Kailey Bell (Rosalind) is a Chicago-based professional actress. She has performed at theaters such as Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Cleveland Playhouse, Kansas City Repertory Theater, and Indiana Repertory Theater. Kailey has also had roles on several television shows and commercials, and has extensive voice over experience. She holds an M.A. from Northwestern University and an M.F.A. from the University of Idaho.

Caspar Carter (Silvius) is returning to Shakespeare in the Park for the fourth time after appearing in Henry IV Part 1 (Bardolph), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermian), and Twelfth Night (Fabian). He is currently co-producing and acting in shows in the city with fellow Arena Theater grads. Caspar received a degree in Music with Elective Studies in Theater from Wheaton College in 2022.

Noah Chapman (William)

Zachary Chastain (Orlando) is an actor and writer from Binghamton, NY – which, in addition to being the carousel capitol of the world, is seated nearby many fine regional theaters where he’s had the honor to work professionally. He recently won an Earphones Award for his voice work on the audiobook The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck. He lives across the street from Rod Serling’s childhood home with his wife, Rebecca, and their two twin daughters, Frannie and Ellie – all three of whom truly hold his “full life” in their sway.

Jii Chun (Lord in the Forest) is having a great time in Shakespeare in the Park for the second time after being a puppet performer last year. He is a junior at Wheaton College, where he spends most of his waking hours in Arena Theater doing what he can to help. He loves all the opportunities he has gotten from Shakespeare in the Park and is grateful for all the experiences he has gained.

Jessica Connors (Audrey) is excited to be part of Shakespeare in the Park for the first time. She is starting her senior year at Wheaton College, where she has enjoyed studying theater and being involved in other Arena Theater productions. She is grateful for this new and exciting experience.

Christopher David (Oliver) is excited to return for his fourth Shakespeare in the Park having appeared most recently in Twelfth Night (Toby Belch). Recent shows include Twelfth Night (Assembly Theater) and The Aliens (Theater 104). Christopher holds a BA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Wheaton College (‘21).

Lisa Enoch (Duke Frederica) is delighted to be back in the beauty of the park this summer, having previously appeared in Henry IV Part 1 (Worcester), 2015’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hippolyta), & 2013’s As You Like It (Frederica). She holds a BA in Communications/Theater from Wheaton College (‘92), and as a true Enneagram 4 has worked over the years as an actor, interior decorator, yoga teacher, & theater designer. These days she can often be found surrounded by flowers, candlesticks, & floorplans as she runs Gatherings, her floral & event design company based here in Wheaton. Lisa sends all her love & thanks to Will, Tyler, & Grace for their love & support.

Jeffrey Galbraith (Le Beau) is a professor in the English Department at Wheaton College. He is excited to be joining Shakespeare in the Park for the first time.

Emil Ginter (Touchstone) is returning to Shakespeare in the Park after playing Francis Flute the Bellows Mender in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He has performed recently with Refracted Theatre, Chicago Heights Drama Group, and the Towle Theater. He is also directing and co-producing in Chicago with some other Arena Theater grads. He graduated from Wheaton in 2020 with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree.

Dave McNamara (Adam) is thrilled to be returning to Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park after playing Antonio in last year’s production of Twelfth Night. Dave has acted at theaters such as Utah Shakespearean Festival, Ford’s Theater, Florida Stage, and others. He received his MFA in Acting at the University of Missouri Kansas-City.

Wesley Peterson (Corin) is glad to be returning to Shakespeare in the Park for his another summer in the park. He has appeared in the park before in A Midsummer Night’s Dream ‘22 (Tom Snout), Henry 4 Part 1 (Sir Walter Blount), A Midsummer Night’s Dream ‘15 (Snug the Joiner), and Love’s Labour’s Lost (Constable Dull). Wesley graduated from Wheaton in 2016 and lives near by with his wife Victoria, daughter Rosemary, and dog Kilbeggan.

Jim Poole (Duke Senior) returns to Wheaton’s Shakespeare in the Park after previously appearing in 12th Night (Sir Toby Belch) and Much Ado About Nothing (Leonato). He enjoys performing on stage at a variety of Chicago Theatres and is an ensemble member of Steep Theatre. One favorite role was portraying Orson Welles at Key West Theatre’s production of Orson’s Shadow. Jim has appeared in several independent films, a couple of commercials, and is active as a voiceover artist. He also directs and edits video content for productions throughout the midwest.

Josiah Skaar (Charles the Wrestler) is thrilled to be returning to Shakespeare in the Park this summer, having appeared in Twelfth night (Duke Orsino) in 2023. Some of his most recent productions include: Twelfth Night (Assembly Theater) and Guys and Dolls (Wheaton College Arena Theater). Josiah works as an Account Manager in Woodridge, IL. He holds a BA in Business/Economics from Wheaton College (’22).

Lilia Smith (Phebe) is ecstatic to be returning to Shakespeare in the Park after previous productions including A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lysandra) and Twelfth Night (Viola). Lilia wears different hats as an actor, teacher, and barista in downtown Chicago and occasionally naively bakes bread on the side. She most recently has been co-producing and acting in productions throughout the city. Lilia graduated with a BA from Wheaton in 2020 and had the honor this past year to come back to choreograph mainstage Arena shows and lead Arena’s youth theater camp.

Magnolia Smoak (Lady in the Forest) is thrilled to be part of Shakespeare in the Park for the third time after appearing in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peaseblossom) in 2022, and is going into her senior year at Wheaton College studying English Writing and minoring in Theater. She has been part of many mainstage Arena Theater shows as part of the theater ensemble, and loves telling stories of all kinds, written and performative!

Ashley Swaner (Dennis) is very excited to be participating in Shakespeare in the Park for her third summer.

Jeff Takacs (Jaques) wrote and performed in many productions with New York’s Company XIV. Other stage productions include the American premiere of Robert Cohen’s The Prince. Film and television credits include the Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis and Hunter by Xia Magnus. He has a BA from Wheaton College and an MFA from University of California. He writes here: https://substack.com/@jefftakacs

Emma Ware (Amiens, Assistant Music Director, Band) is a fresh graduate of the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, emerging with a Music Composition degree. She also managed to spend copious hours in Arena Theater, and there found a love for telling stories through music and collaborating with dear friends. Emma is delighted to be back for her third summer with Shakespeare in the Park before diving into an exciting and free season in the Chicago area.

Andy Mangin (Director, Set Designer, Producer, Co-Founder) is usually working behind the scenes at Shakespeare in the Park to get the show produced and mounted in the park. He is very proud of the partnership with the Wheaton Park District and the success of this endeavor. He has acted, directed and designed for Shakespeare in the Park. A graduate of Wheaton College and Southern Methodist University, he has worked professionally at theaters in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago. He is on faculty at Wheaton College Arena Theater where he has been teaching, directing and producing theater since 2005. Shout out to Charlie, Norah, and Henry- his biggest fans- and to his wife, Katy, for whom he is most grateful.

Noel Streacker (Music Director) is a freelance percussionist and educator in the greater Chicagoland area. Recent musical performances that Noel has been a part of include: Musical Theater Intensive Showcase (Goodman Theater), Addams Family (Uptown Music Theater), Sunday in the Park With George (Columbia College Chicago),The Wizard of Oz (Trinity High school). Outside of musicals, Noel performs with Arcomusical, Orenda, Gojo and frequently performs with various churches and choirs. Noel has a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College in Pedagogy, and a master’s degree in Percussion Performance from Northern Illinois University. When Noel isn’t hauling percussion gear all over for performances he loves to have dance parties with his 2 year old daughter.

Rachel M. Sypniewski (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be designing for the first time with Shakespeare in the Park..Other companies she has worked with include Goodman, Kokandy, Music Theater Works, Midsommer Flight, Trap Door, Oak Park Festival Theater, Broken Nose, Black Button Eyes, Jackalope, Lifeline, Porchlight, Griffin , CityLit, Chopin, Compass, Strawdog, the Factory and Redtwist. She also has designed at Wheaton College, Governors State University, North Central College, St. Patrick’s High School, Indiana University Northwest, Loyola Academy, and the Chicago Academy for the Arts. She is an eight-time Non-equity Jeff nominee, having been awarded one for “La Bete” at Trap Door. More info at www.rachelsyp.com.

Diane D. Fairchild** (Lighting Designer) is happy to be returning for her 6th year with Shakespeare in the Park. Other current and upcoming design credits include work with Raven, Wilmette Parks District, and Citadel Theater.