Liz Chidester Headshot

Liz Chidester

Also Credited As: Elizabeth Ashley Chidester

Birth Place: Fairfax, VA

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Liz Chidester BIO

Liz Chidester, from the mountains of Virginia, moved to Chicago in 2013 and resides as a singer, songwriter, actor, and teaching artist. Her recordings with her band LIZ AND THE LOVELIES include People Pumping Pedals (2014), Otter Hill EP (2015), Progress Into Simplicity EP (2017) and My Way/Your Way Single (2018).

She was a Midwestern Finalist in NPR’s NewSong Songwriting Contest 2014, nominated for Best Female Vocalist in the Chicago Music Awards 2015, and was a finalist in the NewSong Leaf Songwriter Competition 2016. Progress into Simplicity was nominated for 'Best Roots EP' in the 2018 Independent Music Awards, and was in the top 4 at the Silversound Showdown Battle of the Bands 2018 in Brooklyn, NY.

As an actor, Liz is a Company Member of FIREBRAND THEATRE, the first feminist equity musical theatre company, and was critically acclaimed for her role of "Lizzie Borden" in LIZZIE. She won 2 Equity Jeff Awards for her role "Vi Petty" in American Blues Theatres' BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY in 2018, and a Non-Equity Jeff for her role of "Laura" in Refuge Theatre Project's HIGH FIDELITY in 2017. She has worked with Chicago Children's Theatre, Cabinet of Curiosity, Sideshow Theatre Company, Mercury Theatre, Theatre at the Center, and Route 66 as an actor, teaching artist, and composer. She is represented by Shirley Hamilton Inc.

Before moving to Chicago, she was singing all over the world as a lounge singer with Carnival Cruise Lines and Holland America Line. She has her BM from James Madison University in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

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Liz Chidester News


American Blues Theater to Present Annual Blue Bash This Month


American Blues Theater will present the 2024 Blue Bash, a fundraiser celebrating the company’s history and artistry. Learn how to purchase tickets!

American Blues Theater Presents Liz Chidester In Concert As Part Of The Ongoing Virtual @home Accessibility Series


American Blues Theater presents a one-night-only concert with Ensemble member Liz Chidester on the eve of the release of her EP “The Death and Life of Billy the Kid.” 

American Blues Theater to Present Liz Chidester In Virtual Concert


American Blues Theater presents Liz Chidester in Concert as part of the ongoing virtual @Home Accessibility Series.

Photos: First Look at ASÍ CANTA FEDERICO at Centro Español de Queens


Centro Espanol de Queens will present ASI CANTA FEDERICO inspired by Federico Garcia Lorca on Friday, March 31st at 7:30pm. Check out photos here!

ASÍ CANTA FEDERICO Announced At Centro Español de Queens This March


The Universe of Federico Garcia Lorca will guide this performance into the Spanish dances, poems and songs from the traditional Spanish songbook. There will also be pieces from Padre Soler, Manuel de Falla and Isaac Albéniz.

Ethereal Folk Duo Frances Luke Accord Releases New Track 'All the Things'


Indie folk duo Frances Luke Accord (“FLA”) released their whimsical new song “All The Things.” “Saint Mary” followed album tracks “Window” and “In My Life,” a hopeful ballad and vocal tour de force reminiscent of Simon & Garfunkel and Peter, Paul, & Mary which features FLA’s mentors and brethren, Darlingside.

KC Rep's THE OLD MAN AND THE OLD MOON Indie Musical Folk Story To End 2021-22 Season


Kansas City Repertory Theatre completes its 2021-22 season with The Old Man and the Old Moon, book, music, and lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co., directed by Artistic Director Stuart Carden and PigPen Theatre Co. Performances run May 3 through 22, 2022, at Spencer Theatre.

Cabinet Of Curiosity Announces SEA CHANGE


Cabinet of Curiosity will present Sea Change, an outdoor celebration exploring the power of the sea and the feminine divine. It is a series of wild, strange, lovely puppet shows written by emerging female playwrights and lyricists Liz Chidester, Kasey Foster, Bethany Thomas, and Lindsey Noel Whiting.

SHE WRITES THE SONGS to be Presented as Part of American Blues Theater's 'The Garage' Series


American Blues Theater has announced She Writes the Songs, as part of its ongoing music series, “The Garage.” The online event on Friday, April 23 at 7pm Central will feature an evening of music with Artistic Affiliate Liz Chidester.

Chicago Children's Theatre Unveils 'Everything Will Be OK' Window Installation; 18 New Classes Launch This Week


Artists have transformed Chicago Children's Theatre, 100 S. Racine Ave. in the West Loop, into a bright new beacon of hope.

Firebrand Theatre's ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE Will Be Extended Through February 23


Due to popular demand, Firebrand Theatre is pleased to announce a third and final extension of its hit revival of ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE, now playing through Saturday, February 23 at The Den Theatre's Janet Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

Danni Smith Joins the Cast of ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE for Three Week Extension at The Den Theatre


Due to popular demand, Firebrand Theatre has announced a second extension of its hit revival of ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE, now playing through Saturday, January 25, 2020 at The Den Theatre's Janet Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE Extends Through January 4, 2020 at The Den Theatre


Due to popular demand, Firebrand Theatre's hit revival of ALWAYSa?? PATSY CLINE will add three additional weeks of performances, extending through Saturday, January 4, 2020 at The Den Theatre's Janet Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

Photo Flash: Raven Theatre Presents The Chicago Premiere of SUNDOWN, YELLOW MOON


Raven Theatre is pleased to launch its 2019-20 season with the Chicago premiere of Rachel Bonds' drama SUNDOWN, YELLOW MOON, featuring music and lyrics by The Bengsons, directed by Artistic Director Cody Estle with music direction by Andra Velis Simon. This warm and delicate play with music is an honest look at the hard work of holding a family together and reconnecting with what we've left behind.

Casting Announced For Raven Theatre's SUNDOWN, YELLOW MOON


Raven Theatre announces casting for its Chicago premiere of Rachel Bonds' drama SUNDOWN, YELLOW MOON, featuring music and lyrics by The Bengsons, directed by Artistic Director Cody Estle with music direction by Andra Velis Simon. This warm and delicate play with music is an honest look at the hard work of holding a family together and reconnecting with what we've left behind.

Photo Flash: First Look at Firebrand Theatre's QUEEN OF THE MIST


Firebrand Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of QUEEN OF THE MIST, based on the sensational true story of Anna (Annie) Edson Taylor, the first woman to go over Niagara Falls. Featuring book, music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party, Marie Christine), direction by Elizabeth Margolius and music direction by Charlotte Rivard-Hoster, QUEEN OF THE MIST will play May 26 - July 6, 2019 at The Den Theatre's Janet Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

Firebrand Theatre Presents QUEEN OF THE MIST


Firebrand Theatre will present the Chicago premiere of QUEEN OF THE MIST, based on the sensational true story of Anna (Annie) Edson Taylor, the first woman to go over Niagara Falls. Featuring book, music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party, Marie Christine), direction by Elizabeth Margolius and music direction by Charlotte Rivard-Hoster, QUEEN OF THE MIST will play May 25 - July 6, 2019 at The Den Theatre's Janet Bookspan Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Single tickets are currently available at firebrandtheatre.org. The press opening is Tuesday, May 28 at 7:30 pm.

Firebrand Theatre's QUEEN OF THE MIST Begins May 25


Firebrand Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of QUEEN OF THE MIST, based on the sensational true story of Anna (Annie) Edson Taylor, the first woman to go over Niagara Falls.

Cabinet Of Curiosity Extends Run Of TABLETOP TRAGEDIES


Due to its successful, sold-out run during the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, Cabinet of Curiosity is extending and moving its Tabletop Tragedies production to the Chopin Theatre Main Stage, February 7 through 17, 2019.

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