The Cottage at Citadel Theatre

Elizabeth Bushell

Elizabeth Bushell is thrilled to be returning to Citadel where she recently performed in Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish (Eleanor), Snow White: An Original Musical (Snow White) and Junior Claus (Chipper). Elizabeth is a Wilmette-based actor and graduate of The Academy at Black Box Acting. Other recent theatre credits include Fantine u/s and wigmaker / ensemble in Les Miserables (ILA in Italy), Katherine Blake u/s in Freaky Friday (Big Noise Theatre) and female swing in A Chorus Line (MadKap Productions). In addition to performing, Elizabeth recently served as Lead Producer for Jesus Christ Superstar with The Beautiful City Project and co-Director / Choreographer for Willy Wonka Jr. (KidStage Productions). Elizabeth is represented by Dream Team Talent.

Philip J. Macaluso

Philip is more than thrilled to be returning to Citadel Theatre after appearing in their previous British farce “It Runs in the Family” in 2022! He most recently appeared at Chicago Children’s Theatre as Toad in “A Year with Frog and Toad” and regularly performs theater for young audiences with Greatworks Theater and Chicago Kids Company. He's also appeared in multiple productions at Oil Lamp Theater, The Impostors Theatre, and iO. Philip is thankful for all the family and friends who bring joy to his life, especially his fiancée Paige, the only one he’d ever share a cottage with.

Shannon Bachelder

Shannon is making her Citadel Theatre debut as Marjorie. As a lover of all things British, she is tickled pink to be a member of The Cottage! Shannon is a Chicago based actress. This past April she appeared as Tracy Jennings in Iambe Theatre Ensemble’s world premiere production of Wake Up, Mrs. Moore. Favorite Chicago credits include Trish in Death Is So Much Worse (NealShow Productions) and Justice 3 in When There Are Nine (Pride Arts Center). Shannon sends all her love to her family and friends for their unwavering love and support! 

Joel Ottenheimer

Joel is thrilled to be performing with Citadel Theater for the first time. Past Chicago credits include: Ourtown, Romeo & Juliet; Kane Kane Repertory Theatre, Grant in Othello; Theater Wit, The African Company Presents: Richard III; Oak Park Festival Theatre. Regional Theater credits include: As You Like It; Shakespeare Theatre Company, Amadeus; Center Stage Baltimore, Two Gentleman of Verona, Tale of Two Cities, Sense and Sensibility; Annapolis Shakespeare Company, Titus Andronicus; Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. Education: MFA; Northern Illinois University. 

Melody Rowland

Melody is absolutely thrilled to be back on the Citadel Stage! She was last seen here in the TYA production of Winnie the Pooh, where she played Piglet. Melody is a Chicago-based singer, actress, and dancer. She received her BFA in Musical Theatre with an Emphasis in Dance, from The Chicago College of Performing Arts. Some performance highlights include Drury Lane Theatre: A Chorus Line (Judy Turner); Mercury Theatre: Young Frankenstein (Swing); Metropolis PAC: 9 to 5 (Ensemble & U/S Roz), Cabaret (KitKat Fritzie); Music Theater Works: The Producers (Featured Ensemble); AlphaBet Soup Productions: Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), James and the Giant Peach (James), Alice in Wonderland (Cheshire Cat). Melody is proudly represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent.

John Dooley

John Dooley is thrilled to be joining his first production with Citadel Theatre. John has previously appeared in shows with The Artistic Home in Chicago. His previous credits include the Hangar Theatre Summer Tour, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and Minnesota Fringe Festival. John has studied with Artistic Home-Chicago, the iO Training Center performance and writing intensives, and has his degree in theatre from Southern Illinois University. John sends his love and gratitude to his wife Ariel and his kids Jack and Fiona.

Bailey Angel

Bailey is thrilled to make her Citadel Theatre debut in The Cottage. She is a Chicago-based actor who received her BFA in Theatre Performance and minor in Public Relations at Belmont University. Some acting highlights include: Swing, Knights of the Group Project (Improv Playhouse), Judith Woods & Swing for Abigail Williams/Mary Warren/etc., The Crucible - Upcoming (Playtime Theatre); Portia/Decius/Ensemble, Julius Caesar (Appalachian Shakespeare Center); Alex, Furry Tails with a Twist (Maples Repertory Theatre); Sue Lawson, Not Now Darling (Pioneer Playhouse); Amy March, Little Women; Prentiss, Peter & the Starcatcher (Belmont University); Lucille, Junie B. Jones Jingle Bells Batman Smells (Lexington Children’s Theatre).

Ben Jouras

Benjamin Jouras (Βενιαμίν τζουράς) is a thrilled to be working on his first show with Citadel Theatre. A Chicago born-&-bred artist, Ben has recently worked with Yellow Rose Theatre (Airport Time), Nonsense Productions (Bloodshot), & Strong Branch Productions (The Dreamless Patron). Ben was educated at Northwestern University, and recently finished another season performing at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. He sends his love to his friends & family, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Mary Margaret McCormack

Mary Margaret is delighted to be back at Citadel after playing Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap last fall! Recent credits include: Sally Bowles in I Am A Camera (Porchlight Music Theatre), Pearl in the World Premiere of Night of the Hunter (City Lit), Mary Hatch in It’s a Wonderful Life (Oil Lamp), Nellie in Playboy of the Western World (City Lit), Hope Langdon in Something’s Afoot (Madkap), Portia in Something Rotten! (Theater Nebula), Belle in A Christmas Carol (Metropolis). Mary studied theatre at Millikin University with a focus in vocal performance. Mary Margaret has too many hobbies and can be found sewing, painting, or making fancy cocktails. She deeply thanks her family for their love, support, and generosity. Mary Margaret is represented by Talent X Alexander. www.mccormackmarym.com

Stephanie Boyd

Stephanie Boyd is delighted to join The Cottage at Citadel. Chicago credits: The Drowsy Chaperone (Surging Films & Theatrics), Assassins (Theo Ubique) (Jeff Award - Best Ensemble), Urinetown: The Musical (Surging Film & Theatrics) (Jeff Nom. - Ensemble), The Ballad of Lefty and Crabbe (Underscore)(Jeff Nom.- Ensemble). TV/Film: “88” (Best TV/Web Series - NY Movie Awards 2023) Regional credits: Nunsense (National WWII Museum), Snow White (Lafon PAC). Centenary College of Louisiana and University of Central Oklahoma alumna. Insta: @stepherieboyd Thank you to my incredible support system & Chloe!

Connor Scott

Connor is a Chicago-based actor who has trained at Northwestern University (B.A. - Theatre), The British American Drama Academy at Oxford, The Growing Studio in New York and Acting Studio Chicago. Connor’s filmed shorts have been featured in festivals on the East Coast. He has written and performed for the Time Out-recommended sketch show Our Bar. Previous credits: Florizel (Winter's Tale), J.M. Barrie (shadowplay), and Kulygin (The Three Sisters). He is grateful to Citadel Theatre for this wonderful opportunity, and the constant support of his friends and family.

Jack Hickey

Jack was last seen here at Citadel onstage as Tony Reilly in the Jeff Nominated Production of Outside Mullingar and is thrilled to return to direct The Cottage. A veteran of over 40 years in the theatre Jack has been a Director, an Actor, Producer and from 2003 to 2019, he was the Artistic Director of Oak Park Festival Theatre where he is currently remains company member. With OPFT he directed, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, The Comedy of Errors, and Loves Labours Lost. Favorite roles as an actor there include Cyrano in Cyrano DeBergerac, Claudius in Hamlet, Falstaff in Henry the Fourth, Henry Drummond in Inherit the Wind, and Michael (Jeff Nominated) in Someone Who'll Watch Over Me. As a Director Jack has worked with Chicago Dramatists, Redmink Productions, Writers Bloc, Equity Library Theatre, and was Guest Director of An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde for Northern Illinois University's Theatre Department.

Abby Truett

Abby Truett (she/her) is originally from North Carolina and received her BFA from UNC Greensboro. She recently moved to Chicago and is excited to continue her stage management career. Chicago credits include: Baby (Citadel Theatre), Hansel and Gretel, Alcina, Magic Flute, and In a Grove (Northwestern University), Spring Fling (Stage Left Theatre), and Songs for a New World (Theo Ubique). Other credits include: A Fox on the Fairway (Florida Repertory Theatre), Gypsy, The Full Monty, 9 to 5, and Mamma Mia (McLeod Summer Playhouse). This is Abby’s second season at Citadel Theatre and she is thrilled to be collaborating with the wonderful team working on this production.

Eric Luchen

Eric Luchen is thrilled to return to Citadel after last designing She Loves Me. He is a Chicago based award winning scenic and production designer, and his work has been seen all over the Chicagoland area, Nationally and Internationally. Recent Credits: Royko: The Toughest Man in Chicago (Chopin Theatre). After Pinocchio: A New Musical (NYC), School of Rock, Mary Poppins (Newcastle, Australia), Newsies (Quincy, Illinois), The Prom (Highland Park Players). Eric is a member of USA 829. website: www.ericluchen.com instagram: ericluchendesigns.

Rachel M. Sypniewski

Rachel M. Sypniewski is thrilled to be back at Citadel, previously designing Jeff nominated "Silent Sky." Other companies she has worked with include Goodman, Kokandy, Music Theater Works, Theater Wit, Backstage Breckenridge Theater, Babes with Blades, Trap Door, Oak Park Festival Theater, Midsommer Flight, Black Button Eyes, Hell in a Handbag, Lifeline, Porchlight, Griffin, Strawdog, the Factory and Redtwist. She also has designed at Wheaton College, Governor's State University, North Central College, St. Patrick's High School, Indiana University Northwest, Loyola Academy, and the Chicago Academy for the Arts. She is a ten-time Non-equity Jeff nominee, having been awarded two. More info at www.rachelsyp.com

Ellie Fey

Ellie (she/her) is a 23 year old lighting designer and electrician. She graduated from The Theatre School at DePaul University in 2023 with a BFA in lighting design. Ellie’s design credits include Fizz and Ginger (Chicago Fringe Opera), Prelude to a Kiss (Theater Above the Law), Sentinels (CPA Theatricals), and Witch (The Artistic Home), for which she received a Non-Equity Jeff Award nomination. In the coming months, she will be designing By The Way, Meet Vera Stark at The Artistic Home, and will be the lead electrician for Becky Nurse of Salem at Shattered Globe Theatre. You can check out her portfolio at www.elliemfeydesigns.com.

Maya Reter

Maya Reter is a sound artist and storyteller based in Chicago. Most recently, her work could be heard at the Wirtz Center in productions of Airness and The Aliens. Outside of theatre, Maya spends much of her time working on audio fiction and documentary pieces, which often bring her to her favorite place: deep in the woods.

Scott & Ellen Phelps

Scott & Ellen Phelps are the founders of Citadel Theatre. Scott Phelps is the Artistic Director of the company, while Ellen Phelps serves as the Managing Director. Citadel Theatre, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization & one of Chicagoland’s premier live theatres, is in its 23rd season.

Audrey Tieman

Audrey Tieman is a Chicago-based freelance scenic, properties, and puppet designer. Recent Credits Include: Forever (Puppet Designer, Thompson Street Opera Co.), Jekyll & Hyde (Properties Designer, Timberlake Playhouse), Der Rosenkavalier (Lead Prop Artisan, Santa Fe Opera), Elizabeth Cree (Scenic Designer, University of Michigan). She has a BFA in Theatre Design & Production from the University of Michigan. Website: audreyrtieman.com

Sheryl Williams

Sheryl Williams (She/her) From Phoenix, Az, She received her B.A in Musical Theater From Columbia College Chicago and has been working in and around Chicago since 2017. Thrilled to be returning to Citadel after supporting their works, Silent Sky and Baby. Along with coordinating support for several Universities such as Roosevelt, North Central and DePaul as an Intimacy Professional, her recent credits include: Resident Culture and Consent Coordinator for Court Theater, The Brightest Thing in the World  (AboutFace Theater), Native Son (Lifeline Theater), Obliteration (The Gift), STOKELY: The Unfinished Revolution (Court Theatre) and more . She has also been published as a contributor in Intimacy Directing for Theatre and T.I.E Affiliate .

Bob Knuth

After 16 years as the Creative Director and resident scenic designer for The Second City (Chicago, Toronto, Hollywood, Kennedy Center), Bob recently pivoted to freelance and higher education. Bob is proud to be directing, designing, and teaching at Lake Forest College. Scenic design projects in Chicago include Young Frankenstein (JEFF award nominated), CLUE (JEFF award nominated), Jersey Boys, The Addams Family, and The Color Purple with the Mercury Theater Chicago and the extensive interior design renovation of the iO Theater complex. Bob has been nominated for 17 Chicago JEFF Awards and has received two for Outstanding Scenic Design both with Circle Theatre. Check Bob out at www.bobknuth.com

Caitlyn Girten

Caitlyn Girten is a Scenic Designer and Charge Artist working in Chicago. Recent Scenic Art credits include Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Co-Charge, Writers Theatre), Noises Off (Steppenwolf Theatre), Hot Wing King (Writers Theatre), Million Dollar Quartet (Metropolis Performing Arts Center), The Singularity Play (Charge, Jackalope Theatre Company), and Jersey Boys (Charge, Mercury Theater Chicago). Design credits include You Can’t Take It With You (upcoming, Elgin Community College), Wipeout (Rivendell Theatre Ensemble), and Fefu and Her Friends (DePaul University). Caitlyn can also be found assisting Scenic Designers by building models, drafting, and doing graphic design for shows like Waitress (Cape Town Playhouse), Mary’s Wedding (Peninsula Players), 1776 (Marriot Theatre), and Skeleton Crew (The Guthrie Theater).

Megan Lorie

Megan Lorie is a dialect coach based in Chicago. She is a graduate of Northwestern University with a double-major in theatre and linguistics. Megan is thrilled to be returning to the Citadel Theatre to work on this production. She thanks her family and friends (and everyone else who listens to her passionate linguistics rants). @meganlorieofficial

Anna Walker

Anna Walker is a Chicago-based stage and production manager. Previous credits include work with Piven Theatre Workshop, Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, 2nd Act Players, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, Haymarket Opera, Griffin Theatre. Otterbein University graduate. Congratulations to the cast and creative team!