The Hourglass and the Poisoned Pen (2008)

Chicago Tap Theatre (Producer)

Chicago Tap Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 with a multifaceted mission: to preserve America's indigenous dance form, to promote that dance through story-based shows and innovative presentation, to educate the community and make tap dance accessible to a broad spectrum of people and to foster relationships with other arts organizations

For more information, visit www.chicagotaptheatre.com

Mark Yonally (Artistic Director, Co-Creator, Tap Choreographer, Nick Prickley/The Poisoned Pen)

Mark Yonally is currently the Artistic Director of Chicago Tap Theatre, one of the most critically well-regarded companies in Chicago. Mark has developed a national and international reputation as a performer, with solo performances in Chicago, Kansas City, Albuquerque, Amsterdam and Paris. He has been blessed to have Sarah Petronio, Dianne Walker, Bill Evans and Billy Siegenfeld as mentors. As a company member of the Bill Evans Dance Company and Especially Tap Chicago (ETC), Mark performed at such prestigious festivals as the St. Louis Tap Festival, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, the Gus Giordano Jazz Dance World Congress and at the Royal Opera House in Helsinki, Finland. Furthermore, Mark has gained the plaudits of major dance critics for his innovative approach to tap choreography. His works have been commissioned and performed by the Bill Evans Dance Company, ETC and Hope College, among others. Mark also maintains a longstanding professional relationship with Valérie Lussac, Artistic Director of Tapage of Toulouse, France. Mark is a noted educator and has taught at festivals throughout the U.S. and has served on the faculty at Oklahoma City University and Hope College. He is sought after for his multidisciplinary approach to tap teaching, which includes history, basic music theory and an emphasis on jazz music, and has taught in France, Germany, Switzerland and the United States. Mark is also a published author, with pieces appearing in Dance Spirit, Dance Teacher and Dance Magazine.

Andrew Pepoy (Co-Writer, Illustrator)

Andrew Pepoy was born in 1969 and, soon after starting to read and collect comics, decided to draw them. After many years of publishing fanzines, and while still attending Loyola University Chicago, he sold his first professional work and was soon working for Marvel, DC, and other major comic book publishers on such characters as Superman, Spider-Man, Batman, The X-Men, Scooby Doo, Sonic the Hedgehog, Betty & Veronica, Godzilla, Star Wars, G.I. Joe, and many more. Starting in 1995 he also wrote and drew his own comic book feature, The Adventures of Simone & Ajax, which currently appears at ComicMix.com and soon in book collections. In 2000 Andrew was asked to redesign the Little Orphan Annie newspaper strip, which he drew for the next year, and he recently wrote and drew a revival of Katy Keene for Archie Comics. Andrew also contributes regularly to Fables and Jack of Fables at DC Comics and Futurama and The Simpsons at Bongo Comics. Andrew lives in Chicago with his wife, Chris Atkinson. More info at www.pepoy.com.

Andrew Edwards (Original Music and Remixes)

Andrew Edwards is a Chicago-based film and theater composer, currently working towards his MFA in Music Composition for the Screen at Columbia College Chicago. New York Original Music: Fitz & Walloughs Get It in the End! (with Micah Bucey), Fraulein Else (Theatre Five, Edinburgh Fringe), and The Laramie Project (BMCC). Arrangements: Jason & Ben: A New Indie Musical (NYMF 2008 premiere). Regional Theatre Original Music: Scarlet Lines: A Gothic Musical (University of Illinois), and the soon-to-be-revived Kala: A Musical Faerie Tale (Parkland College, CUTC). Film Scores: Nancy Picks & Chooses (CCC - 2008 Cannes Short Film Festival Selection), Sans Pertinence (SVA), Blackout (Vivamorem), and the cult fan feature, To Know a Jedi. He has also released three albums with his band, Cellardoor, including the 2006 LP Distance (available on iTunes). www.rugbyroadstudio.com

Jesse Klug (Lighting Designer)

Chelsea Meyers (Set Designer)

Joshua D. Allard (Costume Designer)

Joshua has provided clothing to the Chicago theatre community since 2003, working on over 55 productions with over 15 companies, including Lookingglass Theatre Company, Victory Gardens Theatre, Piccolo Theatre of Evanston, and Roosevelt University. He has also served as a choreographer and movement practitioner, and has recently branched into production management. Joshua toured with a production from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for five months in 2008 as a Wardrobe/Props ATD, and currently serves as the general manager for the storefront opera and artsong ensemble, VOX 3 Collective, Inc. Joshua is proud to have been included in the CTT family as the 2007-2008 season designer, and is thankful to his parents, friends, and always Mr. B.

Adrienne Guldin (Stage Manager)

Adrienne Guldin is the Production Manager and Stage Manager for Chicago Tap Theatre as well as the Board Chairperson for Tantalus Theatre Group (www.tantalustheatre.org). She has been a freelance stage manager around Chicago for several years, specializing in working on original productions. Though new to the world of tap dance, her experience has been varied enough to allow her to enjoy a wide range of theatrical pursuits. She has been a properties mistress and designer for several productions, including Dreadful Penny's Exquisite Horrors which recently was seen in the Minnesota and New York International Fringe Festivals. When not in a theatre setting, she can be found serving Corporate America, knitting, baking or traveling the wilds of Wisconsin. She loves frogs and has an unhealthy obsession with the Eurovision Song Contest. She would like to thank her boyfriend and family for their love and support and her physical therapist for being amazing at fixing the damage she inflicts on herself.

Annette Knitter (Prop Designer)

CTT's one and only original volunteer, Annette was thrilled to be able to collaborate on The Hourglass and continue a little bit of her previous "life in the theatre." It's always a pleasure to help this talented group. Thanks to the awesome production team, especially Adrienne for filling in. Glorious congratulations to the company for bravely embracing the acting challenges and taking leaps of faith with character development. One more step up the dream ladder Mark. Make sure you all visit www.chicagotaptheatre.com -- this is a company to watch and support! Enjoy the show!!

Kyle Terry (Combat Choreographer)

On January 1st, after five years spent dancing, singing, choreographing, and only at inopportune times, cursing, lifelong Chicagoan Kyle Vincent Terry assumed the role of Artistic Director of Chicago Dance Crash. In addition to acting, Terry is trained in combat (Shakespeare & Co.), Capoeira (Gingarte Capoeira of Chicago), ballet (Civic Ballet of Chicago), breaking (Nick Matonich), and gymnastics. As a performer, Terry currently tours the country calling out jocks and providing comfort to women in need in the highly-acclaimed educational show Sex Signals. A graduate of UIC, Kyle has worked with Instruments of Movement, Hedwig Dance, Tyego Dance, European Rep., and Catharsis Productions, and recently choreographed for The Lookingglass Theatre's production of Black Diamond, for which he is nominated for the Black Theatre Alliance's Katherine Dunham/Alvin Ailey Award for Best Choreography in a Play.

Kendra Jorstad (Elizabeth Marston/The Hourglass)

Kendra Jorstad received her B.A. in dance performance from Point Park University in Pittsburgh. She began her Chicago dance career as an apprentice with the Joel Hall Dancers. During that time she became an original member of Chicago Tap Theatre. Kendra also teaches at many dance academies in the surrounding suburbs. Kendra is the Rehearsal Director for Chicago Tap Theatre.

Jennifer Pfaff (Daphne/The Secondhand)

Jennifer Pfaff, originally from the Washington, D.C. area, made her way to Oklahoma City University where she earned her B.S. in Dance Management. When she came to Chicago, she continued to study with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and the Joel Hall Dance Center as a scholarship student. During this time, Jen became one of the original members of Chicago Tap Theatre. Her performing credits include Dance Chicago, Gus Giordano's Jazz Dance World Congress and scholarship show, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project's National Tap Dance Day Celebration, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and numerous productions with Chicago Tap Theatre. Not just a performer, Jen is also the Dance Coordinator and a teacher at the Beverly Arts Center and has experience teaching at the Lou Conte Dance Studio and Giordano Dance Center. Jen is the Business Manager for Chicago Tap Theatre.

Jenna Deidel (Professor Von Aufke/The Conductor)

Jenna Deidel made her way from Boulder, CO to Chicago in 2003 to pursue a BA in Photography at Columbia College Chicago. Since finishing her degree in 2006, Jenna has been busy as a School Tour Facilitator at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Stott Pilates instructor at The Movement Studio, and of course as a member of CTT. When she's not teaching kids about contemporary art, making people do the hundred, or "conducting" people to an unfortunate fate, Jenna can be found photographing weddings, designing anything and everything from postcards to "welcome home" t-shirts, and enjoying the fact that her biggest fan (her mom) now lives in Chicago!

Christina Merrill (Edie Brocke)

Christina began dancing in her home town on Mohnton, Pennsylvania. After receiving her BFA in Dance from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Christina packed it up and headed out to Chicago to find some other tap dancers. Found them she did, and she's been living it up ever since! In addition to dancing with Chicago Tap Theatre, she studies and performs Afro-Haitian dance with Tamboula Ethnic Dance Company. She also teaches creative movement, modern, jazz, tap, and beginner ballet in the Chicago area. She'd like to give a shout out to her peeps back on the east coast, with special props going to the fam in PA and the crew of the S.S. Winnemac.

Stacy Milam (Gnochi)

Stacy "spoony" Milam has been performing since the age of four after being placed in dance classes in an effort to combat her extreme shyness. Many years later she earned her Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance from Oklahoma City University. She has since worked professionally across the nation not only as a dancer/actress, but also as a magician's assistant. While living in Los Angeles, Milam found work as a series regular on So Little Time with the Olsen twins as well as playing "girl mistaken for boy" on That's So Raven! with Raven Simone. Nicknamed spoony after waking up spooning a fellow CTT'er during the 2004 tour of France, Milam is looking forward to another season with CTT. May the splinters be facing downward when you slide down the banister of life!

Laura Chiuve (Vile O'Lynn)

Laura Chiuve grew up dancing in the Boston area and attended Point Park College as a jazz dance major. She relocated to Chicago in 2000, after receiving a Merit Scholarship to continue training at the Giordano Dance Center. She is one of the founding members of Chicago Tap Theatre. Other performing opportunities have included Thodos Dance Chicago's New Dances in both 2004 and 2005, working with choreographers Anthony Peyla, and Hilliary Murphy. Laura has also appeared in works by Paul Christiano, Jon Lehrer (Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago) and Jay Franke ( Hubbard Street). She currently teaches throughout the Chicago suburbs at the Des Plaines School of Dance, and Dancenter North. Laura wants to thank her mom and Sandi, for always encouraging her to follow her dreams.

Melissa Reh (Cannon N. Death)

Melissa Reh is a native of Antioch, Illinois where she began dancing at age 4. She has enjoyed dance performance, learning, and teaching opportunities in her hometown as well as in Chicago, Hollywood, New York City, and Hawaii. A keen interest in human movement inspired her pursuit of a B.S. degree in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois and an M.S. in Physical Therapy from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse. Since her happy return to Chicagoland in 2003, she has been working as a physical therapist and dancing as much as possible. Melissa is excited to finally be living her dream and would like to thank her family and Creative Rehab for their support and encouragement.

Maureen Allen (Ensemble)

Maureen Allen began dancing at a young age at Flint's Dance Studio in Mishawaka, Indiana. She later made her way to Florida where she graduated ***** laude from the University of Tampa with a degree in History. While in Tampa, Maureen became a member of the Bay Area Dance Company, which allowed her to perform in several local shows as well as performances in New York City. She recently moved to Chicago to further her dance career, and is thrilled to be dancing with Chicago Tap Theatre. In addition to working with CTT, Maureen is teaching creative movement, tap and jazz classes at the Beverly Arts Center. Maureen would like to thank her parents for the many years of dance lessons, and the Flint family for all they have given her.

Phil Brooks (Ensemble)

Phil Brooks migrated to the windy city in the summer of 2005 to pursue his dream of becoming a professional tap dancer. He began dancing at the age of 14 at "Strictly Dancing Ballroom Studio" exploring the art of partner dance and eventually becoming a classically trained ballroom dancer. With that he grew hungry for more dance, exploring dance forms from Jazz to Irish to African and back again. Phil found tap through his high school theater program, performing numerous musicals involving tap to bring the show to life. People say that Phil's passion for Tap is obvious which shows whether its in line at the grocery store, on the bus, in the elevator at work; quite simply put, his feet never stop tap tap tapping and he would say that tap is where his heart is. The past two years he studied with M.A.D.D. Rhythms and has since joined the melodic forces of the incredibly talented Chicago Tap Theatre. He would like to take a moment and appreciate everyone who has ever given him support on his journey thus far and promises to always deliver his best!