Blog

I. Welcome to Chicago: Starting a Career in Chicago’s Theatre Industry

New to Chicago’s bustling theater scene? A panel of industry leaders will help you make the leap, providing information on the following topics and more, including:

• • Auditions: Where to find them, how to prepare and what to expect when you get there
  • Resumes and Pictures: What they’re looking for, what to look for in a photographer and how to find them, and how to present yourself on your resume.
  • Agents and casting directors: What’s the difference, how to find them and what to expect
  • Unions: To join or not to join?
  • Survival jobs–what should you look for?
  • Directors, Playwrights, Designers and Technicians–where and how to look for jobs

Panelists:

AJ Links (AJ Links, CSA), Moderator, (she/her) is a 2x Emmy Winning Casting Director for her contribution to the Chicago Casting of FX’s THE BEAR. She is also a three-time Artios Award Winner for her work on THE BEAR, HBO’s LOVECRAFT COUNTRY and Aaron Sorkin’s THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7. AJ owns her own casting agency: AJ Links Casting where she casts commercials, industrials, music videos, and feature films. She also serves as Casting Director for Jackalope Theatre Company and Definition Theatre Company. She is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University and is a member of The Casting Society of America. alexisjadelinks.com

Lonnae Hickman, (she/her), is a graduate of DePaul University with a double major in Theatre Arts (BFA) and American Studies. She’s honed her skills in prop design, puppetry, and immersive forms of theatre; working with companies such as Chicago Children’s Theatre, Albany Park Theatre Project, Theo Ubique, Timeline Theatre with Broadway in Chicago, Northlight Theatre, Teatro Vista and many more. Lonnae is also an adjunct faculty member at University of Chicago – IL, where she works designing on shows and mentoring students on props and collaboration.

David Z. Kolen, (he/him), is a Senior Business Representative at Actors’ Equity Association, based out of the Chicago office. He started his career at Equity 14 years ago and has held many titles and worn many hats since. Currently, he oversees a team of four representatives who oversee the following Equity contracts across the country: LORT, CAT, Second City, Cabaret, Dinner Theatre, Business Theatre, Drunk Shakespeare, Paramount, and Children’s Theatre Company. David is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University,and is grateful everyday he gets to advocate for artists across the United States.

Catherine Miller, (they/them), is a proud, Chicago-based multi-hyphenate artist, working as a casting director, dramaturg, director, gender consultant and creator of the substack “From Behind the Table”. They currently cast for Raven Theatre, American Music Theatre Project/Northwestern University and About Face Theatre, where they are also an Artistic Associate, in addition to casting freelance for Chicago Children’s Theatre, & Backstitch Arts. Catherine has a BFA in Dramaturgy/Criticism from The Theatre School at DePaul. For more, subscribe to their substack at frombehindthetable.substack.com

Matt Walters, (he/him), is the Central Region Business Representative for United Scenic Artists, Local USA829, and has had the pleasure of working for the Union for over 25 years. In his current role, he is the bargaining representative for all designers and scenic artists working in live performance throughout the Midwest, and for costume designers and assistant costume designers working in Motion Pictures and Film in Chicago. He has devoted his entire career to being an advocate for artists seeking representation through thriving wages and fair working conditions.

Keely Vasquez (she/her) As an actor, recent credits include Dear Evan Hansen (1st National Tour), Spamalot (Mercury Theater Chicago) and Next to Normal (Writers). Other credits include Porchlight, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Goodman, Paramount, Marriott Lincolnshire, and The Broadway Playhouse. On the other side of the table, she has staged several concert revues and was recently the Associate Director/Choreographer for …Spelling Bee at Music Theater Works, where she now serves as Casting Director. Previously, she was the Casting Director at Mercury Theatre Chicago. For nearly a decade, she toured the world, singing with Barry Manilow and currently sings with The Yacht Rock-ettes, a female-fronted “yacht rock” band. Next up, she will be directing Next to Normal at Madison Street Theater and Hairspray at Music Theater Works.

II. Mental Wellness Tips for the Theater Worker (or How to Stay Grounded in a Chaotic Industry)
The pressures of a challenging profession (and of a challenging world) can lead to times of depression, anxiety, and other mental and emotional issues – but there are places and people to turn to. Join staff members from Season of Concern and the Entertainment Community Fund as they showcase the variety of programs available to theater workers. Topics will include:

• • Community resources for mental health consultation and support
  • Online and in-person therapy opportunities
  • Tips for daily mental health wellness
  • What to do in mental health crises
  • Resources for help with substance abuse problems and addiction

Panelists:

Christopher Pazdernik, Moderator, (any) is a Jeff Award-winning director and producer who has been active in Chicago theatre since 2007. Described as having “a near encyclopedic knowledge of musicals,” they were recently named to NewCity Stage’s Players 2024: The Fifty People Who Really Perform for Chicago. In addition to their creative pursuits, Christopher has held staff positions at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Porchlight Music Theatre, Refuge Theatre Project, and most recently, Producing Director at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theater. An openly HIV+ artist, Christopher is also active in AIDS advocacy work, producing the annual benefit concert ‘Belting for Life,’ leading a team at AIDS Run/Walk Chicago, and volunteering on committees with both AIDS Foundation Chicago and Howard Brown Health. He is thrilled to continue his support of Chicagoland theater workers at Season of Concern.

DeMario C. Adams, (he/him), is an Alumnus of Dunbar Vocational High School, Harold Washington College, Chicago School of Phlebotomy. He serves as Director of Outreach & Community at TaskForce Prevention and Community Services and has been there for 7 years. He previously worked for Cook County Health Austin Clinic as a Health Navigator and has been a certified HIV Tester and STI Counselor for 20 years. He is also the Mental Health First Aid Instructor for the Chicagoland area.

Jen Bosworth-Ramirez, (she/her), is the daughter of a fierce Colombian immigrant mom and used car salesman turned psychologist dad. Jen is an actor, writer, and Licensed Professional Counselor from Evanston, Illinois. Jen currently writes for Sesame Workshop’s Social Impact Team, works in private practice as a therapist, and just wrapped a role on season 2 of Dark Matter for Apple TV+. Jen holds a BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University and an MA in Counseling Psychology from The University of Santa Monica.

Ashantis Jones (she/they) is a weight-inclusive Licensed Therapist, Mental Health Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, and Intersectional Wellness Educator. She supports individuals seeking mental health + fitness support and businesses seeking to create more efficient and equitable practices. They hold both their BFA in Theatre Management and MEd in Counseling from DePaul University.

Jonathan Wilcoxen (he/him) is a social worker who studied music therapy at Western Illinois University and then worked in mental health settings and studied macro social work at Texas State University and worked for the State of Wisconsin focusing on systems and policy. In his current role as the Sr. Manager of Helpline Operations at NAMI Chicago, he blends his work in mental health and systems as he supports and leads NAMI Chicago’s Helpline. The Helpline’s goal is to listen without judgment, provide emotional support, support people in crisis, help connect individuals to mental health resources, and help create action plans to help individuals utilize resources throughout Chicago and Cook County.

Suzanne Wychocki. (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Financial Social Worker with the Entertainment Community Fund’s Central Regional Office in Chicago. She specializes in financial wellness coaching alongside mindfulness-based therapy, bringing a unique dual expertise in both mental health and financial planning to the performing arts community. Her work with ECF includes supporting theater professionals through the intersection of financial stress and mental health, understanding how financial challenges impact artists’ overall well-being and career sustainability.

III. Financial Planning for the Independent Artist
Money is always an issue for theater professionals–how to make it, how to keep it, and how to save for the future. Featuring accountants and financial planners well-versed in the world of theater artists, this conversation will highlight:

• • Tips for filing taxes–what forms to use, what items are deductible, and other practical advice
  • Budgeting tips and recommendations for theater artists
  • Credit card pitfalls
  • Student Loan payment options
  • Planning for the future–how to save now for your needs later

Panelists:

Tom Pearl, Moderator, (he/him), currently serves as Producing Director at Steppenwolf Theatre Company where has worked for the past 11 years. Before that he served as Production Manager at both Berkeley Repertory Theater and Baltimore Center Stage. He has a broad range of experience facilitating the artistic process, building production teams, organizing transfers, managing logistics, and thinking strategically about physical plants, construction/renovation, and capital improvements.

Jared Evans, (he/him), is a Community Manager in Chicago, IL for Community & Business Development. He is a local ambassador for Chase whose job is to build and nurture relationships with key community leaders, nonprofit partners, and small businesses at the neighborhood level. Jared hosts financial health workshops, facilitates non-profit partnerships, and offers community programming. Through these partnerships he is bringing interactive workshops, tools and resources to help boost financial literacy and confidence in under-served communities. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Jared has held several positions, including Licensed Banker and Branch Manager. Prior to this role, Jared served as the Senior Branch Manager at the University of Chicago, Citibank Branch. He is currently a member of the Black Organization for Leadership Development (BOLD) and serves on the board of Respond Now.

Elsa Hiltner, (she/her), is director of programs at Lawyers for the Creative Arts, a pro bono legal service organization for the arts in Illinois. She began her career as a freelance theatre artist and costume designer, and has worked in various capacities at nonprofit theatre companies including in shop management, marketing, and as director of development. These experiences as an arts worker deeply inform her work as an arts advocate, organizer, and activist for pay equity. She has a national reputation as an arts advocate, based on her essays, talks, and the tools and resources she has built for arts organizations.

Larry Little, (he/him), has a theatrical career that has spanned thirty-five years and more than 100 productions, first as an actor/singer/dancer, then as a director and producer. Along the way he became a Certified Public Accountant and owned The A.C.T. Group, a licensed CPA firm for 18 years, providing tax and accounting services to nonprofits and small businesses and their owners. Now, Larry is the Lead Producer at CPA Theatricals and LCG Entertainment, LLC, the companies he founded to provide musical theatre for under-served populations.

Rodney Matthews, (he/him), has served as a Career Counselor for the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund) in its Chicago office since January 2023. In his role, he supports performing arts and entertainment professionals as they navigate career development and job search processes. Additionally, as a part of his role, he supports the Career Transition for Dancers Program (CTFD), a program of The Career Center. Rodney especially enjoys helping individuals explore and identify their career goals and suitable employment opportunities. Prior to joining The Career Center, Rodney worked in talent acquisition, recruitment, and career services at universities across the Midwest. He completed his undergraduate degree in Housing Studies and a Master of Education degree in Human Resource Development, both from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and holds a professional certification as a Certified Master of Career Services from the National Career Development Association (NCDA).

Suzanne Wychocki, (she/her), is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Financial Social Worker with the Entertainment Community Fund’s Central Regional Office in Chicago. She specializes in financial wellness coaching alongside mindfulness-based therapy, bringing a unique dual expertise in both mental health and financial planning to the performing arts community. Her work with ECF includes supporting theater professionals through the intersection of financial stress and mental health, understanding how financial challenges impact artists’ overall well-being and career sustainability.

Special Thanks to our Workshop Partners: