Jillian Erickson- (Co-Producer, Co-Director, Performer)
A performance artist, monologist, poet, writer, pain in the ass and not necessarily in that order. She moved to Chicago over 14 years ago searching for the chance to do theatre and create solo work. Along with Beast Women she is a “Kate” an all female comedy troupe created by none other than the amazing Kelsie Huff. Shes one of a two women show called “Loose Chicks ” with her fellow femme fatal Roberta Miles. She and three other friends got together and started making films and started a film production company called JAkT Films, their second film will premire in spring 2012.. “I would like to give a big high-five and squeeze to wonderfully incredible King Ed who has put up with all my antics for 10 years. To Michelle (co-producer/director and college pal) deep gratitude and head butts for plunging into this insanely wacky idea with me. To Krzysztof, Holla & Marta...Thank you thank you thank you for keeping me off that ledge, to the wie-ist beastie my niece Addy... Some day you will take over helping female performers other than yourself rule the school in Chicago...and a massive sloppy wet kiss to my wombmate Jody (thanks for being my twin and my biggest cheerleader … or something).”
Michelle Power – (Co-Director, Co-Producer, Emcee)
Michelle's love for performing has carried her through many years, cities, and roles with favorite productions including 3 Tall Women, Carrion, Christmas on Mars, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and Titus Andronicus. Now residing in Chicago for the last 12 years, she has acted, directed, and stage managed for several companies. Her interest in film work has landed her a number of sessions with noted acting coach, Glenn Haines of Hollywood, California and various independent film roles. She is a producer and founding member of Beast Women Productions, Inc. She would like to thank the following individuals for helping her find her way in this world: Her parents Rick and Carol Power (I love you Ma and Pa P!!), her bros Randy and Darren (You guys rock!), Dianna Stanley (The best damn production assistant in the biz – Thank you!!), Eric Schnosenberg (Are you for real?), Michelle Massarella (Dude, you always make me laugh!), Skip Sanchez (Go Bears!), her co-workers (Shout out to CUI!), her technical director Ed Schweitzer (You ARE the best), Kelsie Huff (You are AWESOME!), Stefan Brun of the Prop Thtr (Thank you!), and finally, her business partner, friend, & motivator Jillian Erickson (Let’s do this forever pal.) Long Live Women in the Arts!
Ed Schweitzer- (Technical Director)
Ed has been flipping switches and mashing buttons on the Chicago theatre scene for eight years. it is his pleasure to make good-looking people look better in venues small and large, most recently for all things Beast Women, as well as Top 5, where he got to meet Michelle and work with Jillian for about the zillionth time, and for Fool for Thought’s "Some jerk Stole Our Pants." He tech-directed for these folks in the 2007 SketchFest as well. He’d like to thank his parents, just because they rock, and English geologist William Buckland, who was the first scientist to name and describe the partially preserved skeleton of a dinosaur (Megalosaurus).
Hunter Matthews (Beastie Photographer)
Shooting live events in the Chicago area for 3 years, Hunter Matthews has experience making beautiful people look beautiful in challenging spaces and tricky light. He's shot in theaters, bars, nightclubs and once in an abandoned graveyard. Most recently he's photographed the Windy City Burlesque Festival and is pleased to be shooting Beast Women for the third year.
Jen St. Stjarna (Singer/Composer)
A Chicago based performer and composer. She has been with Beast Women for several seasons arranging for, accompanying, and collaborating with several Beast Women in this time. This spring, she will be releasing a her solo album, "Horizon," which was recorded in Steve Ford's studio by producer Colin Sipos right in the heart of downtown. For a sneak peak at this album visit: web.mac.com/jenstjarna. For information on future performances: www.myspace.com/smallwhitelamb
Michelle Taylor- Janiec a.k.a. MAHIRA (Belly Dance)
A professional belly dance performer and instructor located in the Suburbs of Chicago. She has been dancing for over 20 years with a dance background of ballet, tap and jazz. Her performances are electrifying as she dazzles the audience with her finger cymbals, veil work and sword balancing technique. She has performed at restaurants, gala shows, private parties, festivals, haflas and variety shows throughout the USA. If you would like to hire Mahira for a fun, exciting, family friendly performance, or would like more information on her classes and lessons, please contact her at mahira_dancer@yahoo.com. www.MahiraBellyDance.com
Roberta Miles (Monologist)
Roberta Miles is rapidly gaining a reputation for her irreverent, autobiographical monologues that make up a tell-all expose of her quirky, edgy life. These monologues are the basis for her one woman show, “Roberta Miles, Works in Progress.” She is an award winning writer, for her Memoir’s in Writer’s Digest Magazine. Roberta is producer of a two person show called “Loose Chicks” in which she performs with the fabulous Jillian Erickson, co-producer of “Beast Women”. Roberta also co-produces a show called “Café Cabaret” with the hilarious Janet Kane, another proud Beast Woman. Although she is currently getting attention for her monologues, Roberta Miles is best known to Chicago audiences as a jazz singer. She has performed at many local legendary jazz clubs and is listed on the Illinois Artstour Performing Artist Roster. As if the monologues and music were not enough, Roberta is a vibrant contributor to the Chicago art scene. After studying at the American Academy of Art, Miles became a successful, professional visual artist with works in private collections and galleries throughout the Midwest. She also teaches art at the Art Center of Highland Park and the Evanston Art Center, and teaches privately in her studio. She has been listed in The Who’s Who both in 1997 and 2007. Roberta has also received an award for being a Collegiate Entrepreneur. As proud as she is of all her artistic accomplishments, Roberta is especially excited to be entering another surrealistic season in world of Beast Women, Summer 2010.
Sarah Heston (Dancer Extraordinaire)
Sarah Heston is a mom, yogi, dance teacher, tango-er and a student of Tae Kwon Do. She is the founder and artistic director for the Luna Troop, a mostly modern dance co based in Chicago. She is also the VP on the board of directors for Le Ballet Petit and she is the director for the Wilmette Center for Dance.
Arin Mulvaney (Electro Swing Dancer/Monologist)
Arin Mulvaney has been acting for over 20 years in her homeland of Kalamazoo, MI and in Chicago. She is the co-founder and Managing Director of The Shakespeare All-Stars, an ensemble that brings Shakespeare to new audiences including middle and high school students. She has two cats, Sgt. Pepper and Senator Noodles.
Diane Hamm (Electro Swing Dancer)
Diane is an independent, self-taught designer of theatrical costumes, makeup, as well as fashion and metalsmithing, and enjoys dance. She holds degrees in Alternative and Community Education and Educational Psychology. She studied dance informally from an early age and had formal dance training in college. In the somewhat distant past, she has been a part of folkdance ensembles, taught creative movement to kids in community based settings, but currently dances swing style socially. Diane has worked with both community-based and storefront theaters here in Chicago mostly as a costume and props designer. Recent Productions include: Hamlet, (Chicago Parks District), The Buzz That Is The Buzz (Curious Theater Branch), Debris of the Prophet , The Informer (Prop Theater), Still in Play (Curious Theater) at the MCA. She also serves as Managing Director at PropTheater and is also a resident artist there.
Kelsie Huff (Comedian)
Kelsie can currently be seen hosting the all female stand-up showcase, the kates, the second Friday and the last Saturday of the every month at The Book Cellar in Lincoln Square. www.thekates.org Her one woman show BRUISER: Tales from a Traumatized Tomboy is running Thursday nights at Gorilla Tango Theatre: 8pm April 21st - May 26th. Ask her for more info, she'll tell ya! Kelsie is jazzed to, once again, be apart of the all female variety show Beast Women under the direction of the GLORIOUS Jillian Erickson and MARVELOUS Michelle Power. www.kelsiehuff.com
Robin Fine (Poet)
Robin has featured all over the Chicagoland area. Her poetry is a mix of sensuality and social conscience In 2009 she wrote, produced and performed her own show Women: From Bitch to Goddess and Back Again- A Journey in Poetry and Prose. She is a veteran Beastwoman., and, part of the Café Cabaret Ensemble. In 2010 Robin was a semifinalist in the Gwendolyn Brooks juried open mic competition. In 2011 her poem Motherhood was published in Exact Change Only Journal- Spring Series. She was a finalist in the 2011 Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Award and is part of Waiting4thebus Collective and Vox Ferus poetry workshop and cannot wait to spit some poetry Beastwoman style.
Kamani Raqs (Belly Dancer)
Kamani is a dedicated performer, instructor and student of all things belly dance. Well versed and experienced in multiple styles from traditional Raqs Sharqi to fusion belly dance, Kamani continues to perform and produce original choreography as a member of the Reina Belly Dance group. An art loving, Chicago transplant, she looks forward to sharing and collaborating with fellow artists and slaves to the stage. ReinaBellyDance.com Kamaniraqs@gmail.com
Kristina Cottone and Kim Kozel (Folk Duo)
Kristina Cottone and Kim Kozel are the female members of Honey & the 45s, a Chicago-based 5-piece band that combines elements of folk, blues, funk, and soul. Their powerful vocals, poetic lyrics, and pocket grooves deliver a sometimes playful, sometimes somber sound like nothing you've heard before. Kristina Cottone is also a writer, painter and actress. She is a company member of Organic Theater Company. Kim is a singer/violinist/saxophonist and sometimes gigs with her friends' musical groups. She is also a volunteer at Refugee One. Keep up with "Honey" at www.honeyandthe45s.com
Red Hot Annie (Burlesque)
Red Hot Annie began as - and remains – a pinup model since 2003. Drawing on over a decade of performance background, she turned her attentions to burlesque in early 2008. Three years and over 300 performances later, Red Hot Annie’s impact in Chicago is undeniable, as evidenced by her numerous interviews (TimeOut Chicago, The Chicago Reader) and her appearances on Check Please, WGN radio, WCIU television, and – along with her burlesque troupe Vaudezilla - as the subjects of a recently completed documentary film, entitled "What a Tease!" She has also begun to make waves on the international burlesque scene, having been voted #34 in the Burlesque Top 50 for 2010.
Holliwood Monroe (Songstress)
Born Jonviéve Wright, Holliwood is a Chicago based cabaret/ burlesque style singer originally from San Francisco California. She began her performance career at the age of 5 in the San Fransisco Ballet and various children theater productions, by puberty she was told she had physically out grown her tutu and hung up her ballet slippers once and for all. With her new curvaceous figure, she found joy in modern and ethnic dance and musical theater. In high school she performed in local and regional competitions, participated in Dramatic studies in College and found her third love --singing. Holliwood Monroe moved to the Midwest in the 2001 working as a go-go/ burlesque dancer at The Vogue nightclub. During that time she was the second lead vocalist for a local jazz band named JJ Express and continued her studies in theater at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. Moving to Chicago opened more performance doors were Holliwood Monroe could not only perform with one or two skills, she could use all three. As a natural performer, singer and classically trained dancer Holliwood Monroe has become a force to be reckoned with.
Marianne Schaefer/Gillian Holoroyd (Erotic Poet)
“. . . on a sweltering hot July morning a tiny baby girl came into this world. As she grew she knew that becoming a medical professional and forensic medical specialist would not be enough for her- even the publication of a short story erotica could not satisfy her need to become the erotic poet for Beast Woman Cabaret. In addition, she shares her poetry and performance art with Salon and The Literary Guild of Chicago. She has created a workshop to teach the art of creative “Decadence” writing, which has been presented at the Wiscon Writer’s Convention. She is called to perform in a variety of venues and most recently had a one-woman show at The Erotic Heritage Museum of Las Vegas, Nevada. She has been invited to present performance at Regina’s Place by Vittorio Carly and is currently working to complete a book of her works under the title…“Crotch Tingle.” Her list of current publication includes books and journals devoted specifically to poetic written word. She treats patients when time allows.
Pinqy Ring (Poet/Rapper)
Infused with intelligence, word ridden rhymes, a sick style and Latina flavor, Pinqy Ring is a fierce five foot force to be reckoned with. On top of rapping for over 8 years, being a Creative Fiction Writing graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, high school teacher, poet and philanthropist has put Ms. Ring in her own league of urban song writers. Nothing is deadlier than an educated emcee, and this woman’s quick wit, ambition and word-play will knock you out! In a male dominated field, Pinq has proven in pink pumps that she can out run the boys in their own race. Pinqy Ring isn’t a made man, but definitely made herself into a woman of musical taste, creativity and class. Building an empire based on hard work and real music, Pinqy Ring is an inspiration to women who refuse to settle for less. Her work has won over the hearts of Chicago, and next on the list: Complete Pinq global domination.
finishing her apprenticeship, she moved to Chicago to pursue stand-up, improv and acting. Ali is a graduate of Second City.
Becky Robison (GoGo Dancer)
Becky did a great deal of musical theater growing up, but when she went to college at Loyola University Chicago to study English and History, she largely gave up performing. After she graduated, she was looking for a hobby and started taking 1960’s gogo dancing lessons at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Until this point she thought she was hopelessly uncoordinated, but she really clicked with gogo dancing. Now she not only performs at Old Town School with her class, but she also dances with a troupe called Buffy-a-GoGo (http://www.facebook.com/buffyagogo). Beast Women is her first solo performance, and she is very excited and grateful to be a part of it!
Po'Chop (Burlesque)
A member of Vaudezillia, voted Chicago's Best Burlesque Company. She is a sassy burlesque dancer who will tingle your senses.
Amy Sumpter (Comedian)
Amy has been doing stand-up in Chicago for 4 years. Recently she ventured into the suburbs and survived. Hopefully she will leave the state with with her comedy. You can find her at twitter@amy.sumpter...Follow not stalk her.
Angela Bend (Stage Combat)Angela earned her BA in theatre from the University of Illinois at Chicago and got her start with stage combat in 2004 when she held her first sword and the love for this art form grew! She has taught unarmed classes, choreographed shows, as well as performed using combat in many productions, her favorite role being mercutio in Janus Theatre Comapnys all female version of romeo and juliet. She is involved with the Winter Wonderland Workshop (the nations largest stage combat workshop) and is also a member of Fight Jam Chicago, a local organization trying to spread the love of stage combat to anyone interested in learning more. This is Angela's first time performing with Beast Women Productions and she is honored to be working with this amazing group of women!
Kristen Clifford (Comedian)
"The standup of Kristin Clifford was deadpan and hilarious; her act is like your favorite episode of The Office, rolled up into one person." - Chicago Stage Review
Kristin has been performing comedy for years. She started at the Second City in Chicago, graduating from their Conservatory program in 2007. Along the way, she appeared in several sketch and improv shows. After Second City, Kristin began studying long-form improvisation at Chicago's iO theater. She also started writing sketch comedy with her group Extra Rib. Extra Rib had a sold out run of their original show at Donny's Skybox theater and appeared in the Chicago Sketchfest in 2009.
Since beginning stand-up in 2009, Kristin has had many great opportunities. She’s performed at many Chicago venues and this is her third time joining the Beast Women cast. She loves it! Kristin has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Time Out Chicago and on Chilarious.com. Kristin co-produces the Stardust Showcase at the Underground Lounge with Kelsie Huff and Alexandra Tsarpalas.
Bryna Berezowska (Songstress/Dancer)
Bryna Berezowska has been described as “emotionally engaging”, “arresting to watch and listen to”, and “one to watch for”. She holds a Master’s degree from North Park University, in Vocal performance. She recently performed Carla in Nine at the Manhattan Summer Voice Festival in New York City, and performed in a masterclass for Victoria Clark. She has been involved as a young artist with The Manhattan School of Music, V.O.I.C.Experience and Intermezzo Young Artist Programs. Recent roles include Miles in Britten’s The Turn Of The Screw, and Suor Genovieffa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica. You can see her in the upcoming show Boobs of Kahn: A Star Trek Burlesque, and she is very excited to be a part of the Beastie family!!
Alyssa Julien (Performance Poet)
Alyssa is originally from the Caribbean island Trinidad and Tobago. It was there in her country of birth that she began performing on the best village stage playing African drums with Hands of Rhythm (T&T)and singing with the Prizgarland Kelly Village folk performers .Alyssa has also blessed the stage in such places as Arron Davis Hall with the Drumadics , she has done productions such as the cradle will rock with Genisis Repertory and has performed some of her poetry alongside Okai with Regime Change working for Hospital Audiences Incorporated(HAI) in New York City .Alyssa attended Illinois Wesleyan University as a BFA acting major and there the graced the stage in some performances such as Lysistrata and the Rez Sisters and in Chicago she has worked for Max Creative Studios as a melody composer and has performed in at the Michael Leppen theater and the Passion Theater in a cabaret called , the darkest before the dawn. Alyssa would like to thank her Illinois Wesleyan family for all their support and guidance. Alyssa would also like to say that she loves Patsita Jiratipyabood with her entire heart , she has inspired her tremendously . Thank You.
JoBeth Harrison (Songstress)
Jo Beth has been singing her entire life whether it was in the church choir (not so much anymore), school choir, local productions or just in the car (still does!). From showtunes to jazz to Rock & Roll she loves to play with all genres and make songs her own. After performing an acoustic rock set for the past several years with her handsome husband, Jo Beth is now exploring new avenues to satisfy her ever growing lust for performing.
Jackie Wolk (Performance Artist)
Jackie is a “veteran of the open mic” with over 15 years of poetry and spoken word under her belt, and she also performs original monologues in both solo and group shows. She’s been lucky enough to have worked with the Beasties since she, and it, were just pups.
Audience members are always telling her that she’s funny. Then they request from her if she can to please do more of the ‘ha-ha’ part of the funny and less of the ‘weird’ and ‘creepy’ kind. But I didn’t ask for any feedback, she says.
I know, says the audience. But the love of all that’s sacred, do it anyway. Please.
Erin Lane (Comedic Monologist)
Erin moved here from Northern California, where she was performing with small theatre companies, improvising professionally and living in a two bedroom apartment with nine other people. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago, with a B.A. in Theatre Arts, Second City Conservatory, iO, and Annoyance Productions. She is the founder of 4 Days Late Productions and has been performing, writing and directing in Chicago for 8 years.
Meredith Higgins (Songstress)
Meredith was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, received her Bachelors in Vocal Performance from Indiana University. After spending 3 years abroad in Europe and Mexico teaching music in American International Schools, she moved to Chicago to pursue her musical theatre career. She recently performed in “Chicago” at the Oak Lawn Theatre as a female dancer. Her previous roles include: Jayla in the original cast of "Welcome to College" at Indiana University, Leisl in "The Sound of Music," Rapunzel in "Into the Woods," and was the featured soloist in the European Tour: Sound of America. She would like to thank her friends and family for always supporting her through her many adventures and her current voice teacher, Matthew Chellis, for reminding her of her talent.
Pia Renee (Songstress)
Pia Renee, born and raised on the “Westside” of the global community — an analogy she uses as a dual reference to her rearing in the United States and on Chicago’s Westside.
Her musical roots are not ostensibly deep; they are not planted in the soulful soil of generations of musical juggernauts she can call mother, father, aunt or uncle. Nonetheless, they are so audibly profound that the current ground would be unable to comprehend her sound anyway, for she is a walking singing revolution.
It wasn’t until her early twenties that she began to pursue the path of a professional musician. At the age of 23, she enrolled in the music program at Harold Washington College. It was there that Pia met Andrew David, an Asian-American artist/producer that she collaborates with regularly. After studying bass guitar for a year, she began playing with a local reggae band. Shortly thereafter, she sang background for Zeleke Gessesse, and in 2007, during her time as a bassist and background vocalist, she auditioned for American Idol. Two weeks prior to the Hollywood round she was asked to travel to Addis Ababa Ethiopia to sing background for Ethiopian Pop artist, Teddy Afro.
She considers herself fortunate to have travelled to many states and countries as a part of his staff on the strength of her God-given talent. She’s also contributed to live and studio projects of local hip-hop and spoken word artists.
Currently, Pia is preparing for the official album release concert for her second album, Enmity. The album is available at www.piarenee.bandcamp.com
Kelsey Sewell (Songstress)
Kelsey is a southern girl from North Carolina holding a BA in acting and a minor in dance from Greensboro College. Her various college roles include Nellie in South Pacific, Conchita in Anna in the Tropics, and Marianne in Tartuffe. She worked the past three summers in Trumpet in the Land, a historical outdoor drama in New Philadelphia, OH, with leading roles all three years. This past summer she premiered Emma Unmatched a modern version of Jane Austen’s “Emma” as the title character, and just finished understudying for They’re Playing Our Song at Fox Valley Repertory. She is incredibly excited to be a new Beastie!
Kelly Currier (Hoop Artist)
Kelly has been a dancer her whole life, and in the past few years has fallen in love with the art of hoop dance. She is a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, studying Psychology and hooping in her free time. She has always loved to perform and be on stage. Kelly has recently become interested in other circus arts, such as trapeze and silks.
Clair Wellin (Songstress)
Claire Wellin is thrilled to be a part of Beast Women Cabaret again, returning for a second season after performing as part of the Winter Series in 2009. In addition to making music, Claire is an actor and has appeared at Steppenwolf Theatre in Man In Love and To Kill A Mockingbird as well as the Jeff-Award-Winning production of Killer Joe with Profiles' Theatre. Film and tv credits include Reconstruction (NBC) Detroit 1-8-7 (ABC) and Emmett's Last Stand (The Big Mouth Frog.) A graduate of Minnesota State University and the American University of Rome, Claire adores food, vino, yoga, and communicating through art. Thanks to Jill, Michelle, and all of you for joining us. www.clairewellin.com
Jennifer Burns (Monologist)
Jennifer is a small town girl living in a lonely world. She is originally from Ohio, Go Bucks! She relocated to Chicago one year ago to pursue her passion of Improv, theater, and comedy. Currently she is studying at the Second City Conservatory, iO theater, and performing with the One Group Mind team “Tick Tock Hitchcock” at the Mayne Stage. She enjoys writing sketch comedy and performing in sketches around the Chicago land area. She inherited the Burns story telling gene and has been a featured storyteller at Stage 773’s “Here’s the Story”. She is thrilled to join the BEAST Women for the first time, where she will continue dropping audience’s jaws with her true life tales.
Melissa Cline (Performance Artists)
Melissa Cline, a native of Mississippi, is the blossoming actress and commercial model of Chicago. She is known for her alluring vulnerability on stage and her commanding simplicity on film. First recognized by the Mississippi Arts Commission as a two time poetry state Champion, she has continued her love of language and performance. Melissa received her BFA Acting degree from Northern IL University and spent part of her education in Moscow, Russia studying at the world renown school of The Moscow Art Theatre. There she continued her movement and voice training, studying not only acting techniques, but partner acrobatics, and even Russian Fencing as well. Melissa's love for language has collided with her unique style of movement work in which she has created a fresh style of performance. Poetry In Motion combines the elements of language, rhythm, and voice, which then ignites the movement of the body. Melissa hopes to give a "new light and LIFE" to female roles in America and around the world.
Zoie Moser (Singer/songwriter)
Zoie is currently attending Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts for music. She is working toward songwriting, music production and performing. She has a home studio where she produces her own original music and records other artists. Zoie began writing music when she was 12 years old. Inspired by her father and older sister, Zoie learned to play piano and sing harmonies. She joined her first rock band at the age of 14 and soon picked up an electric bass when her band needed a new bassist followed by the guitar. At the age of 16, Zoie wrote a choral piece for the Battle Creek Girl’s Chorus which was performed on the choir’s tour in Southern CA and in the Midwest. In 2008, Zoie performed an original song “Peaceful Love” for six Nobel Peace Laureates including Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Global Peace Jam Conference in Southern CA. Zoie now performs with her band in the Chicago area and is very excited to be part of Beast Women! www.zoiemoser.com zoiemusic@live.com
Lynn Royale (Story Teller/Poet)
Lynn is a sex positive goddess nymph with a mission to inspire honest and frank dialogue about sex and sexuality. Encouraged by work done with About Face Theatre and the Broadway Youth Center, Lynn Royale is a performance artist that strives to create art that furthers said dialogue and empowers queer youth.
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