MEET THE TEAM
ARTISTIC STAFF
Charlie O’Leary
Playwright
Charlie O'Leary is a playwright, librettist, and buffalo chicken enthusiast. His plays include Basically Children (O'Neill NPC finalist), Ridgway (Alliance/Kendeda finalist), and Humiliation Play (Seven Devils finalist). He has received a BA in Theatre from the University of Notre Dame, an MFA in Playwriting from the University of Iowa, a New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Original Short Script, and the Completionist Plus achievement in Balatro. Charlie is the son of Pam and Rob O’Leary, who raised him in Saint Marys, PA alongside his siblings Maddie and Connor.
David Díaz
Dramaturg
David Díaz, the working man’s Dakota Johnson, is a grad student, former consultant, and the Olive Garden’s biggest unofficial spokesperson. When you’re there, you’re family, and David is delighted to have dramaturged this play for all the family and friends gathered here! Currently pursuing a Masters in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Iowa, David’s previous credits include a Bachelors of Science in Marketing with a double major in Theatre and a Masters of Science in Business Administration, both from Notre Dame, go Irish! No really. Go away. Go. Raised by his parents David and Ivette Díaz in both Ohio and Puerto Rico depending on the year you’re asking about, David is survived by his older sister, Krystal. Wait, this wasn’t an obituary. Oops.
Lauren Palomino
Director
Lauren Palomino—VP, BA, Rev, and class president emeritus—has not directed a play since 2013 (Other Apocalypses by Charlie O'Leary). She remains bossy and dictatorial and her family is very grateful to Charlie for giving her this outlet for those "skills.” Lauren spends her time directing Microsoft Teams meetings, crafting midwest nice emails, and micromanaging school lunches. Her other credits include productions of She by Reneé Roden, The Lion in Winter, and Dead Man Walking, as well as a Frosh Four sendup of 2001: A Space Odyssey where she never learned her lines. She is available to officiate any and all weddings that take place in her living room
Joshua Whitaker
Stage Directions and Additional Text
Joshua Whitaker hasn’t read anything since 2013, especially directions—but his opinions continue to be extremely correct. When not slinging spreadsheets, he enjoys cozy board game nights and staring down the abyss bare chested in the north wind. Known for his previous roles as Murderer Rapist, Nightmare Prince, and Traitor to God, he’s excited for this opportunity to be no one at all. He is available to narrate any and all weddings that take place in Charlie’s imagination, and he thinks you should move to Chicago, too. Greatest city on earth.
CAST
TBA
Chris
Bio coming soon!
Alex Carire
Danny
Alex Carire is a Chicago-based actor who has appeared in over thirty professional productions. Recent credits include Nicky in Blow the Man Down (Drift Theatre Company), Nurse Morales in Sicko (The Alliance Group), and Chip Tolentino in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Schaumburg Playhouse). Alex received a Jeff Award in 2023 for his performance as Teacher 1 in Common Time at Chicago Stages. Loving son of Jose and Victoria, devoted husband to Katy, and soon-to-be father. Proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. BFA: University of Southern California.
TBA
Jeff
Bio coming soon!