Penelopiad Cast 2015
Mary Jo Bolduc//Penelope
MJ is thrilled to be working with the Lost Geneva Project and this talented group of people! She is grateful to have performed with amazing theatres throughout Chicago including: Signal Ensemble, WildClaw, Mary Arrchie, New Leaf, Right Brain Project, The Nine, Lifeline, Provision, Trapdoor, Akvavit, Timeline, Jackalope, Second City National Touring Company, Annoyance Theater, ComedySportz, and her own – WNEP and Knife & Fork!
Brittany Ellis//Seance/Odysseus/Eurycleia
Brittany is so very excited to join in on the fun of The Penelopiad! She humbly resides as the Artistic Director of Wayward Productions, home to critically acclaimed productions Burn the Black Dog and Richard III. Brittany has also worked with Right Brain Theatre, Roundhouse Productions, and Red Theatre Chicago. Give it up for the ladies.
Brittany Ellis//Seance/Odysseus/Eurycleia
Brittany is so very excited to join in on the fun of The Penelopiad! She humbly resides as the Artistic Director of Wayward Productions, home to critically acclaimed productions Burn the Black Dog and Richard III. Brittany has also worked with Right Brain Theatre, Roundhouse Productions, and Red Theatre Chicago. Give it up for the ladies.
Jabu Mickle-Molefe//Oracle/Maid Tanis
Jabu is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such an inspiring bunch! She spent the last three years touring educational puppet shows throughout Ohio, working with Harborside Shakespeare Company in Maine, and creating site-specific pieces in Dublin, Ireland. Her favorite roles include Inez in No Exit and Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Jabu studied at College of the Atlantic before moving to Chicago to study Humanities at Shimer College.
Sheena Laird//Helen/Maid Zoe/Choreographer
Sheena is so excited to have worked with Erica and this amazing group on The Penelopiad. Other credits include the recently re-named sketch group, Unlikely Company, Disney Cruise Line, Scribble Bibble, The One-Minute Play Festival, Chicago Women's Funny Festival, The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, and choreography for many Club Meds throughout the Caribbean. Sheena is grateful for the support of her family and friends!
Danielle Trudeau//Telemachus/Maid Celandine
Danielle Trudeau is a native Dallas Texan and alumni of the University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre. Before moving to Chicago, Danielle worked primarily with a Denton TX based theatre company called Sundown Collaborative Theatre, appearing in productions such as pool (no water), Raised in Captivity, and 4.48 Psychosis. In Chicago, Danielle had the privilege of working in Collaboraction’s “After Dark” series at the Art Institute of Chicago. This is Danielle’s first appearance with Lost Geneva Project, and she is thrilled and honored to be a part of such a fascinating artistic endeavor.
Grayson Heyl//Melantho
Grayson Heyl is thrilled to be joining the Lost Geneva Project family with this reincarnation of The Penelopiad! Since receiving her degree from Oklahoma City University in Music Theatre and Vocal Performance, she has worked with Oklahoma Shakespeare in the parks (Henry V, Macbeth), Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (Henry V, The Recruiting Officer), Northlight Theatre (Tom Jones), Light Opera Works (Damn Yankees), and most recently with Oracle Theatre (The Jungle) and Piccolo Theatre (The Love of Three Oranges). Many thanks to LGP for this wonderful opportunity, as well as her family and friends for all their love.
Tamara White//Naiad Mother/Maid Selene
Tamara White is pleased as punch to be telling this story with such an amazing and inspiring group of people, especially Erica Barnes (who is the most best)! Around town, Tamara has worked with A Red Orchid Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, Emerald City, Redmoon, Walkabout Theatre, Quest Theatre Ensemble and Knife & Fork Theatre, where she is proud to be an Artistic Associate. Much love and thanks to her endlessly supportive family and friends!
Mia Vivens//Maid Phasiana
Mia Vivens is excited to be able to join the talented cast of The Penelopiad for its remount! She is an actor, dancer, choreographer and singer based in Chicago. She is a recent graduate of Valparaiso University with a B.A. in Theater and Political Science. In Chicago, she has worked with Pride Films and Plays on their Women's Words Production. Some of her favorite past roles include Puck in A Midsummer Nights Dream and Amalia in The House of Bernarda Alba. Many thanks to family and friends!
Katya Schexnaydre//Maid Narcissa
Katya has trained at the Pacific Northwest Ballet school, and the Martha Graham School of Modern Dance, as well as studying theater at Cornish College of the Arts. Before moving to Chicago, she spent three years performing with Serendipity Dance Brigade, a modern dance company based in Seattle. Recent roles include Estelle in No Exit at Shimer College, where she is majoring in Humanities and Social Sciences.
Carolyn Sinon//Maid Chloris
Carolyn Sinon is a singer, actor and dancer based in Chicago. Before coming to the windy city, she received her BA in Political Science and Theatre from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, and studied at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia. She is also currently studying improv at iO. Past productions include: I Have Been to the Wild Wood, Folkbound (Duplicity Ensemble) , The Bacchae, Revisted (The Right Brain Project), Coronado (Springs Ensemble Theatre), Rope (Theatre 'D Art), and Taming of the Shrew (UCCS). She absolutely loves experimenting with movement on stage, and is so excited to be working on this project!
Elizabeth Bagby//Maid Alecto
Elizabeth Bagby is an actor, writer, and musician. She studied physical theater at the Accademia dell'Arte; she has also trained with Actor's Gymnasium, 500 Clown, and Joel Hall Dance Center. Recent projects include composing and performing music for Strange Tree's Three Faces of Dr. Crippen (New York Fringe) and spending three weeks on a tall-mast ship for the Arctic Circle Arts & Sciences Expedition. Bagby is a company member of Strange Tree Group, who produced her play The Half-Brothers Mendelssohn in 2013. Other work in Chicago includes performances with Signal, GreatWorks, Ghost Light, The Ruckus, the side project, Right Brain, Trap Door, and many more. She plays bass for The Unswept and guitar for The Loudness War, as well as for her own band, The Baguettes, whose debut album is due out this spring.
Elizabeth Bagby is an actor, writer, and musician. She studied physical theater at the Accademia dell'Arte; she has also trained with Actor's Gymnasium, 500 Clown, and Joel Hall Dance Center. Recent projects include composing and performing music for Strange Tree's Three Faces of Dr. Crippen (New York Fringe) and spending three weeks on a tall-mast ship for the Arctic Circle Arts & Sciences Expedition. Bagby is a company member of Strange Tree Group, who produced her play The Half-Brothers Mendelssohn in 2013. Other work in Chicago includes performances with Signal, GreatWorks, Ghost Light, The Ruckus, the side project, Right Brain, Trap Door, and many more. She plays bass for The Unswept and guitar for The Loudness War, as well as for her own band, The Baguettes, whose debut album is due out this spring.
Jess London Shields//Maid Klytie
Jessica London-Shields is so honored to be a part of the Penelopiad (remount) with such an amazing cast and team. Past theatre credits include: She Kills Monsters (Buzz22/Steppenwolf Garage Rep), MilkMilkLemonade (Pavement Group), We Live Here (Theatre Seven), Orville and Wilbur Did It! (The New Colony). You can see Jessica in Worthy this spring, at Adventure Stage Chicago. Jessica is also the Co-Founder of {she crew}, a journaling to performance empowerment program for girls aged 12-14. Check out our free summer and after school programming at shecrew.org. Thank you to Meredith for being my partner in adventure.
Meredith Montgomery//Maid Kerthia
Meredith is super stoked to be a part of Penelopiad! Some of her regional credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and A Lie of the Mind (Mary Moody Northen Theatre), Murder on the Nile (Peninsula Players), and Blue/Whitney (StageLeft). She also has recently given a TEDx talk on the importance of being a badass feminist. Meredith is the Co-founder and Program Director of {she crew}, a feminist based artistic empowerment program for girls in Chicago. You can find out more at shecrew.org!
Genevieve Lally Knuth//Maid Iole
Genevieve is an actor, aerialist, and adventurer who loves a good story. She recently did the movement design and performed on aerial silks for an extremely physical adaptation of The Tempest at What a Do Theatre (Battle Creek, MI). In Chicago she has worked with Strangeloop Theatre, The State Theatre, The Actor’s Gymnasium, Chicago dell’ Arte, and the Tall Ship Windy, among others. Internationally, she has studied and performed Classic Theatre in Greece and has trained in West African Drum and Dance in Guinea. She holds a degree in Art and Theatre from Cornell College. Her current favorite adventures include whitewater kayaking and bicycling through Chicago during rush hour.
The penelopiad 2014 // Chicago Fringe Festival
Jackie Davies//Eurycleia/Odysseus
Jackie Davies is delighted to join the Lost Geneva Project! Chicago credits include Seanachaí, Two Pence Theatre, and Janus Theater, and she is a company member of Commedia Beauregard and the Crowded Tub Collective. Regional credits include the Montana Actor’s Theater, The Candidatos, Bialystock & Bloom and the Milwaukee Rep. She is a proud 2009 graduate of the University of Montana MFA-Acting program. Her short plays have been performed at festivals around the country, and she also occasionally wears dramaturg and directing hats. Many thanks to the cast and crew, and a special shout-out to Matt.
Jackie Davies is delighted to join the Lost Geneva Project! Chicago credits include Seanachaí, Two Pence Theatre, and Janus Theater, and she is a company member of Commedia Beauregard and the Crowded Tub Collective. Regional credits include the Montana Actor’s Theater, The Candidatos, Bialystock & Bloom and the Milwaukee Rep. She is a proud 2009 graduate of the University of Montana MFA-Acting program. Her short plays have been performed at festivals around the country, and she also occasionally wears dramaturg and directing hats. Many thanks to the cast and crew, and a special shout-out to Matt.
Nelia Miller//Maid Klytie
Nelia recently performed in Beach Party at the End of the World with Walkabout Theater Company and Goodbye, Night in Sketchbook with The New Colony. In Chicago, she has also performed with JPAC, kor productions, Mozawa, Collaboraction, and Towle Theater. Los Angeles credits include Laetitia (The Old Maid and the Thief), Kate (The Cripple of Inishmaan), and Slave Leader (The Bacchae of Euripides). Nelia studied at Loyola Marymount University, the Moscow Art Theater and helped create Strider with the LOSt ANGELeS ENSEMBLE in Bonn, Germany. Special thanks to friends and family, and her wonderful really really nice HM. www.neliamiller.com.
Avery Glassman//Maid Alecto
Avery Glassman (Shaker Heights, OH) is pleased to be a part of Lost Geneva Project's latest endeavor. Chicago debut: Theatre of Women 8 at Dream Theatre Company (dir: Erica Barnes). An emerging vocalist, Avery has performed at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret and Uncommon Ground, among other venues. All my love to Steve, Barb, Dan, Mom, and Dad.
Lisa Siciliano//Naiad Mother/Maid Phasiana
Lisa Siciliano is a Chicago actress, director, and educator who took time off from the professional world of theater to get a graduate degree in elementary education from Northwestern University. This past year, she worked as the inaugural drama teacher for middle school students in a CPS school. She is thrilled that this project is her very first in Chicago after three very long years! She dedicates this summer to celebrating her new-found artistic freedom which includes guitar lessons at Old Town School of Folk Music, improv lessons at Second City, and this amazing show!
Lisa Siciliano is a Chicago actress, director, and educator who took time off from the professional world of theater to get a graduate degree in elementary education from Northwestern University. This past year, she worked as the inaugural drama teacher for middle school students in a CPS school. She is thrilled that this project is her very first in Chicago after three very long years! She dedicates this summer to celebrating her new-found artistic freedom which includes guitar lessons at Old Town School of Folk Music, improv lessons at Second City, and this amazing show!
Lynnette Li//Melantho
Lynnette Li is an actor, singer, and writer, originally from Metro Detroit. Some favorite credits include: the infamous original satire Octomom! The Musical (Cabaret Voltaire), one-woman show Journey to Topaz (Sierra Rep Theater), and Songs for a New World (The Red Stamp). She studied music and creative writing at Western Michigan University. Lynnette lives in Chicago with two cats, her daughter, Lena, and her husband, John.