The Kirk Players

Dominick Basso came to the Kirk Players as a guest performer in our 2006 production of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest which earned him a “Leslie” Best Actor award for his role as Randle P. McMurphy. Dom began last season working behind the scenes on Over the River and Through the Woods building sets and running lights. He then was onstage in Whose Life Is It Anyway? and appeared as Grasshopper in James and the Giant Peach which earned him a “Leslie” Best Supporting Actor nomination. He finished the year as Technical Director for Noises Off. Dom has appeared in Fiddler on the Roof and Singing in the Rain at Pheasant Run Theatre and in the Chicago production of Tony & Tina’s Wedding. Dominick has performed in several plays throughout his life including Footlight Frenzy, A Soldier’s Play, Visit to a Small Planet and Hot L Baltimore. His musical appearances include Oklahoma!, South Pacific, A Chorus Line, West Side Story and Man of LaMancha. When not working or performing, Dom can be found at home with his wife, Kathryn, and their two children, Isabella and Max.

Kat Basso's love of theatre began in earnest during her first year at the University of Florida when she changed from an Education major to a Theatre major. After college, she continued performing at theatres in Miami and in the suburbs of Chicago appearing in productions of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Crimes of the Heart. She also performed on stage with her husband, Dominick, at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas until the birth of their daughter. More time off from the theater to devote to family ensued. Two children, Isabella and Maximilian, and 10 years later, she is thrilled to be a part of this passion again . She first worked with us as Assistant Director for Over The River and Through The Woods. She has been seen on stage as Dr. Paula Jacobs in Whose Life Is It Anyway?, Witch Hex in Snow White and the “role of her lifetime”, Bella Manningham in Angel Street which she performed in at the Cuneo Museum. She was thrilled to become a member of the Kirk Players in 2006 and we are very pleased to have her with us.

Patrick Blake is Mundelein raised and started in theatre at Diamond Lake School. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he was also active in their theatre group. He started with the Kirk Players as a guest performer in But Why Bump Off Barnaby? which earned him a "Leslie" Best Supporting Actor award and a Kirk Player membership. Patrick has appeared in many of our shows, including, The Foreigner, Beau Jest, It Runs In The Family, Moon Over Buffalo, Do Not Go Gentle, Rumors, An Inspector Calls, Comedy Tonight, and many of the children shows. He received our "Leslie" Best Actor award for his performance in The Nerd. Most recently he was seen in Dracula and Whose Life Is It Anyway? and worked backstage heading technical crews for Deathtrap and Over The River And Through The Woods. Patrick is involved with our free summer workshops, which he recommends to everyone. He is grateful for the opportunity to be involved in theatre with the Kirk Players and would like to thank his wife, Kathy, for her love and support throughout the years.

When Josef and his wife Barbara showed up early to the opening performance of An Inspector Calls to find Kirk Players adding finishing touches to the stage, they simply asked, "How can we help!?" It didn't take long before Josef was a guest performer in our 2003/2004 production of Comedy Tonight, which earned him a "Leslie" Best Actor award. He earned two more nominations for his performances in Don't Dress for Dinner and Deathtrap and also appeared in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. Some of his favorite roles have included Freddie in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Batman in Batman: The Musical, and Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer in Arctic Holiday. Joe would like to send all his love to his family; Barbara, Max, Violet, Fran, Don, and all the rest, who bring him joy each and every day.

Fran's love for theatre developed in college. She joined the Beverly Theater Guild in Chicago with a part in Desk Set, continuing with many character parts and dancing in their musicals. She has written and directed chancel dramas for adults and children at Churches in Chicago and Lincolnshire. She attended her first Kirk Player’s Summer Workshop in 1999 and the next year won our “Mary Pearson” award. She has twice earned the “O’D” Award for directing during the workshops: California Suite and Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad. Her favorite technical assignment is props for which she earned our 2002 “Carter” Golden Hammer award for Blithe Spirit. She has appeared on our main stage in The Cemetery Club, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and this year in Angel Street. Last year, she artfully provided props management in Over The River and Through The Woods, including all those wonderful aromas of Italian cuisine cooking in the kitchen! She also was Props Mistress for Noises Off and assisted props for Whose Life Is It Anyway? and James and the Giant Peach. For all the talented work Fran does with The Players, she was honored last year with a “Hazen” Most Valuable Player nomination.

John first appeared with the Players as a Guest Performer in All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Since then he handled multiple roles in Comedy Tonight, Samuel in The Curious Savage, and Bernard in Don't Dress For Dinner, which earned him a nomination for a “Leslie” Best Actor award. John received membership status in April of 2004, and has assisted with sets, sound and lights on our productions. Most recently John did set design for Whose Life Is It Anyway? John played several roles while working for Aurora University in Williams Bay, including Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Renfield in Dracula, Sir Harry in Once Upon a Mattress and Merlin in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. He co-directed their production of Anything Goes and helped build their outdoor stage, pyrotechnical equipment and occasional zip lines for really dramatic entrances.

Wendi graduated into the Players at the age of 15 in 1975 from Summer Workshop. Her mother, Bobbi LaBelle, and her daughter, Tania Lynn, are also players. After so many years she has enjoyed working on more shows than she can count! She earned “Leslie” Best Supporting Actress nominations for her performances in The Night of January 16th, Liliom, and The Runner Stumbles. In 1980 she won our “Mary Pearson” award and in 1986 she was awarded the “Leslie” Best Supporting Actress award for her role of the crazy mother in Hide and Seek. She was most recently seen on stage in Steel Magnolias and The Curious Savage and directed our production of Don't Dress For Dinner. Wendi also headed up set decoration last year for Whose Life Is It Anyway?

The mother of Wendi Kelly and grandmother of players Tania Lynn and Sarah Van Sickel gives us a third-generation of family. Her main stage debut in Steel Magnolias won her a Best Supporting Actress “Leslie.” Her 1997 double “Leslie” awards for Foreigner and Social Security was the first for any of our actresses. She won “Leslie” nominations for Do Not Go Gentle, The Spell of Sleeping Beauty, The Prisoner of Second Avenue, Little Old Ladies in Tennis Shoes, and Rumors. She won the Best Actress “Leslie” award 3 consecutive years from 2003-05 for The Cemetery Club, as the blue-haired Mrs. Savage in The Curious Savage and as Penny in You Can’t Take It With You! In addition, she won the “Carter” Golden Hammer award for technical excellence in Costume Design for The Phantom Tollbooth. Most recently, Bobbi was back on stage as Aida Gianelli in Over The River And Through The Woods where she earned another “Leslie” Best Actress nomination. The Kirk Players have renewed her dreams of becoming an actress while allowing her to serve her community, for which she is very grateful.

In 2005, Mike came to the Kirk Players with a love of theatre as a theatre-goer and also a desire to be involved in the theatre as a participant. He has performed at our Street Scenes productions at Carmel High School. He is also active in our adult Summer Workshops where, this year, he directed a scene from The Nerd and also acted in a scene from What’s Wrong With This Picture? He first was cast as a guest performer in our production of You Can’t Take It With You, playing the part of Mac, a G-man. He followed this with the role of Turkle in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Last season Mike was cast as Peter Kershaw in Whose Life is it Anyway? and the burglar Selsdon in Noises Off! which earned him his first “Leslie” Best Supporting Actor nomination.

Donna has been an avid Player for many years, which is not surprising for a niece of our Founder. Donna has served three years as our Public Relations Director, is an enthusiastic Summer Workshop participant, and was our 1983 “Hazen” Most Valuable Player! She has won many “O.D.” Best Actress nominations and an “O.D.” Best Actress award for her work in a scene from The Crucible. She has received “Leslie” Best Supporting Actress nominations for Win With Wheeler, Don’t Tell Mother and Done to Death. Donna’s performance in But Why Bump Off Barnaby? won her the 1993 “Leslie” Best Supporting Actress award. Her performance in Exit the Body won her our “Leslie” Best Actress award. Donna is a regular in our children’s productions, including the title role in Charlotte’s Web. More recent shows include The Elves and the Shoemakers, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, An Inspector Calls and James and the Giant Peach.

Jon, the eldest son of our Founder, was first a member of our Acting Company in 1969-72. His enthusiasm and hard work caused his fellow Players to name their annual performance awards after him. As an Honorary Player, he earned an “O.D.” award as Best Director. Since then Les has served 13 years on the KP Board of Directors, won Best Actor “Leslies” for the title roles in Death Takes a Holiday and Liliom, and a Best Actor “O.D. for The Lark. He has been on our stage in I Hate Hamlet, Rumors, It Runs In The Family, The Foreigner, You Can’t Take It With You, and Jake’s Women three of which won him Best Actor “Leslie” awards. He has directed Romantic Comedy, Da, Death of a Salesman, The Odd Couple (Female Version), Dracula, Whose Life Is It Anyway? and Noises Off. Les is now the Theatre Teacher at Barrington High School and is very active with the Illinois Theatre Association.

Chris's first experience with theatre was in the eighth grade, when he performed as Cornelius in Hello Dolly, but he’s been active in the performing arts most of his life. A professional musician, Chris performs with the CLC Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Libertyville Village Band, and teaches saxophone and clarinet to elementary and middle school students in Mundelein. Each Sunday, Chris performs with the Praise Band at Mundelein’s St. Andrews Lutheran Church. He was led to Kirk Players by his family’s involvement, and helped build sets for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dracula, and Don’t Dress for Dinner where he also ran sound. Chris had his acting debut as a Guest Performer with the Kirk Players as Mr. DePinna in You Can’t Take it With You, followed by on stage work in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and the role of Tim in last years production of Noises Off.

Sue is in her seventh season with The Kirk Players. Kirk patrons have seen her as Ms. Wells in Dracula, Mrs. Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Suzanne in Don’t Dress for Dinner, which earned her a nomination for a “Leslie” Best Supporting Actress award, and as Myra Bruhl in Deathtrap. Behind the scenes, she has participated in Summer Workshops, works house for shows and helps on media relations. A lifelong journalist, Sue is president and co-founder of GreenMark Public Relations. Sue lives in Mundelein and is married to fellow Kirk Player, Chris. They have two grown children, Matt and Sarah. Sue is passionate about her career, her family and her garden.

Paula’s guest performance in Playroom brought her a “Leslie” Best Supporting Actress award when she was only 11. Since then, she has easily become our most decorated Player. She has won five Best Actress “O.D.”s, a “Mary Pearson” award, Best Supporting Actress “Leslies” for Fools, Barefoot In The Park, Alice in Wonderland, and Love, Sex and the IRS and the 1985 “Hazen” Most Valuable Player award. In addition, she has received “Leslie” nominations for The Crucible, The Nerd, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, Death Takes a Holiday, I Shot My Rich Aunt, Beau Jest and The Odd Couple (Female Version). In addition to her on stage work, Paula takes on many assignments backstage such as Stage Manager for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Paula was our 2004/05 Best Supporting Actress for her role in You Can’t Take It With You. She followed that up with back-to-back “Leslie” Best Actress Awards for her performances in Jake’s Women and last year’s Whose Life Is It Anyway?

Brian is a native of Vernon Hills and a graduate of Libertyville High School. His true beginnings in acting come from such roles as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny at local malls, as well as Sylvester the Cat, Hunny Bunny and other assorted characters at Great America. As a guest performer for us, he played a lead role in Done to Death and a supporting role in The Diviners. As a Player, he followed this up with roles in Rumors, An Inspector Calls, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten and ran sound for several shows. Most recently, he has been on stage in You Can’t Take It With You, Deathtrap, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Over The River and Through The Woods, and Noises Off. Brian has earned five nominations for our “Leslie” Best Supporting Actor award for his on stage performances. In addition he has just completed three years of service on our Board as our Sales Director. He would like to thank his wife, Kris, for her support and understanding when lines are done in his sleep.

Kathy started with the Kirk Players in 2003 doing two scenes in our Summer Workshop. It was her first experience acting and she loved it. She helped make some costumes and props for our Street Scenes skit and then helped backstage for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Kathy earned her membership after understudying several roles on our production of You Can’t Take It With You, followed by a performance as Sheila in Jake’s Women, which earned her a “Leslie” Best Supporting Actress nomination. Her participation in our Summer Workshop has earned her an “O.D.” Best Actress award for her role in ‘Night Mother, and an “O.D.” Best Scene award. In 2006, Kathy graduated from the Second City’s Beginning Improv program. Last season Kathy appeared on our stage as Nurse Anderson in Whose Life Is It Anyway? She is a mom and a piano teacher and in her spare time likes to read, bake and participate in historical re-enactments. She is totally enjoying the Kirk Player experience!

Mary read herself into a role in The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 and promptly won a Best Supporting Actress "Leslie". She also received Best Director and Best Scene "O.D."s, for her work in our1991 Summer Workshop. Mary Jo has received "Leslie" nominations for The Curious Savage, An Act of the Imagination, California Suite, The Haunting of Hill House, Steel Magnolias, The Prisoner of Second Avenue and won the “Leslie” Best Actress award for Cuneo premier of Rumors. Mary Jo also won a Best Supporting Actress "Leslie" for her role in Blithe Spirit. She is also a talented Director working in that capacity for our productions of The Elves and the Shoemaker, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Phantom Tollbooth, Deathtrap and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. We were delighted to have her onstage last season as Dotty Otley in Noises Off. Oh yes, she earned another nomination for Best Actress for that performance!

Wendy has been actively involved in theatre and musical productions since the age of 5. Her enthusiastic experiences with The Kirk Players include several assignments as Costume Mistress for our productions, including Blithe Spirit, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, An Inspector Calls, Comedy Tonight, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dracula and Winnie The Pooh. Wendy has been seen on our stage in All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, The Elves and the Shoemaker, and as Caitlin O’Hare in last year’s opening production of Over The River And Through The Woods which earned her a Best Supporting Actress “Leslie” nomination. Wendy starts this year back onstage as Nancy in Angel Street.

Randy began his thespian career at the age of 10, appearing in numerous children’s theater productions. After a long hiatus, Randy was persuaded to return to the stage by his daughter, Kirk Player Shara Wright, and appeared as a guest performer in the KP production of Comedy Tonight for which he received a “Leslie” Best Actor nomination. He was also nominated that year for a “Leslie” Best supporting Actor award for his role as Grandpa Joe in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Some of Randy’s other favorite roles include Sidney Bruhl in Deathtrap, and Van Helsing in Dracula, for which he won the “Leslie” Best Actor award. Last year Randy successfully tried his hand as Sound Technician for Noises Off and completed a two year term of service on our Board as Communications Director. Randy has made his home in Mundelein for the past 18 years with his wife, Julie Ann and son, Andrew.

Marta moved to Illinois in 1984 and has been a librarian at The Fremont Public Library in Mundelein since 1986. She participated in our Summer Workshops, then volunteered to help with props for the first children’s show, Alice in Wonderland. She has worked props or costumes for most of the children’s shows, and was a guest performer in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Her Player debut was in The Silver Whistle. She has remained active in our Summer Workshop, where she has directed and acted, winning an “O.D.” for Best Director for Elizabeth The Queen. Marta has kept busy helping out with props, costumes, and set work when she can and returned to the stage as the old crone in The Crown Price of Wanderlust and was also in The Pied Piper of Hamelin. She worked props for The Phantom Tollbooth and was Property Mistress for Winnie the Pooh and James And The Giant Peach.

Janie had a magnificent Summer Workshop with us in 1981 and won four awards including an “O.D.” for Best Director, our “Mary Pearson” award and an invitation to join the Players. Her superb performance in The Runner Stumbles won her a promotion to our Acting Company. Her first year in our Acting Company, she stage managed You Can’t Take It With You, and contributed a fine characterization in June Groom. She also picked up her second “O.D.” Best Director award. Other stage experiences include The Male Animal, Play It Again, Sam, The Bride of Brackenloch and California Suite. She worked costumes for Death of a Salesman, and regularly made time in her busy schedule to perform or write for Carmel High’s Street Scenes. In our 2003-04 season Janie Ann was House Manger for our Cuneo run of An Inspector Calls and continues to help with house for many of our productions.

Roy is the husband of veteran Player Janie Ann Slade, and originally became our company sound technician. His energetic support of our efforts and dedication to his assignments led us to ask Royden to become a member long before busy Royden finally accepted. He made his performance debut in The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. The role earned him a “Leslie” Best Supporting Actor nomination and an appointment to the Kirk Players’ Acting Company! Royden has since appeared in The Murder Room, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Silver Whistle, Beau Jest, Later Life, Moon Over Buffalo, Exit the Body, Done To Death, Rumors and The Elves and the Shoemaker. Many of which earned him “Leslie” Best Supporting Actor nominations. He has now reached the honorable status of A.C.T. and has served on our Board as Communications Director. Most recently Roy was cast in the role of Jacob in St. Mary of Vernon's 30th anniversary production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.

Jenny has been interested in theatre since her freshman year at Mundelein High School. A KP Summer Workshop veteran of over 10 years she won “O.D.” Best Director and Best Scene awards for Dinny & The Witches. A guest performance as the Wall of Thorns in The Spell Of Sleeping Beauty and her work as Property Mistress for The Odd Couple (Female Version) convinced us she should be a Player. Since then she has been Property Mistress for several shows, which won her our “Carter” Golden Hammer award in 1999. She has Stage Managed The Nerd, Little Old Ladies in Tennis Shoes, The Diviners, Comedy Tonight, Don't Dress for Dinner, You Can't Take It With You, Jake’s Women, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, and Angel Street. She has also been seen in on stage in 15 shows including The Pied Piper of Hamelin, Done to Death, An Inspector Calls, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Curious Savage, The Phantom Tollbooth and last season’s Whose Life Is It Anyway and Noises Off!.

Fred Vipond serves as Director of Music and Liturgy for St. Mary the Annunciation Catholic Church, Fremont Center, Mundelein. He made his stage debut in the fourth grade as Winthrop in The Music Man. Chicago audiences have seen him as Betty/Gerry in Cloud Nine and Mary Sunshine in Chicago. Fred made his Kirk Players debut in All I Ever Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten as an actor, pianist and music director! Other roles include appearances as/in Eric Birling in An Inspector Calls (Best Supporting Actor “Leslie” award); The Curios Savage; You Can’t Take It with You and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Best Supporting Actor nominations); Nick in Over the River and Through the Woods (Best Actor “Leslie” nomination); and Jack Gable in Leading Ladies (Best Supporting Actor nomination). Fred has also been active as set decorator for Noises Off and Brighton Beach Memoirs; costumer for James and the Giant Peach (“Carter” Golden Hammer award for technical excellence); and set designer for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (“Carter” Golden Hammer nomination). In 2007 Fred was honored to receive the “Hazen” Most Valuable Player for outstanding contributions to stage and troupe.

Aaron has enjoyed acting with the Kirk Players over the last few years. He has played several different roles, including Tock in The Phantom Tollbooth, Eeyore in Winnie The Pooh, and Dr. Spivey in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. He enjoys himself on stage as well as lending a helping had backstage with set construction. His wonderful performance as Garry Lejune in Noises Off won him a Best Actor “Leslie” award. Aaron attended Addison Trail High and participated in many activities including music, sports, and of course theatre. He now works as a manager at Hewitt Associates. In his free time he likes to watch NASCAR races and spend time with his lovely wife, Kirk Player Shara, adorable sons, Aidan and Everett, and lovely daughter Audrey. Aaron and his family currently reside in Round Lake Beach.

Shara has been involved in several theatre productions over the years. She started her acting career on the Mundelein High School stage, and has since become a Kirk Player member. She started acting with the Kirk Players in All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, and has been involved with several productions since then, including Comedy Tonight, Dracula, Jake's Women, and as Ladybug in James and the Giant Peach. Last season she appeared as Meg in Leading Ladies. She enjoys acting onstage, but has had a lot of fun working backstage as well Assistant Directing and Assistant Stage Managing. Theatre is one of her greatest passions, and she loves to share this with her whole family. She has had much success acting with her Dad, Randy, on stage, and helping to Stage Manage her husband, Aaron, off stage! Love to Aaron and their three adorable children, Aidan, Everett and Audrey!

Backstage Specialists who are not interested in acting, newer or less-experienced Players and Players whose on-stage activities have been temporarily curtailed, serve our group as Players-At-Large. This is our Community Stock Company’s equivalent of the Apprentice position in the traditional Stock Company. We are proud to present to you our very talented, hard-working Players-At-Large for this season.

Ashley followed her sister Mandy into the Players and first appeared with us in our 35th season as a Guest Performer in the Trial of Goldilocks. She returned as one of the Fair spectators in Charlotte’s Web and as Harrii the Oompa-Loompa in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Ashley has jumped in where needed during our many set constructions, and accepted Kirk Player membership after assisting on props for The Curious Savage. She is active in assisting in our Children’s Summer Workshops.

Alex became interested in acting when he was cast in an improv playhouse production. His Kirk Player debut was in the role of Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He has also given us wonderful performances as the Demon of Insincerity in The Phantom Tollbooth, and as one of the Ministers in Winnie the Pooh. His interests have extended to the backstage and technical aspects of theatre, participating in our set builds and accepting an assignment as Asst Stage Manager for Winnie the Pooh. Alex has participated in our adult summer workshops appearing in Of Mice and Men and The Loveliest Afternoon of the Year. The former was chosen to be performed at our 2005 Awards Banquet and the latter won the “OD” Award for Best Scene. This summer he successfully tried his hand at Directing! Last season Alex was back on our main stage as a narrator in James and The Giant Peach

Ben has appeared as a guest performer in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, The Phantom Tollbooth, Winnie the Pooh, and James and the Giant Peach. He was part of the lighting crew for the production of Over the River and through the Woods. This year he stepped up and was the lighting technician for the entire run of Angel Street at the Cuneo Museum and played "The Flunkster" in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. He has also participated in several Kirk Players Summer Workshops.

Sara graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BA in Theatre and a BS in Marine and Freshwater Biology. She currently is working on her Master’s in Visual & Media Arts while serving as the lighting designer for MHS's productions. She has stage managed, designed lights and acted in numerous plays including: The Jungle Book, Death of a Salesman, Glengarry Glen Ross, Angels in America, and Farther Along. She received the Kirk Players' “Carter” Golden Hammer award in 1997 and 2006, when she also received our “Hazen” Most Valuable Player award. She was given the “Hennessy” Award for Lifetime Achievement while at UNH. In 2005, she earned a “Leslie” Best Actress nomination for Alice in You Can’t Take It With You and was last seen on our stage in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

Chuck Fitz-Hugh began working with us in our 1996 Summer Workshop, appearing in The Lark and won our “O.D.” Best Actor Award for a scene from The Solid Gold Cadillac. His Summer Workshop performance in Elizabeth The Queen helped it win the “O.D.”Best Scene award. As a player, Chuck has concentrated on lighting, and sales of advertising and season tickets, serving on the Kirk Player board as Sales Director. He made his main stage debut in Done to Death, played the attendant in Dracula, and was nominated for a “Leslie” Best Actor award for his role as Grandpa in You Can't Take It With You. Chuck designed sound for Jake’s Women and worked lights for Death Trap. He is a Master Player and was recipient of our 2003 “Hazen” Most Valuable Player award. Chuck and his wife Carlene, have three daughters, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Jackie finally came to see what the Kirk Payers were all about after 5 years of coaxing from her best friend, WendiLynn Kelly. After auditioning as a Guest Performer for Don’t Dress for Dinner, Jackie was hooked! The deep seeded dream of acting was reawakened. Serving as Costume Mistress for Don’t Dress for Dinner lead to her acting debut as The Spelling Bee in the children’s production of The Phantom Tollbooth. After that she assisted with set build and décor for You Can’t Take It With You. Jackie is a Level 5 Graduate of Second City in Chicago and has appeared in numerous Street Scenes shows at Carmel High School in Mundelein. Last season Jackie understudied all the female roles in Noises Off assisting greatly in our hectic rehearsals!

Anna has always had an interest in the theatre. She became involved with the Kirk Players when her husband Mike was cast in You Can’t Take It With You and she took on the assignment of Assistant Props Mistress. By then she was hooked! Summer Workshop was her next adventure, taking on Director responsibilities for scenes. Back on the main stage, she was Assistant Props Mistress for One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Property Mistress for Whose Life Is It Anyway? and Costume Mistress for Noises Off. She began this year as Assistant Stage Manager for Angel Street. She prefers the technical aspects of theatre and loves the hustle and bustle behind the scenes.

Max grew up as a part of theatre. His mother, Kirk Player Paula Marsh, introduced him to it at an early age. He became addicted to theatre when he was cast in The Pied Piper of Hamlin. He followed that performance with several more, appearing in Charlotte’s Web, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Phantom Tollbooth, and Winnie the Pooh. Max also works backstage on our productions and was part of the props crew for Jake’s Women and assisted lights on Over the River and Through the Woods. Max performed a scene in our 2005 adult summer workshop from Of Mice and Men, which earned him an “O’D.” Best Actor award. This season his delightful performance as Earthworm in James and The Giant Peach earned him a Best Supporting Actor “Leslie” nomination.

Debbie made her acting debut in Win With Wheeler and followed that up with performances in Summer Workshop, Street Scenes, Noises Off, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 and The Curious Savage. She has earned numerous awards including 1989’s Summer Workshop “Mary Pearson” award, 1990-91’s “Hazen” Most Valuable Player award, and 1992 Summer Workshop’s “O.D.” for Best Actress. Debbie won a “Leslie” Best Actress for The Bride of Brackenlock and was in California Suite and The Foreigner. Most recently, she was on stage in Charlotte’s Web, received a “Leslie” Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role as Mrs. Gloop in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and served as Costume Mistress for Jake’s Women.

Kris's introduction to the Players began when she stared dating husband/Player Brian in the fall of 2002. Since then she has been involved behind the scenes with set construction and set strikes, Summer Workshops, ticket design and ticket printing. She coordinated House Management duties for the full run of Deathtrap. Her first time on stage came with her fine performance as Candy Starr in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. She thanks her husband, Brian, for bringing theatre to her.

Sarah is very busy studying at Robert Morris College in Chicago in her second year of their nursing program, and is an equestrian, a dancer and an actress. You have seen her taking tickets and distributing programs at our Subscription Series Shows, and she has worked backstage on numerous shows including being Assistant Stage Manager and makeup artist. She has also appeared in many of our children’s productions, including The Trial of Goldilocks.

Sarah earned her membership in 2004 after sharing in Grandmother Bobbi LaBelle’s passion for theater. The niece of WendiLynn Kelly, Sarah began working with the Kirk Players in fifth grade with her performance as a rat in The Pied Piper of Hamelin. She continued with The Trial of Goldilocks, Charlotte’s Web, The Elves and the Shoemaker, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Sarah’s impressive work in Summer Workshop, plus her help with set building and props on The Curious Savage and backstage on numerous shows led to her well-deserved membership. Most recently, she was on stage in The Phantom Tollbooth and as Rabbit in Winnie the Pooh.

An Honorary Player is a special membership status bestowed on Kirk Players who have given outstanding service but are unable to continue active participation. This status is our sincere expression of love and appreciation for their past contributions.

Floyd Baker
Rick Bergmann
Kendra Bresley
Frank Callahan
Nancy Callahan
Hill Carter
Jeff Carter
Phyllis Carter
Maureen Cook-Slade
Matt Erickson
Carol Marie Fishchesser
Mary Helen Fisher
Connie Green
Janis Greene
Michael Gunther
Andi Kichinko
Krissy Kichinko
Pat Kichinko

Angela Koch
Thom Koch, Jr.
June Larsen
Kyle Larsen
Carol Loucks
Angela Lynn
Jeff Lynn
Jesse Lynn
Melanie Lynn
Veronica Lynn
Barbara McGreevy
Byron Nilsson
Fred O’Donnell
Donna Rae Pearlman
Cynthia Petersen
Karen Peterson
Bill Phillips
Wally Rish

Kathy Russ
Steve Sapp
Terry Sapp
Tom Schrimpf
Tom Schwartz
R.C. Slade
Russ Slade
Linda Snyder
Megan Stevenart
Bob Thomas
Suzanne Tosen
Holly Weber
Marjunice Weingandt
Rae West
Lisa Wilson
Kari Whittington