Mitera Bio: Allison McCorkle

Allison McCorkle (Olga) studied theatre at Texas Wesleyan University and stuck around the Fort Worth/Dallas theatre scene for years before being lured to Chicago in 2007. Her credits include Piccolo Theatre, Black Ensemble Theatre, Polarity, Red Tape and GreatWorks Theatre, among others. Allison has joined Strangeloop onstage for The Robbers, Loopshop, Nutcracker Nightmare, Christmas Clueseau and Krampus! Much love to her newly bound theatre widow.

Mitera Bio: Holly Robison

Holly Robison (Nitsa) is thrilled to be appearing in the world premiere of Mitera. As a Company Member with Strangeloop Theatre, she has performed in a number of the Strangeloop's productions, including Rossum's Universal Robots, As You Like It and The Robbers, as well as directing the mainstage production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and several other short productions. Holly regularly exercises her comedy chops as a member of Improvised Jane Austen. Other favorite roles include Ellen in In the Wake, Jo in Independence, Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice and Martha in The Children’s Hour. She has studied with Chicago organizations including Remy Bumppo, TUTA Theatre, Victory Gardens, Second City and First Folio Technique with Susan Hart and Jeffrey Carlson. When not acting or directing, she can probably be found reading, watching British costume dramas, eating too much Indian food and talking to her cat (don't judge, OK?).

Mitera Bio: Lilly Apostolou

Lilly Apostolou (Dimitra Sheridan) is so excited to be making her debut with Strangeloop in her very first production. She is in the advanced student program at The Second City studying improv, acting and sketch comedy writing. She is the host of Wards, a show filmed in Evanston, IL. She is also a vocalist with experience with musical theatre. She is an avid volunteer, most notably being a part of the SitStayRead literacy program serving low-income elementary schools in Chicago. She has a B.A. in Criminology from the University of New Mexico (Go Lobos!). Born on the Northside of Chicago, Lilly hails from a big Greek family and speaks the language fluently. She wants to thank her family, especially her Dad, her super supportive friends and her amazing boyfriend Shane.

Mitera Bio: Patricia Tinsley

Patricia Tinsley (Sharon Kaskalis) holds a BFA in performing arts from Rockford University and an MA in speech from Northeastern Illinois University. Favorite Chicago area acting credits include, The Gin Game (Bowen Park Theatre and Rebekah Theatre Project); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lightninghead); The Shadow Box (Rebekah Theatre Project); The Tempest (TheatreHikes and Performing Arts at Oakton); The Sandbox (InnateVolution); the web series, Ped Crossing and the happiest acting job in the world: playing Mrs. Santa Claus at Navy Pier. Her directing credits include work with the Women’s Theatre Alliance of Chicago, Stockyards Theatre Project and NUFAN. She is a proud Strangeloop artistic associate, serves as co-artistic director of the Rebekah Theatre Project and is very excited to be part of this wonderful production.

McCorkle plays the long game in her latest role — onstage and off

It’s rare that an actress gets to spend years developing a character, but Edgewater actress Allison McCorkle has done just that in her latest role as Olga in Strangeloop Theatre’s Mitera.

“I am so excited to take part in the sharing of this wonderful story,” McCorkle said. “I've watched this script develop for a while and it has been really cool to watch it evolve.”

Read more about Allison and her character development in the Lincoln Park Patch.

Tinsley finds deep connection in theatre by, for women

Actress Patrica Tinsley likes to be called just that – actress.

“I greatly dislike being called a ‘female actor,’” Tinsley said. “I feel that women find too many ways to diminish themselves and wish more women would embrace the term actress instead of seeing it as lesser title.”

But for the Glenview resident it goes beyond just a title. She feels a strong connection to theatre by and for women. 

Read more about Patricia, including more about her role in Mitera, in the Chicago Tribune.

It actually is all Greek to Apostolou in her latest role

Lakeview resident Lilly Apostolou left behind her corporate job a few months ago to pursue a full-time career in the arts and immediately landed a role that seemed made for her in Strangeloop Theatre’s production, Mitera. 

Mitera really is an accurate depiction of Greek life, no matter where you live,” Apostolou said. “My parents are both from Greece and I was born in Chicago. These characters were raised in Mississippi, but I feel that same Greekness in the words of these characters, as it all stems from their mom – their Mitera.”

Read more about Lilly, including more about her role in Mitera, in the Lakeview Patch and in the Chicago Tribune. 

Robison balances accents, tradition and sisterhood in latest role

Actress Holly Robison is very much at home with period dramas, Shakespearean verse and English accents, but for her latest role she finds herself in less familiar territory – the Deep South circa 2015.

The Lincoln Square resident plays one of three sisters in Strangeloop Theatre’s production, Mitera, which premieres in April at the North Mansion at Berger Park in Edgewater. And while the Southern accent wouldn’t normally be a problem for Robison, her character Nitsa also tosses in a few Greek words for good measure.

Read more about Holly, including her thoughts on what audiences will like about Mitera, in the Lincoln Square Patch.   

French With Me 6 Bio: Ellen DeSitter

Ellen DeSitter (The Enchanting Empress of Elevation, Eliana) is an actress, movement performer, and visual artist. She studied theatre at Northern Illinois University and also studied performance abroad at the Moscow Art Theatre. Over the past few years, she has had the pleasure of working with Chicago companies Steep Theatre, Manual Cinema, Redmoon, Strangeloop Theatre, Collaboraction, Navy Pier, Suitcase Shakespeare, Cave Painting Theatre, The Windy City Players, and Starlight Radio Dreams. To learn more about Ellen, check out her webpage at ellendesitter.com.

Krampus! Bio: Allison McCorkle

Allison McCorkle (Anne) studied theatre at Texas Wesleyan University and stuck around the Fort Worth/Dallas theatre scene for a years before being lured to Chicago in 2007. Her credits include Piccolo Theatre, Black Ensemble Theatre, Polarity, Red Tape and GreatWorks Theatre, among others. Having just completed her first year as an associate company member, Allison has joined Strangeloop onstage for The Robbers, Loopshop, Nutcracker Nightmare and Christmas Clue-seau.

Krampus! Bio: Jean E. Burr

 

Jean E. Burr (Lauren) is very excited to be a part of this wonderful show! She moved to Chicago in the midst of the 2014 Polar Vortex after graduating from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she studied Film and Japanese. Since her arrival, she has performed with Nothing Special Productions, Gorilla Tango Burlesque, Vaudezilla Burlesque, Plan 9 Burlesque, Indie Boots Theatre, Open Door Rep, and, of course, Strangeloop Theatre, where she is an Artistic Associate. Love to her friends, family, co-workers, her cat, and the awesome cast & crew! Check out her upcoming projects at www.jeaneburr.com.

Krampus! Bio: Stefanie Johnsen

Stefanie Johnsen (Nicole) Not only does Stefanie believe in Krampus, Krampus believes in her. She is currently interning to be the newest Krampus minion and looks forward to punishing little boys and girls around the world. So so naughty... Stefanie was Queen Aggravain in Once Upon a Mattress this past summer at the Wallace Bowl, has helped with various readings (staged and not) and costumed a few shows and peoples. Be NICE!

Loopshop 8 Bio: Jean E. Burr

Jean E. Burr (Liyah) is originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, but moved to Chicago in the midst of the 2013 polar vortex. Although always in pursuit of theatrical endeavors, she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a major in Film Studies and a minor in Japanese. She is an actress, singer and dancer, but she also enjoys costuming and set design/construction. You can find her under the alias Harley Darling, performing with burlesque companies like Gorilla Tango, Vaudezilla! and Plan 9. When not performing or solving problems at her muggle job (customer service), Jean loves superheroes, her cat, mozzarella sticks and trying to live every day like she's Furiosa from Mad Max: Fury Road.

Loopshop 8 Bio: Alison Dornheggen

Alison Dornheggen (Ellen) is an actor, director, fight choreographer and administrator here in Chicago. Want to know more? You can certainly ask, or check out www.AlisonDornheggen.com. Thanks to Emmi for the opportunity, and all of you for supporting live theater.

Loopshop 8 Bio: Taylor Raye

Taylor Raye (Delia) is excited to be working on such an emotional piece with such talented people! She was last seen in Polarity's staged reading festival in Leavings and Girl Found, and at The Public House in Sleeping Around. The Colorado native is privileged to have the opportunity to take part in great new works around Chicago. And, as always, is forever grateful to her family and friends for their continued support!

Loopshop 8 Bio: Caitlin Jackson

Caitlin Jackson (Viviana) can't say no when Strangeloop asks her to do something. They can pretty much boss her around as much as they want. Previously, she played Queen of the Fairies in last summer's Midsummer and then a homeless ukulele playing bartender in Christmas Clue-seau with them. Her voice may or may not have been heard in the last Loopshop and you might have seen her for a split second during Thinking Caps. She's a founding member of New American Folk Theatre, an artistic associate with Wayward Productions and an ensemble member with Hell in a Handbag where she can currently be seen playing Bette Midler in Bette, LIVE at the Continental Baths until August 21st. Thanks to Maria. You know what you did. Love to MDKS.

Thinking Caps Bio: Laura Stratford

Lara Stratford (Maggie Cusick) is a co-founder and the Executive Director of Underscore Theatre Company (www.underscoretheatre.org). Thinking Caps marks her return to the stage; her last performance was as an emergency understudy for the role of Charlotte in Underscore's production of pr0ne: a casting couch musical comedy. She is thrilled to be performing in an establishment that used to be a funeral home, and devoutly hopes for some paranormal activity.

Thinking Caps Bio: Jaclyn Jensen

Jaclyn Jensen (Kim Ayers)is a native of Sandy, Utah, and has her BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Central Missouri. She is proud to be a company member with Strangeloop Theatre. Other Chicago credits include productions with Consortium Project, Chicago Parks District, Saint Sebastian Players and Shapeshifters Theatre Company. Thanks Mike, and thank YOU for supporting live theatre.

Thinking Caps Bio: Ellen DeSitter

Ellen DeSitter (Emma Cusick, Moderator, Becky) is very excited to be working with Strangeloop Theatre for the first time. Her most recent performance credits include the Fool in Queen Lear, the Genie in the Windy City Players touring production of Aladdin and Lula in Manual Cinema's touring production of Lula Del Ray. Other companies she has had the privilege of working with include: Steep Theatre, Suitcase Shakespeare, Navy Pier, Redmoon and Side Project Theatre.

Thinking Caps Bio: Letitia Guillaud

Letitia Guillaud (Headnet Voice) has a B.A. in Theatre from Ball State University. She is Co-Artistic Director and Development Director for Strangeloop Theatre, a Company Member at CIC, and an Artistic Associate at TUTA Theatre Chicago. Favorite roles include, Stella a.k.a. Pinkie (The Cockups - Mobilewave Films), Hermia (A Midsummer Night's Dream - Strangeloop) and Joan of Arc (The Maid of Orleans - Strangeloop). She is the proud new mother of baby Felix Gunter and would like to thank her husband and all of Strangeloop for their support in that endeavor.