Meet the Company

Staff

Beth Wolf (she/her/hers) is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of Midsommer Flight. Beth’s Midsommer Flight credits include Love’s Labour’s Lost, Romeo and Juliet (2024 and 2013), Cymbeline, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2022 and 2012), The Tempest, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Hamlet, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Macbeth, and Much Ado About Nothing. Other recent credits include The Book of Will (Promethean Theatre Ensemble), Silent Sky (Citadel Theatre, Equity Jeff nomination, Best Director and Best Production), Outside Mullingar (Citadel Theatre, Equity Jeff nomination, Best Director and Best Production), The Roommate (Citadel Theatre, Jeff Recommended), Non-Player Character (Red Theater, Non-Equity Jeff nomination for her Projection Co-design); The Suffrage Plays (Artemisia); LIAR!, which won first place in the 2012 City Lit Art of Adaptation Festival; Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead, Black Magic: An Evening of Shakespeare, Seascape with Sharks and Dancer, Bury the Dead, The Fantasticks, and Shakespeare in the Garden (Promethean Theatre Ensemble). Additionally, she has directed for festivals, staged readings, and assistant directed with companies all around Chicago, including Remy Bumppo, Idle Muse, the side project, Polarity Ensemble Theatre, and more. Beth is also a co-founder and the former Artistic Director of Promethean Theatre Ensemble. She is a proud Northwestern University graduate with a double major in theatre and gender studies.

Previously an actress, Beth has worked with companies around Chicago including Promethean Theatre Ensemble, Tangerine Arts Group, Chicago Jewish Theatre, Smoke & Mirror Productions, GroundUp Theatre, and the all women’s improv group Valid Hysteria. Shakespearean acting credits include Isabella in Measure for Measure (Promethean Theatre Ensemble) and Lucentia in Taming of the Shrew (GroundUp Theatre), among others. She is also a graduate of the training center at iO Chicago (formerly ImprovOlympic).

As an arts educator, Beth offers private coaching and classes to actors both in acting and in Shakespeare’s First Folio work, and occasionally teaches professional development workshops with Midsommer Flight. She has also mentored teenagers through Promethean Theatre Ensemble’s partnership with the Chicago Public Library Teen Volume Reader’s Theatre Project; taught Shakespeare workshops to young girls with The Viola Project; musical theatre to 8 year olds at Apple Tree Theatre in Highland Park; and musical theatre and improv to 9-13 year olds for seven years at Arts Unlimited summer camp in Southern California.

Artistic Ensemble

Meredith Ernst could not be happier to be with the good people of Midsommer Flight. After a wonderful summer working on Much Ado, and a magical winter in the Lincoln Park Conservatory with Twelfth Night, she looks forward to an exciting future with the company. Originally from Nebraska, Meredith graduated with a BFA in Theatre Performance, with a minor in Shakespeare from Nebraska Wesleyan University. Meredith’s also been absurdly lucky; since her arrival in Chicago, she’s played a cross-dressing heroine, a Princess, and a Bastard.

LaKecia Harris is native of the Chicago south side. As a child a cast from Chicago Shakes visited her classroom and invited them to see a show. Years later Shakespeare is still her fist love. LaKecia has been in Midsommer Flight’s productions of Twelfth Night and Two Gentlemen of Verona. LaKecia can also be heard as a co-host/co-founder of podcast Let It Marinate. She could not be happier to be a part of this ensemble and looks forward to all that is ahead!

Barry Irving is delighted to be part of Midsommer Flight’s Artistic Ensemble. He has previously appeared with the company as Peter Quince and Egeus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Nathaniel in Love’s Labour’s Lost, and the title role in Cymbeline. A Chicago-based actor, Barry’s work spans classical and contemporary theatre, with a special passion for ensemble-driven storytelling and reimagining classic work for modern audiences. Outside of Midsommer Flight, he has collaborated with several local companies as both performer and dialect coach. Barry is honored to continue creating and cultivating joy with this inspiring artistic community.

Amy Malcom is honored to be a part of the Midsommer Flight crew! She has been a fan ever since her husband joined the company back in 2012. After graduating from University of Wisconsin-Parkside with a concentration in acting and working as an actor in Milwaukee, she toured with Missoula Children’s Theatre with her husband after which they moved to Chicago. She was thrilled to work on Twelfth Night in 2017 as Malvolio and Two Gentlemen of Verona in 2018 as Silvia. Other Chicago credits include Southern Gothic (Windy City Playhouse), A Christmas Carol and Charlotte’s Web (Drury Lane Theatre), Pericles (Muse of Fire), Comedy of Errors (Commission Theatre), Julius Caesar (Brown Paper Box Company), and Macbeth (First Folio Theatre) among others. Regional credits include Happy Now? (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre), The Liar and Annie Get Your Gun (Creede Repertory Theatre) and Love’s Labours Lost (Milwaukee Shakespeare Theatre). Amy is a 2015 graduate of the School at Steppenwolf.

Stephanie Mattos is thrilled to be an ensemble member of Midsommer Fight. A graduate of Western Kentucky University, she has worked as a theatre educator and stage manager in Kentucky and Michigan. In Chicago, she is an actor, director, and co-host of Candid Comics Podcast. Previous credits include Two Gentlemen of Verona (Launce), The Lattice Crashes (Director), Row After Row (Leah), and is currently in Birch House’s Cursed: An American Tragedy (Beatrice).

Ian Michael Minh is just pleased as all heck to join the beautifully mad folks of Midsommer Flight’s ensemble. Since December 2015, he has appeared in MF’s Twelfth Night, As You Like It, and the Twelfth Night remount and has been seen around town with Commedia Beauregard, Fury Theater, and coming soon in Teatro Vista’s Romeo & Juliet. Ian holds a B.A. in Theatre from Principia College and studied performing Shakespeare at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in London and Stratford, UK, respectively. Keep track of him around town at ianmichaelminh.com.

Koshie Mills (EMC) is honored and thrilled to join the Flight Crew Ensemble! Koshie was previously seen in Midsommer Flight’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Helena, and her other recent credits include On the Greenbelt (Strawdog Theatre, u/s, Jeff Recommended), With Heart (Oil Lamp Theatre), The Cake (Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Jeff Recommended),and The Tempest (Midsommer Flight). She is also a graduate of Columbia College Chicago, where she obtained her BA in Acting. To see her journey, follow her on Instagram @ koshie_mills as well as her website @ KoshiesKorner.com. Koshie would also love to thank Beth for this opportunity to be a part of the company, as well as thanking her friends, family, and her partner for being so loving and supportive.

Jack Morsovillo (Resident Music Director) is an actor-musician from Chicago. Midsommer Flight acting credits include Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Jack has provided music direction and original composition for Romeo and Juliet, Cymbeline, and Twelfth Night (additional orchestrations). He has worked around Chicagoland with Promethean Theatre Ensemble, Metropolis PAC, Strawdog Theatre, and Bramble Theatre. He can also be seen onstage around Chicago with his band, The Real Time (@therealtimeband). He would like to give a shout out to Midsommer Flight for being his first artistic home, all of the artists that stay in his orbit and make him better, and lastly his family for their constant inspiration and love. He’s so thrilled to be a part of this group.

Ebby Offord (she/they) is a theatre artist from the South Side of Chicago. Ebby received her BA in Drama from Washington University in St. Louis. Since returning home to Chicago, Ebby has been fortunate to have directed and acted across the city. Previous (selected) credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Midsommer Flight), Millennial Church (Bramble Theatre Company Festival of Unfinished Works), Ruined (Director– Invictus Theatre), Hamlet (Invictus Theatre), Course Society (Chicago Dramatist’s), Now More Than Ever (St. Louis Actor’s Studio). When not onstage, Ebby can be found at home playing cozy Nintendo Switch games or binge watching old seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race. She is delighted to be joining such a talented ensemble.

Joshua Pennington (He/They) is a queer actor and artist based in Chicago. He recently appeared as Oberon in Midsommer Flight’s 2022 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Additional Theatre (selected): Romeo & Juliet (Illinois Shakespeare Festival), Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (Strawdog Theatre), Neither (Lifeline Theatre). Film: Close to You, Gary Screams for You and What’s So Scary. Audiobooks: Trapped in Abyss, Love Unforeseen and Shelter. Joshua is a graduate of Illinois State University. Instagram @the.prince_joshua

Elizabeth Rentfro is incredibly honored to be a part of the wonderful group of artists that is Midsommer Flight. She has worked with the company in Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth, Twelfth Night and As You Like It. Elizabeth holds an MFA and an MLitt in Shakespeare and Performance from the American Shakespeare Center in association with Mary Baldwin University. She also holds a BA in English from the University of Texas at Austin. For more information on Elizabeth visit www.elizabethrentfro.com.

Dylan S. Roberts is the Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of the Framework Theatre based in Chicago. With the Framework he has adapted King Lear as a Radio Play and a modern retelling of Antigone, which he also directed. In addition Dylan directed 12^th Night and The Marriage Proposal. With Midsommer Flight he has directed Twelfth Night and was the Assistant Director for Romeo & Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing. Other professional directing credits include the world premieres of Spores of Eden by Peter Axel Komistra, Unpronounceable by Karl Gfall and versions of 12th Night and Oedipus the King for Two Weeks Productions. Dylan is also a Director with Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights where he is currently working on A Christmas Carol and Private Lives by Noel Coward. Along with directing he is also a Text Coach, having served in this position for productions of Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth, Hamlet and As You Like It. From 2011 to 2012 Dylan spent time as Stage Manager for Midwest New Musicals in Evanston. He is also a Teaching Artist, having worked for such companies as The Viola Project, Compass Creative Dramatics and Missoula Children’s Theatre.

Travis Shanahan is a Chicago based actor and musician. Theatrical credits include Love’s Labour’s Lost, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Midsommer Flight); Never Better (Theo Ubique); Pippin (Towle); The Art of Bowing (Haven Chicago); HAY Fever (City Lit); EB and Belle, Henchpeople, Adaptation (Theatre Above the Law), and Buddy! The Budd Holly Story (Metropolis). Travis is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent and can be found on Instagram @travjshan.

Chris Smith (Resident Fight Director) could not be more thrilled to be a member of Midsommer Flight. Chris graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Acting with a focus in Stage Combat. Chris is an Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors and attended The United Stuntmans Association’s Stunt School in Seattle, WA. With Midsommer Flight, he has appeared in Romeo & Juliet (Tybalt/ Fight Captain), Much Ado About Nothing (Don Pedro/Fight Captain), Macbeth (Macduff/ Fight Captain), and Twelfth Night (Toby/ Fight Choreographer). Chris spends his days making swords as a Shop Assistant to Neil Massey at Rogue Steel. Chris would like to thank Beth for the amazing opportunity and honor of being a part of this company, the rest of his fellow company members for all the artistic support and friendship, his family for all their love and support, and Maureen for being the greatest woman in the world. (It’s true folks.)

Julian Stroop is proud to be a part of the amazingly talented Midsommer Flight ensemble. He graduated from Bradley University with a degree in theater performance. Recent projects include The Love of Three Oranges with Piccolo Theater, and Pleasure Town, a podcast with WBEZ. Other collaborations include Theater Y, The Empty Theater, 2ndStory, and Polarity Ensemble Theatre. Special thanks to his family for their unwavering support.

Maureen Yasko (Associate Fight Director and Resident Intimacy Director) is ecstatic to join the ensemble of passionate artists at Midsommer Flight after working on Macbeth, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, and Hamlet. Maureen is an Advanced Actor Combatant with the SAFD and holds a BA in Theatre with a Music Minor from the former AASU in Savannah, GA. She completed an Apprenticeship with The Atlanta Shakespeare Company at The New American Shakespeare Tavern, where she subsequently became a member of the Acting Company and an Education Artist before relocating to Chicago. Atlanta based Moe happily lived a nomadic actor life, working in Atlanta and many regional theatre companies across the country. Chicago based Moe is a Company Member of A Crew of Patches Theatre Company, an Associate Artist with Babes With Blades Theatre Company, and has luckily worked with many other fine companies around town. Love and gratitude to her incredibly supportive partner-in-crime, Chris Smith. When not creating in a theater you’ll likely find Maureen creating in a studio as a Certified Yoga Teacher.

Board of Directors

Dawn Evans (Treasurer) Dawn Evans, a Chicago-born and Englewood-raised professional, is the Vice President of Finance and Controller for 3F Construction and Monroe Residential Partners. She holds a BS in Accounting from Hampton University and an MBA with a concentration in Real Estate Finance from Roosevelt University. Before joining 3F Construction and Monroe Residential Partners, Dawn served as Vice President, Senior Fund Account Manager at BNY Mellon. Her diverse background includes positions at JP Morgan on Wall Street, Ernst & Young Kenneth Leventhal Real Estate Group, and RREEF (Rosenberg Real Estate Equity Fund), which was acquired by Deutsche Bank and became part of their Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management Real Estate Investment Group. Dawn previous community service includes being a Member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of Angel by Myside, NFP, serving on Chicago Public Schools Local School Council, where her roles included Vice Chair, Sergeant at Arms, and Secretary, and being a member of iMentor Chicago, where she mentored High School Students and served on a panel discussion for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Currently Dawn is a Member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer for the JMD Angels Foundation, NFP, is a proud member of the Chicago Hampton Alumni Association and Treasurer for the Midwest Region National Hampton Alumni Association. Dawn is also an active member of the Chicago Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Neal Jain is a Director at SPINS, INC, the leading provider of retail consumer insights, analytics and consulting for the Natural, Organic and Specialty Products Industry. Appealing to his entrepreneurial side, he is turning custom analytics into scalable software for his clients. Prior to SPINS, Mr. Jain was a member of the leadership team for Panera Bread’s Catering business responsible for a variety of financial, technology and operational initiatives. His previous professional experience spans consumer/luxury products, telecommunications and technology investment banking. In addition, Mr. Jain currently serves as the President of the PENN Club of Chicago. He received his MBA in Strategic Management and Marketing from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He also received his BS in Finance and Strategic Management and his BAS in Systems Science from the University of Pennsylvania. While at PENN, he led Costume Design for Wharton Follies, a comedic variety show, and Stage Management / Emcee for biannual cultural productions.

John Morrison (President) is a product strategist and branding consultant with a B.F.A. in Communications Design from the Pratt Institute. At ActiveCampaign, he served as the company’s first product manager and helped drive an increase from $1M to $80M in annual recurring revenue. He is an accomplished photographer, designer, and printmaker and handles much of the graphic design for Midsommer Flight.

Erick Baldemar Rivera brings a unique combination of legal expertise and artistic experience to the Board. He is an attorney who primarily practices in the fields of trademark and copyright law. Currently with Pattishall, McAuliffe, Newbury, Hilliard & Geraldson LLP, Erick’s legal career has spanned roles as a copy clerk, IP legal assistant, trademark paralegal, and law clerk before becoming an associate attorney. He earned his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he distinguished himself as a teaching assistant, Notes and Comments Editor for the Chicago-Kent Law Review, and recipient of multiple CALI Excellence for the Future Awards. His research on employment law and mental health earned the Mary Rose Strubbe Labor & Employment Writing Prize in 2024. An accomplished musician and performer as well, Mr. Rivera was previously a Midsommer Flight ensemble member starting in 2016. He performed in multiple shows with the company, and composed music for Shakespeare productions as well as for the company’s 2018 sonnet album Fourteen Lines. In addition to his law degree, he holds a BA in Voice Performance from the Bass School of Music. He resides in Mundelein, IL.

Sheila Willis is thrilled to transition to a role on the Midsommer Flight Board after being a member of the ensemble since 2013. Professionally, Ms. Willis has worked as a Senior Business Development Manager at V-Soft Consulting Group, Inc., since 2016. Also an actor, she appeared in Romeo & Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing at Midsommer Flight. Other theatre credits include: Peyton Place, LIAR!, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, The Body Snatchers and Scoundrel Time, all with City Lit, The Whipping with Darknight Theatrical Productions, Love Pollution with Nomenil, The Boys Next Door with Mefisto, How the Other Half Loves and Noises Off with Broutil & Frothingham and Five Women Wearing the Same Dress with Wing & Groove. Ms. Willis is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago.

Beth Wolf sits on the Board as the Producing Artistic Director of the company. In addition to her work with Midsommer Flight, Ms. Wolf also co-founded Promethean Theatre Ensemble in Chicago in 2005, where she served as the Artistic Director until 2014. Her past work with Promethean provided invaluable experience managing the day-to-day operations of a small non-profit theatre company, from marketing and fundraising to strong artistic leadership. Previously, Ms. Wolf also worked as the Business Manager at Chicago Children’s Theatre, which provided significant experience with non-profit finance, marketing, and development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Northwestern University.