"[Gregor and the Squonk] shows wit... and the cast demonstrates talent, intelligence, and commitment." - Chicago Reader

Musing

THE CAST:

Evan Absher / Norman Painter Evan hates bios. Let's be honest, the only reason you are reading this is because you got to the show early and you need to kill time. Let's at least make it fun. Evan was born to South-American Dutch missionaries and didn't speak English until he moved to Chicago just this August. Up until his move to Chicago he had never ventured fifty miles beyond the equator and so this winter has thoroughly crushed his soul. Evan his thrilled to be working with a group of extremely talented people and is truly excited to be apart of this play. Evan hopes that you enjoy the show and would like to thank his real muse, Katy. Here is something a little more appropriate: Evan is truly excited to be apart of show with such talented and wonderful people. Evan was able to join this show right after The Wake at Chemically Imbalanced Theater. He would like to thank his friends and family for all their love and support, especially his wife Katy.

Whitney Valencia / Willa Whitney Valencia is pleased to work with Tympanic Theatre Company again in this production of "Musing". She has appeared in Tympanic's past productions of "Gregor & the Squonk" as well as "House of Weird Death". She also can now be seen in The Side Project's current production of "Cclit" within the "Cut to the Quick: Atom Smashers" series. Other credits include Iris in Aristophanes' "The Birds", a patient in "Marat/Sade", and Lavinia in "Present Slaughter" (a "coarse" production). A graduate of The School of Theatre at Florida State University, she is proud to work yet again with this up-and-coming theatre company in Chicago.

Ariel Trocino / Olga Ariel M. Trocino received her BA in theatre from Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania and as a recent Chicago resident Ariel is thrilled to be working on her third production in this great city. Her past credits include Cleopatra/Brutus/Ensemble in Shakespeare Alive! with the Maryland Shakespeare Festival, Keziah in Trumpet in the Land, Marie in Red Noses and multiple roles with Albright College Theatre Dept. “Domino Players” including Katisha in The Mikado, The Witch in Into the Woods, Marlene in Top Girls, and most recently Dame Dorothy Brown in Hydriotaphia. Ariel would like to thank the cast and crew for the honor of working them, her talented and loving roommate Stephanie, and she sends all her love to her Mom and Pop for their unending and almost unbelievable support- you are the reason for my successes!

Joshua Harris / Phil Joshua Harris (Phil) is a recent transplant to the Chicago area from Oklahoma, where he earned a Master of Arts in Theatre from Oklahoma City University. This is his second appearance on a Chicago stage, having previously played Adam in Internal at Gorilla Tango Theatre. He is very grateful to Amy, the entire cast and crew, and everyone at Tympanic for giving him this opportunity, as well as making it a memorable, challenging, and highly creative one. He also wishes to thank his roommates, the people at Stoney River, and everyone at Metropolis for being so supportive and making him feel welcome in his new home. By his own admission, he still has much to learn and is looking forward to every challenge

Chloe Ditzel / Ensemble Chloe is a graduate of Florida State University and is still fairly new to Chicago. She has found great fun in taking classes at iO and is currently in rehearsals for a ten minute play festival, Atom Smashers, which will be performed at the Side Project also in April. Currently, you can see her at Donny's Sky Box at Second City in the sketch revue, While My Keytar Gently Beeps. Check it out!

Written and Directed by:

Amy Whittenberger* / Writer,Director 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 currently being featured in Chicago in Point of Contention's Chaos Play Festival. Upcoming writing credits include Covenant Coffee, a web sitcom produced by "Just Say Yes" Entertainment and The New Play Development Workshop with the Women's Theatre Alliance. 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.

Ali Delianides / Assistant Director Ali Delianides graduated from Florida State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre. After graduation she originated the touring role of Mama in Omaha Theater Company for Young Audiences first national tour of Old Yeller. Since moving to Chicago, she has been the educational intern in the educational outreach program through Victory Gardens Theater. Most recently she has been seen in Tympanic Theatre Company's Gregor and the Squonk as Margaret, Chicago Kids Company's Sleeping Beauty, and with Point of Contention in their annual CHAOS play festival. This April she can be seen with Chicago Kid's Company in their production of Cinderella. She is thrilled to apart of the directing world again with Musing.

Nicole Cobb-Oliver / Stage Manager

Brian Berman / Lighting Design

* Denotes company member