LIZ KIMBALL (DIRECTOR/CONCEIEVER) is a New York based director/choreographer, actress, and educator, and is thrilled to be working with the Young Artist Program on this exciting project. Liz is an ensemble member of the Music Theatre Company, and recently performed in last summer's world premiere of The 9/11 Report. Liz has performed Off-Broadway in NYMF, at The York Theatre, La MaMa ETC, and in several new musicals and readings. Recent regional credits include Penny and Amber in Hairspray (Walnut Street Theatre, Weston Playhouse), Kiss Me Kate (Paper Mill Playhouse), A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theatre), The World Goes 'Round (Woman #2,) for which she received a Zoni Nomination for Best Actress. Liz sings with the Broadway Carolers, and has sung with Deborah Gibson at B.B. Kings and on her North American tour. Liz has set The Gondoliers at OperaDelaware, and prior to that served as the associate choreographer for the recent off-off Broadway revival of Jones and Schmidt's Celebration. Other choreography credits include Once Upon a Mattress, Gypsy, The Waa-Mu Show, and the American Music Theatre Project's inaugural production of Was, directed by Tina Landau, and starring Tony winner Deanna Dunagan.

Liz is on faculty at Mount Holyoke College and at The Studio New Canaan, and graduated magna cum laude with a BS in Theatre and English from Northwestern University.

DANNY ABOSCH (COMPOSER/LYRICIST) is the composer/lyricist of Unwritten Rules, an original musical that had its world premiere in 2007, and took third place in the Academy for New Musical Theatre's 2008 Search for New Voices in American Musical Theatre. Originally from Deerfield, IL, Danny is now majoring in Music Education at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Danny studied musical theatre writing as one of twelve participants in the Johnny Mercer Songwriter's Project at Northwestern University in June 2009, where he worked closely with Broadway composers Lin-Manuel Miranda and Craig Carnelia. Danny also studied songwriting at Berklee College of Music. In addition to composition, Danny's vocal arrangements of popular music are often performed by college and high school vocal ensembles. Danny is also the founder of the website BetterACappella.com. Music Direction and Conducting credits include Kiss of the Spider Woman and Man of La Mancha at the University of Michigan. www.unwrittenrulesthemusical.com

WILL BUCK (COMPOSER) is a senior at Northwestern University, where he has contributed music and lyrics for Waa-Mu every year, as well as providing music for campus productions of Pericles and Bent. In 2008 he was a featured songwriter in the Johnny Mercer Songwriter Project at NU, where he studied with Craig Carnelia, Andrew Lippa, and Lari White. He is thrilled to be working with The Music Theatre Company and helping new voices be heard.

JEFF DENNHARDT (LYRICIST) has worked as both a lyricist and an actor throughout his life. He wrote the lyrics to the operetta, The Versailles Necklace, which premiered in 2008 and had a run at the Northbrook Theatre. Jeff has also assisted on lyrics for several songs with a number of different composers and lyricists, including his current writing partner, Danny Abosch. Favorite roles include Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, Billy Crocker in Anything Goes, The Artful Dodger in Oliver! and Prince Dauntless in Once Upon a Mattress. Jeff currently works as a reporter on BroadwayWorld.com, writing news stories and acting as their American Idol correspondent. He is currently a Computer Science Major at the University of Illinois.

ALEX SEEDMAN (BOOKWRITER) is thrilled to be working with the Music Theatre Company for his third year! Alex served as Assistant Director for a number of Music Theatre Company shows last summer, including B.R.A.T.T. Camp and Summertime. He has worked alongside Jessica and the company as Producing Associate and occasional photographer. Alex is a member of Highland Park High School's esteemed Playback Improv Troupe and has acted in a number of the school's productions. Alex co-wrote the short play April Showers, May Flowers and the annual student-written musical STUNTS in Black and WHITE, both alongside his close friend Joe Eichner, who he is thrilled to be working with yet again! Alex greatly looks forward to yet another fantastic summer with The Music Theatre Company.

JOE EICHNER (BOOKWRITER) is a senior at Highland Park High School and an active participant in the theatre department. As both an actor and a writer, Joe has participated inSTUNTS Ever After, The Laramie Project, Rent, Because They Have No Words, Wake Me Up When It's Over, and April Showers, May Flowers. Joe is enthused to be working alongside such a talented group of artists at The Music Theatre Company!

ZACH ZUBE (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER) is humbled to be working with the talented artists of The Music Theatre Company. He first performed with TMTC in 2009 for The 9/11 Report and The 48-hour Musicals: Famous Last Words. In 2010, he received the opportunity to spread his artistic wings as associate director and choreographer for our Young Artist Program production Happy Foods and TMTC's Erika's Wall, in which he will also perform. Chicago credits include Gideon in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (upcoming), Thoroughly Modern Millie, Funny Girl, High School Musical at Drury Lane Oakbrook;High School Musical, The Bowery Boys, and Seussical at Marriott Theatre; Hello Dolly! (Barnaby), La Cage Aux Folles, Man of La Mancha, and Cats (Munkustrap) at Theatre at the Center. Zach's choreographic work has appeared on stage for Steel Beam Theatre (Pump Boys and Dinettes), Encore Theatre (Spelling Bee, Grease), and Marian Catholic HS (Godspell, Grease, 42nd Street). Zach danced professionally with Chicago’s Hedwig Dances (2008) and Madison, WI-based Li Chiao-Ping Dance (2007). The process of creating new work is the ultimate passion and excitement for Zach and he is incredibly grateful to Jessica for allowing space for this work in Chicago. Aside from theatre, he shares his love for holistic living as a yoga instructor (www.zachdoesyoga.com). Zach holds a BFA in Music Theatre from Illinois Wesleyan and is a proud member of Actor’s Equity. Much gratitude and love to his wonderfully supportive family and friends and fellow company members, without whom he would be lost. Peace

KENNETH H. JONES (MUSIC DIRECTOR/ACCOMPANIST) is extremely honored to be working with such creative artistic forces at TMTC on HappyFoods and is grateful to Jessica and Kim!!  After graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Ken has traveled the country and has worked throughout the Chicago area as a Music Director, Accompanist, Vocal Coach, and Instructor with such companies as Holland America Cruise Lines, Janesville Armory (Dinner) Theatre, Virginia Musical Theatre, Cortland Repertory Theatre, The (Old) Schoolhouse Theatre, Elgin Musical Theatre, Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, Steel Beam Theatre, and Noble Fool Theatricals to name a few.  When not performing in a main stage production, Ken is a Director and Musical Director for Noble Fool Theatricals’ Youth Ensemble, and he is a Vocal Teaching Artist with Noble Fool Theatricals’ Performing Arts Academy.  In his third year at Roosevelt University (CCPA,) he works as an Accompanist for Musical Theater ensemble classes.  Some favorite past productions include: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (NFT), Miss Saigon (JADT), Seussical The Musical (EMT), High School Musical 2 (NFTYE), Chess (SBT), The Chicago Premiere of Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical (NFT), Yours, Anne (VMT), Flanagan's Wake (SOOP), The Chicago Premiere of Lippa's The Wild Party (BOHO), Grand Night For Singing (CRT) and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (CRT & NFT).  Upcoming 2010 productions include: Company (Elgin Musical Theatre) and Alice In Wonderland (Noble Fool Youth Ensemble.)  Ken maintains a local music studio of voice and piano students, as well as developing a website dedicated to the auditioning public, www.e-musac.com | www.ken-jones.com.

STEVE MCQUOWN (LIGHTING DESIGNER AND TECHNICAL DIRECTOR) is rising senior at Northwestern University with career interests touching on every aspect of the theatre. Taking a step back from his life-long performance focus, Steve’s recent theatrical contributions have been as a Producer, Marketing Director, Casting Director and Lighting Designer. Recent lighting design credits include Northwestern productions of Seussical, Shoppers Carried...Into the Flames, and performances of Northwestern’s Mee-Ow Improv Boomshaka, Thunk, and Freshman 15.   www.SteveMcQuown.com

JACOB WATSON (SCENIC DESIGNER) is a senior theatre major at Northwestern University, where he serves as Artistic Director of the theatre-for-youth organization Purple Crayon Players. Previously at Northwestern, he has directed See What I Wanna See, assistant directed In Trousers, and scenic designed The Pillowman and Mother Courage and Her Children. He is thrilled to be collaborating with The Music Theatre Company on HappyFoods. 

SAM KEARNEY (STAGE MANAGER) is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Music Theatre Company this summer. Next fall, Sam will be starting his sophomore year at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he does lighting design for the Illinois Union Board. Sam’s stage management experience comes from his dear alma mater, Homewood-Flossmoor High School in the south suburbs of Chicago. Thanks to Steve McQuown (another H-F alum) for alerting me to this great opportunity!

RACHEL BIRNBAUM (COSTUME DESIGNER) is a theatre major at Northwestern University and loves it. Rachel was the costume designer for Music Institute of Chicago's Broadway Bound program for several years and has continued costuming at Northwestern. Most recently she designed 80's style togas for a modernization of Aristophanes, The Thesmophoriazusae. She is so excited to be working on Happy Foods!

TY BAUMAN (TIMMY) You may recognize Ty as the winner of the Fox Chicago “Glee” Casting Call Contest. Memorable shows include High School Musical with Emerald City Theatre (Mongo), Forum with Theatre Nebula (Hero), Urinetown (Tiny Tom), Sweeney Todd (Anthony), and Over The Tavern (Rudy).  As a senior at Willowbrook High School, he was in the 2010 All-State theatre production, the All-State choir, and the IHSA Speech State (3rd place in humorous duet acting).  He currently studies dance at the Hubbard Street Studio in Chicago. 

LINDSAY GOLDSTEIN (CALLIE) is thrilled to be working with TMTC this summer! Lindsay is a graduate of Highland Park High School, where she was very active in the choral and theater departments. There, she performed in Rent, STUNTS in Black and White, and A Chorus Line, in addition to singing in various choirs and musical groups. In the fall, Lindsay will start her freshman year at Sarah Lawrence College, where she hopes to continue with musical theater.

TOM KELLY (GREG) is a Theatre student at the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign and originally from Chicago, IL. He has appeared in productions of Lysistrata and Moonchildren at U of I, and was the Assistant Director for A History of the American Film. This summer, he was chosen among many to be one of six theatre students to study, act, view, and perform theatre in many different parts of China. He is eccstatic to be a part of The Music Theatre Company.

ASHLEY MONDISA (LAURA) recently graduated from Centennial High School in Champaign, IL, and has been in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, This is a Test, The Suessification of Romeo&Juliet, Beauty and the Beast, Crazy Tales, High School Musical, Footloose, Aladdin Jr., The Pajama Game, Ragtime, Man of Lamancha, Bye Bye Birdie, and Les Mis. Ashley will be majoring in Musical Theatre and minoring in Directing at Columbia College Chicago. Ashley wants to be on Broadway and a drama professor at a university in the future.

KALLIE MILLER (SUSIE) is thrilled to be part of the Young Artists’ Program! As a graduate of The Chicago College of Performing Arts with a BFA in Musical Theatre, some of her favorite credits include Jacques Brel is Alive and Well…, Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon), and Seussical the Musical. As an intern for TMTC, Kallie feels so blessed to be surrounded by such a creative collective of artists. “The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

DANA PARKER(LISA) is a junior at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) studying acting. She is a graduate of Deerfield High School. Some of her past shows include Lysistrata (Women’s Chorus), Cora’s Place (Amy) and Picnic (Madge Owens) In the fall, Dana will be in Iphigenia and Other Daughters at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. She is so excited to be working with the Musical Theatre Company!

CHRISTEA PARENT (JOAN) is about to enter her senior year as an acting student at New York University, where she has studied with CAP21 and the Experimental Theatre Wing. Christea is new to Illinois and is thrilled to have found a vibrant and welcoming community of theatre artists. Many thanks to Jessica, Elana, and The Music Theatre Company for greatly enhancing her summer.

JACK SHULRUFF (BOBBY) will be a Junior at Highland Park High School in the fall of 2010 and is so excited to be joining The Music Theatre Company's "Young Artists Program" for the first time! Jack has been involved with musical theatre since he was ten years old. He is a member of Highland Park High School's Playback Theatre Improv Troupe, and has performed in multiple productions within his high school's drama department, including Mark in Rent, Mike in A Chorus Line, STUNTS Ever After, STUNTS in Black and White,  Pangs of the Messiah, Of Words And Judgement, and A Chance Encounter. Jack is thrilled to be working alongside The Music Theatre Company team this summer!

BROOKE SINGER (VANESSA) is thrilled to be a part of The TMTC Young Artists’ program this summer! Hailing from Houston, Texas, a few of her favorite roles include: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane; World Premier (Baby Jane Hudson),  Seussical (Cat in the Hat), Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney), Crazy For You (Polly), Dames at Sea (Joan), as well as numerous musical & dance showcases at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where Brooke will be a junior this fall pursuing her BFA in Musical Theatre. Special thanks to Jessica Redish for this amazing opportunity & to all of her family, friends & teachers for their unconditional love & support.

AMY STRICKER (JANICE) is excited to be a part of The Music Theatre Company's production of HappyFoods! She is a junior at The Chicago College of Performing Arts and Roosevelt University where she is pursuing a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. Most recently she has performed in several musical showcases in the Miller Theatre at C.C.P.A.  Favorite credits include Les Miserables (Eponine), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Hermia), and Footloose! Amy is thankful to have this opportunity to learn from experienced industry members. Much love to friends and family, especially to Mom and Dad.

ANDREW TEMKIN (DR. STEVENS/CHARLIE) is ecstatic to be back among this talented group of artists for the summer! Last summer Andrew took part in TMTC's workshop of the musical, B.R.A.T.T. Camp (Jake). Currently, Andrew is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre at Illinois Wesleyan University. There, he has performed in several shows on the main stage including Passion (Maj. Rizzoli), Pippin (Player), and Of Thee I Sing! (Ensemble). Other productions include Funny Girl (Nick Arnstein), Tenderloin (Joe Kovack), Do Re Mi (Brains Berman), Lawrence Rush's new musical Winter of the Fall (Postelnicu), and the revue, Horror, Freaks, & B-Movie Geeks (Soloist). Andrew thanks his family, friends, and teachers for their support, as well as the TMTC family for everything. And a special thanks to J for these unforgettable opportunities.

CHRIS ULRICH (ADAM) is an early graduate of Wauconda High School where his most recent credits include Ren McCormack in Footloose, Lloyd Dallas in Noises Off, and Danny Zuko in Grease. He also contributes much of his time to the Round Lake Area Neighborhood Players community theater where his credits include a Wickersham Brother in Seussical the Musical, Troy Bolton in High School Musical 2, and Christopher Robin in A Winnie the Pooh Birthday Tail. Chris looks forward to pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre at Roosevelt University in Chicago, and continuing to explore his passion for the theatre. Additionally, Chris is a dedicated intern to TMTC and is excited to be working with fellow young artists on the production of Happy Foods.