OUR TEAM
Welcome to the American Blues family. Learn more about our Staff, Ensemble, Artistic Affiliates, and Board of Directors. Originally founded in 1985, we are the second-oldest professional AEA Ensemble theater in Chicago. Reorganized in 2009, we are a multi-generational company committed to our mission of telling stories of American identity.
GWENDOLYN (WENDY) WHITESIDE
Artistic Director
Wendy joined the Ensemble of American Blues Theater in 1998 and has served as Artistic Director since 2010.
Learn more (coming soon).
the Ensemble
July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021
DAWN BACH
Chicago, 1993
Appeared in 2019 Ripped Festival, teaches “Classes for the Masses”, coaches speech, and runs Eye to Eye Interiors.
MATTHEW BRUMLOW
Los Angeles, 2001
Recently appeared in the film “Seven Short Films About Our Marriage” and preparing for film “Righteous Animals”.
MANNY BUCKLEY
Chicago, 2012
Recently he starred in The Brothers Size at Steppenwolf Theatre and joins the cast of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, here at American Blues.
DARA CAMERON
Chicago, 2013
Recently she appeared in The Secret of My Success at Paramount Theater and returns to It’s a Wonderful Life, here at American Blues.
CASEY CAMPBELL
Los Angeles, 2008
Currently he’s the voice of NBA TV and NBA on TNT.
DARREN CANADY
Lawrence, KS 2016
Currently he’s commissioned for a 4-play collection, here at American Blues Theater.
AUSTIN COOK
New York, 2013
Recently he sub-conducted several shows on Broadway, including Hamilton.
IAN PAUL CUSTER
Chicago, 2016
Currently he’ll appear in our American Blues reading series, as well as performing Shepsu Aakhu’s radio play Starting Over at MPAACT.
ELYSE DOLAN
Chicago, 2018
Associate Producer at American Blues. She recently directed If/Then at Brown Paper Box Co, and in process of directing Nine at Blank Theatre prior to the pandemic.
JOE FOUST
Chicago, 2011
Currently he working with writing partner John Maclay on two different commissioned plays for for First Stage in Mikwaukee and Carthage College.
JARED GOODING
Chicago, 2018
Recently he designed lights for Roan @ the Gates, here at American Blues. He spends quarantine time on small, personal projects. He will serve as tech director for a radio play series.
MARTY HIGGINBOTHAM
Birmingham, 1991
Recently he directed Five Presidents, here at American Blues. He continues to work on his home studio and can’t wait to return producing video for live theatre!
PHILIP EARL JOHNSON
Chicago, 2018
Currently he’s working on mosaic art projects and writing, as well as looking forward to doing some socially-distanced performances of his MooNiE show August through October.
LINDSAY JONES
Los Angeles, 1998
He’s doing podcasts The Committee for Children and Micromass, scoring TV pilot “Brothers-In-Law”, and co-chairing Executive Board of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA).
STEVE KEY
Chicago, 2011
Recently he appeared in Bug at Steppenwolf Theatre. Currently he’s in New York City, doing a bit of writing and wondering when and how things will open again.
ED KROSS
Chicago, 1998
Recently he appeared in Shear Madness at Mercury Theater.
WARREN LEVON
Chicago, 2012
Recently he designed sound at Collaboraction Theatre and Invictus Theatre.
MICHAEL MAHLER
Chicago, 2013
Currently he’s writing for several not-yet-announced film and theatre projects, including a modern musical Frankenstein adaptation for Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
HEATHER MEYERS
Chicago, 1996
Artistic Programming Support for American Blues Theater. Recently she wrote for The Ripped Festival, here at American Blues.
JOHN MOHRLEIN
Chicago, 1997
Later this year, he will perform “Mr. Potter” & “Clarence” in It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, here at American Blues Theater.
CHRISTOPHER J. NEVILLE
Chicago, 2016
Currently he teaches for “Classes for the Masses” and will design costumes for It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, here at American Blues.
CARA PARRISH
Chicago, 2020
HR Coordinator for American Blues Theater. Currently, she stage manages “The Room” reading series and “The Garage” concerts.
SUZANNE PETRI
Chicago, 1999
Currently she is creating theater and music with colleagues and friends from Blind Service Assoc to Writers Block Chicago, Perennial Theatre, and more.
CAMILLE ROBINSON
Chicago, 2020
Recently, she appeared in The Secret of My Success at Paramount Theater and “The Room” series here at American Blues.
CARMEN ROMAN
Chicago, 1991
Recently she appeared in The Children at Seattle Rep.
EDITHA ROSARIO
Chicago, 2001
Recently she wrote a short play for the 2020 Ripped Festival called “Neutral Ground”.
CHUCK SMITH
Chicago, 2018
Currently he will direct staged readings, here at American Blues Theater.
WANDACHRISTINE
Chicago, 2018
Currently she adapting her novel “I Love You More…Than Shoes!” as a staged radio drama.
GWENDOLYN WHITESIDE
Chicago, 1998
Artistic Director for American Blues Theater.
EMERITUS MEMBERS
Rick Cleveland – Dennis Cockrum Lauri Dahl – Kevin Kelly
James Leaming – William Payne
Artistic Affiliates
July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021-
- Simone Allen
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- Eric Backus
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- Audrey Billings
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- Dana Black
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- Ada Cheng
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- Joe Dempsey
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- Paul Deziel
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- Tom Geraty
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- Christina Telesca
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- Shawn J. Goudie
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- Zach Kenney
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- Cisco Lopez
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- Mary O’Dowd
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- Manny Ortiz
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- Alexander Ridgers
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- Eileen Rozycki
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- Grant Sabin
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- Richard Shavzin
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- Rick Sims
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- Grace Smith
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- Zachary Stevenson
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- James Still
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- Michael Trudeau
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- Denzel Tsopnang
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- Shandee Vaughan
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- Lily Grace Walls
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- Honorary Artistic Affiliates
Board of Directors
July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021-
- Manny Buckley
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- Phil Calian
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- David Coffin
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- Kimberlee Herold
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- Keith A. Karlson
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- Michael R. Levinson
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- Rama Ranganathan
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- Editha Rosario
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- Kathy Smith
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- Michael Weatherspoon
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- Gwendolyn Whiteside
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- Burton X. Rosenberg
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