Staff
Beth Wolf (she/her/hers) is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of Midsommer Flight. Beth’s Midsommer Flight credits include Cymbeline, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2022 and 2012), The Tempest, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Hamlet, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, and Romeo and Juliet. Other recent credits include Silent Sky (Citadel Theatre, Jeff Recommended), 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
Chad Bay is overjoyed to be working with Midsommer Flight, where he played Proteus in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and assistant directed two winter productions of Twelfth Night. His other work in Chicago includes Invictus Theatre Co., Pride Films & Plays, Pegasus Players, 20% Theatre and Three Cat Productions. Regionally, he’s worked behind the scenes at American Players Theatre and on stage with Riverside Theatre in Iowa City. Previous credits: Love’s Labour’s Lost, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, Antigone, The Seagull and Brighton Beach Memoirs. He is a graduate of the Theatre Arts program at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and is co-founder of The Framework.
Richard Eisloeffel is ecstatic to be joining the Midsommer Flight team! He has appeared in two past summer productions including As You Like It as Silvius and Two Gentlemen of Verona as Speed. Other notable performances in Chicago include Dazzle in London Assurance and Psmith in Psmith, Journalist, both at City Lit. Richard also has previous Shakespeare-in-the-parks experience, having worked with Montana Shakespeare Company (Othello and Love’s Labour’s Lost) and Flatwater Shakespeare Company (Much Ado About Nothing and Comedy of Errors). Richard is from Nebraska where he graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan with a BFA in Theater Studies. He is a lover of the outdoors, hiking and camping, and would willingly spend every summer doing Shakespeare in the parks if he had the choice.
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!
Martel Manning is glad to join the artistic ensemble of Midsommer Flight. After receiving his MFA in Acting and spending a year as an artistic intern at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Martel moved to Chicago. He made his Chicago debut playing Benedick in Midsommer’s 2014 production of Much Ado About Nothing. Martel has also worked with Tympanic Theatre company and had a recurring role in Cloud Gate Productions web series The Losers.
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 is an actor-musician from Chicago. Midsommer Flight credits include Bottom (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and Thurio/Musician (The Two Gentlemen of Verona). Jack has also provided music direction for the 2022 production of Twelfth Night. He has worked around Chicagoland with such companies as Promethean Theatre Ensemble, Metropolis PAC, Invictus Theatre, Strawdog Theatre, and Bramble Theatre. In addition to performing, Jack has provided devised musical work, original composition, and musical performances for numerous plays. Offstage, Jack works as a teaching artist for young actors and musicians throughout Chicagoland. He would like to give a shout out to Midsommer Flight for being his first artistic home in Chicago, those artists that stay in his orbit and make him better, and lastly his family and Ebby 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 (Resident Music Director) 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.
Erick Rivera (EMC) has a BA in Voice Performance from the Bass School of Music. He was most recently seen as a street musician in The Beat Theatre Collective’s production of HOPE: Wanted. Other notable performances include Amiens in As You Like It, Officer/Musician in Twelfth Night (both with Midsommer Flight), American Soldier in A Piece of My Heart, Laertes in Wittenberg, Bear in A Winter’s Tale, Simon in Corpus Christi, Newt in Who Am I This Time?, Simon in The Game’s Afoot, and Pandar in Pericles Prince of Tyre. Along with being a music understudy for Tug of War: Civil Strife with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, he has collaborated musically with Midsommer Flight, Chicago Danz Theatre Ensemble, Commission Theatre Company, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, and Oklahoma City University.
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 12th 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.
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.
Jeremy Thompson is pleased to join Midsommer Flight as a company member after three seasons, appearing in 2015’s Macbeth, and 2016-17’s Twelfth Nights. His regional work outside Chicago includes seasons and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Island Shakespeare Festival in Washington State, Idaho Repertory Theatre and Great River Shakespeare Festival in Minnesota. He is also an educator and workshop teacher. Jeremy has a BA from the University of Puget Sound and an MFA from the University of Idaho (the other-other UI).
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) is Vice President of Finance for Monroe Residential Partners LLC. She manages all accounting and financial reporting for the company and its portfolios. Ms. Evans started her career on Wall Street working for JP Morgan in their Financial Control Outstanding Division where she became an Accounting Officer. After relocating back to her hometown Chicago, she worked for Ernst & Young Kenneth Leventhal Real Estate Group as a Senior Auditor. Having a desire to continue her work in real estate finance and accounting she obtained a position at RREEF (Rosenberg Real Estate Equity Funds), which was later acquired by Deutsche Bank. At Deutsche Bank Ms. Evans was responsible for the financial affairs of 1 REIT with assets in excess of $565 million and 5 separate account funds with assets in excess of $1 billion. After working at Deutsche Bank for over 15 years the fund finance team at Deutsche Bank was acquired by BNY Mellon. At BNY Mellon Ms. Evans was responsible for leading a team of fund accountants in all aspects of the day to day activities for the fund administration of a REIT and various separate account funds with assets in excess of $2 Billion. Ms. Evans holds a BS degree in Accounting from Hampton University, and an MBA with a concentration in Real Estate Finance from Roosevelt University. Previously Ms. Evans served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Angel By Myside, NFP.
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.
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.
Midsommer Flight 