ARTIST BIOS

Courtney Abbott (Intimacy Director, they/she) NU: Wink; February House; Museum; Antigone; Dracula, a feminist revenge fantasy, really; Violet; The Prom; Dance Nation; Marisol. NU Opera: Albert Herring; Cosí Fan Tutte; The Magic Flute. Chicago: Glassheart (City Lit); the love object (The Story); In His Hands (First Floor); Lavender Men (About Face); Love Song (Remy Bumppo); SS! Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakes). Education: MFA, Ohio University; BS, Northwestern.

Lola Bodé (Imogen/An Idea of Sam Shepard, she/her) is so excited to be a part of this production of “Lobster,” continuing her passion for the development of new work. Recent credits include “be mean to me” and “Gruesome Playground Injuries.” Next up is Northwestern’s NYC Senior Showcase and her own play, “crave; or how to freeze the phantasmagoria!” She is incredibly grateful for her cast, Dado, Kallan, Nini, Mags + Emily, the prod team, and as always, her amazing parents.

Hayley Chisholm (Lighting Designer, she/they) is a Senior Lighting Designer from Providence, RI, studying Theatre, with minors in Art and Computer Science and modules in Theatrical Design and Theatre Management. Most recently, she has worked as the Asst. Lighting Supervisor at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, the Lighting Designer for The 82nd Annual Dolphin Show presents: “Cinderella”, and as the Production Manager/Technical Supervisor for WAVE Productions. Much love to her wonderful friends and family. hayleychisholm.com.

Dado (Director, she/her) is an ensemble member at A Red Orchid Theatre, where she will direct Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin this spring. At AROT she has also directed In Quietness, Malignant Ampersands, and Killing Game, by Eugene Ionesco. Her AROT production of Sam Shepard’s Simpatico moved to the McCarter Theatre in 2017. Last year her production of Right Now by Catherine Anne Toupin at Facility Theatre was nominated for eight Joseph Jefferson Awards, including Best Director.

Kallan Dana (Playwright, she/her) is a writer and performer originally from Portland, Oregon. She has developed and presented work with Clubbed Thumb, The Hearth, The Tank, Bramble Theater Company, Dixon Place, Northwestern University, and Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. She is a New Georges affiliated artist and co-founder of the artist collaboration group TAG at The Tank. She received the 2025 Paul Green Award from the National Theatre Conference. MFA: Northwestern University. needylover.com

Mia El-Yafi (Medea/Memoirist #3, she/her) grew up somewhere sometime and is currently a Sophomore at NU. Stage credits include: Antigone (Wirtz Center), How to Defend Yourself (Spectrum), The 10 Minute Play Festival (Vertigo Productions), and the Firelight Divising Series (Spectrum). She would like to thank her loving family and friends for their endless support, even across borders. She loves to dance and eat oranges. 

Augustus Glick (Jeremy/Memoirist #2, he/him) is proud to cap his collegiate acting experience with Lobster! Recently, he worked on Wirtz’s Antigone as Kreon, BADA’s (London) Volpone as Corvino, The Pillowman as Katurian, and Vassar’s Powerhouse Theatre as Macbeth. He is a senior Theatre and Creative Writing major concentrating on stage, television, and film performance. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Connecticut, he can’t wait to work on the next Hollywood or Olivier spectacle!

Willow James (Sound Designer, he/him) is a Chicago-based artist, educator, arts leader and DJ whose work is rooted in Black identity, new works, and activism. He is the Civic Engagement Director at Definition Theatre (where he is also an ensemble member), a Court Theatre teaching artist and Adjunct Faculty at DePaul University. Wirtz: “Late, A Cowboy Song,” “The Revolutionists,” “sandblasted,” “Sweat,” “Me…Jane”. Chicago: Goodman Theatre, Definition Theatre, Court Theatre, Writers Theatre. Representation: Michael Moore Agency worksbywillow.com | @worksbywillow

Emily Kelly (Assistant Stage Manager/Run Crew Head, she/her) is a Chicago, Illinois based Stage Manager and is delighted to be working with Northwestern. Some notable productions include: “How The Light Gets In” (PSM), “Sunday in the Park with George” (PSM) (Columbia College Chicago), “The Patio Plays” (PSM) (Nomad Theatre Company), and “Throbbin Wood” (PrideArts Center). Kelly received her BA in Theatre focusing in Stage Management from Columbia College Chicago.

Lucy Honor Lewis (Gwen/Memoirist #1, she/her) is a junior from New York City. She is a Theatre major, Legal Studies minor, and member of the Music Theatre Certificate program. Lucy loves new work and is proud to be part of Vertigo Productions, Northwestern’s new work theatre board! Favorite NU credits include “Sweeney Todd” (Mrs. Lovett), “Falsettos” (Trina), and AMTP’s “5&Dime” (Sissy). Many thanks to everyone who made this rehearsal room so wonderful!! More at www.lucyhonorlewis.com

Megan Liu (U/S Imogen, Idea of Sam Shepard, she/her) is a second-year theater and legal studies major at Northwestern University. Originally from Dallas, Texas, she has previously studied with Heather Biddle, Laura Mittlesteadt, and Clyde Sheets. Her past credits include: Sherlock Holmes from The Hounds of Baskerville, Chris Hargensen from Carrie, and Roberta Victor from Working. Megan would like to thank her parents, grandparents, Mrs. Petropoulos, and friends for their unconditional support.

Melody Ma (U/S Nora, she/her) is a sophomore Theatre and Business Institutions student and is so excited to be an understudy in her first Wirtz show. Other Northwestern credits include Eamon in Once and Emma in Fefu and Her Friends. Thank you to Dado, Niní, the entire production team, cast, Mom, Dad, Isaac, and my awesome friends.

Jonah Mensch (U/S Jeremy/Memoirist #2) is a sophomore Theatre major in the Music Theatre Certificate program at Northwestern University from Beacon, New York. Regional: “Seussical” (4th Wall Productions), “Rebel Without a Cause” (Rhinebeck Performing Arts Center). Educational highlights: The Little Prince (Little Prince, North American Premiere), “American Idiot” (Will), “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Sebastian), Les Misérables (Jean Valjean), Godspell (Jesus), Into the Woods (Baker). Independent music artist under the name Laurie Supple on all streaming services.

Hannah Probst (Dramaturg, she/they) is a student in the Interdisciplinary PhD in Theatre and Drama. 

Mags Sowell (Stage Manager, she/her) is a Chicago, Illinois based stage manager and a recent graduate from Columbia College Chicago (CCC) with a BA in Stage Management. Some of her previous work includes: PSM for “HAIR!” (CCC), PSM for “Footloose: The Musical” (Robertson County Players), SM for “Feathers and Teeth” (CCC), and 1st ASM for “Sunday in the Park with George” (CCC). She will also be Stage Managing “A Tale of Peter Rabbit” at this Wirtz Center this Spring.

Ella Stevens (Nora, she/her) cannot beliveeeee this is her last time on the Northwestern stage! You may have previously seen her in this theater in The Clean House (Lane) or Be Mean to Me (Jean) and also recently in Antigone (Chorus) and Hedda Gabler (Hedda). Ella is a senior, excited to pursue acting for screen and stage post-grad, and is seeking representation. All love and gratitude to my incredibly supportive family, friends, and professors <3 Instagram: ellarubystevens

Danielle Valdespino (U/S Medea/Memoirist #3, she/her) is a sophomore theatre major and is so excited to be an understudy in her first Wirtz show! You may have previously seen her working on Blood Orange Accounts and Lunar Rhapsody. She is incredibly grateful for Dado, Kallan, Niní, the lovely prod team + cast, and for her endlessly supportive family and friends <3

Henry Winkelman (Costume Designer, they/them) is a third-year undergraduate from Los Angeles studying History and Theatre, with a focus on costume design and directing. Prior Wirtz credits include “Blood Wedding” (assistant costume designer) and “The Prom” (assistant costume designer/wig runner). StuCo credits include Birthday Candles (costumes), “Crave” (costumes), “Perfect Arrangement” (Director), “Kinky Boots” (assoc. Costumes). They are also the Executive Director of Sit and Spin productions. They are so excited have worked on this incredible show, and they can’t wait for the Northwestern community to see it!