Experience

Jackalope Theatre Company

• United States
• Performing Arts
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • Jul 2019 - Present

  Directed the world premier of Paloma Nozicka's Horns for Jackalope Theatre's Living Newspaper Festival. Directed the world premier of Paloma Nozicka's Horns for Jackalope Theatre's Living Newspaper Festival.



Mudlark Theater Company

• Theatre Instructor

  • Jan 2014 - Present

  Responsibilities: Curriculum planning and implementation; creating original exercises to teach basic theatre tenets and engage students in building communication/cooperation skills; caring for children while also encouraging independence. Achievements: Successfully creating/planning/implementing curriculum for EPS 3rd grade class. Innovating and inspiring children to collaborate in creating performance pieces. Helping students develop stronger communication, problem solving, and teamwork skills. Show less



Swedish American Children's Museum

• Contract Educator

  • Jan 2014 - Present

  Responsibilities: Leading interactive educational tours for visiting schools to teach children (ages 5+) about U.S. immigration. Supervised and taught groups as large as 30 children at a time. Responsibilities: Leading interactive educational tours for visiting schools to teach children (ages 5+) about U.S. immigration. Supervised and taught groups as large as 30 children at a time.

• Director

  • Mar 2019 - May 2019

  Directed the world premier of Paloma Nozicka's Enough to Let the Light In for Jackalope Theatre's Groundworks Series. Directed the world premier of Paloma Nozicka's Enough to Let the Light In for Jackalope Theatre's Groundworks Series.



Court Theatre

• United States
• Entertainment Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Assistant Director

  • Nov 2018 - May 2019

  Assisted Artistic Director Charles Newell in the world premier of David Auburn's The Adventures of Augie March for Court Theatre. Assisted Artistic Director Charles Newell in the world premier of David Auburn's The Adventures of Augie March for Court Theatre.



Raven Theater

• United States
• Entertainment Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Associate Director

  • Dec 2018 - Mar 2019

  Associate Directed Paula Vogel's How I Learned to Drive for Raven Theater.

• Director

  • Jan 2019 - Feb 2019

  Directed a staged reading of Paula Vogel's Mineola Twins for Raven Theater's Quill Series.



The Gift Theatre

• United States
• Performing Arts

• Director

  • Nov 2018 - Jan 2019

  Directed the world premier of Michael Patrick Thornton's The Dizzying Endless Expanse for The Gift Theatre's TEN festival. Directed the world premier of Michael Patrick Thornton's The Dizzying Endless Expanse for The Gift Theatre's TEN festival.



The Route 66 Theatre Company

• Entertainment

• Director

  • Aug 2018 - Aug 2018

  Directed a staged reading of Leah Barsanti's If I Were You for Route 66 Theatre. Directed a staged reading of Leah Barsanti's If I Were You for Route 66 Theatre.



Greenhouse Theater Center

• United States
• Entertainment Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • Mar 2018 - Jul 2018

  Helped develop and direct the staged reading of Marissa Lischwick's (Un)Documented for Chicago Theatre Marathon. Helped develop and direct the staged reading of Marissa Lischwick's (Un)Documented for Chicago Theatre Marathon.

• Director

  • Nov 2017 - Jan 2018

  Directed the world premier of Pulitzer Prize-winning Tracy Lett's Night Safari for The Gift Theatre's TEN festival. Directed the world premier of Pulitzer Prize-winning Tracy Lett's Night Safari for The Gift Theatre's TEN festival.



Haven Theatre

• United States
• Performing Arts
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • Sep 2017 - Nov 2017

  Directed Vaclav Havel's The Protest for Haven Theatre Company as part of the Director's Haven Fellowship. Directed Vaclav Havel's The Protest for Haven Theatre Company as part of the Director's Haven Fellowship.



BROKEN NOSE THEATRE

• United States
• Entertainment Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • Jul 2017 - Aug 2017

  Directed a staged reading of Michelle Stine's Options for Broken Nose Theatre. Directed a staged reading of Michelle Stine's Options for Broken Nose Theatre.



Commission Theatre

• United States
• Performing Arts

• Director

  • Mar 2017 - Mar 2017

  Directed a staged reading of Beth Hyland's Clearing for Commission Theatre. Directed a staged reading of Beth Hyland's Clearing for Commission Theatre.

• Director

  • Sep 2016 - Oct 2016

  Directed the world premier of Aria Szalai-Raymond's She’s Coming Home for Broken Nose Theatre's Bechdel Fest. Directed the world premier of Aria Szalai-Raymond's She’s Coming Home for Broken Nose Theatre's Bechdel Fest.



Steep Theatre Company

• United States
• Performing Arts
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Assistant Director

  • Jul 2016 - Oct 2016

  Assisted Director Josh Sobel in the world premier of Alex Lubischer's Bobbie Clearly at Steep Theatre. Assisted Director Josh Sobel in the world premier of Alex Lubischer's Bobbie Clearly at Steep Theatre.



ECLIPSE THEATRE COMPANY LTD

• United Kingdom
• Design Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Actor

  • Jun 2016 - Aug 2016

  Performed role of Marcia in Stephen Adly Guirgis's Our Lady of 121st Street for Eclipse Theatre, directed by Sarah Moeller. "RECOMMENDED - Vivid, volatile, detailed performances drive director Sarah Moeller's shrewdly cast, skillfully acted Eclipse Theatre production of this 2003 work by Stephen Adly Guirgis" - Chicago Reader "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- Chicago Theater Beat Performed role of Marcia in Stephen Adly Guirgis's Our Lady of 121st Street for Eclipse Theatre, directed by Sarah Moeller. "RECOMMENDED - Vivid, volatile, detailed performances drive director Sarah Moeller's shrewdly cast, skillfully acted Eclipse Theatre production of this 2003 work by Stephen Adly Guirgis" - Chicago Reader "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- Chicago Theater Beat



The Gift Theatre Company

• Assistant Director

  • Apr 2016 - Jul 2016

  Assisted Director Erica Weiss in Frank Galati's Grapes of Wrath at The Gift Theatre. "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- For her fascinating new production at the Gift Theatre in Jefferson Park — a theater so small as to be almost filled by the Joads' truck, never mind the 19 notably diverse actors in this decidedly uneconomical cast — director Erica Weiss has made the Joads an interracial family, and thus afforded Steinbeck's iconic story a sense of timelessness as well as specificity. It works quite spectacularly well, since, especially in Galati's seminal adaptation, the storytellers are as central to this story as the Steinbeck characters themselves."- CHICAGO TRIBUNE "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- If you make only one trip to the theater this summer, this should be your destination...The Gift production, superbly directed by Erica Weiss, does it proud, with 18 actors (cast with an eye to diversity that pays off at every turn) is a reminder of why Chicago theater deserves its reputation." - CHICAGO SUN TIMES "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- TIME OUT CHICAGO "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- CHICAGOCRITIC "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- NEWCITY CHICAGO "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- CHICAGO THEATRE REVIEW "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- DUELING CRITICS "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- THIRD COAST REVIEW Show less



The Gift Theatre Company / Steppenwolf Theatre Company

• Actor/Understudy

  • Jan 2016 - May 2016

  Understudying roles of Anne and Young Princes in a Steppenwolf Garage performance of William Shakespeare's Richard III, directed by Jessica Thebus for The Gift Theatre Company. Understudying roles of Anne and Young Princes in a Steppenwolf Garage performance of William Shakespeare's Richard III, directed by Jessica Thebus for The Gift Theatre Company.

• Director

  • Dec 2015 - Jan 2016

  Directed world premier of Jacqueline Lawton's A Long Arduous Journey for The Gift Theatre's TEN festival. "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- the company has gathered a winningly diverse group of artists to stage its annual season-opening “TEN” festival ...This year’s collection of pieces is a snap, crackle and pop assemblage...Timely, stylish, richly varied and expertly realized, the evening is a treat at every turn... High marks to everyone." - CHICAGO SUN TIMES "RECOMMENDED- energy, intelligence, and wry compassion for human failings, anxieties, and heartaches are constants throughout." CHICAGO READER Show less



Strawdog Theatre Company

• United States
• Performing Arts
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Actor

  • Sep 2015 - Dec 2015

  Performed role of Claire in Mainstage performance of Paula Vogel's The Long Christmas Ride Home, directed by Josh Sobel at Strawdog Theatre Company. "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- Chamber-theater-style storytelling and bunraku-inspired puppets contribute to the comic, tragic, honest beauty of this unorthodox yuletide tale, sensitively rendered in Josh Sobel's staging for Strawdog Theatre." - CHICAGO READER "RECOMMENDED- a very touching and quite wise little show that has lived in the front of my head for the past few days." - CHICAGO TRIBUNE "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- There is an unexpected tenderness in this production that appears over and over, seemingly from nowhere." - TIME OUT CHICAGO "RECOMMENDED- "there’s no doubting the sincerity of six sterling performances."- STAGE AND CINEMA "RECOMMENDED- "Kristen Johnson has a soft, but intense monologue about the hollow feeling betrayal leaves, in contrast to the pride derived from being a caregiver... All three actors are quite impressive in how they can convey the same characters in two totally different styles."- CHICAGOCRITIC "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- Excellent acting, and phenomenal puppetry to back—when was the last time you saw puppets so life like?" - CHICAGO STAGE STANDARD "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- Gitenstein and Johnson have a lot of work to do creating flawed, empathetic characters in one scene each and they generate a remarkable amount of depth in a short amount of time." - CHICAGO THEATER BEAT Show less



Jackalope Theatre Company / Feast Productions

• Actor

  • Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

  Performed lead role of Jenny in Feast Production's world premier of Shannon Pritchard's Traces, directed by Jessica Fish at Jackalope Theatre Company. "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- This well written and equally well acted fable is enchanting, humorous and suspenseful." - CHICAGO CRITIC "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- These are unconventional roles, full fleshed creations that we need to hear, and rendered by actors who know their business. Johnson nails Jenny, fully inhabiting her bounce and bouts of anxiety, playing both her giddiness and ferocity to a T." - CHICAGO THEATRE REVIEW Show less



Rasaka Theatre Company

• United States
• Law Practice

• Assistant Director

  • Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

  Assisted Director Anna Bahow in Chicago premier of Madhuri Shekar's A Nice Indian Boy for Rasaka Theatre Company at Victory Gardens Theatre. Assisted Director Anna Bahow in Chicago premier of Madhuri Shekar's A Nice Indian Boy for Rasaka Theatre Company at Victory Gardens Theatre.

• Actor

  • Dec 2014 - Jan 2015

  Performed role of Sarah in world premier of Jennifer Rumberger's Paperland, directed by Sarah Gittenstein at The Gift Theatre Company's TEN festival. "RECOMMENDED- expertly directed and performed... a genuine surprise, from the repeated snap of a stapler to its haunting ruminations about suicide. This is a fine look at the large and small things that can make life worth living (or giving up on)." - CHICAGO SUN TIMES Performed role of Sarah in world premier of Jennifer Rumberger's Paperland, directed by Sarah Gittenstein at The Gift Theatre Company's TEN festival. "RECOMMENDED- expertly directed and performed... a genuine surprise, from the repeated snap of a stapler to its haunting ruminations about suicide. This is a fine look at the large and small things that can make life worth living (or giving up on)." - CHICAGO SUN TIMES



Step Up Productions

• Entertainment Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • Sep 2014 - Dec 2014

  Directed Dana Lynn Formby's Christmas Armaments for Step Up Productions Holidaze festival. "RECOMMENDED- The piece is filled with cockeyed humor and a real understanding for how emotionally disconnected veterans can feel upon their return."- CHICAGO TRIBUNE Directed Dana Lynn Formby's Christmas Armaments for Step Up Productions Holidaze festival. "RECOMMENDED- The piece is filled with cockeyed humor and a real understanding for how emotionally disconnected veterans can feel upon their return."- CHICAGO TRIBUNE

• Assistant Director

  • Jun 2014 - Oct 2014

  Assisted Director Erica Weiss in World Premier of Caitlin Parrish's The Downpour for Route 66 Theatre Company. "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- playwright Caitlin Parrish's grippingly intimate new play is as tense and disturbing an experience as any thriller you might find at the multiplex" - Chicago Tribune "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- For a deeply serious play, there are good laughs, awkward moments, and even romance. The family and characters are fully crafted, which only make the disturbances that befall them that much more important to us." - Time Out Chicago "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- It's a deeply affecting show." - Chicago Reader "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" - Windy City Times "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" - Stage and Cinema "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" - Around the Town Chicago "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" - Chicago Theatre Review "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" - Theatre By The Numbers Show less



Redtwist Theatre

• United States
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Assistant Director

  • Mar 2014 - Jun 2014

  Assisted Director Jon Berry in John Osborne's Look Back in Anger at Redtwist Theatre. "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- Chicago Sun Times "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- Centerstage "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- TimeOut Chicago "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- Chicago Stage Standard "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- Chicago Sun Times "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- Chicago On the Aisle Assisted Director Jon Berry in John Osborne's Look Back in Anger at Redtwist Theatre. "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- Chicago Sun Times "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- Centerstage "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- TimeOut Chicago "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- Chicago Stage Standard "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- Chicago Sun Times "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"- Chicago On the Aisle



Sankofa Theatre Company

• United States
• Performing Arts

• Associate Artistic Director

  • Jun 2013 - Jun 2014

  Responsibilities: Scheduling, organizing and implementing season of plays; composing newsletters & social media blasts; hiring & managing staff; fundraising & grant-writing; processing ticket sales data.

• Director

  • Mar 2014 - Apr 2014

  Directed staged reading of Dana Lynn Formby's American Beauty Shop for Sankofa Theatre's Fractured I.D. event.

• Director

  • Jul 2013 - Sep 2013

  Directed staged reading of David Auburn's Fifth Planet for Sankofa Theatre Company.

• Actor

  • Jun 2013 - Jul 2013

  Performed roles of Quince and Peaseblossom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Edgar Sanchez.



Teatro Vista

• United States
• Performing Arts
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • Feb 2014 - Mar 2014

  Directed staged reading of Caridad Svich's Archipelago for Teatro Vista in 30/30 Festival. Directed staged reading of Caridad Svich's Archipelago for Teatro Vista in 30/30 Festival.



TUTA

• Lithuania
• Sporting Goods Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Actor

  • Aug 2013 - Aug 2013

  Performed roles of Madison and Kelli in staged reading of Jacob Juntunuen's In The Shadow of His Language, directed by Jacqueline Stone at DCASE. Performed roles of Madison and Kelli in staged reading of Jacob Juntunuen's In The Shadow of His Language, directed by Jacqueline Stone at DCASE.



The Onion

• Online Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Actor

  • Aug 2013 - Aug 2013

  Performed in web video Starfix: Lollapalooza, directed by Brett Blake. Performed in web video Starfix: Lollapalooza, directed by Brett Blake.



20% Theatre Company Chicago

• Actor

  • Mar 2013 - May 2013

  Performed in ensemble of Keely Lynn Schoeny's Girlfriends, directed by Amy Buckler. Performed in ensemble of Keely Lynn Schoeny's Girlfriends, directed by Amy Buckler.



Pegasus Players

• Actor

  • Dec 2012 - Jan 2013

  Performed role of Queen in Queen and Her Cliquedom, directed by Ilesa Duncan, and role of Woman in The Flood, directed by Anna Bahow for Pegasus Players' Young Playwrights Festival. "RECOMMENDED- The Queen and Her Cliquedom by Stephanie Chavez is a charming comedy about two teens defying their school's rigid social hierarchy." CHICAGO READER Performed role of Queen in Queen and Her Cliquedom, directed by Ilesa Duncan, and role of Woman in The Flood, directed by Anna Bahow for Pegasus Players' Young Playwrights Festival. "RECOMMENDED- The Queen and Her Cliquedom by Stephanie Chavez is a charming comedy about two teens defying their school's rigid social hierarchy." CHICAGO READER



Redmoon Theatre

• Actor

  • Oct 2012 - Oct 2012

  Performed in annual Redmoon event Boneshaker, directed by Alex Balestrieri. Performed in annual Redmoon event Boneshaker, directed by Alex Balestrieri.



Mary-Arrchie Theatre/Abbie Hoffman Festival

• Actor

  • Jun 2012 - Aug 2012

  Performed roles of Oracle and Carole in American Agency, directed by Josh Sobel. Performed roles of Oracle and Carole in American Agency, directed by Josh Sobel.



The Framework Theatre Company

• Actor

  • Jun 2012 - Aug 2012

  Performed role of Regan in King Lear: A Radio Play, directed by Juliana Kleist-Mendez. Performed role of Regan in King Lear: A Radio Play, directed by Juliana Kleist-Mendez.

• Actor

  • Mar 2012 - May 2012

  Performed lead role of Anais in Chelsea Marcantel's Devour, directed by Jacqueline Stone. Performed lead role of Anais in Chelsea Marcantel's Devour, directed by Jacqueline Stone.



Fundación Campamento Christiano Esperanza

• Art Therapy Assistant

  • Mar 2011 - Apr 2011

  As a volunteer at Camp Hope, I worked with disabled individuals, ages 3 to 30 years, employing art therapy to improve everything from the students’ communication abilities to basic motor skills to self-expression. The position required that I speak conversant Spanish as no one at the school spoke English. As a volunteer at Camp Hope, I worked with disabled individuals, ages 3 to 30 years, employing art therapy to improve everything from the students’ communication abilities to basic motor skills to self-expression. The position required that I speak conversant Spanish as no one at the school spoke English.



Lookingglass Theatre Company

• Performing Arts
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Actor

  • Jan 2010 - May 2010

  Performed role of Hallebera in Lookingglass Theatre and Carleton college co-production of 'Independent People,' directed by Eva Barr. Performed role of Hallebera in Lookingglass Theatre and Carleton college co-production of 'Independent People,' directed by Eva Barr.



Carleton Players

• President

  • 2009 - 2010

  I helped produce three faculty/guest-directed productions, including the Carleton College and Lookingglass Theatre collaboration on Independent My duties included helping with play selection criteria, student technical capacities, and budget allocations, as well as coordinating upcoming theater events, workshops, and productions and Players meetings twice a term. I helped produce three faculty/guest-directed productions, including the Carleton College and Lookingglass Theatre collaboration on Independent My duties included helping with play selection criteria, student technical capacities, and budget allocations, as well as coordinating upcoming theater events, workshops, and productions and Players meetings twice a term.



National Theater Institute

• United States
• Performing Arts
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Theatremaker

  • Jul 2009 - Aug 2009

  Acting intensive program including classes in Shakespeare, Movement, Voice (Linklater), Contemporary Scene Study, Directing, and Ensemble Building. I observed and assisted in productions during the National Playwrights Conference at the O'Neill Theatre and collaborated to create and perform original works each week. Acting intensive program including classes in Shakespeare, Movement, Voice (Linklater), Contemporary Scene Study, Directing, and Ensemble Building. I observed and assisted in productions during the National Playwrights Conference at the O'Neill Theatre and collaborated to create and perform original works each week.



Guadalupe-Parkway Community Center

• Theatre Instructor

  • Jun 2008 - Jul 2008

  I taught a theatre program for underprivileged troubled youth (9-18 yrs) in the local neighborhoods; we worked on a range of skills including vocal and movement techniques, text interpretation and characterization exercises. All of these skills were used towards the larger goal of improved communication and self-awareness. I taught a theatre program for underprivileged troubled youth (9-18 yrs) in the local neighborhoods; we worked on a range of skills including vocal and movement techniques, text interpretation and characterization exercises. All of these skills were used towards the larger goal of improved communication and self-awareness.



Minnesota Fringe Festival

• Data Analyst, Office Aide

  • 2008 - 2008

  As a volunteer for the Fringe, I worked directly under executive director Robin Gillette, compiling information for future marketing campaigns and creating a database of local theatres for recruitment purposes. As a volunteer for the Fringe, I worked directly under executive director Robin Gillette, compiling information for future marketing campaigns and creating a database of local theatres for recruitment purposes.



Well Body Natural Foods café & store

• Customer Service

  • 2003 - 2006

  As an employee at Well Body for 3 years, I held a number of positions ranging from baker to line cook to server (in the café) and floor personnel to cashier to personal assistant (in the store/office). During my time there, I learned to juggle a large number of varying tasks that changed from day to day, teaching me to be flexible and a creative problem solver on the job As an employee at Well Body for 3 years, I held a number of positions ranging from baker to line cook to server (in the café) and floor personnel to cashier to personal assistant (in the store/office). During my time there, I learned to juggle a large number of varying tasks that changed from day to day, teaching me to be flexible and a creative problem solver on the job