Cast Crew
Ray Brazaski (Bobbini)
Matt Engle (Hero)
Eric Frederickson (Dave)
Sarah Rose Graber (Emma)
Bobby Hoffman (Lucky Jim)
Matt Kahler (Bill Pickens)
John Luzar (Raynoth)
John Moran (Ole Jerky)
Scott OKen (Doug)
Chelsea Paice (Tatyana)
Jennifer Pompa (Tammy)
Justine C. Turner (Andy)
Mike Tutaj (Mickey)
Steve Welsh (Mudbegger)
Curtis Williams (Welsey)
Erin Carlson (Stage Manager)
Joe Gehr (co-Producer)
Kyle Hamman (Director)
Sean Mallary (Lighting Designer)
Rachel M. Sypniewski (Costume Designer)
Sara R. Sevigny (Producer)
Dan Tamarkin (Scenic Design)
C.W. van Baale (Technical Director)
Chas Vrba (Sound Design)

Ray Brazaski (Bobbini) was last seen in Prometheus Bound as Hephaestus.  Before that, the list includes Men Exposed:  Thinking with Your Head as Bobby, several productions with Chicago Kids Company as various dancing and singing elves and dwarfs, and even more several productions traveling across America with Child's Play Touring Theatre as various dancing and singing elves and dwarfs and household pets. Other productions include Iphigenia in Taurus, The Good Doctor, Gemini, and Tartuffe.  He has directed Big—The Musical and assistant directed Footloose for the Racine Youth Players.  Ray has a handful of film credits and a handful of college credits and counts himself lucky to be working with such a wonderful, giving, and truly creative group of folks.  His favorite concurrent role is that of Jessica's fiancé.

Matt Engle (Hero) is glad to be back at The Factory, where he is a proud company member. Some of his favorite Factory roles include: Vic (Dirty Diamonds), Cy Curnin (Toast of the Town), Brian Nowlan (Being At Choice), and Brad, the life camp counselor/douche (Janice Dutts Goes To Life Camp).  Other favorite roles include: Coustouillu (Theater Wit’s Feydeau Si Deau), Abe O’Brien (Strawdog’s Marathon ’33) and The Rookie Lee (Steep’s Howie The Rookie).

Eric Frederickson (Dave) spent nine seasons working at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Behold, now, what a sad, pathetic full-circle his life has become. Maybe you have seen him as Falstaff in the Stockyards Theater Project's production of Henry IV, Part I, as Badinhere in Frodo-a-Gogo for The Free Associates, or as a myriad of strange people running around in the background in the Lyric Opera production of Carmen. Or maybe not. Whatever the case, enjoy the show. This is his first show with the Factory, so please, be gentle.

Sarah Rose Graber (Emma) is a proud Factory company member and is delighted to be a part of the Ren Faire! Gang. Sarah graduated from Northwestern University’s Theatre Department and received her acting certificate from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Past Factory credits include the hit shows, GI’s in Europe and Siskel and Ebert Save Chicago. Sarah has worked throughout Chicago with Northlight Theatre, Chemically Imbalanced Theatre, Adventure State Chicago, Drury Lane, Stawdog, Hoble Horse Theatre and more. Sarah would like to send love and many thanks to Kyle, Engle, Erin, the silly cast, Nathan, and her family for all their support!

Bobby Hoffman (Lucky Jim) Fresh from Columbia College (where he studied combat under David Wolley), Bobby feels unbelievably lucky (HAH!) to be part of such a great cast. He would like to thank his ever-supportive family, his ever-patient girlfriend, and all of you here tonight. There, that enough cheese for ya?!

Matt Kahler (Bill Pickens) Hey Stranger! Do you like shows? You’re at one! Matt is a moonlighting fan, and plays in a band (The Hobo Wives). This marks his second show with The Factory, which also means he’s done two shows. Come see The Hobo Wives around Chicago, where Matt will shamelessly plug any play he’s in. Chow!

John Luzar (Raynoth) is delighted to be getting his ass kicked here at the REN FAIRE!  Recently John was murdered twice in Fatboy (A Red Orchid) and punched in the neck in Men of Steel (Theatre Wit).  Previously, he's been knocked down and spat on (The Lion in Winter, TimeLine), kicked in the face by a semi-conscious woman (Marathon '33, Strawdog), mauled by an invisible spirit (The Golem, Chicago Jewish Theatre), thrown off a staircase (Street Scene, The Artistic Home) and had his testicles squeezed (Dealer's Choice, Steep AND Me, the Devil and Other Friends, NY International Fringe Festival.)  Why do audiences enjoy watching John get hurt?  He does not know.

John Moran (Ole Jerky) This marks John’s first time with Factory, and he couldn’t be more excited. John just appears as Mike Michaels in Strawdog Theater’s Old Town, by Brett Neveu. He has also been seen on stage at A Red Orchid, Famous Door, Mary-Arrchie, Artistic Home and Blind Faith. He is a seasoned fight choreographer and has just designed fights for BentLight Theater’s Romeo and Juliet Wake Up Dead. Have fun tonight watching us beat up each other.

Scott OKen (Doug) is pleased to be returning to the stage after a 2-year stint in the prison...THE PRISON OF JAMS!!!!! OKen is so happy to have been with the Factory for approx 13 yrs and wants 13 more..than that's it!!!!! OKen has written Top Shelf...and the Factory's upcoming show Bustin' Out of The Hell. He has co-written Toast of the Town, Surface Dwellers, and GI's in Europe with Ernest Deak. He(you know that's me right?) directed the smash-ass it Siskel and Ebert Save Chicago and has been in about 350 Factory shows. OKen has worked with many light designers such as CW Van Baale, Dan Tamarkin, Geoff Vines, and Mike Durst. Why the mention of light designers? Only a few will know...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!!!  Love to the Barb and the Charlie and the Billy.

Chelsea Paice (Tatyana) is thrilled to be in her second Factory Theater production this year. She previously appeared here in Ceres as Mary Martha. Chelsea can also be seen in the hilarious and brilliant sketch troupe There’s No F in Sketch (find us on MySpace!) She’d like to thank her cool parents, her awesome brother, her wonderful grandparents, and her mediocre friends. Especially Patty and Emily.

Jennifer Pompa (Tammy) is really razzed to be working on this show, with such an amazing cast & crew. Seriously, she’s razzed. She not only gets to get back in touch with her “Roast Beef Wench” past but also has a hand in the fight choreography with Sir Engle. A Factory ensemble member and Chicago native, she was seen last year in Factory Theater’s Janice Dutts Goes to Life Camp. Some favorites around town that she’s done includes: Brutality of Fact (Eclipse Theater), [the] Violent Sex (Visions and Voices Theater) and The Cider House Rules, Parts I and II (Famous Door Theatre & Jeff Award-Best Supporting Actress.) Currently, she performs children’s theater at Navy Pier (usually she’s a pirate and yes, she loves it) where she is also the resident Fight Choreographer. Factory favorites include: Being At Choice, Poppin’ and Lockdown, White Trash Wedding And A Funeral, The Vinyl Shop and The Death and Life of Barb Budonovich (PSNBC/New York.) Film and Television credits include: “dot”, “The Jamie Kennedy Experiment” and “Eden Court.” Jennifer would also like to know, “Would you like cheese on that beef m’lord?”

Justine C. Turner (Andy) is tots excited to make her Factory theatre debut with Ren Faire.  She is a graduate of school.  She was last seen understudying Rosalind and Phebe in As You Like It at Writers' Theatre.  She was in the Jeff Award winning ensemble of The Cider House Rules Part I and II with Famous Door and the Jeff Citation award winning ensemble of Action Movie: The Play with Defiant Theatre.  She has worked places and would be honored to work at more places.  She is a proud company member of The Plagiarists where she can be seen this fall in their production of Promiscuous Stories.  She just turned 29.  Thanks family for letting me live rent free three years and counting.

Mike Tutaj (Mickey) has long been a fan of the Factory Theatre.  (Mike is also a fan of Renaissance Faires, though more in theory than in lifestyle.)  He has previously worked with Factory having designed the opening titles video that accompanied Siskel and Ebert Save Chicago.  Mike can also be seen performing with Barrel of Monkeys of which he is a proud company member.  He fills the rest of his waking hours designing projections and sound for a host of theater companies around Chicago.  Additionally, Mike thinks you look great in that outfit.

Steve Welsh (Mudbegger) is ecstatic to be working with the Factory again. HIs last stint with these folks consisted of Renchini in Toast of the Town and Elliot in Lonesome Hoboes. Lately he's been seen in Our Town with the Hypocrites and 1776 with Signal Ensemble. He's also worked with the likes of Mary-Arrchie, Defiant, Next, Open Eye Productions and a whole slew of others. He enjoys tennis, massage, and cats. Oh, and anything random. Jesus on a motorcycle. 

Curtis Williams (Welsey) was born and raised in Oregon, so he feels at home as a Wild West employee. He is also the music director for Barrel of Monkeys. He is thankful to finally get the chance to theatrically battle a Ren Faire.

Crew

Erin Carlson (Stage Manager) This is Erin's first show with the Factory after years of worshipping them from afar. A proud ensemble member at Strawdog theatre, Erin is often found managing things over there. All kinds of things. People. Dogs. But, mainly plays. Most recently Erin stage managed Old Town and Aristocrats for Strawdog. She would like to thank Matt for being funny, and Adam for being Adam.

Joe Gehr (co-Producer) would like to take a minute of your time. Now everyone look beneath his or her own seat. See a sugar cookie? It's for you! Yay! Oh, wait. Aww man I knew I was supposed to do something today. Well have a beer and enjoy the show!

Kyle Hamman (Director) is happy to be working with The Factory for the very first time. He most recently directed Old Town by Brett Neveu for Strawdog Theatre Company where he has been an ensemble member since 2000. Other directing credits include Wireless 3: Heavenly Potluck also with Strawdog and Trivial Pursuits with Visions and Voices Theatre. Also an actor, Kyle has been nominated for Jeff Citations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor and has been a part of several citation winning ensembles, most recently Marathon '33 where he met Matt Engle for the first time. And the rest, as they say, is history. Kyle resides in Chicago with his wife, Shannon.

Sean Mallary (Lighting Designer) This is Sean's first time working with the Factory, so he is very excited to be part of this unique world premier experience.  By day he works as a corporate lighting director, then he lights theatre and dance gigs around town instead of sleeping at night.  Sean is a proud ensemble member of the Strawdog Theatre company, where he is the resident lighting guy, and was Jeff nominated last year for their production of Tooth of Crime.  His past designs include work with City Lit, European Rep, Collaboraction, Pegasus, The Vittum, Culture Shock and Ballet Chicago.  Sean would like to thank Kyle for dragging him in to this hilarity, as well as the good folks at the Factory.  Most importantly, he'd like to thank his beautiful bride Eilleen for her support, tolerance and great sense of humor that help him survive his own creative process. 

Rachel M. Sypniewski (Costume Designer) is super excited to be working with the Factory on another crazy production! She loves that they are keeping her around. Some of her past design credits include: A Passage to India and Mother Courage and Her Children with Vitalist Theatre, The Girl in the Goldfish Bowl, The Dinning Room and The Permanent Way with New Leaf Theatre, The House of Yes, We Won't Pay! We Won't Pay! and Absent Friends with Will Act For Food, Ceres, Dirty Diamonds and Siskel and Ebert Save Chicago with The Factory, Lewis and Clark Reach the Euphrates, Keely and Du, Resort 76, and The Kentucky Cycle with Infamous Commonwealth. Rachel is an affiliated artist with New Leaf Theatre, a company member with Infamous Commonwealth, and a returning artist with Vitalist Theatre. When not designing for theatre, you can find Rachel teaching at the Chicago Academy for the Arts, stage managing at the Royal George, and working as the assistant rental manager at Broadway Costumes, Inc. If you want to see more of Rachel's work check out the Factory's late night performance of Shameless or Backstage's production of Bloody Bess: A Tale of Piracy and Revenge at the Storefront through July 20th. Much love to the family, Robb, Lucky and Tiny.

Sara R. Sevigny (Producer) Hey uhhhhhhh, yeah…you reading…Heya! *waves* Thanks for coming. No, seriously, I know that you probably hear that every time you venture into a theatre, but I mean it. Even if they were all lying to you, I promise that its heartfelt thanks that you’re here….perhaps enjoying a bevvy before the show begins, right? No? Well, what are you waiting for? It’s allowed. Hell, it’s encouraged! I’ll wait. Back? Good! Settle in, and laugh. *glares* SETTLE IN! *smiles* Good then… enjoy!
Smooches to Engle and Hamman. Lifelong thanks to Gehr, CW, Sully, & OKen. meX3

Dan Tamarkin (Scenic Design) is thrilled to design with the Factory again, where he sits on the Board of Directors. Dan has worked and played with The Journeymen, American Theater Company, National Pastime, Will Act For Food, Chicago Park District & Public Schools, Blindfaith Theatre, Curious Theater Branch, Prop Thtr, Teatro Luna, and many others. Dan designed, engineered and built the new Irish American Heritage Center Theater and most recently he co-designed the set for Blindfaith’s Woody Guthrie’s American Song. An avid writer and mountaineer, this summer Dan is bent on both finishing his script and climbing better than he ever has before. Thanks to Miracle, Kathy-O, and to everyone here tonight for supporting local arts.

C.W. van Baale (Technical Director) is the T.D. of the show.  He can not be used as a flotation device.  In addition to Factory Technical Direction, he is also resident T.D. at Open Eye Productions and WIll Act for Food.  His next projects will be "Trust" with OEPand "Frankenstein in Love" with WAFF. He is from Iowa and is owned by two cats. 

Chas Vrba (Sound Design) Chas has designed sound for numerous Factory shows, Ren Faire! a fistful of ducats being the most recent. Additonal sound design credits include projects for: Hope & Nonthings, The Journeymen, Northlight Academy, Open Eye, Rivendell, and Will Act for Food amoung others. Chas also performs in the Factory 3rd shift production Shameless Shamuses which is running on Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30pm July 11th- August 2nd. Chas serves as the Factory's Managing Director