Emi Fishman(She/Her/Hers) Emi is very excited to be returning to the Hershel Team this year! She is originally from Michigan, but has called Chicago home for the past three years. Some of her past favorite roles include: “Evelyn Nesbit” in Ragtime(Flint Rep), “Sally Simpson” in The Who’s Tommy(Flint Rep), and “Little Sally” in Urinetown(Oakland University). She would like to say a special thank you to her parents who support her in everything she does!

Abbie Brenner is very excited to be working with Strawdog again on another year of Hershel! Abbie is a graduate of Illinois State University’s School of Theatre and Dance with a dual degree in acting and theatre management. Since graduating in 2019, Abbie has worked at various Chicago theaters in administrative roles, including the Goodman Theatre, Mercury Theater Chicago, Theatre Wit, and Lookingglass Theatre Company. As an actor, Abbie has been lucky enough to work with Ghostlight Ensemble, Shattered Globe Theatre, Young People’s Theatre of Chicago, and Trapdoor Theatre. Abbie grew up in the Chicago area, and couldn’t be prouder to be pursuing a theater career in the city that raised her. Thank you for supporting the arts!

Elizabeth Avery is an actor and multi-instrumentalist musician who is excited to be returning to "Hershel" for her second year. Around Chicago, recent credits include "Monstrous" (Impostors Theatre Co.), "The Courtship of Winifred Edwards" (Two Chairs Theatre Co.), the improvised "BLANK! The Musical" (The Revival Improv Theater), "Couch Tomb" (Fox and Spade Ensemble), and "Once" (Loyola University Chicago). Elizabeth also plays accordion with the band Mucca Pazza, a raucous music ensemble fusing marching band, street theatre, and rock ‘n’ roll. She is a Strawdog ensemble member and works in marketing during the day. Endless thanks to family and friends for their love and support, and to Grandma Kathy for her accordion patronage! IG: @elizabeth.k.avery.

Lucas Burr (he/him) is beyond excited to be making his Strawdog debut. He earned his B.M. in Vocal Music Education at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo/Moorhead, and recently completed his M.M. in Musical Theatre Vocal Pedagogy at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Chicago credits include Amélie (Kokandy). Regional credits include Next to Normal (Carthage College), Dogfight (ActUp), The Prom (ActUp), and Side by Side by Sondheim (Straw Hat Players). Since moving to the Chicago area in 2023, Lucas has been an active voice and piano teacher while teaching as an adjunct voice professor at Carthage College.

Fiona Walsh Calton (she/her) is thrilled to be performing in Hershel for a second year! Fiona is a proud alum of The Theatre School at DePaul University. She has performed in shows with Eclectic Full Contact Theatre, Greatworks Theatre Company, Chicago Parks District, Violet Surprise Theatre, and trip productions. When she is not acting, you can find her playing violin and defeating goblins, so this show is perfect for her. Find more at fionawalshcalton.com.

Jillian Leff (she/her) is Chicago based actor, playwright, and stage combat nerd, and she is excited to be working with Strawdog for the first time! As an actor, she has worked around the city with companies such as Idle Muse Theatre Co. (Jane: Abortion and the Underground – Jeff Nomination for Ensemble – Play), Stage Left Theatre (The Distrikt of Lake Michigun), Babes With Blades Theatre Company (Richard III, Women of 4G, The Good Fight) - where she is also an Ensemble Member and Literary Manager - Factory Theater (Last Night in Karaoke Town), Midsommer Flight (Cymbeline, Twelfth Night), Campfire Rep (FLUSH), and Runaways Lab Theater (Goddamn Geniuses). She has a BFA in Acting from Ball State University, and is an Advanced Actor Combatant with The Society of American Fight Directors. Find her on the internet @jilleleff. All the love and thanks to Theresa.

Becca is so excited to be joining the Hershel team! She is currently getting a BFA in Musical Theater at the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) at Roosevelt University. Becca is the proud president and founder of “R U Funny”, Roosevelt’s Sketch Comedy Club. Happy Hanukkah and happy holidays to all!

Connor Cash is a freshman at CCPA. He is thrilled to join this show for his first ever Chicago production.

AUTHOR

ERIC KIMMEL is the author of over 130 books for children, including Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock and the classic Hanukkah tale, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. He is a five-time winner of the National Jewish Book Award and the Sydney Taylor Award for Lifetime Achievement. Dr. Kimmel and his wife Doris live in Portland, Oregon.

PLAYWRIGHT/ADAPTER

MICHAEL DAILEY has appeared as an actor in 24 mainstage productions with the company since joining Strawdog in 1997. Writing credits include three radio plays presented as part of Radio Theatre 7, co-writer on the late night series The Adventures of Picklebot and Lawfer and script editor for Strawdog’s productions of 1001 Afternoons in Chicago, Julius Caesar and Measure for Measure.

MUSIC & LYRICS

JACOB COMBS is a writer, director and composer based in Los Angeles. In addition to the 2018 premiere production of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, his previous musical theater projects include Palin! The Musical (music and lyrics), Unraveling (book, music and lyrics), Falling Apart, Coming Together (music and lyrics) and Legends & Lore (book). He is currently writing the book, music and lyrics for the musical Selling Out, which was workshopped at Chicago’s Strawdog Theatre in June 2018. Jacob’s first short film as writer/director, Without, premiered earlier this year, and is currently on the festival circuit, having played at over 15 U.S. and international festivals so far. His short screenplay Messrs. is being produced through the AfterWORK program at Pixar Animation Studios, where Jacob works in the creative development department.

DIRECTOR

NOAH ELMAN is a director, designer, and theatremaker based in Chicago. Previous directing credits include: Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare on the Lake), The Pillowman (PAC), origin/end (Fredonia Festival), Mygda (upcoming short film). His design work has been seen in Chicago at theaters including Second City, Boho Theatre, Mudlark Theatre, and MTW. He has received multiple awards for his work including the 2021 Camilla Schade Teaching Artist Award. Thank you to the Strawdog ensemble for continuing to champion the creation of Jewish theatre work and holiday traditions in Chicago and to the whole Hershel team that put their time and energy into supporting that vision.

MUSIC DIRECTOR

BRADY MCNEIL is in his second year serving as music director for Hershel! He spends more time these days as an actor, but equally enjoys teaching music as his vocational training. As a professor, Dr. McNeil holds a Ph.D. in instrumental music education and coordinates the music teacher prepration program at Wheaton College. As an actor, Brady’s recent performances include The Scarlet Pimpernel (Beautiful City Project), Next to Normal (Point2Point Productions), Disaster (Big Noise Theatre), and Dracula (BrightSide Theatre). Brady is also currently directing music for The Home Creative Co.’s production of Rent.

MOVEMENT DIRECTOR

Ellie Levine (she/her) is a director and teaching artist with a focus on devising, physical theatre, and puppetry. She has recently led devising processes for exciting new works and adaptations, including Splish, Splash (Northwestern University), Growing Pains (Columbus Children’s Theatre), The Little Prince (Improv Playhouse), and Deep Sea Melody (Arts on the Horizon). Ellie is a teaching artist with Chicago Children’s Theatre, Lookingglass, and Filament Theatre. She is an adjunct professor at Northwestern University, teaching Theatre for the Very Young. Ellie received her masters from the University of Kent in England, where she wrote her dissertation on cultivating curiosity and joy in the creative process.

SCENIC DESIGNER

LIGHTING DESIGNER

ELLIOT HUBIAK he/him (Lighting Designer) is ecstatic to be joining Strawdog again this year to help tell the perfect story for the Hanukkah season. His recent Chicago design credits include Monstrous at The Den Theatre and Six Stories Up! At the Zoo at Filament Theatre.

SOUND DESIGNER

Heath was born and (mostly) raised in the verdant rolling hills of northeast Indiana. By middle school, he had burgeoning career portraying street urchins, in many permutations, at the local high school and community theatres. This all changed in college. Leaving behind the limelight, he took the mantle of designer, and has been such ever since. After moving to Chicago in 2003, he has worked for too many theatre companies, collectives, ensembles, co-ops, and loose knit groups to name. And he had a good time in every show except one. With Strawdog, Heath has designed sound for Improbable Frequency, Big Love, Conversations on a Homecoming. and many other works.

COSTUME DESIGNER

EMMA PARSONS (she/her) is excited to be a first time collaborator and costumer with Strawdog Theatre and is very grateful for the opportunity to stick a new feather in her hat (pun intended). When not styling, Emma can be primarily found on stage as an actor, and more recently behind the scenes as a choreographer and director, too. Her work aims to bring together community through the magic of storytelling and connecting over shared experiences. When not working in theatre, Emma is likely studying for her sommelier certification or working on publishing her very own poetry book. She would like to thank her cat Lydia, just because, and you, for helping to keep your local arts programs thriving!

STAGE MANAGER

PRODUCER