TUTA Theatre) Turret, In Quietness, Revolution, Is God Is (A Red Orchid) and Right Now (Facility Theatre) which were all Jeff Recommended/Nominated.

WILSON CAIN (Dramaturg) returns to American Blues Theater after having previously worked as the Dramaturg on Beauty’s Daughter. He’s received an ED.D and MS in written communications from National Louis University, an MFA from The Alabama Shakespeare Festival at The University of Alabama and a BFA from the Goodman School. He has worked as adjunct faculty at Columbia College Chicago, Auburn University, and Auburn University at Montgomery. As a professional actor, he has performed extensively in the Chicago, regional, and off Broadway Theatre. Wilson is a recipient of the Joseph Jefferson Award for “Outstanding Ensemble” for the production The Good Times are Killing Me. “An Awakening,” is his first published work.

ED KROSS (Choreographer) – has been a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater for 27 years. Ed has choreographed for many theaters over the years including The Midnight Circus, Illinois Theater Center, New Tuners, The Ivanhoe, The Woodstock Opera House, and Theater On The Lake. Primarily an actor, he’s performed at The Goodman Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Lyric Opera, Drury Lane Oakbrook, and The Mercury, among others. On camera he’s appeared in over 75 commercials, had guest roles on Chicago Med, Fargo, Patriot, Chicago Fire, Sirens, Boss, and shares one-on-one scenes with Tom Hanks in Road To Perdition and George Clooney in Ocean’s 12.

IAN PAUL CUSTER (Piano Consultant) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater and serves as the Education Associate. He’s a Chicago actor and musician.  American Blues credits include: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Jeff Award, Best Ensemble, Best Musical – Midsize), The Columnist, Little Shop of Horrors, It’s A Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! (Jeff Nominations for Best Play/Musical of the Year) and The Spitfire Grill.  Chicago credits:  Ian has worked with the Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, TimeLine, Marriott Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Theatre Wit and The Lyric Opera of Chicago.  Ian is an accomplished jazz and blues piano player, rhythm guitarist, and saxophonist.  You can see Ian playing piano with his band The Real Time (@therealtime_band) and in his solo show, Piano Man, (May 25^th at American Blues Theatre) honoring the music of Billy Joel and other rock pianists from over the past 80 years.  Ian received his BFA from The Theatre School at DePaul University.

GWENDOLYN WHITESIDE (Executive Artistic Director) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater and has served as Executive Artistic Director since 2010. In her tenure, she created the nationally-recognized Blue Ink Playwriting Award and new work development program, implemented community service into the company’s mission in 2010, and adapted the arts education programs. She led American Blues through its reorganization in 2009 and built the operational budget from zero to $1 million. She secured the company’s first-ever operating reserve, endowment, and permanent home. Whiteside served on the National Endowment for the Arts panels and a Board member for Network of Ensemble Theaters and League of Chicago Theatres. She’s a graduate of Northwestern University (BS), The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA), and a Kellogg Executive Scholar in Nonprofit management (Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University). As a producer and director, she’s received 16 Joseph Jefferson nominations or awards. As an actress, she’s received 5 Joseph Jefferson Awards, Citations, and nominations; 2 After Dark Awards; and 1 Broadway World Chicago Award. Directing credits at American Blues: It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!; The Last Wide Open; the upcoming Always...Patsy Cline.