Mitera Bio: Michael Wagman

Michael Wagman (Dimitris Kokkinakis) is thrilled to once more act with Strangeloop where he has been a company member since 2010. Previous Strangeloop acting credits include The Millionaire Farmer, The Maid of Orleans, As You Like It and his personal favorite, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Other favorite acting credits include Cash on Delivery (Saint Sebastian Players), Some Air (Nothing Without a Company) and The Contract (Janus Theatre Company). Michael would like to thank Lisa, Ticha, this wonderful cast, his amazing teachers at Second City, iO and Acting Studio Chicago, and Maria for her brilliant script and for helping him get in touch with his inner Greek.

For Wagman, acting is personal

Michael Wagman always tries to find the personal in the characters he portrays.


But for his latest role as the conniving Dimitris Kokkinakis in Strangeloop Theatre’s Mitera, the Wicker Park actor has struggled to make that connection.

“One of my biggest challenges has been playing someone who thinks so little of the people around him that he literally gives them and their views no credence,” Wagman said. “I’ve always tried to keep an open mind, so playing someone who is so resolutely closed-minded has forced me to find those areas of myself – those few relationships where I became closed-minded – and exploit them to understand this character.” 

Read more about Michael, including how he brought his character to life, in the Bucktown-Wicker Park Patch. 

Krampus! Bio: Sean Harklerode

Sean Harklerode (Ralph) is happy to be working with Strangeloop Theatre for the first time. He most recently appeared in The Artistic Home's The Time of Your Life, and is also currently appearing in their Miracle on 34th Street: A Radio Play. He is a former member of New Millennium Theatre Company, where he most recently appeared as Mario in The Princess Peach Conspiracy, and also wrote and directed Silent Night of the Living Dead and Plans One Through Eight from Outer Space. Favorite roles include Max in Lend Me a Tenor, Asa in Our American Cousin and Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey. Hedy Weiss also once said nice things about his Lumbergh in Cubicle!: An Office Space Musical. So he's got that goin' for him. Which is nice. Merry Christmas, Bedford Falls!

Krampus! Bio: Chad Wise

Chad Wise (Chet) is 2 for 3 in playing the mysterious guy that knows what’s really going on in Strangeloop Christmas plays, having previously spouted vague warnings & sported one-eyed looks of dread as Drosselmeyer in 2013’s Nutcracker Nightmare. He also appeared as the Police Chief in 2014’s Christmas Clue-seau and has directed for the occasional Loopshop and worn a toga for the occasional Fight Night entry. Chad founded and ran New Millennium Theatre Company for 12 years bringing the likes of The Texas Chainsaw Musical, MIYAGI! A Karate Kid Musical and Silent Night of the Living Dead to the Chicago stage. When not performing, Chad splits his time between doing the director’s dishes (not a euphemism) and keeping track of all the LEGOs his 6-year-old Boy Wonder can build. Love to Carlos.

Krampus! Bio: Christopher Paul Mueller

Christopher Paul Mueller (Kyle) is honored to working with Strangeloop again after appearing in this summer's Loopshop series. He graduated from Roosevelt's Theater Conservatory and has been seen all over town working with companies like Red Theater, Collaboraction, Red Tape, Red Moon, Scooty and JoJo, and many more. Chris also co-founded the former clown troupe Les Enfants Terribles.

Krampus! Bio: Paul Tinsley

Paul Tinsley (Jack/Older Priest) has been performing on stage since 1963. Some of his favorite roles have been Vladimir in Waiting For Godot, the Cypress Ambassador in An Affair of State for Set Gourmet Theatre, Father Tom in Strangeloop’s Living Quarters, Farnum in Both Your Houses for Remy Bumppo and Joe in The Shadow Box for the Rebekah Theatre Project. He has worked with Steppenwolf, Goodman, Northlight, Organic, Stage Left and many storefront theatres. Paul is extremely proud to be a founding member and co-artistic director of the Rebekah Theatre Project.

Krampus! Bio: Justin Fill

Justin Fill (Krampus/Fight Choreographer) is excited to be possessed/cast as Krampus this Holiday Season. Justin is an Associate Company Member of Strangeloop Theatre and an Actor Combatant in the Society of American Fight Directors. He knows when you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness' sake, and support Chicago Theatre! Justin has worked with Strangeloop Theatre, Theatre-Hikes, Forget-me-not Theatre Co., and the Chicago Swordplay Guild. His Fight Choreography has been featured in Strangeloop's French With Me, and Nothing Special's Fight Night. Enjoy the show!

Krampus! Bio: Michael Wagman

Michael Wagman (Chase/Younger Priest) is very excited to once more act with Strangeloop where he has been a company member since 2010. Previous Strangeloop acting credits include The Millionaire Farmer, The Maid of Orleans, As You Like It and his personal favorite, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Other favorite acting credits include Cash on Delivery (Saint Sebastian Players), Some Air (Nothing Without a Company) and The Contract (Janus Theatre Company). In addition to Michael’s acting credits, he has also written Santa Claus vs. the Easter Bunny for both Strangeloop and Donny’s Skybox Theatre (also director), Shadows and Lust for Strangeloop at the 2012 Chicago Fringe Festival, and Crisco vs. Olive Oil for Loopshop3. Big thanks to Maria, Lisa, and all my wonderful Strangeloop peeps.

Loopshop 8 Bio: Mark Lancaster

Mark Lancaster (Andy) grew up in Texas, but he hopes you won't hold that against him. Having finished his M.F.A. in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University in 2012, he has since devoted his time to Chicago stages as an actor, a burlesque performer/host, a stage combatant/choreographer and frequently gets to wear prosthetic foreheads on his real head. Everybody wants prosthetic foreheads on their real head.

Loopshop 8 Bio: Justin Fill

Justin Fill (Harry) is extremely excited to be a part of Loopshop 8. Justin studied acting and digital storytelling at Ball State University, and is a member of the Society of American Fight Directors. Chicago credits include Theatre-Hikes and Forget Me Not Theatre. Justin's focuses are theatrical violence, music and integrating and interpreting technology into stage and film. When not immersed in the world of Theatre, Justin is a part of the pet-care industry, a courier and yogi in training. If you have time for an epic story, ask him about his WVO-powered RV.

Loopshop 8 Bio: Paul Tinsley

Paul Tinsley (Playwright, Here's My Card) is excited to have his short play in Loopshop 8. Usually, he is more accustomed to acting on stage than providing scripts for on stage. At least this way he doesn’t have to memorize as much. Some of the groups where Paul has performed include Rebekah Theatre Project, Strangeloop, Remy Bumppo, Northlight, Piven Theatre and Steppenwolf. This play tonight is dedicated to bail-bondsmen everywhere.

Loopshop 8 Bio: Linsey Falls

Linsey Falls (Mr. Loozer) is thrilled to pieces to be participating in this festival. His past work includes Chicago productions such as Factory Theater’s Namosaur (TigerAss/Cohort Doctor) and Hotel Aphrodite (Councilman Alton), Prop Thtr’s Slaughter City (Sausage Man), Drumming in the Night (Glub) and Debris of the Prophet (Athiest Gunman), Akvavit Theatre’s A Summer’s Day (Man) and Blue Planet (Bjarki), CityLit Theatre’s The Sign of the Four (Abdullah Kahn/Jameson) and Frankenstein (Karl, Constable, Judge), Adventure Stages Chicago’s Ghosts of Treasure Island (Tom Morgan), Commedia Beauregard's She Sings for You (Patron 1) and See You Soon (Man) and Lifeline Theatre's Lyle Finds his Mother (Mr. Primm/Hector P. Valenti) and The One and Only Ivan. Linsey wishes to thank everyone involved for the opportunity to play!

Loopshop 8 Bio: Joe Giovannetti

Joe Giovannetti (Bart) is an actor, writer, and director. He is a company member with InGen Productions and MPAACT. Recent credits include InGen's Die Young, MPAACT's Without Trace and Akvavit Theatre's Mishap! Love to Sarah.

Loopshop 8 Bio: Gage Wallace

Gage Wallace (Jimmy) is thrilled to be back onstage with his arch-nemesis. Gage is a proud Founding and Company Member with Red Theater (Chicago, Lincoln and Omaha), as well as a member of the Associate Ensemble with Trap Door Theatre. Chicago Credits: Irish Theatre of Chicago (The White Road, Blackborrow), Trap Door Theatre (Cookie Play, Tommy), Red Theater-Chicago (Red Hamlet, Hamlet; Dylan, Dylan Thomas), Red Tape Theatre (Mnemonic, Ensemble). Regional: Nebraska Shakes (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Peter Quince; Romeo and Juliet, Romeo), Flatwater Shakes (Two Gentlemen of Verona, Proteus) and Haymarket Theatre (Orphans, Phillip). As a performance poet, Gage has been seen on regional and national stages. He is represented by Paonessa Talent.

Thinking Caps: Cast and Crew Bios

Cast

Maggie Cusick:                  Laura Stratford

Charles Cusick:                  Drew Wancket
Moderator/Becky/
Emma Cusick:                    Ellen DeSitter
Kim Ayers:                         Jaclyn Jensen*
David Scrab:                       Casey Kells

The Headnet

Headnet Voice:                   Letitia Guillaud

Crystal Freema:                  Kyla Norton  

The Forum for the Integration of Sensible Technology: Caitlin Jackson, Kirk Jackson, Miona Lee+, Tim Lee+, Allison McCorkle+, Paul Tinsley, Patricia Tinsley and Chad Wise

Headnet Friends: Julia Beck, Maria Burnham*, Jean E. Burr, Gabrielle Cauchon, Grace DeSant, Elana Elyce, Stefanie Johnsen, Carolyn Minor, John Morrison, Mark Penzien and Denise A. Stein

Production Team

Playwright:                                                      Keith Gatchel*

Director:                                                          Maria Burnham*
Assistant Director:                                          John Morrison
Production Manager:                                      Holly Robison*
Stage Manager:                                               Jennifer Roseman
Assistant Stage Manager:                                Miona Lee+
Projections/Video Designer:                           Chris Owens
Sound Designer/Original Composition:          Antonio Bruno
Scenic/Thinking Cap Designer:                      Archer Curry
Light Designer:                                               Brad Gunter*
Costume Designer:                                          Molly Mason
Props Designer:                                               Holly Robison*
Violence Designer:                                          Robert Tobin
Fight Captain:                                                  Casey Kells
Movement Designer:                                       Miona Lee+
Graphic Design:                                              Mike Wozniak
Marketing:                                                      Maria Burnham*

 
*Denotes a Strangeloop Company Member
+Denotes a Strangeloop Associate Company Member

Thinking Caps Bio: Drew Wancket

 

Drew Wancket (Charles Cusick) has most recently performed with 20% Theatre and The Public House Theatre. He is a professional improv coach with One Group Mind in Chicago and also teaches a team at Columbia College. He performs with his improve group, Kat Dadz, and hosts and produces the Sunday Night Show, a weekly variety show. He can also be seen around Chicago with his two-man, musical comedy duo, Lange and Wancket. Drew recently finished his Master’s in Interdisciplinary Arts at Columbia College. He is excited to get back into scripted theater after spending so much time making the words up.

Thinking Caps Bio: Casey Kells

Casey Kells (David Scrab/Fight Captain) is ecstatic to be making his Strangeloop debut with Thinking Caps! Casey is a graduate of Roosevelt University where he obtained his B.F.A. in acting. He has worked with companies around Chicago including Cold Basement Dramatics, Nothing Special Productions, and Emergent Theatre. Casey would like to thank his family and friends for their support, with a special thanks to Cress, who makes everything possible.

Auditions scheduled for Strangeloop's production of 'Thinking Caps'

A scene from the original Thinking Caps short
play presented as part of Loopshop 2012.

Strangeloop Theatre announces auditions for its world premier production of Thinking Caps by Strangeloop Company Member Keith Gatchel. Auditions will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, at DePaul University (2350 N Racine Avenue). Please see email address below to request an audition slot.

 

The near future. Websites and the internet are dead. Telepathy and Headsites are the new reality. Everyone who is anyone has a Thinking Cap and they live in a semi-virtual, semi-real world where imagination is the key to success. But how far is too far when it comes to technology? Thinking Caps explores the upsides and downsides of virtual reality technology in the near future.

 

We are casting 5 roles (3 men, 2 women). All ages and types encouraged to submit. For consideration, please submit your headshot and resume to casting@strangelooptheatre.org. If we are able to schedule you, we will contact you with a time slot. Please include any audition day time considerations with your email submission and we'll do our best to accommodate.

 

This is a non-equity production.

Time Commitment: The schedule will consist of four to six rehearsals per week during evenings and weekend days in late March and April, with the possibility of several readings and table work meetings beforehand. The final rehearsal schedule will be set after taking actor conflicts into consideration. 

The show will load in to The Charnel House (3421 W. Fullerton in Logan Square) on April 27, with tech and previews through opening on Friday, May 8. The show will then run at The Charnel House on Friday and Saturday nights with Sunday matinees until closing on Sunday, May 31.

 

Material To Prepare: Please prepare a 1-2 minute contemporary monologue.

Hack/Slash: Get to know Tim Lee

Who's that tall drink of bloody stabby water on stage you ask? Why that's Mr. Tim Lee, the man with knives. Add him to your trading card collection.

Hack/Slash Bio: Tim Lee

Tim Lee (Vlad) is very excited to be a part of Hack/Slash. After studying theatre at Evangel University, he toured and performed as a part of the Skinny Improv. He decided to move to Chicago to pursue acting. Some of his most recent roles include, Busman in Strangeloop Theatre’s production of Rossum’s Universal Robots and as Andy in 101 Ways to Fall in Love with Bard and Fool Theatre. He is very proud to be an Associate Member of Strangeloop Theatre and part of Under the Gun Theatre’s ensemble. Thanks to Miona for always being there with love and support.