Theatre
Much of my making is in theatre as a prop artisan, puppet maker, costume builder and object crafter. I've been lucky to collaborate with multiple theatre companies including Goodman Theatre, Chicago Opera Theater, Albany Park Theater Project, The Gift Theatre, and Redmoon along with educational institutions like Northwestern University, Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, Elgin Community College, and Loyola University Chicago, where I am Prop Artisan in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts.
Splash Splash A Day on the Lake is a devised theatre for the very young production telling the story of the moon breaking into four pieces and falling into Lake Michigan. The audience sets sail to find the moon pieces and along the way befriend a crayfish, beaver, turtle, and a yellow perch. After helping our new friends, we reassembled the moon allowing the sun to set, and for a finale of dancing under the stars.
Goodman Theatre (Originally devised with Northwestern University and Total Child Preschool)
Directors: Ellie Levine & Jamal Howard
Set, Object, Costume Design: Jillian Gryzlak
Sound Design: Stephan Moore
Photos: Borris Martin
After showing at the Goodman, the show then toured throughout Chicago Public Schools
As the Prop Artisan in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Loyola University Chicago since 2021, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with a talented and dedicated group of colleagues and students on numerous mainstage theatre and dance productions, here are a few highlights. Full production credits can be found here.
In Order:
Orlando, Director: Marc Lococo
The Old Man and the Old Moon, Director: Emily Ritger
Orange Julius, Director:Kelly Howe
Into the Woods , Director: Mark Lococo
Everybody, Director: Kelly Howe
Student Playfest , Director: Emily Ritger
Somewhere , Director: Denise Serna
Fairview, Director: Deron Williams
Photos: Brave Lux Joe Mazza
Imagine That! is a devised theatre for the very young production that followed a broken (and crabby) rainbow machine through the four seasons in order to collect all the colors needed to make a rainbow. Along with the colors, each season had a sensory and participatory moment, where we felt the mist of a spring rain, could crunch autumn leaves in the wind, and play in the fluffy snow of winter. Our audience embodied summer, the last season visited before the rainbow emerged!
Devised in collaboration between Northwestern University and Total Child Preschool
Director: Ellie Levine
Set, Object, Costume Design: Jillian Gryzlak
Sound Design: Stephan Moore
Photos: Justin Barbin
After showing at Wirtz Center for the Arts, the show toured Chicago Public libraries and was remounted at Columbus Children's Theatre
For the Goodman Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol in 2023 and 2024, I collaborated with Rachel Healy to create a rat puppet the was featured during the street scenes and a group of moths to accompany Christmas future.
Director: Jessica Thebus
The costumes I build are often one of a kind, sculptural, and made from repurposed materials as much as possible The projects highlighted above show just a few costuming projects completed over the years.
In order:
The Elephant and the Whale a collaboration between Chicago Children's Theater and Redmoon, Co-directors: Leslie Danzig and Frank Maugeri
Once Upon a Time or the Secret Language of Birds, Redmoon, Director: Frank Maugeri
A Body,Home Dance Exchange, Co-directors: Elizabeth Johnson Levine and Nik Zaleski
David Bowie costume reproductions, NewMoon
Sculptural costume costumes, NewMoon
Tabletop Tragedies Cabinet of Curiosity, Director: Frank Maugeri
Astronaut costumes, NewMoon