LEIGH ANNE BARRETT

COMPANY MEMBER

Leigh is a proud artistic associate of Oak Park Festival Theatre who has been a director, designer, and stage manager in the Chicago area since settling here in 1989. Additional Chicago area credits include work with Shattered Globe, Next Theatre, City Lit, Stage Left, Promethean Theatre, The Conspirators, Factory Theater, Plasticene, and Babes With Blades Theatre Company, where she served as artistic director from 2011-2016. 

BELINDA BREMNER

COMPANY MEMBER

Since 2008, she has acted, directed, and written for OPFT. Roles include The Chorus in Henry V, Amanda Wingate, Lady Bracknell, Tardy in Elizabeth Rex Gonzalo in The Tempest, and Montague in OPFT’s 2024 production of Romeo and Juliet. She directed Dancing at Lughnasa, Of Mice and Men (Jeff Nominated), Richard III, Faith Healer, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (Jeff Nominated) and many benefit performances. OPFT writing credits include Mrs. Coney, Love Spats, all the Midwinter’s Tales, as well as all the radio plays. A co-founder of ShawChicago and a founding member of the Body Politic ensemble, she has also worked with such theatres as the Goodman, Court, Northlight, First Folio, and Irish Theatre Chicago.

JOSH CARPENTER

COMPANY MEMBER

Josh Carpenter (he/him) is a proud Oak Park resident, Northwestern graduate, and Actors’ Equity Association member since 2010. With OPFT he has appeared as Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet. Other Chicago-area credits include The Winter’s Tale at Goodman Theatre (dir. Robert Falls) and readings with Shakespeare Project of Chicago and TimeLine Theatre Company. Regional acting credits include Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Arden Theatre Company, American Shakespeare Center, Delaware Theatre Company, Theater at Monmouth, Miami Theatre Center, Montgomery Theatre, The Growing Stage, Gretna Theatre, Cherry Lane Theatre Studio, and eight seasons with Quintessence Theatre Group in Philadelphia, where he also directed his adaptation of Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper. He is a collaborator with Naked Angels Chicago Tuesdays@9, and he teaches at Pritzker College Prep in Chicago. joshcarpenter.net

WALLACE CRAIG

COMPANY MEMBER

Wallace Craig is overjoyed to join the Oak Park Festival Theatre family of artistic associates. Wallace moved to Chicago in 2018 following her graduation from The University of Cincinnati with a BFA in Stage Management. She has since worked on the OPFT Stage Management team for African Company Presents Richard III, A Dickens Carol, Elizabeth Rex, and most recently The Madness is Edgar Allen Poe: A Love Story. Other Chicagoland productions include Measure for Measure (Any Other Name Company); The Firestorm, All Childish Things, The Madness of Edgar Allen Poe (First Folio Theatre). This winter, she will Assistant Stage Manage First Folio’s production of Jeeves Saves The Day. 

TONY DOBROWOLSKI

COMPANY MEMBER

An Oak Park resident since 1992, Tony’s relationship with OPFT began with the 1996 production of HAMLET in which he played both Polonius and The First Grave Digger. In 1997 he played Leonato in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. 2001 saw Tony as Baptista in THE TAMING OF THE SHREW.  Tony was Lord Stanley in the 2012 production of RICHARD III. In addition to his Austin Gardens appearances, Tony has also performed in the annual OPFT and PREVAIL (and its previous incarnation) holiday benefits of MRS. CONEY and  MIDWINTER’S TALES. He performed and enjoyed being part of OPFT “Radio Acting Company” offerings and the Play-and-a-Pint readings of THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD, DEATHTRAP, SLEUTH. Tony is the Founding Artistic Director of UBIQUITOUS PLAYERS – a weekly online play-reading group (with more than a dozen “new play” writers) started in April 2020. Tony has been a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 1989.

AUGUST FORMAN

COMPANY MEMBER

August Forman (they/he) is an actor, playwright, and educator based in Chicago, IL. Theatrical Credits Include: Rachel Bloom: Death Let Me Do My Show (Steppenwolf); King Lear (Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival); Pericles (Catskill Mountain Shakespeare); Into the Woods (Kokandy Productions); Romeo and Juliet, Elizabeth Rex, and The Fair Maid of the West (Oak Park Festival Theatre); Hand to God, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Little Shop of Horrors (Paramount Theatre); Grease (Drury Lane Theatre); Tiny Beautiful Things (Victory Gardens Theater and TheatreSquared); Light Falls (Steep Theatre); Rutherford and Son (TimeLine Theatre); Plot Points in Our Sexual Development and A Kind of Weather (Diversionary Theatre); Big Love ([producingbody]); Once Upon a Mattress (Theo Ubique); Twelfth Night (Midsommer Flight); The Lady Demands Satisfaction (Babes with Blades); and Girl in the Red Corner (Broken Nose Theatre. Voice Over Credits Include: The Owl House (Disney). August received a Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Supporting Actor for their portrayal of Gina in Broken Nose Theatre’s production of A Girl in the Red Corner, and a best Ensemble Award for their work in Kokandy Productions’ Into the Woods. As a playwright their work has premiered across the country. They are a longtime actor and facilitator with Imagination Theater. August is represented by Gray Talent Group.

MATT GALL

COMPANY MEMBER

Matt Gall (he/him) has been working with OPFT since 2014 and became an Artistic Associate in 2016. At Oak Park Festival, he has appeared in Hamlet, The Taming of The Shrew, Macbeth, The Tempest, and the world premiere of A Dickens Carol. He has directed several reading series and workshop performances, and co-directed the 2018 remount of A Dickens Carol. He has worked in Chicago and regionally for over a decade and is also a film producer, podcaster, and writer. Matt is a New Hampshire native and holds a B.F.A. in Acting from Ithaca College.

JULIO CESAR GUTIERREZ

COMPANY MEMBER

Julio (he/him) is incredibly enthusiastic to be joining the big family at OPFT. He was born and raised in Miami, Florida and recently made the move here to Chicago after graduating with a degree in Acting from Carnegie Mellon University. He made his OPFT debut as Demetrius in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Nights Dream” and right after played the role of Simon in Beth Hyland’s “Seagulls”. Other significant roles that he has played in the past include Sonny in “In the Heights”, Jake in “Simona’s Search”, and Jacques in “As You Like It”. 

JACK HICKEY

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS

Jack most recently made his first appearance with Citadel Theatre as Tony Reilly in Outside Mullingar. A proud member of Actor’s Equity for over 40 years, over the past 20 years Jack has been a member of the Oak Park Festival Theatre where he served as Artistic Director for 15 of those years. He has acted in or directed over 25 productions with the company, most notably Falstaff in Henry IV, Henry Drummond in Inherit the Wind, and Cyrano in Cyrano de Bergerac. Jack was nominated for an Equity Jeff Award playing Michael in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me. 

RACHEL J JONES

COMPANY MEMBER

Rachel J Jones (she/her) is a Chicago-based actor and teaching artist. At Oak Park Festival Theatre, she played Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (2024), as well as Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2023). She has also been featured in two of OPFT’s Spring Readings, GOOD by Rebecca Wahls in 2025 and The Droll by Meg Miroshnik in 2024. Other selected regional credits include: Pip (Great Expectations, Door Shakespeare), Olivia (Twelfth Night, Door Shakespeare), Desdemona (Othello, Utah Shakespeare Festival), Lady Macbeth (Macbeth, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks), Adrianna (The Comedy of Errors [adapt.], Montana Shakespeare in the Parks) and Hermia/Peter Quince (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks). Rachel is represented by Lily’s Talent in Chicago. More Rachel: www.racheljjones.actor

MARK LANCASTER

COMPANY MEMBER

Mark (he/him) became an Artistic Associate at Oak Park Festival Theatre in 2017, where he has been seen in Macbeth, The Fair Maid of the West, and A Dickens Carol. Mark moved to Chicago in 2007 from Dallas, TX. He completed an MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University in 2012, and has since worked as an actor, burlesque emcee/performer, creature effects model, and is currently pursuing a path up the ranks of the Society of American Fight Directors.

LUCAS PRIZANT

COMPANY MEMBER

Lucas (he/him) is a Chicago Actor and Educator with a BFA in Acting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He has worked with Oak Park Festival Theater as Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and participated in OPFT’s spring staged reading series in plays Good and A Droll. Other Credits: Hal in Henry IV Part One (Utah Shakespeare Festival). Posthumous and Cloten in Cymbeline, Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night, and himself in Jane Austin: Abridged (Theater at Monmouth). Orlando in As You Like It, Dromio(S) in Comedy of Errors, and Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Montana Shakespeare in the Parks) Fred in A Christmas Carol (Richmond Shakespeare Company), M in Lungs, K.J. in The Aliens (Liberty Exhibition Hall), and Warren in This is our Youth (Unit 14 Theatre Company). He has also worked in TV and Film in Paper Girls (Amazon Prime), Chicago Fire (NBC), and in the short-film Save/Face (Full Spectrum Features & Haven Theatre).

SAVANNA RAE

COMPANY MEMBER

Savanna Rae became an Artistic Associate in 2018 where she was last seen in Macbeth, Richard III and Inherit the Wind. Most recently, Savanna played Bianca Minola in Shrewish at Artemisia Theatre. Other Chicago credits include Julius Caesar (Chicago Shakespeare Theater) and Dating and Dragons (The Factory Theatre). Savanna’s solo show, Daughters of Ire, was nominated for Best New Work of 2015 (Broadway World Chicago) and continues to tour through The Other Theatre Company, of which she is a member. Savanna is represented by the incredible ladies of Shirley Hamilton Talent.

KEVIN THEIS

COMPANY MEMBER

Kevin’s association with Festival Theatre goes back to 1990, where he first appeared as Prince John in Tom Mula’s production of “Falstaff.”  Since then, he has appeared in numerous productions as a performer- both indoors and out-  and has staged eight shows for OPFT as a director.  Favorite roles include Benedick in “Much Ado About Nothing,” George in “Of Mice and Men,” Edward in “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me,” (Jeff nomination), Frank Hardy in “Faith Healer,” the title role in “Richard III,” Salieri in “Amadeus” and Charles Dickens in the world premiere of “A Dickens Carol.”  As a director, he has worked on “Picnic,” “Robin Hood,” “Henry V,” “The Glass Menagerie,” “Cyrano de Bergerac,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” “The Fair Maid of the West” and “A Dickens Carol.”  In addition to his work at OPFT, Kevin has worked as a performer at the Goodman Theatre, Next, Theater Wit, Peninsula Players, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble and the Irish Theatre of Chicago (formerly Seanachai Theatre).  He was in the Jeff Award winning ensemble of 2014’s “The Seaferer.”  He has directed at Seanachai, CT20 Ensemble, Lifeline Theatre, City Lit and greasy joan & co. and has been nominated for three Jeff Awards for his directing work.  He has two published plays, adaptations of Thomas Heywood’s “The Fair Maid of the West” and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Sign of the Four” (the latter in conjunction with Shanghai Low Theatricals) and two books: “Invading Nirvana” and “Confessions of a Transylvanian” (the latter with co-author Ron Fox).  He has been seen on NBC’s “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.”, ABC’s “Betrayal.” and FOX’s “Empire.”

BARBARA ZAHORA

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS

Barbara Zahora (She/Her) joined OPFT as an Artistic Associate in 2017 and served as the company’s Artistic Director from 2018-2022.  She is a Chicago-based actor, director, and educator, and has spent the last 15 years teaching at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA), where she is an associate professor of acting and program director for BFA Acting.

Favorite roles at Oak Park Festival Theatre include Paulina in The Winter’s Tale, Penny Sycamore in You Can’t Take it With You, and Maggie Mundy in Dancing at Lughnasa.  Other acting credits include All My Sons and Les Liaisons Dangereuses (American Players Theatre); Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 (Colorado Shakespeare Festival); Hamlet, Heartbreak House, and A Little Night Music (Writers’ Theatre); Marionette Macbeth (Chicago Shakespeare Theater and New Victory Theatre, NYC); The Moliere Comedies, The Taming of the Shrew, As You Like It, Richard II, The School for Scandal, and All’s Well That Ends Well (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Lady Windermere’s Fan (Northlight Theatre); A Christmas Carol, Wit (Goodman Theatre); and numerous appearances with the Shakespeare Project of Chicago and ShawChicago (now Misalliance Repertory Theatre).  TV and film credits include Chicago Fire, Operator, and The Legend of Amba.

Directing credits for Oak Park Festival Theatre include The Tempest, Elizabeth Rex and Macbeth (Oak Park Festival Theatre).  Other Chicago credits include Shrewish (her original work commissioned for Artemisia Theatre); Candida, Hay Fever, and Misalliance (ShawChicago); and The 50-Minute Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare Project of Chicago). For CCPA, she’s directed The Misanthrope, Pride and Prejudice, Votes for Women, In Arabia We’d All Be Kings, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Ovidian Myths, Something Shaw, and Spoon River: Coming Home.

Barbara is a proud member of Actors Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA, and an associate member of SDC.  She thanks her husband, George, for being a loving partner both in life and in making art.

GEORGE ZAHORA

COMPANY MEMBER

George Zahora has been doing sound design in various professional and semi-professional capacities for over thirty years. He’s also a playwright, IT consultant, DJ and mostly retired music journalist. OPFT audiences have heard his work in The Tempest, Elizabeth Rex, Much Ado About Nothing, I and You, You Can’t Take It With You, The African Company presents Richard III and Macbeth. He’s also the resident sound designer for the Shakespeare Project of Chicago, where he has created sound and music for more than thirty shows, and created a lot of music and sound effects for the much-missed ShawChicago.