Shakespeare in the Park: “The Winter’s Tale”

Kailey Bell (Hermione) 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.

Tim Pyles (Polixenes) is thrilled to be making his Wheaton Shakespeare in the Park debut! Tim is a 2003 alum of Wheaton College and has performed around the country as a professional actor since his first professional gig back in 2007. Tim received his MFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University and his Ph.D. in Theatre History, Theory, and Dramatic Literature from Indiana University. Currently, Tim is director of the theatre program at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Christopher David (Antigonus) is excited to return for his fifth 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).

Christopher McGoldrick (Cleomenes) is a rising junior at Wheaton College, is originally from Trumbull, Connecticut. He has been acting since the age of four in various community theater companies across Connecticut, short film opportunities, and his high school’s theater program. Christopher joined Wheaton’s Arena Theater during his sophomore year, where he most recently portrayed George Gibbs in Our Town. He would like to sincerely thank everyone involved in this production and for the opportunity to both learn and grow in delivering the beautiful gift of theater alongside beloved Arena Theater alumni, faculty, and friends.

Bradley Lauber (Florizell) is excited to make his Shakespeare in the Park debut as Florizell. He is a recent graduate from Wheaton College, where he studied Environmental Science and Theater. He was a part of Arena Theater’s Workout ensemble starting his sophomore year. With Arena, Bradley has appeared in Sense and Sensibility (Edward Ferrars), Proof (Hal), and Love’s Labour’s Lost (Berowne). He was also featured in the Wheaton Opera Mainstage Production of Into the Woods as Cinderella’s Prince and the Wolf.

Caleb Smith (First Lord) is a baritone senior Vocal Performance major at Wheaton College’s Conservatory of Music studying under Dr. Sarah Holman. Recent roles include Jack in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, Falstaff in Otto Nicolai’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, and upcoming roles as Sergeant Belore and Dr. Dulcamara in Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love. He is very excited to be participating in Shakespeare in the Park this year and is thrilled for the opportunity to learn and grow through being a part of this ensemble.

Katie Risley (Archidamus, Mopsa, Production Intern) is a rising senior at Wheaton College, where she studies English Writing, Theater, and Public Humanities/Art. This is her third year with Shakespeare in the Park (previous years include working with the illustrious puppets and assistant stage-managing), and she’s grateful for another opportunity to experience Shakespeare in Arena Theater’s lovely community.

Jiseong Chun (First Lord, Jailer) had to write this bio because Katie Risley asked. Katie is very cool and has been working hard as the Production Intern. We are all very thankful to her.

Paxton Robbins (Shepherd’s Son) is a Junior at Wheaton College studying International Relations. He is excited for the opportunity to be in a show with his dad for the first time! “You have met with dying, I with things newborn”

Elizabeth Hensley (Perdita) is a senior at Wheaton College studying English Writing and Theatre. She’s super excited to be working with so many dear friends and talented actors!

Cassandra Duehring (Dorcus, Attendant) is thrilled to be part of The Winter’s Tale! She is a senior Economics major from Oshkosh, WI, and has greatly enjoyed her time in theater throughout her Wheaton experience.

Mark Lewis (Director) is the Director of Theater at Wheaton College, and for 30 years has been ‘in the room’ with Wheaton’s unique theater ensemble ‘Workout’ (which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024.) Before coming to Wheaton, Mark was a professional actor in New York, working regionally, in television, and in 15 professional productions of Shakespeare’s plays (at such venues as The Public Theater in New York and The Acting Company). As a director, Mark has directed 50 plays at Wheaton College, including six productions in Memorial Park. This is the first time he has directed ‘The Winter’s Tale’. Scary fun.

Emma Ware (Composer, Music Co-Director) is delighted to be back for her fourth summer with Shakespeare in the Park! She graduated from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music in 2024 with a Music Composition degree. Since graduating, she has begun a role as the choir director at First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn and continues to make music and theatre wherever she can find it. Recent projects include membership in Second Glance, an emerging performing arts ensemble seeking to tell stories in an accessible way.

Lilia Smith (Movement Director) is honored and ecstatic to be back for Shakespeare in the Park! She graduated from Wheaton in 2020 after studying Anthropology and Theater. Since then, she has lives downtown and wears a few different hats, including actor and theater teacher. She most recently finished teaching Arena Theater’s third Youth Summer Theater Camp, so she is clearly having a dreamy summer.

Anna Perri (Stage Manager) is delighted to be working on Shakespeare in the Park for her fourth consecutive year! As a director, actress, and theater-maker, Anna enjoys both being on stage and working behind the scenes to bring shows to life. She is a co-founder of “Second Glance”, a newly launched ensemble of interarts storytellers based in the Wheaton area. Fascinated by the way we re-tell stories, Anna can often be found researching, watching, and analyzing movie and stage adaptations of her favorite well-known tales.

Director | Mark Lewis
Choreographer | Lilia Smith
Musical Directors | Emma Ware and Noel Streacker
Musicians | Ben Moser, Isaiah Huerta, and Stephen Stoscher
Costume Design | Rachel Sypniewski
Lighting Design | Diane Fairchild
Scenic Designer | Andy Mangin
Technical Director | Andy Mangin
Company Manager and Costume Assistant | Heidi Birkey Elliott
Company Intern | Katie Risley
Stage Manager | Anna Perri
Asst. Stage Manager | Kaitlyn Krug

Milan Shroff
Kaitlyn Krug
Jocelyn Erbele
Josiah Fawcett
KK Moxley
Emma Smith
Dylan Story
Galia Fernandez
Chris McGoldrick
Elizabeth Hensley
Bradley Lauber
Cassandra Duehring
Jii Chun
Lydia Brown
Katie Risley
Paxton Robbins
Stephen Stoscher
Phoebe Silva

Milan Shroff
Kaitlyn Krug
Jocelyn Erbele
Josiah Fawcett
KK Moxley
Emma Smith
Dylan Story
Galia Fernandez
Chris McGoldrick
Lydia Brown

Emma Ware
Noel Streaker
Isaiah Huerta
Ben Moser