The Grounded Theatre

Cast and Crew of Crimes of the Heart

Cast

Karen Elyse Rosenberg – Lenny/Producer: Karen is a co-founder and Artistic Director of The Grounded Theatre. She has extensive theatre training, including a B.A. in Theatre from Western Illinois University. Grounded Theatre credits include: Producer, Parallel Lives, The Odd Couple - Female Version, Luv, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Justice is Served, and Jared Smith's "Lake Michigan"; Director, Justice is Served; and Performer, Justice is Served (Judge and litigants), Guys (Marie), To Kill a Mockingbird (Miss Dubose), Animal Farm (Clover, Cat, and Narrator 4), and The Ultimate Nightmare (Sara Wilson). In addition to her work with The Grounded Theatre, Karen does children's shows and adult murder mysteries with The Mystery Shop. As an ensemble member with The Free Associates, Karen performed in Back in the Shadows Again; the Lighter Side of Dark Shadows, BS, Big TV, That Sinking Feeling, Cast on a Hot Tin Roof; a Dysfunctional Dixie Christmas, and Blithering Heights. Other favorite credits include: Joan d'Arc in The Lark, Jill in Equus, Chelsea in On Golden Pond, Claire in Rumors, and Eunice in A Streetcar Named Desire. Karen would like to thank her theatre partner, David, and her life partner, Paul; without the support of both, The Grounded Theatre would not exist.

Meredith Rae Lyons – Meg: Meredith is very happy be making her second appearance with The Grounded Theatre. She made her Grounded debut as Honey in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Meredith was also the fight coordinator for The Grounded Theatre’s The Odd Couple, Female Version. Born and raised in New Orleans and Biloxi, favorite previous Chicago stage credits include Grete in GreyZelda Theatre Group's The Metamorphosis, Bardolphe in Henry IV part 1 with Stockyard's Theatre Company, and Angie in The Glory of Living with Profiles Theatre. She has most recently been seen on Chicago stages Decius Brutus in Julia Ceasar with the Easy Street Players and as Rummy Mitchens understudy in Rogue Theatre's production of Major Barbara.

Anna Fasano – Babe: Anna is a graduate of the Illinois State University Acting Program. This is Anna’s third production with The Grounded Theatre and she is delighted to be working with such an amazing cast and crew. Her past participation with the group was as a fellow improviser in the company’s production of Justice is Served and as an assistant stage manager for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.

Emily Finnelly – Chick: Emily is honored to be working with The Grounded Theatre for a third time. Shows with The Grounded Theatre include Justice is Served, a hilarious improvisational comedy, and The Odd Couple, Female Version as Florence. After training in Los Angeles at the Sanford/Meisner School of Acting under Meisner apprentice Martin Bater, Emily worked with the Sanford Meisner Center in Larry and the Werewolf and made her television debut on the TLC series Scene of the Crime. In the "Chicagoland" area she has worked with The Mars Hills Players in the original work Lights Over Europe and the Sheil Park Players in Pride and Prejudice. Thanks to the opportunities with The Grounded Theatre and Mr. Lightner, Emily's been able to round out her theatre experiences quite nicely. Full-time, Emily has the honor of being Henry's mom and Ryan's wife, dream roles.

Tom McGrath – Barnette Llyod: Tom is a Chicago native. Previous roles include Adam in The Shape of Things and Einstein in Picasso at the Lapin Agile. He recently concluded a workshop of The Paringtons, a new work by Kalena Dickerson, with Raven Theatre. Tom graduated from Northwestern University, and has recently worked with companies such as Halcyon Theatre, Dog & Pony, Right Brain Project, Easy Street Players, Point of Contention, and Rogue Theater. Thanks, as always, to family and friends.

Peter Sipla – Doc Porter: Peter is excited to be making his debut production with The Grounded Theatre. Most recently, Peter was seen in Passion, directed by Gary Griffin, at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Other professional credits include Fab 50's Live at Chula Vista Resort, honk! and The Christmas Schooner at Steel Beam Theatre, and The Pirates of Penzance with Music by the Lake.

TECHNICAL CREW

David Lightner – Director: David is a co-founder and Artistic Director of The Grounded Theatre. David trained at The Second City Training Center, Players Workshop, and the Actor's Center. Grounded Theatre credits include: Creator/Director/Performer, Justice is Served; Adapter/Director/Photographer/Performer (Thomas), Jared Smith’s “Lake Michigan”; Director/Producer, Spoon River Anthology; Director/Producer/Understudy, Animal Farm; Playwright/Director/Performer (Joe Young), The Ultimate Nightmare; Producer, Edgar Allan Poe SLAM!; Director, The Odd Couple, Female Version and A Walk in the Woods; Performer, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (George); To Kill a Mockingbird (Atticus Finch); Reader in Edgar Alan Poe Readings and Victorian Christmas Readings. Other directorial credits include The Public Eye and I Wish My Boss Would Let Me Do My Job. David has appeared with The Free Associates (BS) and Metropolitan Productions (Elm Dale Homecoming '79). Other stage credits include The Lark (Cauchon), Rumors (Ken Gorman), Driving Miss Daisy (Boolie Werthan), Love Letters (Andy Ladd), On Golden Pond (Charlie Martin), and multiple roles in Sojourner Truth. David is also a writer. His works include The Ultimate Nightmare and Guys. He is currently thinking about finishing his new play, 6:54, but enjoys spending whatever free time he has with his wife, Rita, who has been so incredibly supportive. He is honored o have worked with so many talented and dedicated professionals with The Grounded Theatre since 1999 and owes much thanks to his partner, Karen, who keeps the dream alive.

Lisa Tiess – Stage Manager: Lisa is pleased to stage manage for The Grounded Theatre for the first time. Her interest in theatre was sparked at North Central College where she double-majored in Music (vocal performance) and Musical Theatre. She later finished her Master’s degree at Roosevelt University focusing on theatre arts education. Lisa is a full-time theatre teacher at Lincoln Middle School. She feels blessed to be a part of such a great production and to do what she loves all day long.

Emilie Clark – Technical Director/Set & Lighting Designer: Emilie is originally from Durand, Illinois, where she just helped celebrate Durand’s 150th birthday by writing and directing a play about the town. She graduated from North Central College with a B.A. in Theatre, specializing in Technical Theatre. Grounded Theatre credits include: Director, Parallel Lives; Event Manager, Edgar Alan Poe SLAM!; Technical Adviser, The Odd Couple, Female Version; Stage Manager, Justice is Served, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Luv; and Set and Lightning Designer, Parallel Lives. Other credits include: Fuddy Meers (Director) at the Crossroads Theater, and Comedy of Errors (Assistant Director) at North Central College. She has also Stage Managed Joseph, Bye Bye Birdie, Godspell, Measure for Measure, Elephant Man, and ‘Night Mother.

Frances Jeanette Kistler – Props Mistress: Frances graduated from North Central College in 2004, with a Bachelor's degree in Technical Theatre and a minor in Art. Frances is excited to be growing her work with The Grounded Theatre. Previously with The Grounded Theatre, she has been the Stage Manager for The Odd Couple, Female Version, Props Mistress for Parallel Lives, The Odd Couple, Female Version, Luv, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Costume Designer for Parallel Lives. Outside of The Grounded Theatre, Frances Stage Managed Pied Piper at New World Repertory Theatre in Downers Grove, she was Props Mistress for The Tempo Players' The Diary of Anne Frank, was the Scenic Artist for You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Measure for Measure, Makeup Artist for The Rememberer and Lighting Designer for Of Mice and Men. Frances would like to thank all those who helped her on her way, especially her wonderful husband, Adam.

Adam Kistler – Sound Designer: Adam received his Technical Theatre Degree from North Central College in 2004, emphasizing in sound design. He currently works full-time at the House of Blues in Chicago as a sound engineer and stage hand. This is his third show with The Grounded Theatre having designed sound for Luv and Parallel Lives. Other credits include Sound Design for 42nd Street, Of Mice and Men, and Pirates of Penzance.

kClare Kemock – Costume Design: kClare recently moved to Chicago after finishing her M.A. at Miami of Ohio. She spent two summers with her mentor, Jesus Perez, in the mountains of Colorado as the Wardrobe Manager for Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre and continues to work with Jesus for his Chicago Kids Company here in Chicago. She has worked for Metropolis Performing Arts Centre as a dresser and will be designing their upcoming production of Speed Dating! She also designed for Circle Theatre's BOY (Jeff Recommended) and for Oak Park Festival's Blithe Spirit. She is thrilled to continue her growing career with The Grounded Theatre.

Brian Lightner – Set Construction: After appearing in a Schaumburg production of Father of the Bride, Brian decided to concentrate his efforts behind the scenes. Although he's a quick study with lines, he's even better with a hammer. With The Grounded Theatre, he ran sound for the Edgar Allan Poe SLAM! and constructed most of the set for Parallel Lives. He has also constructed sets with Village Theatre and Music on Stage, both in Palatine, and was on the Run Crew for On Golden Pond (Schaumburg Park District), and has volunteered for the National Poetry Slam in 1999 and 2003.

KIDSMATTER VOLUNTEERS

Leslie Heath – Assistant Stage Manager: Leslie is a Sophomore at Neuqua Valley High School. She became interested in theatre in 7th grade, and since then, has been involved with the technical aspects of theatre. Productions that she has worked with include: The Nerd, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Bye Bye Birdie, and Les Miserablés. In the spring, Neuqua Valley will be performing the musical, Guys and Dolls, and you can be sure Leslie will be backstage. After her theatre career at Neuqua, Leslie will pursue a theatre related college degree. Leslie would like to thank her parents, her brother, and her friends for their support.

Bobby Kegley – Assistant Stage Manager: Bobby is a Junior at Naperville North High School and is actively involved in both the Broadcast and the Webmaster clubs. In his future Bobby plans to pursue a career in Film/Video as he is passionate about screenwriting and directing.

Sarah Collier – Run Crew: Sarah has worked at Crone Middle School on lights, sound, and spotlight on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Crone Goes to Broadway, Fiddler on the Roof, and Once Upon a Mattress. At Neuqua Valley High School Sarah has worked mainly on sound and building the sets on the Variety Show, Tapestries, The Nerd, Romeo and Juliet, and Cinderella. Sarah would like to pursue a career in sound engineering to design and run sound for theatre productions.

Amanda Moore – Run Crew: Amanda is a Senior at Waubonsie Valley High School and an Illinois State Scholar. She enjoys writing stories and scripts and has worked on extracurricular voice talent projects. This is her first experience as a member of the technical crew and with a professional theatre company. She loves being involved with Crimes of the Heart and is grateful to The Grounded Theatre and the KidsMatter volunteer organization for giving her this opportunity.

Alexis Putz – Box Office/Marketing Assistant: Alexis is interested in pursuing a career in the performing arts. She has taken various classes at Naperville School of Performing Arts and has been a member of various choirs and recitals through school ever since elementary school. She has also appeared in theatre productions at Brooks Play (Stone Soup) and the Aurora Park District (Mistletoe Follies and Jolly Holidays).

Meaghan Decker – Box Office: Meaghan is 15 years old and has always been interested in acting and singing. She was in the Spring Musicals at her Middle School, which included: The Music Man, Bugsy Malone, and Once Upon a Mattress. She was also involved in the Summer Stage at Fox Valley Park District and had small roles in both Annie and Peter Pan. Currently, she is in a show choir at her High School.