Nilsa Reyna (Artistic Director)
Has directed 12 Hungry Men and Hugging the Shoulder at CFT.  She is a former founding ensemble member of Teatro Luna and has directed staged readings of Lullaby, Thirst, A Basket of Fruit, The Tortilla Trilogy and Our Family Moment, all at TL.  Select acting credits include: Lorca in a Green Dress (Halcyon Theatre); The Other Shore (Halcyon Theatre); The Mark of Zorro (Lifeline Theatre); bobrauschenbergamerica (Chicago Fusion Theatre); The Massacre (Halcyon Theatre); A Humechanical Nightmare (Lucid Street Theatre); The Seagull (GroundUp Theatre); Operation Infiltration (Factory Theater); Escanaba in da Moonlight (Circle Theatre); Big Love (The Mill); Anna in the Tropics (Victory Gardens Theater).  As a Teaching Artist she has held residencies through Raven Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Court Theatre and independently at J.G. Whittier Community School, where she has worked with students ranging from 5-16 years old.

Natalie DiCristofano (Managing Director)
Is a Chicago area native and has appeared in CFT’s Hugging the Shoulder, bobrauschenbergamerica, 12 Hungry Men and J.B. Other credits include Right Brain Project’s production of Hesperia, the side project’s Cut to the Quick: Splayed Verbiage and New Leaf Theatre’s Tree House Reading Series Time Remembered.

 

 

David Mitchell (Director of Public Relations)
Is currently pursuing a BA in Vocal Performance from Northeastern Illinois University and performs wherever he’s allowed.  David has worked performance and production with Light Opera Works, Northbrook Children’s Theater, Rising Stars Theater Co., NEIU’s Stage Center and Music Program, The Attic Theater, and Raven Theatre.

 

 

Christopher Kriz (Resident Sound Designer/Technical Consultant)
Works nationally as a Sound Designer and Composer.  A part of CFT since its inception, Chris previously designed sound for J.B., Twelve Hungry Men, bobrauschenbergamerica, Hugging The Shoulder and will be designing the upcoming production of Proof.  Recent theatre credits include the national tour of America Amerique (Jena Company), Master Harold and The Boys (TimeLine Theatre), All My Sons (TimeLine Theatre), Baal (TUTA), Dental Society Midwinter Meeting (Chicago Dramatists), Equus (Redtwist Theatre), Spin (Theatre Wit), The Hiding Place (Provision Theatre), The Wreck Of The Medusa (The Plagiarists), The Castle Of Otranto (First Folio Theatre), The Ruby Sunrise (Gift Theatre) and The Walls (Rivendell Theatre). Upcoming designs include Thieves Like Us (House Theatre), Aiming For Sainthood (Victory Gardens) and Pancake Breakfast (New Colony).  To hear more of his work, please visit www.christopherkriz.com.

Courtney Reed-Schaefer (Director of Arts Education)
Is thrilled to be a part of the CFT team. She recently graduated with her Masters of Arts in Theatre History from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign after earning her Bachelor degrees in Theatre and English from Truman State in 2008. While a full-time student, she worked as a scenic and properties carpenter. She was also a Managing Associate for HotCity Theatre’s 2010 Greenhouse New Play Festival in St. Louis, Missouri. Courtney’s research focuses on Brazilian social issues theatre as well as cultural community development. She has been a teaching assistant at University of Illinois,Truman State, and the Joseph Baldwin Academy and is excited for this opportunity to continue working with youth. She is also the Activities and Volunteer Coordinator for Sunrise Assisted Living in Lincoln Park.

Carla Alegre (Director of Outreach)
Was born and raised in Lima, Peru where she taught children’s theater and performed in theater and TV productions.  She moved to Chicago where she attended Loyola University and received her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Performance.  In Chicago, acting credits include: Letters from Cuba (Halcyon Theatre), Al Son que me Toques (Aguijon Theater at Goodman Theatre Latino Festival), Fragment (Collaboraction Sketchbook/Steppenwolf Theatre), 3 One-Acts by David Lindsay-Abaire (Gorilla Tango Theatre), Pigeon Whisperer (Dramatis Personae), Interpreting a Dream (Bailiwick Directors Festival), The Daughter of the Weeping Lady and The House of the Dead (Aguijon Theater) and Yerma (Aguijon Theater at Goodman Theatre Latino Festival).  She also works as a Spanish teacher for adults and children.