Natalie DiCristofano (Managing Director) moved to Chicago from the St. Louis area where she attended Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and received her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Performance. SIUE Theatre credits include: La Ronde, Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage, Poona the F*ck Dog, The Shape of Things, Blur, Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, Twelfth Night, and The Altruists. St. Louis credits include: A Clockwork Orange (HotCity Theatre) and Blackbird White/A Clash of Two Swords (The Tin Ceiling). Upon moving to Chicago she performed in CFT’s inaugural production Hugging the Shoulder, as Phil’s Girl in bobrauschenbergamerica, and in the side project’s Cut to the Quick: Splayed Verbiage.
Alex C. Moore (Director of Public Relations) born and raised in St. Louis, forged the mighty Mississippi as young lad to attend Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville and received a bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Performance. Upon graduation, Alex yoked the oxen, headed up to Chicago, and couldn't be happier. Alex has worked with The Factory Theatre, HotCity Theatre, Echo Theatre, Stages St. Louis, First Run Theatre and Dreamwell Theatre. Favorite shows include; Twelfth Night, The Pillowman, Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage, bobrauschenbergamerica, Blur, Orpheus Descending, and Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love.
Tony DiPietro (Chairman of the Board of Directors) is an advertising copywriter who comes up with the big ideas that help solve business problems and build brands. Whether it's print, interactive, radio or television, he is known for creating work that is smart, strategic, and memorable. Since the start of his career over 10 years ago, Tony has developed creative for brands such as Sony, Bacardi, BMW, Chase, Marriott, Hartz, ZonePerfect, Craftsman, Showtime, and the Chicago Bears. Before moving to Chicago in January of 2008, Tony spent 8 years in New York City working for ad agencies such as Hill Holliday, Y&R, Hanft Raboy & Partners, and McCann Amster Yard. He also worked at TenUnited in Columbus, Ohio and freelanced overseas for several months at M&C Saatchi and BBDO in Singapore. After getting his bachelor's degree at UNC Chapel Hill, Tony won the Lois Korey scholarship and moved to Manhattan to complete an advertising portfolio development program at the School of Visual Arts. Originally from Cleveland where his family owns a restaurant, Tony is now enjoying life in Chicago. He has been freelancing at agencies here such as Tribal DDB and Two x Four. He recently created a very successful integrated campaign to launch a new black cherry infused bourbon from Jim Beam called Red Stag. When Tony's not writing you can find him playing soccer or binging on sushi. Samples of his work can be seen on his website, TonyDiPietro.net.
Christopher Kriz (Resident Sound Designer/Technical Consultant) has worked with CFT since its inception, having designed sound for Hugging the Shoulder, bobrauschenbergamerica and Twelve Hungry Men. Recent theatre credits include All My Sons at TimeLine Theatre, The Ruby Sunrise at Gift Theatre, The Walls with Rivendell Theatre, Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical at the Chopin Theatre, Literally Sexy 2 at Victory Gardens, The Shape of a Girl at Pegasus Players, The Rocks at Side Project Theatre, The Ride Down Mount Morgan at Redtwist Theatre, Private Lives at City Lit Theatre, Twelfth Night at Piccolo Theatre. Other recent credits include Golda’s Balcony at Pegasus Players, Odin’s Horse with Infamous Commonwealth Theatre and A Taste of Honey with Shattered Globe Theatre. To hear more of his work, please visit www.christopherkriz.com.
CoCo Ree Lemery (Resident Scenic Designer) is a product of Columbia College Chicago and is ecstatic to be an Artistic Associate at Chicago Fusion Theatre. CoCo has worked at numerous theaters around the Chicago area, including: Black Ensemble, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, Chicago Tap Theatre, Mary Arrchie Theatre Company, Redmoon Theatre, Red Tape Theatre, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, The Lyric Opera Chicago, MPAACT Theatre, and TimeLine Theatre Company. CoCo has also worked with Pegasus Players for over a year now and is honored to continue with Pegasus through the generous support of the J.S.Kemper Foundation award for Emerging Artists. Pretheatre, CoCo worked as a Certified Dog Trainer for three years, giving up her real job for a happy tech filled life. And yes, that is her real name. To check out some of her doodles, go to www.doodoodles.tumblr.com!
Frank Roberts (Finance Manager) is a Ph.D. candidate in organic chemistry at The University of Chicago. He is an author on two peer-reviewed scientific articles and is the primary inventor listed on two patent applications. While his career has thus far centered around science, he has had a long-standing interest in business and is happy that CFT has provided him with an opportunity to use his skill set in a non-scientific setting. In addition to keeping the books, Frank coordinates CFT's grant writing and helps the Company not only define its long-term artistic and business objectives, but also implement a strategy to achieve them. He has recently contributed to CFT artistically by designing sound for The Untitled Adaption of Moliere's Pretentious Young Ladies as a part of the Abbie Hoffman Theatre Festival. In his spare time, Frank loves to travel and DJ. You can hear some of his mixes at www.facebook.com/YoungSharpless
