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.
Leadership
click for staff directoryGWENDOLYN (WENDY) WHITESIDE
Artistic Director
Wendy joined the Ensemble of American Blues Theater in 1998 and has served as Artistic Director since 2010.
Ensemble Members
July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022
DAWN BACH
Chicago, 1993
Appeared in 2019 Ripped Festival, 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
Currently she teaches and directs children’s theater in Oak Park. She 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, as well as WI grocery store chain (because balance). Voiceover for Chicago’s Big Bus Tour downtown.
DARREN CANADY
Lawrence, KS 2016
Currently he’s commissioned for a 4-play collection, here at American Blues Theater.
AUSTIN COOK
New York, 2013
Currently working as a writer, arranger, music producer, and Broadway music director in New York, NY.
IAN PAUL CUSTER
Chicago, 2016
Recently, he appeared in 2020 It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, here at American Blues Theater.
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.
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
Currently nominated for 2 Tony Awards (Best Score and Best Sound Design for a Play). Upcoming projects for Northlight and Cincinnati Playhouse.
STEVE KEY
Chicago, 2011
Recently he guest starred in episodes of “The Good Fight” and “FBI: Most Wanted”, and slated to perform in Steppenwolf’s remount of Bug.
ED KROSS
Chicago, 1998
Recently he appeared in Shear Madness at Mercury Theater.
WARREN LEVON
Chicago, 2012
Currently he’s working with Invictus Theatre Co. and Elgin Community College as Sound Designer this fall.
MICHAEL MAHLER
Chicago, 2013
Currently he’s writing for several film and theatre projects and returns to It’s a Wonderful Life here, at American Blues.
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 the 20th anniversary of 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
Office & HR Manager for American Blues Theater. Currently, she stage manages “The Room” reading series and “The Garage” concerts.
SUZANNE PETRI
Chicago, 1999
Recently she performed a musical tribute to her mother in “The Garage” series. She also completed work on the indie film “Peter 58”.
CAMILLE ROBINSON
Chicago, 2020
Recently, seen in “The Room” series, here at American Blues. She will perform in Cinderella at Paramount Theater this fall.
EDITHA ROSARIO-MOORE
Chicago, 2001
Currently she teaches for “Classes for the Masses” and her play “Neutral Ground” appears in 2020 Ripped Festival, both here at American Blues.
CHUCK SMITH
Chicago, 2018
Recently he directed two staged readings for “The Room” series, here at American Blues.
WANDACHRISTINE
Chicago, 2018
Currently she adapting her novel “I Love You More…Than Shoes!” as a staged radio drama and teaches for “Classes for the Masses”, here at American Blues.
GWENDOLYN WHITESIDE
Chicago, 1998
Artistic Director for American Blues Theater. She directs the 20th anniversary of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, here at American Blues.
EMERITUS MEMBERS
Rick Cleveland, Dennis Cockrum, Lauri Dahl, Kevin Kelly, James Leaming, William Payne, and
Carmen Roman.
Artistic Affiliates
July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022
SIMONE ALLEN
ERIC BACKUS
AUDREY BILLINGS
ADA CHENG
LIZ CHIDESTER
JOE DEMPSEY
PAUL DEZIEL
JOE FOUST
TOM GERATY
SHAWN GOUDIE
ZACH KENNEY
CISCO LOPEZ
MANNY ORTIZ
ALEXANDER RIDGERS
EILEEN ROZYCKI
GRANT SABIN
RICHARD SHAVZIN
RICK SIMS
J.G. SMITH
ZACHARY STEVENSON
JAMES STILL
CHRISTINA TELESCA
MICHAEL TRUDEAU
DENZEL TSOPNANG
SHANDEE VAUGHAN
ADRIENNE WALKER
LILY WALLS
Board of Directors
July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022MANNY BUCKLEY
PHIL CALIAN
DAVID COFFIN
KIMBERLEE HEROLD
KEITH KARLSON
MICHAEL LEVINSON
RAMA RANGANATHAN
EDITHA ROSARIO-MOORE
KATHY SMITH
MICHAEL WEATHERSPOON
GWENDOLYN WHITESIDE
BURT X. ROSENBERG
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