MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM

BEN F. LOCKE (PLAYWRIGHT) is a Black, Queer and Nonbinary Chicago Writer, Actor, Director, Casting Director and Producer. Most of my work focuses on Black/Queer experiences and tries to focus on joy rather than trauma, as a way to expand how this industry sees us and what stories we're allowed to be part of. More stories for us, by us. Ben is a Chicago actor, director, writer, and casting director. They have worked with theatres such as Steppenwolf, Court, Drury Lane, Music Theatre Works, House Theatre and more. They are forever grateful for all the support of family, friends and loved ones! You can find Ben’s plays at The New Play Exchange.

CAROL ANN TAN (DIRECTOR) ("Cat") is a Singapore-born director and dramaturg. She has worked with Court Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Writers Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, Victory Gardens, Silk Road Cultural Center, The Gift Theatre, Sideshow Theatre, First Floor Theater, Haven Theatre, Theater at Monmouth, New Harmony Project, Seven Devils Playwrights Conference, Kennedy Center, Ma-Yi Theater, NYTW, and more. She is an artistic associate at Silk Road Cultural Center and a core faculty member at the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. MFA Directing: Brown/Trinity. carolanntan.com

DELENA BRADLEY (SCENIC DESIGN)

JOSEPHINE LONGO (COSTUME DESIGN) (she/her) is a Chicago based costume technician who wears various hats within the department. She works in theatre, film, and variety entertainment. Her most recent contract took her to The Old Globe (San Diego) to act as Costume Associate to Izumi Inaba on Noises Off. Toronto credits: Fellow Travelers (Showtime, Costume Assistant), Rock of Ages (More Entertainment, Wardrobe), Curse Words proof of concept (ElliFilms, Costume Designer). Selected Chicago credits: A Christmas Carol 2023 (Goodman, Wardrobe), Noises Off (Steppenwolf, Costume Assistant), Translations (Writers, Costume Assistant).

HENRY TOOHEY (LIGHTING DESIGN) is excited to return to Bramble! His lighting design and technical work have been seen at theaters around the greater Chicago area, including Paramount, Greenhouse, the Den, and the Marriott. He is a proud member of IATSE local 2, and received his BA from Kenyon College.

NEWTON “NEWT” SCHOTTELKOTTE (SOUND DESIGN) (they/she) is a sound designer, engineer, and composer based in Chicago by way of Appalachia. Recent design work includes 'Elephant and Piggie: We Are In A Play!' (Young People's Theatre of Chicago), 'Om Mission' (About Face), 'Neighborhood Watch' and 'Dummy In Diaspora' (Jackalope Theatre), and 'the love object' (the story theatre). In addition, Newt is a staff composer for multiple podcasts with Bloody Disgusting, a member of IATSE Local 2, and produces their original audio work under Caldera Studios. They are the proud owner of a very lucky black cat.

ISA NOE (PROPS DESIGN) is a Chicago-based artist, designer, and fabricator, who is delighted to work with Bramble for the first time. Recent Chicago theatrical design credits include Black Bone (Definition Theatre), Dear Elizabeth (Remy Bumppo Theatre), Skunk and Badger (Lifeline Theatre), and Rooted (Oil Lamp Theatre). Isa received their Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University with a focus in scenic design. They would like to thank their family, mentors, and partner for their loving encouragement and unwavering support. www.ign-design.com

EBBY OFFORD (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR) (she/they) is a proud South Side Chicagoan who received her B.A. in Drama from Washington University in St. Louis. Since returning to Chicago, Ebby has been fortunate to have directed and acted around the city. Previous (selected) credits: Love's Labour's Lost (Assistant Director - Midsommer Flight), Evil Perfect (Bramble Theatre Company), Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Midsommer Flight), ABORT: The Mission and Millennial Church (Director - Bramble Festival of Unfinished Work), and Ruined (Director - Reginald Vaughn Theater). She is excited to have worked on this deliciously complex play and to share this story with all of you!

DAN WASHELESKY (DRAMATURG) (they/he) is a director, dramaturg, playwright, and Managing Director of Bramble Theatre Company. Credits include: Manhattan Theatre Club (Dakar 2000), Steppenwolf Theatre (Describe the Night, The Children, The Rembrandt, Lindiwe), Paramount Theatre (An Act of God), Bramble Theatre Company (Evil Perfect), Silk Road Cultural Center/Stage Center Theatre (Black Bear Island), The Passage Theatre (The Miscellany, Happy Birthday Mars Rover, Spirits to Enforce), Valiant Theatre (First Called, The Reverend Dr. Paul(i) Murray), PrideArts (Dex & Abby, Afterglow), Eclectic Full Contact Theatre (Richard III), St. Louis Actors’ Studio (Blackbird), First Run Theatre (Prometheus’ Dream, Dreaming in Black & White, Bird’s Nest).

TRISTIN HALL (INTIMACY & VIOLENCE DESIGN) (they/them) is over the moon to join the team of Rooted. Tristin is Chicago born and raised actor, Intimacy and Fight Choreographer trained with IDC, SAFD, and BASSC. They have choreographed at Northlight, Steep, Strawdog, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Writers, Bramble Theater, Jackalope, Theater Evolve, and Citadel to name a few. Tristin is a proud founding member of Point Theatre Project and of Gladiator Fight Night. All the love to their family for their constant support!

CAROLINE MICHELE UY (ARTISTIC PRODUCER) is a Chicago-based theater artist, working as a dramaturg, stage manager, and producer. They have worked at Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Steep Theatre, Northwestern University, and other Chicago theaters. Credits include Mr. Wolf (Steppenwolf, PA), You Will Get Sick (Steppenwolf, PA), Gorgeous (Raven, Dramaturg), Fresh Produce Festival 2024 (Producer, Rivendell), Purpose (Steppenwolf, Script Supervisor), The Writer (Steep, Dramaturg), New Stages 2023 (Goodman, Line Producer), Swing State (Goodman, Asst. Dramaturg). BFA Design & Production (Stage Management), BA Cognitive Science (Language & Cognition; Minor in Germanic Languages and Literature) – University of Michigan.

KARISSA MURRELL MYERS (CASTING) (she/her) is a Chicago-based Filipino American theatre maker who serves as the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Bramble Theatre Company. Winner of the 2023 Maxim Mazumdar New Play Award and O’Neill NPC Finalist for her play Black Bear Island. She was featured in American Theatre Magazine’s “Theatre Workers You Should Know”, and in Newcity Stage's "Players 2023: Who Really Performs in Chicago Right Now". Resident Casting Director at Strawdog Theatre, Karissa also does freelance casting and consultations for theatre companies in the Chicago-land area and around the US. She is an acting coach and teaches as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Illinois Chicago. MFA from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, graduate of The School at Steppenwolf. Member of SAG-AFTRA and The Dramatist Guild. More at www.kmurrellmyers.com. All my love to Mark and Sibby.

JACKSON MIKKELSON (PRODUCTION MANAGER) (he/him) is excited to be back at the Bramble! He’s the Resident Lighting Assistant for Roosevelt University’s CCPA Theatre Conservatory, and for Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in Evanston. He’s also a freelance performer with recent Chicago credits like The Snow Queen (Marriott), Ragtime (Metropolis), Diana (Theo), Into the Woods (Kokandy), The Wild Party (Blank Theatre Company), and The Tempest (Oak Park Festival Theatre). Love to Brian :) www.jacksonmikkelsen.com

JUAN BARRERA LOPEZ (TECHNICAL DIRECTOR) (he/him) is a Chicago based Director and Technical Director. Originally from Colombia, he graduated from Northwestern University with a Physics and Theatre degree. This is his first production with Bramble! Other recent credits include Technical Direction of Neighborhood Watch and Dummy in Diaspora at Jackalope Theatre, and Assistant Direction of Antigone (Wirtz Center) and Selling Kabul (Northlight Theatre).

ADRIANA RODRIGUEZ-HEMPHILL (STAGE MANAGER) is a Chicago-based stage manager and is so happy to be working with Bramble again on this stunning production! Selected credits include The Lightning Thief (MadKap Productions), Cancelina (Bramble Theatre Company), The Cleanup (Prop Thtr) and After The Blast (Broken Nose Theatre). She's had a blast working with this incredible group of artists! When not color-coding a script, she's busy balancing a spreadsheet, bullying her cat and ordering emotional support pizza. Thanks to Reggie!

ALISHIANA UYAO (ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER) (she/her) is a multi-hyphenate artist based in Chicago. She graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago with a BA in Theatre Performance and Women's Studies. Ally is currently an ensemble member of Forest Theatre Company. Some of her previous credits include The Misanthrope (Stage Manager), Pericles (ASM), Smart People (Ginny) and Fefu and Her Friends (Christina). Ally is grateful and excited to work with Bramble for the first time. Much love and thanks to her loved ones who have supported her in her artistic journey. She hopes you all enjoy this ride with us!

OPHENA DE LA ROSA (COSTUME RESEARCH) (she/they) is a Chicago-based costume designer originally. She has designed for universities in California and the Chicagoland area. Additionally, Ophena has assisted at Court Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, and Writers Theatre on productions such as The Lion in Winter, East Texas Hot Links, Berlin, Notes from the Field, and Dhaba on Devon Avenue. She enjoys bringing complex characters and their stories to life through costume design and collaboration.

MORGAN LASZLO (SCENIC CHARGE) (they/them) Scenic Charge: Matilda Jr, Tuck Everlasting (Actors Training Center), Gold Leaf Ragtime Blues (American Blues Theater), Diana, Tell me on Sunday (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre), House of the Exquisite Corpse (Rough House), Arcadia (University of Chicago). Scenic Designer: Young People’s Company (Piven Theatre Workshop). Graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Technical Theatre and Design and a concentration in Scenic Design.