Production Team

Clare Brennan | DIRECTOR – Clare (she/her) has led Red Theater since July 2019. Directing credits include Caryl Churchill’s Vinegar Tom and the Chicago premiere of Savannah Reich’s Caveman Play for Red Theater; Agnes of God (Jeff Recommended; Redtwist Theatre) Anthony Neilson’s Stitching (BlackLight Theatre; Dublin, Ireland), Home of Love (Wall to Wall Theatre Festival; Ann Arbor, MI), and Othello (The University of Michigan). Other credits include sound designer for The Mad Ones (Blank Theatre), producer for Bicycle Thieves (Littlebrain Theatre/RhinoFest), and curator of many an apartment show. Elsewhere in Chicago, she has worked with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, Shattered Globe, Links Hall, The Den, Prop Thtr, Theatre Evolve, and NON:op. Clare holds a B.A. in Drama and English from the University of Michigan. @claremargaret14

Lisa Sanaye Dring | PLAYWRIGHT – Lisa (she/they) is a writer and director from Hilo, Hawaii and Reno, Nevada. Her play Sumo was produced by La Jolla Playhouse and Ma-Yi Theater Company in 2023, and received its New York premiere at The Public Theater with Ma-Yi in March 2025. Her play Kairos is currently receiving a Rolling World Premiere with the National New Play Network. Lisa is a Tow Foundation Writer-in-Residence with Ma-Yi and has won an Edgerton Award, a Broadway World Award for Best New Play, and the PLAY LA Stage Raw/Humanitas Prize. They have been a finalist for the Relentless Award, the O'Neill Playwrights' Conference (2x), the Seven Devils Playwrights Conference, and a 2x finalist (one honorable mention) for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival. Lisa's work has also been developed/produced by The Geffen, The New Group, Actors Theatre of Louisville, East West Players, Circle X, Antaeus Theater Company and Skylight Theatre. They have been awarded fellowships at MacDowell, Blue Mountain Center and Yaddo. She received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Interactive Programming for a piece she co-wrote and co-directed with Matt Hill called Welcome to the Blumhouse Live. www.lisasanayedring.com

**Jessica Love | ASSISTANT DIRECTOR** – Jessica (*she/her*) is excited to be back at Red Theater after last working on *Caveman Play*. Chicago Directing credits: Twisted Playfest’s *Fiona* (Redtwist Theatre), *The Chain* (GenderFucked Productions), *When it Comes…* (Three Brothers Theatre), *Nevermind the Furthermore…* (Eclectic Full Contact Theatre), and Dex and Abby (AD, Pride Films & Plays). Regional Assistant Directing credits: The Kennedy Center, Shakespeare Theatre Company, and Actors Theatre of Louisville. Artistic Cohort Member at Red Theater. Recipient of the National Stage Directors and Choreographers Award. MTSU Theatre. @itsjessicalove

**Nole Beran | STAGE MANAGER** – Nole (*he/him*) is an artist who recently passed a year in the city! Growing up in Indiana, he graduated from Butler University in 2023 with a BA in Theatre, focused on Acting and Directing. He is super excited to join Red Theater for such a powerful and amazing show. This is also his first production with Red Theater, after spending the past few months working on short films for Chicago’s FilmMaker’s Mixtape. He is ready to keep building his resume and knows this is such a great start! Nole also wants to shout out his fiance, Kayla, currently in *5 Women Wearing the Same Dress* running with St Sebastian Players. @noleberanacting

**Wyatt Kent | PRODUCTION MANAGER** – Wyatt (*he/him*) was a member of the inaugural Red ensemble in Lincoln, Nebraska before stepping into leadership in March of 2020. For Red, he directed *Hamlet*, as well as the world premiere of Mora V. Harris’ *Indoor Cats* (Jeff Award: New Work and Supporting Performer - Play), Directing credits include *The Rocky Horror Picture Show* (Metropolis Performing Arts), *The Mad Ones* (Blank Theatre), immersive and devised work (*The Wild Party, Out of Many, De/Ascending*), Shakespeare adaptations (*Romeo and Juliet et al., Macbeth, Julius Caesar*) and new play development.

**Manuel Ortiz | SCENIC DESIGN** – Manuel (*he/him*) is overjoyed to make his Red theater debut! His journey began at DePaul's Theater School as an acting major, but was soon drawn into the world of production design and fabrication. Manuel holds a deep gratitude for the experiences and joy shared both on stage and behind the scenes. His scenic design credits include *Macbeth* (Invictus), *The Importance of Being Earnest* (Strawdog), *Evolution of a Sonero* (Urban), *Wise Guys* (Factory), and *The Sondheim Tribute Review* (Theo Ubique). Manuel extends heartfelt thanks to his incredible family and friends for their constant love and support, with a special, resounding cheer for his amazing husband, Corey Mills, the ultimate champion by his side!

**James Arakas | LIGHTING DESIGN** – James (*he/him*) is a lighting designer who has worked nationally for over a decade. He received his BA from Wofford College and his MFA from Arizona State University. Based in Birmingham, AL, he will be the Associate Professor of Lighting Design and Technology at Samford University in the fall and taught at Troy University for the past several years. He’s always thrilled to visit and work with his wonderful friends in Chicago.

**Jay Black | SOUND DESIGN** – Jay (*she/he/they*) is super excited to be making their professional debut with Red Theater! They are a sound designer based in Chicago, IL with experience in both theatre and film. Their credits include sound design for *bones*, *The Bluest Eye*, and *How the Light Gets In*, along with various film projects. Jay holds BFA in Film and Television with a concentration in Sound from Columbia College Chicago. jayblackaudiovisual.com

**Haleigh Kent | COSTUME DESIGN** – Haleigh (*they/she*) is a Chicago based theater artist and educator. Their costume design prioritizes thrifted and handcrafted pieces. Previous Red credits include Caveman Play, Indoor Cats, and *Vinegar Tom.* Haleigh is currently working toward a Masters degree in Social Work at the Erikson Institute and certification as a Drama Therapist.

**Evy Burch | PROPS DESIGN** – Evy (*they/she*) is a Chicago-based props artisan with a background in prop making, antique restoration, and production design. Recent credits include The Hatmaker’s Wife (Theatre Evolve), *Golden Girls Save Christmas* (Hell in a Handbag), *Wolves* and *Agnes of God* (Redtwist Theatre). Evy holds a BFA in Theatre and Performance from Emerson College, where she specialized in prop making and production design. She is passionate about storytelling through objects, graphic props, and puppetry, and loves bringing imaginative worlds to life on stage. When not in the shop, she’s probably treasure hunting at an estate sale or teaching the next generation of young designers.

**Jamie Macpherson | INTIMACY DESIGN** – Jamie (*she/her*) is a Chicago intimacy/fight director. She has been an invited artist at Macalester College, Augsburg College, the Lawrence Art Center, and the University of Chicago. She is thrilled to be back at Red Theater! Past credits include: *DOGS*, *Vinegar Tom, Indoor Cats* and *Hamlet*. Other Chicago credits: *The Bookworms* (Kerfuffle Theater for the Very Young); *Sweet Charity, the Mad Ones* (Blank Theatre); and *Aesops’ Fables, Treasure Island* (Mudlark Theater). Her work has been published in Youth Theater Journal, Howlround, and The Fight Master. Jamie holds an MFA in Theatre for Youth from Arizona State University, and is a member of the Society of American Fight Directors. jamiemacpherson.com

Skyler Simpson | POSTER ARTIST – Skyler (she/her) is a visual artist based in Chicago, IL. She received an MFA from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 2024. After receiving her BFA from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in 2018, she worked as a painting intern at Anderson Ranch Arts Center during the summer of 2019. Skyler’s work has been featured in New American Paintings, Booooooom, and she has exhibited in shows throughout the United States. www.skysimpson.com