Erika Sheffer (Playwright, she/her)  is a playwright and screenwriter based in Los Angeles. Her first play, Russian Transport, premiered at The New Group and went on to productions at Steppenwolf as well as other regional and international theaters. The Fundamentals was commissioned and produced by Steppenwolf. Her latest play, Vladimir was commissioned by The Geffen Playhouse and received its world premiere at Manhattan Theatre Club. Honors include the Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, multiple TCG Edgerton Grants, and an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination. She is an alum of Ars Nova Playgroup and a member of Center Theatre Group’s LA Writer’s Workshop. Erika has held commissions from Steppenwolf, The Geffen Playhouse, Center Theatre Group and Manhattan Theatre Club. Screen credits include Apple TV’s Little America and Netflix’s The Beast in Me (Writers Guild nomination) as well as multiple development rooms for Apple TV, Starz and Sony.

Lou Contey+ (Director, he/him) is a long-time Ensemble Member with Shattered Globe Theatre. He recently directed the multiple award-winning production of A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE. Shattered Globe credits include THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, ALL MY SONS, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, PETER PAN, LES LIASONS DANGEREUSE, WARHAWKS AND LINDBERGHS, HOLY GHOSTS, JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG, REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT, THE WHALESHIP ESSEX, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, THE TALL GIRLS, THE HEAVENS ARE HUNG IN BLACK and many others. Among his more than eighty directing credits are THE PRICE, AWAKE AND SING!, IT’S ALL TRUE, COPENHAGEN, PRAVDA, PARADISE LOST, THE GENERAL FROM AMERICA, A HOUSE WITH NO WALLS, LILLIAN, FROST/NIXON, THE GUYS, and THE APPLE FAMILY PLAYS, all at TimeLine where he is an Associate Artist. Other Chicago credits include THE MASTER AND MARGARITA (Strawdog Theatre); IN A GARDEN (A Red Orchid Theatre); MARRIAGE PLAY, DUCK VARIATIONS (The Goodman Theatre), and HAYMARKET EIGHT (Steppenwolf). He has also worked at Theatre at the Center, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Provision Theatre, Eclipse Theatre & American Theatre Company. He has taught acting and directing for the theatre programs at UIC, The Acting Studio, Act One Studio and The Theatre School/DePaul University.

Joe Schermoly (Scenic Designer, he/him) teams up with Shattered Globe and Lou Contey once again after IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT.  Regional Credits: CARMEN (Charlotte Ballet); PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC (Northlight Theatre); YASMINA'S NECKLACE (Goodman), CONSTELLATIONS (Steppenwolf), HAND TO GOD, SAMSARA (Victory Gardens);   DREAM KING (Teatro Vista); THE ALLY, HURRICANE DIANE, NAPERVILLE, THE WATSON INTELLIGENCE, SEVEN HOMELESS MAMMOTHS WANDER NEW ENGLAND, COMPLETENESS (Theatre Wit); HEDDA GABLER, LOVE SONG, FRANKENSTEIN, KING HENRY IV, TRAVESTIES (Remy Bumppo); POMONA, RED REX, BIRDLAND, WASTWATER AND LELA & CO. (Steep); SOLARIS, POCATELLO, TITANIC, SPELLING BEE, FLARE PATH, PUNK ROCK (Griffin); THE GULF, THIS BITTER EARTH,THE TEMPERAMENTALS (About Face). Joe received a B.A. in Theatre from Northwestern University, is an ensemble member of Steep Theatre, and has received four Equity Jeff Awards. www.joeschermoly.com

Shelley Strasser+ (Lighting Designer, she/her) has been an ensemble member with Shattered Globe Theatre since 1992, design credits include A View From the Bridge, Manchurian Candidate, All My Sons, Judgment at Nuremberg, and her Jeff-nominated design for The Glass Menagerie. Regionally, her work has been seen at First Folio Theatre and Theatre at the Center. Shelley holds an MFA from Northwestern University and is the Cultural Arts Specialist for the Nathan Manilow Theatre in Park Forest. 

kClare McKellaston (Costume Designer, she/her) is a Chicago-based Costume Designer, Stylist, and Wardrobe Technician. She is an Assistant Professor in Costume Design at Columbia College Chicago. Chicago: Don't Quit Your Daydream, Best Kept Secret (Second City Chicago Mainstage); TL;DR (Theo Ubique); Cats, Fiddler on the Roof (Music Theater Works); The Last Five Years, The Drowsy Chaperone (Metropolis PAC); Scarcity, Gary (Redtwist); At Home at the Zoo, Glass Heart, Peyton Place (City Lit). Regional: The Woman in Black (National Tour). She has also served as a designer and faculty member with the National High School Institute at Northwestern University (Cherubs). kClare is a proud member of IATSE Wardrobe Local 769. www.kClare.com

Christopher Kriz**~ (Original Music and Sound Design, he/him) is an award-winning composer and sound designer based in Chicago. Previous SGT designs include: A Tale Of Two Cities (Jeff Award for Original Music), Eelpout! (Jeff nomination for Original Music), Ugly Lies The Bone, Lobby Hero, Jump, and dozens of others. A winner of 7 Joseph Jefferson Awards, Kriz has designed hundreds of productions for companies in Chicago including Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, Northlight, Court, Chicago Shakespeare, Writers, Paramount, Timeline, Victory Gardens, Remy Bumppo, and many others. Regional credits: Seattle Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Repertory, Indiana Repertory, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Nebraska Repertory, Peninsula Players, TheatreSquared, American Stage, Montana Shakespeare, Michigan Shakespeare Festival, and others. Kriz is a proud member of United Scenic Artists 829 and is represented by the Michael Moore Agency. To hear more of his work, visit www.christopherkriz.com

Nga Sze Chan (Properties Designer, Cecilia she/her) is elated to join the team at Shattered Globe Theatre as the Props Designer for this timely and complicated world of VLADIMIR. Based in Chicago, Cecilia is a Scenic & Properties Designer dedicated to creating fun and meaningful worlds with storytellers in communities within and around the city. Recent Properties credits include West Side Story (Music Theater Works), A Year with Frog and Toad (Marriott Theatre), La Bohème/Adriana Lecouvreur (Opera Festival of Chicago), An Enemy of the People (Assoc. Props; Timeline Theatre), Fahrenheit 451 (Elgin Community College), CATS (Music Theater Works), Godspell (Music Theater Works), The Threepenny Opera (Northeastern Illinois University), You Can’t Take It With You (Elgin Community College), Dog Sees God (Governors State University), 38th Annual YPF (Pegasus Theatre Chicago). Currently, she is working on her next production of The Far Country at Timeline Theatre.

Paul Deziel** (Projection Designer, he/him) based in Chicago, Paul’s work has been seen at The Goodman Theatre, The Muny, Asolo Rep, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Paramount Theatre, En Garde Arts, The Vineyard Theatre, Court Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, American Blues Theater, The Neo-Futurists, Jackalope Theatre Company, Mosaic Theatre Company, and many others. Paul is a proud Artistic Affiliate with American Blues Theater, and a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. He received an MFA in Projection and Multimedia Design at the University of Maryland and is the recipient of 2 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Pauldeziel.com

Elise Kauzlaric (Dialect Coach, she/her) is happy to return to Shattered Globe having previously coached dialects for This Wide Night. Chicago coaching credits include: Constellations, East of Eden (Steppenwolf Theatre Company); The Bridges of Madison County (Marriott Theatre); Doubt, Pineapple, Mojo Mickybo, The Seafarer (Irish Theatre of Chicago); A Shayna Maidel, The Audience, My Name is Asher Lev, A Raisin in the Sun (Timeline). Regional credits include: The Killer Angels, The Importance of Being Ernest, The Rivals, Pygmalion (Michigan Shakespeare). Elise also works as a director, actor, and teacher. She is a member of the artistic ensemble of Lifeline Theatre and teaches at both The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and The Theatre School at DePaul.

Maren Robinson (Dramaturg, she/her) is Resident Dramaturg and a Company Member at TimeLine Theatre where she has been a dramaturg for 36 productions and co-facilitates their Playwrights’ Collective. In addition to her work with TimeLine, Maren has worked as a freelance dramaturg for a total of 66 productions including 24 new works or adaptations. She has worked with numerous Chicago theaters including Court, Lifeline, Camenae, Caffeine, Greasy Joan, Eclipse, Strawdog, The Plagiarists, Chicago Dancemaker’s Forum, the Chicago Humanities Festival and regionally at the New Harmony Project. She is pleased to be working with Shattered Globe for the first time. 

Maren holds an M.A. in Humanities from the University of Chicago where she now serves as Associate Director of the M.A. Program. She regularly teaches and advises students at multiple Chicago universities. She is the VP of Regional Activities USA  for the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas.

E. Tylkowski (Production Manager, they/them) has worked for fifteen years in Chicago theaters as a lighting designer, production manager, and technical director. They are excited to production manage at Shattered Globe this season after previously working as technical director for Ugly Lies the Bone and production manager for A Tale of Two Cities. E has previously served as Managing Director of Rough House Theater Company and Director of Production at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre. This season they can also be found at Filament Theatre and Jackalope Theatre.

Tina M. Jach*+(Production Stage Manager, she/her)  is as an ensemble member of Shattered Globe Theatre. Some of her SGT credits include: Eelpout, Ugly Lies The Bone, Lobby Hero, Becky Nurse Of Salem, A View From the Bridge, London Road, Rasheeda Speaking; Sheepdog; Crime And Punishment and Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday; Other Chicago credits include Four Places (Den Theatre); The Father (Remy Bumppo Theatre); Fade (Teatro Vista & Victory Gardens Theater), Henry Johnson, Hand To God, Eurydice, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity and Anna in the Tropics (Victory Gardens Theater), Confessions of a P. I. M. P. (Grippo Stage Company, Inc.), Race (Goodman Theatre). Ms. Jach holds an MFA in Stage Management from Rutgers University, and is a proud member of AEA.

Emily Nicholas (Assistant Stage Manager, she/her) is a non-Equity stage manager based in Chicago. Recent credits include: Morning, Noon, and Night, Ugly Lies the Bone, A Tale of Two Cities (Shattered Globe Theatre); Octet (Goodman transfer, produced by Raven Theatre), Southern Rapture, The Unseen (Tin Drum Theatre Company); The Stranger, Million Dollar Quartet, I Ought To Be In Pictures (Peninsula Players Theatre). Emily holds a BFA in Stage Management and Arts Administration from Millikin University in Decatur, IL. She would like to thank her partner, friends, and family for their love and support!

Mary Dixon (Assistant Stage Manager, she/her) is xxxx

Nick Peebles (Technical Director, he/him)

Ellie Fey+ (Asst. Lighting Designer, she/her) is a 25 year old Chicago based Lighting Designer and Electrician. She graduated from The Theatre School at DePaul University in 2023 with a BFA in lighting design. Ellie is an SGT ensemble member, and this will be her ninth production with the company. Some of her other assistant lighting design credits include Topdog/Underdog (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), Out Here (Court Theatre), Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars (Timeline Theatre Company), and Pot Girls (The Story Theatre). Ellie has received two Jeff Award nominations for outstanding lighting design for her work on Lobby Hero (SGT) and Witch (The Artistic Home). You can check out her portfolio at www.elliemfeydesigns.com.

Catherine Miller (Casting Director, they/them) is excited to be casting at Shattered Globe for the first time, during the 26-27 season. They are also very proud to be casting director for About Face Theatre and Raven Theatre. Catherine has also cast productions for Chicago Children's Theatre, American Musical Theatre Project, Northwestern University and Backstitch Arts, among many others. Additionally, they have worked as a dramaturg and gender consultant for Raven Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville and About Face Theatre. Catherine was a 2021 3Arts Make A Wave recipient and was featured in American Theatre Magazine's Role Call. They also were on NewCity Magazine’s 2020 + 2019 Players: The Fifty People Who Really Perform for Chicago and the Windy City Times’ 30 Under 30 list. Catherine has a BFA in Dramaturgy/Criticism from The Theatre School at DePaul and is a proud artistic associate with About Face Theatre along with being on the Advisory Board for Mudlark Theatre. For more, subscribe to their substack at https://frombehindthetable.substack.com/

Ian Frank (Producing Artistic Director, he/him) is an award-winning stage director, adapter, and arts leader. He comes to Shattered Globe from Mudlark Theater in Evanston, where he has been the Executive Director since 2023. Ian directed Frankenstein (Jeff Awards — Best Production, Best Director) for Remy Bumppo Theatre where he helped produce more than fifteen mainstage productions as the Associate Artistic Director from 2015-2021. Other Chicago directing credits include Private Lives (Raven Theatre), Incident at Vichy (Jeff Nomination - Best Ensemble), Another Bone, and Shipwrecked! (Redtwist), and Bob: A Life in Five Acts (LiveWire). Regionally, Ian directed Remix 38 at the Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville where he has a long history of collaboration, starting as an Acting Apprentice in 2004. His work has also taken him to Milwaukee Rep, The Kennedy Center, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Ian holds an MFA in Directing from The Theatre School at DePaul University and has returned to direct several times. He has also directed at his undergraduate alma mater, Centre College, and at the University of South Carolina. His adaptation of The Call of the Wild was produced at the University of Montana in 2022. Ian has extensive experience on both the artistic and producing side of theatre, including working in the Chicago office of Actors’ Equity Association. He came to Chicago in 2008, and now lives in North Center with his wife, actor Emily Tate, their son, Baxter, and their dog, Alba.

Julia Farrell Diefenbach (Director of Marketing and Community Engagement, she/her) is the Managing and Marketing Director for Artemisia Theatre, Chicago's feminist theatre. She previously served as the Director of Marketing and Social Media for Haven Chicago and as the Associate Artistic Director of The Halogen Company, an award-winning immersive theatre company in Los Angeles. She is a director and dramaturg drawn to strange, dark, and unconventional stories. Recent directing credits include Kate Hamill’s Sense and Sensibility, The Haunting of Hill House (Twin City Players), and the sold-out Los Angeles production of One Exit (The Halogen Company). Other credits include work with Chicago Dramatists, Haven Chicago, Shattered Globe Theatre, Collaboraction, Midsommer Flight, and Citadel Theatre. Julia is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago and is a proud member of LMDA. juliafarrell.net