Board
REBECCA LAWSON, President
Rebecca has worked with the nonprofit performing arts community for the last 20 years in various capacities, both on stage and back stage. Before moving to Chicago, she worked as a director and teaching artist at Clark Youth Theatre (Tulsa, OK), touring actor and manager with National Theatre for Children (Minneapolis, MN), and as an actor and costume designer for the Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival (Durant, OK). She moved to Chicago, Illinois in 2012 where she has since acted, stage managed, and directed with various storefront companies including Interrobang, 20%, Hobo Junction, and Stage Left. In the fall of 2016, Rebecca refocused her personal and professional energy toward social impact work. She now provides executive administrative support to the team at Crown Family Philanthropies and is pleased to be a board member of Interrobang Theatre Project. Rebecca has a B.A. in theatre from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
JESSICA VANN, Secretary
Jessica Vann, MATD is coming to Chicago by way of her hometown of Lansing, Michigan, which she loves. She received a B.S. in Theatre and Interpretation: Acting from Central Michigan University and a M.A in Training and Development from Roosevelt University. She has over 10 years’ experience working in the not-for-profit sector and as an artist and performer. It would be safe to say she wears many hats and continues to grow in her dual professions. Finding balance is key to wearing may hats. Some of her professional credits include, but are not limited to, Jeff Award Nominated Underscore Theatre Company, Story of A Story (The Untold Story) (Beulah/Tania); Artists Giving Back, RENT (Joanne); New Millennium Theatre Company, Crazy For Swayze (Oda Guinan); Big Noise Theatre, HAIR and Ragtime. In October, 2017 she can be seen in the upcoming production of Billy Elliot: The Musical at Porchlight Theatre.
JAMES E. WILLIAMS, JR, Treasurer
James joined the United States Marine Corps after high school. During his time in the Marine Corps he had the opportunity to work at various Embassy and Consulates as a US Diplomat for the US State Department. It solidified his love for culture, travel and adventure. He received his Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership from Penn State University while managing and building his experience in a medium size company as an executive. In 2008, James created Biometric Impressions where he serves as the President/CEO. The efforts of his team and the methodical business approaches he has taken made the Company the exclusive provider of fingerprinting services for the State of Illinois. James has always had a love of the Arts and all things Rare, Relevant and Raw. The Interrobang Theatre Project is a perfect fit and he’s excited to be a member.
CATE ZEREGA, Board Member
Cate likes her pizza deep and her theater Chicago and storefront. She and her mentor at Columbia College Chicago created the film department’s minor in Casting and she moved into freelance casting after graduation. Cate transitioned from casting into VO as an agent at Shirley Hamilton Talent where she could scratch her theater itch five nights a week plus matinees. She took a sabbatical from Chicago to study in the U.K. where she still earns her spot on the blog team for the Children’s Media Conference breaking down the industry for the next generation of media-makers. When her visa ran out she moved back to Chicago and started in the HR Department of Easterseals Metropolitan Chicago, it’s her honor to work every day to support the teams who do extraordinary work for children with ASD and their families. Cate looks forward to using her HR knowledge to help ITP into their next phase of development - it’s tremendously exciting to build this relationship. Cate holds a B.A. in Film with Minors in Casting and Creative Writing from Columbia College.
Staff
GEORGETTE VERDIN, Managing Artistic Director
Georgette Verdin has been working with ITP since 2014. She is also a freelance director, theater and speech educator and arts integration specialist. She was the founding theater teacher at Polaris Charter Academy, an Expeditionary Learning School in West Humboldt Park, where she taught full-time for eight years. For Interrobang, Georgette directed last season’s Jeff recommended production of GRACE by Craig Wright, season seven’s production of the 2013 Yale Drama Series winner, STILL by Jen Silverman, as well as season six’s KATRINA: MOTHER-IN-LAW OF ‘EM ALL by Rob Florence and the Jeff recommended RECENT TRAGIC EVENTS, also by Craig Wright. Other recent directing credits include Jeff Recommended 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEAS (Assistant Director, Lookingglass Theatre Company), Jeff Recommended TIME STANDS STILL (AstonRep), PHOEBE IN WINTER (Assistant Director, Facility Theatre) and Goodman’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Assistant Director). Georgette holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA and a Master in Directing from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.
ELANA ELYCE, Artistic Producer
Originally from Detroit, MI, Elana is an actor, director, coach, writer and occasional producer. Her name is pronounced [el ah na]. She first met Interrobang as a cast member of The Argument in 2012 and didn’t want to leave. Subsequently, she produced Here Lies Henry (2012), Hot N’ Throbbing (2012) and Speaking in Tongues (2013). Since landing in Chicago in 2007, besides ITP, she has been honored to work with many amazing folks at lots of theatres that let her play on their stages, including The House Theatre of Chicago, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre (Evanston), Eclipse, Remy Bummpo, Stage Left & Theatre Seven (a collaboration), The Yard/Raven Theatre, Lincoln Square, Twenty Percent, Prologue, Stockyards Theatre Project, and Strangeloop Theatre. She is also a Member/Business Manager of The Chicago Inclusion Project and likes long walks on the beach at sunset.
SARAH GISE, Casting Coordinator
Sarah has been a proud ITP company member since February 2015. She graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a BFA in Acting. She was previously seen in Interrobang's Fifth Season productions, Owners and Really Really. She is currently a company member with New American Folk Theatre (Chicago) and a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre (Los Angeles), with whom she won the LA Weekly Best Actress award for The Belle of Belfast in 2013. She can be seen at many film festivals around the country in the new film Halfway starring Quinton Aaron from The Blindside, which was awarded Best Feature at the Julian Dubuque International Film Festival. In February 2016, she performed the one-woman show The Amish Project with AtticRep in San Antonio, TX, and shortly after was invited to take the show to the Teatro Potlach FLIPT festival in Rome, Italy. She performed in the Midwest premiere of Still by Jen Silverman with Interrobang at the Athenaeum, followed by the remount of AtticRep's The Amish Project by Jessica Dickey with Interrobang last year.
CHRISTOPHER AARON KNARR, Production Artist & Box Office Manager
Christopher Knarr is a South Bend, Indiana native, Chicago transplant, and is currently residing in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in Theatre & Drama and a Music minor, and studied abroad with The Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland. Recent credits include Interrobang Theatre Project's season eight production of For the Loyal, for which he created original music. For season seven's Still, The Amish Project, and Falling, he was House Manager, Marketing, and Social Media. He was also House Manager/Social Media for the fifth and sixth season, including Really Really, Recent Tragic Events, and The North Pool, and also was a part of past season productions of Orange Flower Water as a Production Assistant, and Terminus, The Pitchfork Disney, and Ibsen is Dead as Assistant Stage Manager. christopheraaronknarr.com
CATHY MCCANN, Grant Writer
Cathy has served as the Grant Writer for ITP since 2013. She has over 15 years of experience in nonprofit administration as a staff member, consultant, board member, and grant maker. She began her nonprofit career in the Education Department at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where she was responsible for overseeing their arts education and student matinee program. As Program Director for the Arts & Science Council in Charlotte, NC, she managed the grant-making process for local arts organizations and individual artists. For the past 10 years, she has served as a grant writing consultant and researcher for various nonprofit organizations and currently works part-time as a Program Officer for the Topfer Family Foundation.
NANCY PAYNE, Marketing Manager
Nancy comes to ITP to provide marketing support and direction as Marketing Manager. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in strategic communication and business, she has been working in marketing and advertising full-time. As a lifelong theater advocate, she is excited to help promote ITP's mission and upcoming seasons.
JON-PAUL SCHAUT, Digital Media Director/Events Manager
Originally from Tampa, FL, Jon-Paul is an actor, producer, director, marketer, fundraiser, and advocate for the arts. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with dual B.A. degrees in Theatre Studies and Advertising/Public Relations. He is the former Social Media Coordinator and Group Sales Coordinator at Lookingglass Theatre Company (Chicago), former Group Sales Associate and Events Assistant at Carol Fox and Associates (Chicago), former Box Office Associate at the Northshore Center for the Performing Arts (Skokie), and former Entertainment Cast Member at Walt Disney World (Orlando). Currently, Jon-Paul works at The Cleveland Play House in Cleveland, OH, where he is the Campaign & Events Project Manager along with his digitally remote responsibilities with Interrobang Theatre Project.
LAURA BERNER TAYLOR, Literary Manager
Laura has been a proud ensemble member at Interrobang since 2016, performing in Out of Love (Jeff Nomination- Actor in a Principal Role), Grace, Still and Recent Tragic Events. Around Chicago, she’s also worked with Eclipse Theatre, TimeLine, Windy City Playhouse, Silk Road Rising, Backroom Shakespeare Project, and Black Ensemble Theatre. Regionally, she's worked with TheatreSquared and Marin Shakespeare Company. Her television credits include Chicago Med (2 episodes), Chicago Justice (NBC), and The Chi (Showtime). She has a BFA in Acting from Santa Fe University of Art and Design and is represented by Big Mouth Talent. www.laurabernertaylor.com
ZOE VERDIN, Creative Director
Zoë provides creative direction for all ITP print and digital marketing, while working as a freelance graphic designer and practitioner of Thai bodywork and trigger point therapy. Zoë has also worked as scenic designer/carpenter, costume designer and muralist on all main stage productions at Polaris Charter Academy since 2011. Her most recent designs include costumes and backdrop for the Academy’s Wiley and the Hairy Man and publicity for Interrobang’s Season Six: Unnatural Disasters. Zoë has a BA in Studio Art from Carleton College, with concentrations in ceramics and photography. Zoë is delighted to be collaborating with Social Media Marketing Guru, Christopher Knarr on publicity for Season Seven’s Flesh & Blood series, and with Ed Anderson on ITP's new website.