Tracy Whiteside
Education Manager, Teaching Artist
Performing Arts Academy at Fox Valley Repertory
Tracy has been in the entertainment industry and fashion business for over 20 years. Tracy opened Glow Talent, a Modeling and Acting School and Agency in New Jersey. During this time, Tracy was a licensed talent agent and taught workshops for ages 4 to 64 in modeling, acting, singing, make-up, fashion, image and self-improvement. Her actors and singers have been on Broadway, in films, on TV and in commercials. Her students have appeared on MTV, Nickelodeon, Sesame Street and The O.C., among others. The countless TV commercial credits include Tide, Coke and Chucky Cheese. Her students have been seen in the films "The Stepford Wives", "The Interpreter", "Loverboy", and "Hitch." In addition to actors, Tracy has trained Elite, Wilhelmina and Ford models. Print model students have been seen in Seventeen, Fitness, Teen Vogue, People, TV Guide and Cosmopolitan. Her models have walked on the runways in New York, Paris, and Milan.  In the Chicago area, Tracy served on the Board of Directors for First Street Playhouse and teaches performing arts classes at Elgin Community College.  At Fox Valley Repertory, Tracy teaches theatre classes to all ages as well as manages the Education Department.  She has directed "Oliver!" and "Godspell" for the FVR Youth Ensemble. 

Tracy is also a freelance photographer http://tracywhiteside.zenfolio.com | www.TracyWhiteside.net.

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John Gawlik
Artistic Director, Director, Actor, Teaching Artist
Fox Valley Repertory
John Gawlik grew up in the western suburbs and is a graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep and Marquette University. An AEA actor and director, John has appeared with or helmed productions for many Chicago companies. In 2010 he complete a 14 week run of Martin McDonagh's The Lonesome West with The Gift Theatre, where is an ensemble member. Recently John directed Around the World in 80 Days and Red Herring for Fox Valley Repertory in St. Charles where he is in his sixth year as Artistic Director. Additional directing credits include The Ruby Sunrise for The Gift Theatre Company which was named one of the Top Ten shows of 2009 by TimeOut Chicago Magazine and was remounted in July, 2010 at Theater on the Lake, Dated: A Cautionary Tale for Facebook Users for Collaboraction's Sketchbook Festival (Festival Best Director) and the Jeff Award winning production of The Good Thief. As an actor, some of John favorite shows include Beauty Queen of Lennane with the Gift Theatre, A Skull in Connemara at Northlight (After Dark Award, Ensemble), The Great Society with Famous Door and The Life and Times of Tulsa Lovechild with Collaboraction (Jeff Award for Ensemble).
 

A. Paul Johnson
Music Director, Pianist, Teaching Artist for Voice, Composer
Guest Musical Director A. Paul Johnson started his theatre career at Indiana Repertory Theatre at age 20, musical directing shows and writing several musicals for their touring program. Working with actors primarily hired for the straight play rep season he developed very efficient and effective vocal coaching strategies to help actors move with confidence into musicals with short preparation time. This led to further residencies with Syracuse Stage, the Asolo Theatre Festival, American Stage, and the Hippodrome Theatre to list a few. This reputation led him to opening his own vocal coaching studio in Florida where he prepped opera singers, Equity actors and students of all ages.

Paul's work with voices also found him training in concert voice styles as a frequent Chorus Master with the Florida Opera and coaching singers to prepare his own very difficult original music with the Sarasota Opera and the Florida Lyric Opera. He has worked with theatres as stage director for Pioneer Playhouse, St. Petersburg Little Theatre, Amigos des Artes in Argentina and the old Nettle Creek Players near Richmond Indiana.

A composer of note, his special musical play projects have been popular dedicatory events. GARCIA LORCA'S BICYCLE RIDE was commissioned to open the Salvador Dali Museum in 1982, and his 1997 musical revue JUNG AT HEART that opened the "Lobby Theatre" in St. Petersburg had its score released on the 'Original Cast' (OC) CD label. Paul has had two Pulitzer Prize nominations, one for his SINFONIETTA, and one for his OBOE CONCERTO.

Paul also trains voices for recording projects and his credits appear on 20 albums as producer, vocal preparation, conductor, arranger or composer. He has conducted professionally in Europe, South America and with regional ensembles in the USA. His new position as Organist/Choirmaster at St. Peter's Church in Frankfort IL brings him to the Chicago area.
 

Kyle Donahue
Music Director, Choreographer, Teaching Artist for Voice
Kyle Donahue has performed around the world on regional theatre, theme park and cruise ship stages, and was most recently seen performing at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook. 

Previous Music Directing credits include Dames at Sea, Grease, and The Secret Garden, where he also served as the Director and Choreographer.  Previous Choreography credits include 42nd Street, The Sound of Music, and Oklahoma!  Performance credits include Stage Left Theatre, New American Theater, Derby Dinner Playhouse, Broadway Dinner Theatre, The Barn Theatre, Cedar Point Theme Park, The Shawnee Playhouse, The Round Barn Theatre, and a lead vocalist aboard a Regent Seven Seas world cruise. 

Kyle has danced professionally with the Without Shoes Modern Dance Company, studied in NYC at Alvin Ailey and the Broadway Dance Center, and teaches voice and dance locally at State Street Dance, DancEncounter, Rockford College, Rising Star, and M & M Dance.  He is an accomplished vocal teacher and coach, and he is the new Performing Arts Supervisor at the Fox Valley Park District in Aurora.  He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from Rockford College.  www.KyleAndJulie.com
 

Michael McCracken
Talent Agent, Teaching Artist
http://shirleyhamilton.com/
 

Matt Miller
Director, Casting Director, Teaching Artist
http://www.mattmillerdirect.com/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1623970/
 

Codrut Birsan
Music Director, Pianist, Teaching Artist for Voice, Composer
Born in Brasov, Romania, Codrut Birsan began piano lessons at age 6.  By age 14, he won the “Cantarea Romaniei,” a Romanian national jazz piano competition. While still a teenager, Codrut began voice lessons with the distinguished professor Georgeta Stoleriu. Codrut holds a Master of Voice degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. While in San Francisco, Codrut sang in the world premiere of the musical “Viva Concha!” and was a member of the San Francisco Lyric Opera from 2004-2007. Performing internationally as both a singer and classical/jazz pianist, Codrut has focused on composition as well as performance.  In 2010, he was honored with an International Emmy Award for his role in composing the score for a documentary originally aired on Romanian HBO. This versatile and well-rounded pianist has collaborated with students from San Francisco Conservatory, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Lawrence Conservatory. In San Francisco, he enjoyed playing piano for scenes from various musicals, as well as preparing musicals for music programs within San Francisco’s school district. He has most recently served as musical director and piano accompanist for University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s production of “Urinetown”. Codrut is currently collaborating with a librettist and composing his own musical, which will be premiering in Chicago soon. http://codrutbirsan.com/
 

Ken Jones
Music Director, Pianist, Teaching Artist for Voice, Director
After graduating from the University of Illinois, Ken has traveled the country and has worked throughout the Chicago area as a Music Director, Accompanist, Vocal Coach, and Instructor with such companies as Holland America Cruise Lines (AK,) Janesville Armory Theatre (WI,) Virginia Musical Theatre (VA,) Cortland Repertory Theatre (NY,) The Old Schoolhouse Theatre (FL,) and Bohemian Theatre Ensemble (IL) to name a few.  When not performing in a main stage production, Ken is a Director and Musical Director for Fox Valley Repertory’ Youth Ensemble, and he is a Vocal Teaching Artist with Fox Valley Repertory’ Performing Arts Academy.  In his second year at Roosevelt University (CCPA,) he works as an Accompanist for Musical Theatre ensemble classes.  Some favorite past NFT productions include: Once Upon A Mattress, Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical, Flanagan's Wake, and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.  Past NFT productions include Sleeping Beauty and Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings.  Ken maintains a local music studio of voice and piano student www.ken-jones.com.
 

Jock L. Schloss
Actor, Comedian, Teaching Artisit
http://www.jocklschloss.com/Home/Home.html
 

Lora Vodicka
Actor, Teaching Artist
Lora is a proud Summa Cum Laude graduate of Illinois State University with a B.S. in Theatre Education and Acting.  At Illinois State University, Lora played Tricia in Dog Sees God, Nurse in Equus, and danced in the chorus of The Who’s: Tommy, Evita, West Side Story and the Illinois State Dance Theatre.  In addition to acting at ISU, Lora choreographed How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.  Lora has also choreographed and directed many high school productions including Music Man, Seussical, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Wego Community Theatre’s You’re A Goodman Charlie Brown.  In addition to working at Fox Valley Repertory, Lora also serves as Glenbard North High School’s Associate Technical Director of Theatre, and she teaches at West Chicago Park District and Platinum Dance.  In her classes, students will gain theatrical skills as well as confidence on and off stage.  As a life-long theatre enthusiast and talented teacher, Lora is very excited to share her passion with the students of Fox Valley Repertory!
 

Debra Stombres
Music Director, Teaching Artist for Voice and Piano
Debra is a bronze tablet scholar graduate of the University of Illinois with a Bachelors of Music in Applied Flute, with minors in piano and voice, after having been chosen for a full scholarship entitled, “Outstanding Young Women in Music.” She was Miss Illinois in 1978 and received a talent award in the Miss America pageant. She has been teaching private piano and flute instruction for almost 30 years. Her varied experience includes conducting several church choirs, leading worship times at conferences, traveling as a keyboard player in a band, and directing vocals for numerous musicals. She is a six-time winner of a seat in the National Flute Association’s annual flute choir, including this past summer where she performed with them in New York City.
 

Jacque Lueken
Teaching Artist, Director
Jacque is excited to return to Fox Valley Repertory Performing Arts Academy after directing this season's It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Jacque received her BFA in Acting from Syracuse University and, upon graduation moved to Chicago to work with Steppenwolf Theatre Co as the Asst Coordinator for their summer acting intensive 'The School at Steppenwolf.' Since being in the city Jacque has worked as a teaching artist with numerous companies in the Chicagoland Area including Emerald City Theatre Co, The Eileen Boever's Performing Arts Workshop at Apple Tree Theatre, the American Mosaic Project with American Theatre Co, After School Matters and a mentor with Redmoon's Dramagirls Program. She has also served as the Education Coordinator at Emerald City Theatre, Education Asst for Victory Gardens Theatre and is currently Education Director for Village Players Theatre (Oak Park) and Three Cat Productions (Skokie Theatre). Favorite directing credits with/for youth include The Giver (TYA at Apple tree Theatre) and Jungle Tales (Eileen Boevers Performing Arts workshop), which she is looking to direct again this spring with the Village Players Youth Training Center in Oak Park.
 

Kimberly G. Morris      
Teaching Artist for Costume, Wigs, Makeup, Props, Puppets and Special Effects Designer
Kimberly has designed for numerous venues around the country such as the Fox Valley Repertory, Shedd Aquarium, Stage Left Theatre, The Gift, Adler Planetarium, Lifeline Theatre, The Griffin Theater, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, American Shakespeare Center (VA), Heritage Repertory Theatre (VA), Theatre West Virginia (WV), Denison University (OH), Virginia Commonwealth University (VA), and Tecumseh! (OH). Prior teaching includes costume and makeup classes at the University of Virginia, Ball State University, and several high schools in Chicagoland and Charlottesville, VA.  She also runs the prop and costumes shop for Niles West High School theatre department, where she teaches students the basics of costume and prop design, manufacture and management. http://cymeburleah.com/
 

Patrick Stinson
Director, Choreographer
Since he was eleven years old, Patrick has been on the stage.  He grew up on the south side of Chicago in Burbank and now lives in Plano with his wife Anna, their two dogs, and their cat.  Patrick is currently the producing artistic director for the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre in Clinton, Iowa.  The Showboat is a professional summer-stock theatre that produces upwards of 10-15 shows a year. Patrick has directed and acted in many regional professional productions including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Singing in the Rain, The Last 5 Years, Beauty and the Beast, Of Mice and Men, Bleacher Bums, and scads more. He has worked with several Broadway and television stars including Jill Paice of Curtains, Lavon Fischer of Chicago and The Color Purple, and Hedy Burress of ER and Southland.  He has a BFA in musical theatre from Millikin University and a BA in English and communications from North Central College.  http://patrickstinson.com/
 

Becca Knights
Casting Director, Teaching Artist
Becca Knights became a permanent member of the Simon Casting Family in 2005 when hired on to assist with "Prison Break." She has worked hard to develop her career in casting and is recognized for her unique eye for talent. Becca has worked to cast shows for many theatres including Apollo, Broadway In Chicago, Fox Valley Rep, Indiana Rep, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Milwaukee Rep, Provision, Royal George, Silk Road, and Writers. She also works as associate for TV and Film - most recently with Warner Brother's "Contagion," ABC's "Detroit 1-8-7" and Fox's "The Chicago Code." Becca has also been a part of many television pilots and film searches as well as countless commercial casting. She is a member of the Joseph Jefferson Committee and is committed to knowing the Chicago talent pool. She takes pride in presenting opportunities for the remarkable theatre community that thrives in this city. She is thankful to have found her home with the most fabulous ladies in the city and grateful to her fearless leader Claire. http://www.simoncasting.com/aboutus.html
 

Scott Piner
Teaching Artist
Scott Piner has been performing magic for over a decade. In addition to performing magic, Piner enjoys acting and directing theater for the stage. For youth, Piner has directed shows such as The Jungle Book and previously served as Artistic Director for Summer Shows for Young Audiences at Jack Benny Center for the Arts. In his youth, Piner trained at Tannen’s Magic Camp in New York City where some of the world’s greatest magicians and instructors of magic would come together. Recently, Piner has taught magic for schools, CYT, and Apple Tree Theater. Piner enjoys combining comedy into close-up and stage magic and using magic a tool to explore our creativity.
 

John Tovar
Fight Choreographer, Teaching Artist
Vice President and Certified Teacher of the Society of American Fight Directors
John has taught stage combat at DePaul University, Illinois State University, Ball State University, The Actor’s Gymnasium in Evanston, and was a Guest Artist at Roosevelt University. Currently, John is on faculty at Elgin Community College and College of DuPage. He has also taught numerous stage combat workshops across the country including The Winter Wonderland Workshop in Elgin (where he is the coordinator) and The National Stage Combat Workshop-East in North Carolina. Area productions that John has choreographed include Accomplice, The Musical of Musicals: The Musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Ruthless: The Musical (Noble Fool Theatricals), Temporary Help, Noises Off!, and Communicating Doors (Buffalo Theatre Ensemble), Robin Hood and The Glory of Living (College of DuPage), I Hate Hamlet (Wheaton Drama), Corpse! (Steel Beam Theatre), and Cyrano de Bergerac (Independent Players).  http://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/324692