OUR TEAM

Welcome to the American Blues team. Learn more about our Staff, Ensemble, Artistic Affiliates, and Board of Directors. Originally founded in 1985, we are the second-oldest professional Equity Ensemble theater in Chicago. Reorganized in 2009, we are a multi-generational company committed to our mission of telling stories of American identity and serving our community.

MEET OUR TEAM

Leadership

click for staff directory

Gwendolyn (Wendy) Whiteside joined the Ensemble in 1998 and has served as the executive artistic director since 2010.

Ensemble Members

July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025

DAWN BACH

Joined 1993

Currently coaches high school speech and continues to run Eye to Eye Interiors.

AUDREY BILLINGS

Joined 2022

Next, she will appear in It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! at American Blues.

MATTHEW BRUMLOW

Joined 2001

Recently served at Executive Producer of the short film “The Model” and is currently producing the feature “Lone Wolves”.

MANNY BUCKLEY

Joined 2012

Recently he directed and acted in the 2023 Blue Ink Festival at American Blues.

DARA CAMERON

Joined 2013

Currently plans events for the Jewish United Fund. Next, she returns to It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! at American Blues.

CASEY CAMPBELL

Joined 2008

Currently the voice over for “Cubs Cornerstones” on the Marquee Sports Network and the voice of “The General” for General Auto Insurance.

DARREN CANADY

Joined 2016

Currently he’s commissioned for a 4-play collection at American Blues Theater.

.LIZ CHIDESTER

Joined in 2023

Currently, she’s touring and playing music.

DENNIS COCKRUM

Joined 1988

Currently in “Pretty Freekin’ Scary” on Disney+ playing Theodore Snickering. He can also be seen as Terry Milkovich in “Shameless” on Netflix.

AUSTIN COOK

Joined 2013

Currently working Keyboard 1 and Assistant Music Director of Broadway’s Some Like it Hot.

IAN PAUL CUSTER

Joined 2016

Recently he played in Grant Park for Chicago’s “Switch on Summer” to turn on the iconic Buckingham Fountain.

ELYSE DOLAN

Joined 2018

Associate Artistic Director for American Blues. She recently directed in the 2023 Blue Ink Festival at American Blues.

JARED GOODING

Joined 2018

Current light designs: (Regional) Milwaukee Rep & First Stage Theater; (Chicago) Court. Recently nominated for Jeff Award for lighting design on Fences at American Blues.

MARTY HIGGINBOTHAM

Joined 1991

Currently, he’s the Director of Marketing and Audience Engagement at Virginia Samford Theater in Birmingham, AL.

PHILIP EARL JOHNSON

Joined 2018

Currently touring the United States with MooNiE.

JOSLYN JONES

Joined 2023

Recently, she appeared in Zoom readings at American Blues Theater.

LINDSAY JONES

Joined 1998

Current sound designs: (Regional) Utah Shakespeare Festival, Old Globe Theatre, Contemporary American Theatre Fetival, and Alley Theatre.

STEVE KEY

Joined 2011

Recently he appeared in the 2023 Blue Ink Festival at American Blues.

_ED KROSS

Joined 1998

Currently, he’s creating a series of video teasers to show the journey of constructing of new permanent home.

WARREN LEVON

Joined 2012

Recently he understudied for Fences at American Blues.

MICHAEL MAHLER

Joined 2013

Recently, his musical adaptation of An American Tail with Alan Schmuckler and Tony Award-winning playwright Itamar Moses ran at Minneapolis Children’s Theatre Company.

HEATHER MEYERS

Joined 1996

Recently she wrote for the 2023 Ripped Festival at American Blues Theater.

CHRISTOPHER J. NEVILLE

Joined 2016

Next, he’ll design costumes for It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! at American Blues.

JIM ORTLIEB

Joined 1998

Jim was Jeff Award nominated for his solo performance in Stand Up If You’re Here Tonight, at American Blues.

CARA PARRISH

Joined 2020

Recently, she stage managed August Wilson’s Fences at American Blues.

SUZANNE PETRI

Joined 1999

Recently she worked with Pathways Summer Camp with youth from Blind Service Association and participated in readings with Ubiquitous Players and Perennial Theatre Chicago.