Cast

  • Jordan Zelvin as Hershel

    Jordan Zelvin is thrilled to make her Strawdog debut and bring one of her favorite stories from childhood to life. As a Jewish teaching artist, carrying on legends and lessons through storytelling is a value Jordan holds near and dear to her heart. Some of her favorite Chicago credits include FAILURE: A LOVE STORY (Oil Lamp Theater), CHICAGO WOMEN’S FUNNY FESTIVAL (Stage 773), and performing with COMEDYSPORTZ CHICAGO (Blackout Cabaret at Piper’s Alley). Jordan would like to thank her friends, family, and all of you for keeping the celebration of storytelling and the spirit of hope alive.

  • Amy Gorelow as Al

    Amy Gorelow is an actor, audiobook narrator, musician, and writer. Some favorite roles include Dr. Goebbels (Hitler on the Roof), Katherine of Aragon (Six Dead Queens), Masha (The Seagull), Margarita (Low Pay? Don’t Pay!), Ranevskaya (The Cherry Orchard), Yente (Fiddler on the Roof), and Bottom (Midsummer). She traveled to New York with the one-woman show Maker Of Worlds, and rocked out on guitar and bass in Hedda Gabler: a play with music. Her writing includes three children’s books, three novels, and Hansel and Gretel: The Panto! (with a fabulous team) for Piccolo Theatre. She is a proud member of TUTA theatre, and quite humbled to be working with these amazingly creative people.

  • Nick Pardo as Leor

    Nick is grateful to be performing in Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins at Strawdog Theatre. His Chicago theatre credits go back to 2019 in Adventurers! at Underscore Theater as Seth and in Moby Dick: a Musical with the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival in the ensemble. His work prior to his move to Chicago from Charlotte, North Carolina include notable roles such as Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie, Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing, Oscar in Grand Concourse, Francis in La Cage aux Folles and Bobby Strong in Urinetown. When not acting he enjoys the lake and meditating with his cats.

  • Melanie Vitaterna as Max

    Melanie Vitaterna is a Chicago actress and Northbrook native.

  • Edward Patterson as Gavi

    Edward is represented by Big Mouth Talent.

  • Kat Zheng as Sammy

    Kat Zheng is second-generation Asian American actor originally from New Hampshire. She is thrilled to be making her Strawdog Theatre debut. After obtaining a PhD in nursing from Columbia University and working as a mental health researcher, Kat pivoted into the entertainment industry in 2021. Recent theatre credits include The Stinky Cheese Man, Innovation Nation Live, Frindle (Griffin Theatre); and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Midsommer Flight). She is represented by Gray Talent Group.

  • Juliana Liscio as Hershel (Understudy)

    Juliana Liscio is an actor originally from Skokie, Illinois. She is delighted to work with Strawdog Theatre for the first time. Recent stage credits include Dracula (Surging Films and Theatrics), Picasso at the Lapin Agile, (Citadel Theatre), and Brighton Beach Memoirs (Citadel Theatre). She is a member of the 2022 Shattered Globe Protégé Ensemble, and is a writer for Shattered Globe's Inclusive Playwright Project. Juliana is represented by Shirley Hamilton.

  • Matt Keeley as Al (Understudy)

    Matt Keeley is delighted to make his Strawdog Theatre debut as understudy for Al! While not onstage, Matt pursues songwriting and the hunt for the best hot chicken sandwich in Chicago. Recent credits include The Merchant of Sesame Street (Cookarino), Picklerickicles (Rickicles), and Super Richard World III (Link) for The Stupid Shakespeare Company (Otherworld). He'll be appearing in next year's season as Merriman in The Importance of Being Earnest, and also as a featured role in the independent television series Famous Canadian Actors. He sends all his love to mom and dad for their endless support!

  • JT Nagle as Leor (Understudy)

    JT Nagle is thrilled to join this year's production of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Other Chicago credits include Enemy of the People (Goodman Theatre), A Phase (Broken Nose), Chris Saves the World (Shattered Globe), Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado about Nothing, Midsummer (Muse of Fire), Bleacher Bums, It's A Wonderful Life, 44 Plays for 44 Presidents (Oil Lamp). Regional credits include The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet (Heart of American Shakespeare festival), The Pests, Picnic (KC Actor's Theatre), Bernhardt/Hamlet (Unicorn Theatre), Akeelah and the Bee, Brainstorm (The Coterie), Twelfth Night, Hamlet (UMKC). JT is the co-founder of the immersive theatre company, Visceral Theatre, and loves his wife, his dog, and his banjo. Training: MFA, UMKC; BGS, University of Kansas.

  • Krissy Castellese as Max (Understudy)

    Krissy Castellese is a Chicago based actor, originally from southeast Michigan. She graduated from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI, where she was seen in MACBETH, BLUE STOCKINGS, and THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL. She also performed as a juggling, stilt walking, joke telling idiot at the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Krissy is very excited to join the very talented cast and crew in sharing the story of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins!

  • Sarah Franzel as Gavi (Understudy)

    After three productions of A Christmas Carol, and two seasons as a Navy Pier Mrs. Claus, Sarah Franzel is elated to work on a Hanukkah play! She has performed with such companies as City Lit, Chicago Danztheatre, Midsommer Flight, and the Conspirators, and studied physical theatre at the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy. Big shoutout to Strawdog for bringing Herschel into so many peoples lives every year! Enjoy the show!

  • Ksa Curry as Sammy (Understudy)

    Ksa Curry is new to Chicago, having moved to the city this summer after graduating from PCPA’s Professional Acting Training Program in Santa Maria, California. She is so grateful to Strawdog Theater Company for their warm welcome to the city and is excited to be working on Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins! She loves snickerdoodles, Shakespeare, and little black cats.

Jacob Combs (Music & Lyrics) is a writer, composer and director based in Los Angeles. Jacob wrote the music and lyrics for Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (based on the beloved children’s book by Eric Kimmel), which has been produced annually since 2018 by Chicago’s Strawdog Theatre. Previous theater projects include Selling Out (Strawdog Theatre), Legends & Lore (New York Theatre Barn, Musical Theatre Workshop) and Palin! The Musical. A lifelong film nerd, Jacob recently worked in the writers' rooms of two top-secret projects at Pixar, and wrote several episodes of the Disney+documentary series Inside Pixar. Jacob also wrote the short film Messrs. which is beginning its festival run, and his first short film as writer/director, Without, showed at several festivals in 2019 and 2020.

Hannah Todd (Director) is a Chicago-based director, where she has co-directed Marys Seacole (Griffin Theatre), directed Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (Strawdog Theatre, 2021), Thrones! A Musical Parody (Apollo Theater Chicago), associate directed Cambodian Rock Band (Victory Gardens/Merrimack Repertory Theater, dir. Marti Lyons) and assistant directed at Chicago Shakespeare, Lookingglass Theatre Company, and Northlight Theatre. Prior to moving to Chicago, Hannah was based in Washington, DC, where she co-founded We Happy Few Productions (wehappyfewdc.com), with which she has directed critically acclaimed productions of Hamlet, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, The Winter’s Tale, The Dog in the Manger, and Macbeth. In DC, Hannah served as Artistic Fellow at Shakespeare Theatre Company, assistant directed at Folger Theater, Shakespeare Theatre, and Studio Theatre, and directed for Theater Alliance, the Capital Fringe Festival, Lean & Hungry Theatre/WAMU 88.5, and the Source Festival. Hannah Hannah holds a BA from Hampshire College and an MFA in Directing from Northwestern University.www.hannahtodddirector.com

Mike Dailey* (Adapter) has been a Strawdog company member since 1997. He has appeared as an actor in 24 Strawdog productions. Writing credits include three radio plays presented as part of Radio Theatre 7, co-writer on the late-night series The Adventures of Picklebot and Lawfer and script editor for Strawdog’s productions of 1001 Afternoons in Chicago, Julius Caesar and Measure for Measure.

Production Team

Ricky Harris (Music Director) is a composer, performer and music director throughout the city. He is also a seasoned teaching artist in Chicago, having taught for many years with Raven Theatre, PlayMakers Laboratory and The Beverly Arts Center Chicago, to name a few.

Caitlin McLeod (Scenic Designer, Co-Puppet Designer) is a costume, scenic, and puppet designer. She's thrilled to be part of the Hershel team again. Most recent credits include: Trouble in Mind (Timeline); Above the Water (Dawn); Get Out Alive (Haven); Celestial Ballad (Chicago Puppet Lab); The Seagull (Steppenwolf); Now and Then; Shipwrecked (Oil Lamp); Sea Change (Cabinet of Curiosity); When Harry met Rehab (Pemberley Productions); Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (Strawdog); Exquisite Corpse (Rough House); Diamond’s Dream, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (Chicago Children's Theatre); Stick Fly (Writers Theatre); Mlima’s Tale (Griffin Theatre). She also is a freelance craftsperson with work recently at Lookingglass, Theatre Wit, Northlight, and Cabinet of Curiosity. She is a co-curator of NBS Chicago’s Puppet Slam, and a company member of Rough House. www.CaitlinMcLeodDesign.com

Rain Foiles (Costume Designer) is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the many talented artists at Strawdog Theatre Co. on this production. Previous credits include: No Exit (Ad Astra Theatre Co.), Constellations (Washburn University), A Wrinkle in Time (Michigan State University), Julius Caesar (Michigan State University), and Things I Could Never Tell Steven (PrideArts).

Conchita Avitia (Lighting Designer) is a freelance Mexican-American Lighting Designer based in Chicago; she holds her BA in Theatre Design from Columbia College Chicago. Recent design credits are with Concrete Content (The Wizards), Steep Theater (Paris; Co-Designed), Free Street Theater (57 Blocks,) and Broken Nose Theatre (This Is Only A Test). When she isn’t designing, she is serving as an ALD throughout the city; recent Assistant Lighting Designer credits are with TimeLine Theater (Relentless), Chicago Shakes (As You Like It), Steppenwolf Theatre (Dance Nation), and Court Theatre (For Colored Girls). For production photos and updates visit www.avitialighting.com.

Daniel Etti-Williams (Sound Designer) (they/he) is an up-and-coming Sound Designer and Engineer local to Chicago. After Studying Acting at Oklahoma City University, they moved to Chicago to participate in Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s Apprenticeship Program. Since then, they have had the opportunity to work all over Chicago making theatre and telling stories and expressing their passion through design. Chicago design credits include Run The Beast Down (Strawdog Theatre Company); Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (Strawdog Theatre Company); Beatrix Potter’s Holiday Tea Party (Chicago Children’s Theatre); Haus of Atreus (Mudlark Theater); Peerless (Northwestern University Graduate Directing Program); On The Greenbelt (Strawdog Theatre Company); At The Vanishing Point (The Gift Theatre); Paris (Steep Theatre); Light Falls (Steep Theatre); Private Lives (Raven Theatre); The Island (Court Theatre)

Rocio Cabrera (Props Designer, Co-Puppet Designer) is a self-taught multi-disciplinary artist, marketer, and entrepreneur from the West Side of Chicago. As a puppeteer artist, she tells stories related to her Hispanic heritage and family. She is currently working on a puppetry film about the surviving Mayan codices.

Amanda Crockett (Choreographer) I'm an actor, clown, circus performer, choreographer and teacher and have performed in over a dozen countries spanning 6 continents. My first gig ever was clowning alongside my Dad at age 9 in my hometown of Portland, Maine. I was hooked. Since then, I created a performed a lead character role for Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson ONE, won an Audience Choice Award at the Krystallpalast in Germany and premiered my solo show, Going Up, in Medellin, Colombia. Other career highlights include teaching kids in the Arctic Circle, arriving on stage by horse-drawn carriage, performing for school children in Botswana and having the legendary Carlos Santana tell me how much he loved my work. I love to teach and have taught master classes in the US, Brazil, Colombia and Australia. As a choreographer, I was Director of Movement & Circus for Emerald City Theater's Corduroy, have worked one-on-one with circus artists to create and hone their acts, and was a clown and Creative Consultant for Circus Flora. My focus recently has shifted to acting in theater, tv and film, so stay tuned! In my free time, I love to bike, balance on one arm, snuggle with my dogs and have fun adventures with my toddler.

Karissa Murrell Myers* (Casting Director) Karissa Murrell Myers has been Strawdog’s Casting Director since 2019 and joined the ensemble in 2020. She is originally from the great state of Idaho and has a MFA in Performance from University of Hawaii at Manoa, a BA in Theatre Arts from Boise State University, and is a graduate of The School at Steppenwolf. She has been working professionally in Chicago as an actor, playwright, and director since 2015.

As a performer, Karissa has worked at Goodman Theatre, Remy Bumppo, The House Theatre of Chicago, and Renaissance Theaterworks. Television work includes working on Chicago Med, Chicago PD, Electric Dreams, and The Exorcist. Proud member of SAG-AFTRA. Represented by Gray Talent Group.

Stephanie Díaz (Puppetry Consultant) is an award-winning actor and puppeteer, specializing in Bunraku-style tabletop puppetry, with a particular enthusiasm for movement. Her critically-acclaimed signature piece, Mariposa Nocturna: A Puppet Triptych, opened the inaugural Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival to sold-out houses and enjoyed successful runs at the Chicago Physical Festival, 16th Street Theater and Free Street Theater. Her puppet designs and choreography have been seen at The Gift Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Remy Bumppo, Strawdog, Lookingglass, A Red Orchid, Cock and Bull, Links Hall, the Eugene O’Neill National Puppetry Conference, The National Museum of Mexican Art, The Paper Machete Show, and most recently Joel Hall Dance Company. The recipient of multiple grants and residencies, she is 3Arts Awardee in Theatre (2019) and will be a 2023 Artist-in-Residence at the Santa Fe Art Institute. She is a founding member of The Chicago Inclusion Project, a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors’ Equity Association, and a proud Guatemalan-American.

Catherine Miller (Cultural Consultant) (they/them) is casting director, dramaturg and gender consultant currently based in Chicago. They are the resident Casting Director for Jackalope Theatre and have also cast productions for About Face, Haven Chicago, Raven Theatre, American Musical Theatre Project, Sideshow, Midsummer Flight, Griffin Theatre, Collaboraction, Red Tape Theatre and First Floor Theater. Catherine has also done dramaturgy work with Actors Theatre of Louisville, Sideshow Theatre, The New Coordinates, Eclipse Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Diversionary Theatre, Cygnet Theatre, Ion Theatre and First Floor Theater. Additionally, they have done gender consulting work for Paramount Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville and Victory Gardens Theatre and has been a guest speaker/teacher at Vagabond School, The Theatre School at DePaul, Columbia College Chicago, North Central College, Roosevelt University, Steppenwolf, Director’s Lab Chicago, The Forge, Oklahoma City University and Beloit University. Catherine is a 2021 3Arts Make A Wave recipient and was recently featured in American Theatre Magazine's Role Call. They also were on NewCity Magazine’s 2020 + 2019 Players: The Fifty People Who Really Perform for Chicago and the Windy City Times’ 30 Under 30 list. Catherine has a BFA in Dramaturgy/Criticism from The Theatre School at DePaul.

Lily Anna Berman (Assistant Director) is a director/designer/performer excited to be working with Strawdog for the first time. Chicago credits: Intimate Apparel and Dear Jack, Dear Louise at Northlight Theater (assistant director), The Actual Brentwood: An Audio Narrative (director), The Cleanup at Prop Thtr (props designer), Harry Potter: Magic at Play (art department), Haha Comedy Hour (art department), When There Are Nine at Pride Arts (dramaturg). Regional Credits include: Intimate Apparel and Cymbeline at Utah Shakespeare Festival (assistant scenic designer/props designer), The Tangibles at 440 Studios (director). She is a graduate of LaGuardia HS of the Arts (acting major), Vassar College, and the Moscow Art Theater. www.lilyannaberman.com

Donna Marie Gary (Production Manager) is a administrative nerd by night and passionate caregiver by day. They enjoy making sure every production experience is accessible, joyful and efficient. They identify as a nonbinary femme and love that they are a native Chicagoan. Most days you can find Donna dressed up to stay home, and bake a pie.

Jordan Large (Technical Director) moved from Kansas to Chicago in 2018 to pursue their art career; having directed their first full length play at 17, and won their first short film award at 18. They have since been involved in film, theater and photography as a performer as well as a composer/crew member; and have gained representation through DDO Artists of Chicago.

Paul Cook* (Lead Electrician) is a Chicago native, and has lived all over the country. He did his undergrad at Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI), and received his MFA in Directing from the University of California, Irvine (UCI). He was invited to join the Strawdog Theatre Ensemble in 2020, after serving as Strawdog’s Production Manager in 2019.

Paul is passionate about all kinds of theatre, but classics and musical theatre hold a special place in his heart. As a performer, Paul has performed all across the country, as well as overseas. As a director, he has created work in Tennessee, Illinois, and California. Prior to joining Strawdog, Paul served as Production Manager for Pride Films and Plays. He also currently serves as the Production Manager at Peninsula Players Theatre in Door County, WI.

Kyle Hamman* (Streaming Technician) is the owner/operator of KBH Media, a small multi-media production company that specializes in visual storytelling. Hamman has been involved in Chicago theatre as an actor, designer, director and producer for over twenty years and has been a member of the Strawdog Ensemble since 2000. He has appeared in more than twenty Strawdog productions and facilitated numerous others behind the scenes.

Hamman is originally from North Little Rock, Arkansas. After graduating from Ouachita Baptist University, Hamman spent a season at Actors Theatre of Louisville as an acting apprentice before relocating to Chicago. Hamman has worked with numerous theatres in Chicago, including Mary-Arrchie, CollaborAction, Noble Fool, Northlight, Serendipity, Teatro Vista, Theatre Seven, WildClaw Theatre, Writers Theatre, and The Factory, where he directed Ren Faire! A Fistful of Ducats.

Oswald Avile (Stage Manager) is excited to be back with Strawdog Theatre working on this production with an amazing team. Born and raised in Chicago, Oswald has been working in theatre since high school. Past work includes Tatjana in Color (Prologue Theatre Co), Fefu and Her Friends (Halcyon Theatre), The River (BoHo Theatre), and Hersel and the Hanukkah Goblins 2021 (Strawdog Theatre), The Secretaries (First Floor Theater), Botticelli in the Fire (First Floor Theater). In his spare time, Oswald works in healthcare.

Anna Vu (Assistant Stage Manager)(she/her) is a freelance stage manager based in Chicago. She graduated from Auburn University with a BFA in theatre management and a minor in marketing. Chicago credits include: Buried Child (AstonRep), Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins and Tarot Card Play (Strawdog Theatre Company), Galileo’s Daughter (Remy Bumppo). Some regional theatre credits include: Murder on the Orient Express and Over the River and Through the Woods (Cortland Repertory Theatre), Pericles and The Comedy of Errors (Utah Shakespeare Festival), The Nutcracker (East Alabama Community Ballet). She currently serves as the production assistant at the Annoyance Theater and Bar. She strives for women empowerment and diversity and inclusion in the art she creates. She would like to thank her friends and family for their constant support. Much love to KC and Kenny. vuanna.weebly.com