Justin Albinder is making his WT debut and is so grateful to be a part of this brilliant play with such a special company. CHICAGO: Beautiful, Catch Me If You Can (Marriott Theatre); Legolas in the US Premiere of The Lord of the Rings (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); ‘ART’ (Remy Bumppo). OTHER: Parade (Leo Frank) at Slow Burn Theatre Co., Jersey Boys (Frankie) for 5 years all over the country (Off-Broadway, National Tour, NCL, regional). Film: The Cathedral. Huge thank you to Carey, Katie, Ashley, Jessie & Erik, Crowe, Jess Fisch, all my Chicago people, and my loving family, whom without I’d have no history. Proud Jewish actor and proud member of AEA. Represented by Gray Talent. Ithaca College BFA. Instagram: @justinalbinder www.justinalbinder.com 

Sam Bell-Gurwitz CHICAGO: The Merry Wives of Windsor (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Goodnight, Oscar (Goodman Theater); White Monkey (Goodman Theatre New Stages); The Boys in the Band (Windy City Playhouse); A Shayna Maidel (Timeline Theatre); Three Sisters (UV Theatre Project). BROADWAY: Goodnight, Oscar. REGIONAL: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Gulfshore Playhouse); The Glass Menagerie (Indiana Repertory Theatre). TELEVISION: NeXt (FOX), The Thing About Harry (Freeform). EDUCATION: BFA in theater, University of Michigan. Sam is proudly represented by Stewart Talent. 

Ella Boparai (she/her) is proud to make her Writers Theater debut. Other credits include 'Tiny Tim' in A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theater); the Joffrey Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker; and various locally-filmed commercials. She is in her third year with the competitive dance team at Visceral Dance Studio, where she studies ballet, contemporary, and jazz. Ella discovered her love of theater under the guidance of Wendy Andrews and through performances in school musicals. In her free time, Ella studies piano, voice and French. Ella is represented by Big Mouth Talent.

Ian Barford last appeared as Antonio Salieri in Amadeus at Steppenwolf. Before that as Robert in Betrayal at the Goodman. On Broadway: Tony nomination and Outer Critics Award - Best Lead Actor in a Play for Linda Vista. Originated the role of Little Charles in the Pulitzer and Tony-winning play August: Osage County (also at London's National Theater). Original Broadway company of the Tony-winning play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. Other Broadway credits include: The Minutes and The RIse and Fall of Little Voice (Outer critics nomination). In Los Angeles: The Weir, Take Me Out and God's Man in Texas at the Geffen and Dead End at the Ahmanson. Other Goodman credits include: Design for Living and All the Rage. Long time ensemble member at Steppenwolf theater. Various TV and film appearances. 

Levi Charnay is thrilled to be making his professional debut with Writers Theatre. A 5th grader at Tubman Elementary School, Levi has previously appeared as Michael Banks in his school’s production of Mary Poppins and as George Banks with Dovetail Studios. He is currently performing as Nigel Bottom in his school’s production of Something Rotten! Levi is also a member of the Berger Park Park District Theater Players, where he has performed in both original works and Some Words With a Mummy. He currently studies with the Young Ensemble at Piven Theatre Workshop and hopes to one day perform on the big screen. Outside of theater, Levi enjoys gaming, playing the violin, and teasing his little sister, Abra. He would like to thank his mom, dad, family, and friends for their love and support. 

Hanna Dworkin returns to Writers Theatre where she was last seen in Picnic. Other Chicago theatre credits include A Shayna Maidel (Timeline), The Humans (American Theatre Company), Pulp (About Face), ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore (A Red Orchid), Ghetto, Early and Often, Remembrance (Famous Door Theatre), Mornings at Seven (Drury Lane). Film/TV credits include Dark Matter, Shining Girls, Sense8, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Ghostlight, Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party, Saint Frances, Rounding, and the upcoming films System of Colors and Trash Mountain.

Jessie Fisher is thrilled to return to Writers after meeting many of you in Every Brilliant Thing. Recent credits include the world premiere of Holiday at The Goodman and Catch Me If You Can at the Marriott. She has performed in multiple Broadway shows and regional theaters. She believes freedom stems from kindness and curiosity. Cfpeace.org

Sean Fortunato CHICAGO: Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf, The Diary of Anne Frank, Hedda Gabler, The Real Thing (Writers Theatre); The Angel Next Door, Intimate Apparel (Northlight Theatre); Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing (Chicago Shakespeare); Frank Sr. in Catch Me If You Can, Applegate in Damn Yankees (Marriott Theatre); Dr. Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein (Mercury); Miss Trunchbull in Matilda (Drury Lane); 2666 (Goodman) and work at Court, Porchlight, Theatre at the Center, Timeline, Remy Bumppo. OFF-BROADWAY: Rose Rage (The Duke on 42nd). REGIONAL: Old Globe, Intiman, Peninsula Players. FILM: The Merry Gentleman directed by Michael Keaton. TV: Antoon Dumini in Fargo (FX), Chicago PD, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire (NBC), Monster (Netflix). AWARDS: Eleven Jeff Award nominations, After Dark Award. 

Kate Fry is happy to return to Writers, where she has performed in A Distinct Society, Wife of a Salesman, Marjorie Prime, Arcadia, Hedda Gabler, The Letters, Oh Coward! and A Minister's Wife. Other Chicago credits include work with Northlight Theatre (Birthday Candles, Mother of the Maid, Beauty Queen of Leenane, Outside Mullingar, The Miser), Goodman Theatre (The Cherry Orchard, The Winter’s Tale, Ah Wilderness, A Christmas Carol), Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (Paranormal Activity, Henry V, As You Like It, Henry IV parts 1 and 2, The Merchant of Venice, The Taming of the Shrew, Love’s Labours Lost, The Two Gentlemen of Verona), Court Theatre (The Belle of Amherst, Mousetrap, Cymbeline, Pericles, Caroline or Change, Twelfth Night, My Fair Lady), and Victory Gardens (In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play). Elsewhere, she has worked with McCarter Theatre Center (Princeton), Center Theatre Group (LA), American Conservatory Theater (San Francisco), Shakespeare Theatre (Washington DC), Rep Theatre of St. Louis, Royal Shakespeare Company (UK), and Lincoln Center Theatre (NYC). Film/Tv: Chicago PD (NBC), Boss (Starz), Empire (FOX), Monster: The Ed Gein Story. (Netflix). Kate is the recipient of four Joseph Jefferson awards, an After Dark award, the Sarah Siddons award for Chicago’s leading lady, Chicago Magazine’s actress of the year, and Court Theatre’s Nicholas Rudall award. She is married to actor/teacher Timothy Edward Kane. They have two sons.

Erik Hellman returns to Writers Theatre where he has previously appeared in Smart People, Marjorie Prime, and Hysteria. Other credits include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Othello, and Mousetrap at Court Theatre; Richard III at Chicago Shakespeare; Let the Right One In at Berkley Rep; 1776 and The Sound of Music at Marriott; Lindiwe and Familiar at Steppenwolf; Little Women, Georgiana and Kitty and Miss Bennet at Northlight Theatre; Luna Gale at the Goodman. Film/TV work includes The Dark Knight, Walden, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Empire, The Good Fight, Mrs. America, Fargo, 61st Street, and David Fincher’s The Killer. 

Asha Dale Hopman is honored to make her Writers Theatre debut in this important play. Previous credits include: How I Became a Pirate (Uptown Music Theatre of Highland Park), Annie (Big Noise Theatre), Billy Elliot (Paramount Theatre), Junior Claus and Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish (Citadel Theatre), Anastasia (Natural Talent Productions), The Sound of Music (Marriott Theatre & Beverly Arts Center), The Capulets (Chicago Repertory Ballet) and The Nutcracker (Joffrey Ballet). Asha is a member of the Forevermore dance ensemble and plays cello in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra’s preparatory strings ensemble. Asha is proudly represented by Talent X Alexander. 

Theo Clark Leber is excited to help tell the story of Leopoldstadt and to be at Writers Theatre. He is from Evanston and a current 4th grader who loves lacrosse, football, hanging with his best friends, and anything to do with art and history. He recently finished filming a series for AppleTV. Special thanks to his friends and family (especially Mom, Dad, Harrison, and Penny) for their support and love. Thanks also to Laura and Lauren at TXA, and Matt at Arise Artists Agency for believing in and rooting for him. 

Morgan Medina is a young performer with experience in musical theatre and on-camera commercial work. Her recent credits include Oliver! and The Music Man in Concert at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, as well as Finding Nemo JR (Nemo), The Wizard of Oz (Cowardly Lion), and Matilda Junior (Matilda). She has also appeared in a national commercial for Lunchables and participated in the Junior Theater Festival in Sacramento and Atlanta with Ovation Academy of the Performing Arts. She is proudly represented by Talent X Alexander and thanks her teachers and family for their constant support. 

Andrew Mueller was last seen at Writers as Manus in 2025’s Translations. Other Chicago credits include Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Writers Theatre), Gerry Goffin in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Marriott; Jeff Award), Ernest Shackleton in Ernest Shackleton Loves Me (Porchlight; Jeff nomination), Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar (Lyric Opera), and Mark in RENT (Paramount), among others. Off-Broadway: Alice by Heart (MCC) and Peter and the Starcatcher (New World Stages). 

Grainne Ortlieb is from the San Fernando Valley. She received her BFA in acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. Upon graduating, Grainne worked for First Floor Theater in the production Sugar in Our Wounds (Isabel), an independent film By The Grace of... (Lizzie), and Chicago Med. During the pandemic, Grainne joined April Cleveland and fellow classmates in Santa Fe to create the Exodus Ensemble. Grainne has worked as an understudy for Fen at Court Theatre, A Lie of The Mind at Raven Theatre and most recently for Dial M For Murder at Drury Lane. She's stoked to be working at Writers Theatre for the first time! 

Sarah Coakley Price is thrilled to be returning to Writers Theatre, where she previously appeared as Eurydice in Eurydice. Chicago theatre credits include Dear Jack, Dear Louise, First Lady of Television (Northlight Theatre) The Wolves (Goodman Theatre); The Secretaries (First Floor); Earthquakes in London (Steep); X, Mai Dang Lao (Sideshow); Love Song, Northanger Abbey (Remy Bumppo) and Monstrous Regiment (Lifeline). Regional credits: The Play That Goes Wrong, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Indiana Repertory); The Stranger (Peninsula Players) and With Love and A Major Organ (Boise Contemporary). TV: Chicago Fire (NBC). She is represented by Gray Talent Group. 

Barbara E. Robertson returns to Writers’ Theatre with joy. Here, she premiered The Detective's Wife (Jefferson Award). As a grateful union member, Barbara has received numerous awards and nominations, playing in productions on stages such as Paramount, Firebrand, Steppenwolf, Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Lookingglass, Rivendell, Marriott, Court, Broadway Playhouse, ATC, Mercury, Drury Lane, Royal George. She recently opened the premier of The Angel Next Door in California, and played in touring companies of Wicked and Angels in America I & II. She can be seen on television in Somebody, Somewhere, and in films directed by Robert Altman and David Lynch.

Adeline is thrilled to make her Writers Theatre debut as Sally/Mimi in Leopoldstadt. Her recent credits include 'Bielke' in Fiddler on the Roof at Music Theater Works and 'Young Simba' in Lion King Kids at Highland Park Players. She has been dancing at the Dance and Music Academy (DMA) since she was four and is currently in their lyrical company. She also loves singing and playing piano, clarinet, and guitar. Adeline thanks her family, BMG Talent, Christina Ramirez at Actors Training Center, Krissie Odegard Geye at DMA, and the Writers Theatre team for all of their support!

Emma Rosenthal is thrilled to return to Writers, where she was previously seen in Athena. Chicago: The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk (Northlight); Fiddler on the Roof, Peter and the Starcatcher, West Side Story, Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast (Drury Lane Oakbrook); Big Fish, Hello Dolly (Marriott Lincolnshire); The Fantasticks (Porchlight); Brigadoon, Candide (Goodman); The Tempest (Steppenwolf). Off Broadway: The Threepenny Opera (Marvell Rep, Drama Desk Nomination: Best Musical); Liberty (Theatre80). Regional: Berkeley Rep, Indiana Rep, Huntington Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre of DC, Weston Playhouse, TAP, Peninsula Players, Williamstown Theatre Festival. Proud graduate of Northwestern University, member of AEA, and finalist on Fox's Crime Scene Kitchen. Forever thanks to Carey and the whole team at Writers, and to Gray Talent Group, Mom, Aaron, and Phil.

Sebastian Rus is thrilled to make his Writers Theatre debut in Leopoldstadt during its 34th season as Pauli/Leo. He previously appeared at Goodman Theatre as a Young Performer understudy in A Christmas Carol, covering Emily Cratchit, Peter Cratchit, Boy Scrooge, Gregory Cratchit, Ignorance, and the Turkey Child. Other Chicago credits include The Lion King Jr. (The Lodge Arts Center); Les Misérables, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and The Lightning Thief (Al Larson Prairie Center); Finding Nemo Jr. and Matilda (Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center); and The Addams Family (St. John’s). Film/TV: Act of Faith. Voiceover: Merry Beggars. Instagram: @sebastianactorrus 

Caleb Scherr is a Chicago-based actor making his Writers Theatre debut. He was previously seen as 'Mike Teavee' (Willy Wonka, KAPA Repertory Theatre) and 'Centipede' (James and the Giant Peach, Palatine Theatre for Young Audiences). Caleb fell in love with theatre at the age of six when he got his first laugh as 'Pig Pen' (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, City Kid Theatre). He likes to sing in his school choir and to play violin. Caleb also enjoys playing tennis and basketball. He is represented by Stewart Talent.

Joey Slotnick Broadway: Junk (Lincoln Center); The Front Page (Broadhurst); The Big Knife (Roundabout). Off- Broadway: Dying For It, The New York Idea, Happy Hour, Offices, Almost an Evening (Atlantic Theatre Company); Tchaikovsky: None but the Lonely Heart (Signature); The Altruists (Vineyard). Chicago: Amadeus, Seagull, Slotnick Katz & Lehr (Steppenwolf), Marriage: A Work in Progress (Piven Theatre Workshop); The Lehman Trilogy (Timeline/Broadway in Chicago); Animal Crackers (Goodman Theatre, Jeff Nomination); Our Town, Wants & Needs, Great Men of Science Nos. 21 & 22, Arabian Nights, Master & Margarita, Up Against It (Lookingglass Theatre Company, Ensemble Member). Regional: A Play is a Poem (Center Theatre Group); Animal Crackers (Williamstown Theatre Festival); Chapter Two (Bucks County Playhouse); Romance (Bay Street Theatre). International: Marriage in Progress (Edinburgh Fringe Festival). Film: The Statement (upcoming), Drive-Away Dolls, Plane, They/Them/Us, The Cobbler, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Too Big to Fail, Brief Interviews With Hideous Men, Hollow Man, Pirates of Silicon Valley, Blast From the Past, Since You’ve Been Gone, Dinner and Driving, Twister, A League of Their Own. TV: Chicago Med, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Search Party, The Goldbergs, Blue Bloods, Law & Order; SVU, Psych, Boston Legal, The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Family Guy, Entourage, Nip/Tuck, Alias, Boston Public, The Single Guy. 

Brennan Stacker CHICAGO: The Play That Goes Wrong (Broadway in Chicago); Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Book of Joseph (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Russian Transport, Airline Highway (Steppenwolf Theatre Company); Look, we are breathing (Rivendell Theatre). BROADWAY: Peter Pan Goes Wrong. REGIONAL: The Wolves (TheatreSquared); Schmoozy Togetherness (Williamstown Theatre Festival). FILM: Banana Season. TELEVISION: Dark Matter (Apple TV+); Chicago Med (NBC); Sirens (USA); Easy (Netflix). EDUCATION: B.A. Drama, Tufts University; St. Petersburg State Theatre Arts; O’Neill National Theater Institute; The School at Steppenwolf. www.BrenannStacker.com IG: @brenstacker 

Ani Cohen is an MFA graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul. Professional credits include Chicago Fire “Don’t Hang Up” (NBC), The Lady Slippers (Ensemble) at Second City Conservatory, Holy Inappropriate (Lois) with Broken Nose Theatre at Bechdel Fest/Steppenwolf Lookout Series, and Servant of Two Masters (Smeraldina) at Crossroads Repertory Theatre. Theatre School credits include Hurricane Diane (Pam Annunziata), All’s Well That Ends Well (Countess), and At the Wedding (Maria). Ani is a proud member of Actor’s Equity. 

Jack Doherty is thrilled to be making Writers Theatre Debut! Chicago: Berlin (Court Theatre), Richard III (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Drunk Shakespeare (The Lion Theatre). Regional: Timon of Athens, Coriolanus (The Utah Shakespeare Festival), A Christmas Carol (Metropolis Performing Arts Centre), The Mousetrap (The Round Barn Theatre). Jack is a graduate of Western Michigan University, and is proud to be represented by Talent X Alexander. @jack_doh_ 

Ian Geers is thrilled to be making his Writers Theatre debut with this amazing show. Previous credits include shows with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Drury Lane, Utah Shakespeare Theater, Montana Shakespeare in the Schools, Olney Theatre Center, National Players, Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival, and 6 seasons with Michigan Shakespeare Festival. He is also the co-writer/director of the award-winning audio comedy Fawx & Stallion. He is a proud member of Actor's Equity and represented by BMG Talent. Huge Thank you to my wife and partner, Lauren, Laz & Monty, and my Mom and Dad who taught me the empathy required to tell stories like this.

Rachel J Jones is a Chicago-based actor represented by Lily’s Talent. CHICAGO CREDITS: Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Hermia (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) with Oak Park Festival Theatre. SELECTED REGIONAL CREDITS: Pip (Great Expectations), Olivia (Twelfth Night) with Door Shakespeare; Desdemona (Othello) with Utah Shakespeare Festival; Lady Macbeth (Macbeth) with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks; and Marianne (Constellations) with Liberty Exhibition Hall. Love to her family & community, and a sincere thank you to the team at Writers Theatre. 

Göran Norquist is beyond thrilled to be making his Writers Theatre debut and feels so lucky that it’s in a show he loves so much with a team he so deeply admires. Some favorite past credits include Andre in Three Sisters, Bottom in A Midsummer’s Night Dream, and Sweeney in Sweeney Todd. He also just directed his own show, The Suspicious Butler, at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, where he is the Education Creative Director. This is for Rachel, who has changed every single part of his life for the better. Thank you, everyone, for being here, and thank you, Tom, for your story. 

Rebekah Ward is thrilled to be making her debut with Writers Theatre! Most recently seen in Eureka Day at TimeLine Theatre, she’s worked with multiple Chicago/Regional theatres, including Drury Lane Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Northlight Theatre, IRT (Indiana Repertory), The HOUSE Theatre, Oak Park Festival Theatre & Remy Bumppo. Rebekah received a Joseph Jefferson Best Actress award for her work as Sabina in The Skin Of Our Teeth, as well as a Joseph Jefferson Best Supporting Actress Nomination for her role as Edna in Waiting For Lefty. Rebekah’s film/television credits include multiple guest star roles on Chicago Med, Chicago PD and Masters Of Sex (Showtime). Additional credits include Chicago Fire (NBC), Empire (FOX), Shameless (Showtime) and Sam & Cat (Nickelodeon). Boundless love and gratitude to Kyle, Ezra & Sadie.