About Us...
The Tympanic Theatre Company was founded in May of 2007 when Florida State University alumni Daniel Caffrey and Amy Whittenberger moved to Chicago. After working with several other companies, they both wanted to provide an artistic home for new work that didn't require agents, or any other type of solicitation so commonly found in modern professional theatre. They wanted to ensure that their company would consider any new script that was submitted to them for production, regardless of the writer's experience or connections.
After becoming incorporated, Tympanic mounted their first show, Splintered Crosses, at The Side Project Theatre in August of 2007. Featuring scripts by Caffrey, Whittenberger, and fellow FSU playwrights McKenzie Gerber and Joshua Mikel, Splintered Crosses was a collection of short plays, half comic, half tragic, all satirizing religion. The show was a success, leading to Tympanic's next production, The House Of Weird Death, a collection of four American horror stories. The scripts were selected from a nationwide submission process that required writers to craft their own short play centering around a figure found in American horror mythology. Showcasing new work by Gerber, Whittenberger, Cameron Stuart, Rob Matsushita, and directed by Caffrey.
Besides being dedicated to producing unsolicited new work, Tympanic also emphasizes the redefinition of space in modern theatre. We believe that a play should encompass every aspect of the theater or venue where it is performed; the stage, the lobby, and most importantly, the audience. By involving all of these different areas, we strive to create theatrical experiences that are fresh, energetic, and visceral.
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We're always looking for exciting new work. If you'd like to submit your original work please email it to submissions@tympanictheatre.org
If you're interested in auditioning for our next production, email us at auditions@tympanictheatre.org
For general questions or concerns email admin@tympanictheatre.org
Ensemble Chris Acevedo
chris -at- tympanictheatre -dot- org
Christopher Acevedo received his B.A. in Acting from Florida State University. Previous credits in Chicago include Arftco's "Soon-To-Have-a-Witty-Title Christmas Spectacular", Tympanic Theatre's premiere show, "Splintered Crosses" and Tympanic Theatre's "House of Weird Death". A company member of Tympanic Theatre, he is ecstatic to be a creature again!
Business Manager Dominic Alto
dominic -at- tympanictheatre -dot- org
Dominic Alto moved to Chicago in 2006 to pursue a career in finance. He has holds a B.S. degree in Finance and a M.S. degree in Economics from Florida State University. He works as a part of a wealth management team during the day and as Business Manager for the Tympanic Theatre Company.
Co-Artistic Director Daniel Caffrey
daniel -at- tympanictheatre -dot- org
Daniel Caffrey is the Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Tympanic. His work was previously seen in their short play collection, Splintered Crosses. Other plays produced in Chicago include Zombie Christmas 1 and 2 (ARFTCO), Gretel (as part of Dream Theatre's Theatre of Woman III festival), and Folkfire (Chicago Dramatists' Saturday Series). His work has also appeared with Big News at iO. Directing credits include Splintered Crosses, The House of Weird Death (Tympanic), and O Dark Thirty (in the upcoming Cut to the Quick festival at The Side Project). As an actor, he was last seen in Slipping at The Side Project. He is a Contributing Writer for the music site Consequence of Sound and is a graduate of the Training Center at iO.
Ensemble Shawn Clancy
shawn -at- tympanictheatre -dot- org
Coming soon...
Ensemble McKenzie Gerber
mac -at- tympanictheatre -dot- org
McKenzie Gerber came to Chicago after graduating from Florida State University's School of Theatre with a BA in 2006. He recently became a company member of Tympanic Theatre. Playwriting and Directing credits for Tympanic include Splintered Crosses "What King?" and The House of Weird Death: Something out there (Assistant Director/ co-writer / sound designer). Acting credits include Splintered Crosses and has performed with Tympanic's resident improv troupe Tymprov. McKenzie is currently working on the sound design for Gregor and the Squonk along side the Co-Artistic director, Daniel Caffrey
Ensemble Megan Gotz
megan -at- tympanictheatre -dot- org
Megan Gotz is so SQUONKED to be a part of Gregor and the Squonk. She moved to Chicago in 2007 after graduating from Florida State University with a B.A. in Theatre. Since then she has been seen in The Alycone Festival: The Massacre (Halcyon Theatre) as well as House of Weird Death and Splintered Crosses with Tympanic Theatre Company. She has also performed with Tympanic's resident improv troupe, Tymprov.
Ensemble Paul E. Martinez
paul -at- tympanictheatre -dot- org
Paul E Martinez came to Chicago after graduating from Florida State University's School of Theatre in 2006 and is a recent graduate of Second City's Improv Conservatory. In Chicago, he has been seen in Los Desaparecidos (Babes With Blades), as well as in Splintered Crosses and House of Weird Death with the Tympanic Theatre Company. Paul has also performed with improv ensembles Tymprov and Colorado Beautification Coalition.
Ensemble Leo Mendoza
leo -at- tympanictheatre -dot- org
Leo Mendoza is the only person here that didn't go to school in Florida, and is proud to represent Chicago. He's completed a multitude of training centers and curriculums around Chicago, and chances are is enrolled in one right now. He's been in many sketch and improv groups around the city, was most recently seen in Dramatis Personae's TRANSITions and their upcoming Monster Mash. Initially involved in Tympanic's inaugural production Splintered Crosses, he's taken a liking to creating t-shirts and bags for you to buy.
Ensemble Susan Myburgh
susan -at- tympanictheatre -dot- org
Susan Myburgh recently graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor's of Arts in Theatre. She has an equally devoted passion for acting a directing and has high hopes of pursuing both of those dreams in Chicago. At FSU Susan appeared in Flood Story (Old Woman), The Birds (Ostritch/Inspector), Rabbit Hole (Izzy), Uncle Vanya (Sonya), Catch-22 (Nurse Duckett), Amadeus (Ensemble), and Ubu Does America (Ma Ubu). Susan directed Morality Play as a part of Tympanic's inaugural production of Splintered Crosses and is currently directing Tympanic's first full length production, Gregor and the Squonk.
Ensemble Brenda Scott
brenda -at- tympanictheatre -dot- org
Brenda Scott graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor's of Arts in Theatre in 2007. Recent roles include Crystal in House of Weird Death, Nora in Losing Nora,Rowena in Biloxi Blues and Jane in 'Dentity Crisis, along with multiple New Musical Projects. She was recently accepted to AMDA in New York City and plans to continue her career there. Her personal website is brenda-scott.com.
Co-Artistic Director Amy Whittenberger
amy -at- tympanictheatre -dot- org
Amy Whittenberger moved to Chicago in 2006 after graduating from Florida State University with a B.A. in Theatre. She is the Co-Artistic Director of the Tympanic Theatre Company and her work was featured in their first two productions, Splintered Crosses and The House of Weird Death. Other credits include The Chicago Chronicles with the American Theatre Company, The Best Christmas Present Ever with The Side Project Theatre, Concrete Love in Chicago Dramatists' Instant Playwright Series, Crowd Pleaser with The Barestage Theatre in California, and The Big Sign with The Renaissance Guild in Texas. The Big Sign is also scheduled to be featured in Chicago in Point of Contention's Chaos Play Festival. Upcoming television writing credits include Covenant Coffee, a web sitcom produced by "Just Say Yes" Entertainment. Amy is also a proud graduate of The Second City Conservatory and performs with her improv group, Trying Too Hard, every Sunday night at The Playground Theatre.
