Jillian Gryzlak
is a maker of things

I am a Chicago-based maker rooted in experimentation with materials. My work often lands where arts and education intersect. In theatre, I design and build objects, puppets and props with a focus in educational environments, theatre for the very young/young audiences, and devised work. Utilizing a multitude of materials, my process is often one of discovery and intuition. It is this same process of discovery that I bring to the classroom when working with youth as a Teaching Artist across Chicago leading visual arts residencies. 

Some theater collaborations include The Goodman Theatre, Redmoon, Dance Exchange, Illinois Caucus of Adolescent Health, Adventure Stage Chicago, The Gift Theatre, and Elgin Community College. I am part-time faculty at Loyola University Chicago in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts as Props Artisan where I also teach in their Teaching Artist minor program as the instructor for the Theatre and Visual Arts Pedagogy courses.

My work with youth has stretched to all parts of the city with organizations including Urban Gateways, Redmoon’s Neighborhood Arts Program, Chicago Arts in Partnership in Education, and After School Matters. Some residencies have culminated in large scale permanent murals through special partnerships and grants through the Creative Schools Fund and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.