Wait Until Dark

AARON TODD DOUGLAS is a freelance actor, director and part time faculty member at Loyola University.  Recent projects include acting in Perfect Mendacity (Steppenwolf), directing Talented Tenth (Congo Square), and Checkmates (ETA Creative Arts).  Mr. Douglas is a founder and former Associate Artistic Director of Congo Square Theatre Company.  Credits include Stick Fly and Seven Guitars. He has worked extensively throughout Chicago most notably the Goodman, Chicago Theater Company, Chicago Shakespeare, and Victory Gardens.  Upcoming projects include directing Pill Hill (ETA) and The Hip Hop Project (University of Illinois).

NORM BOUCHER is happy to make his Court Theatre debut, and work again with Ron OJ Parson, who directed him as Lieutenant Columbo in Columbo Takes the Rap, written by Columbo’s co-creator William Link. He was Max Bialystock in The Producers at Theatre at the Center, Oscar in The Odd Couple at Drury Lane Oakbrook, and Cladwell in Urinetown at Mason St. Warehouse, and has worked at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Marriott Lincolnshire, Madison Repertory, Drury Lane Evergreen Park, Equity Library Theatre, and Chicago Dramatists. Norm thanks his agents at Grossman & Jack for their support, and his wife Nancy for being his best friend.

EMJOY GAVINO makes her Court Theatre debut with Wait Until Dark. Chicago credits include A Very Neo-Futurist Christmas (Neofuturists), Kafka on the Shore (Steppenwolf), Mirror of the Invisible World (Goodman Theatre), Hana’s Suitcase (Chicago Children’s Theatre), That’s Weird Grandma (Barrel of Monkeys), and Ash Girl (Vittum Theatre). Regional credits include the world premiere of The Joy Luck Club (ReAct Theatre), Miss Saigon (5^th Avenue Theatre), Searching 4 Y (Villiage Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Act Theatre).

ERIN HERNANDEZ is a fourth grade student from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Most recently she could be heard as a voice for Walgreens and the Chicago Cubs on AM radio. Additionally, she has been involved with local community theater in ensemble roles of Willie Wonka and Oliver.  Erin is an accomplished flutest, playing in the Junior High Ensemble Band since 2^nd grade. She hopes to pursue a career in music. Being part of Court Theatre with her sister has been an amazing experience. 

MOLLY HERNANDEZ is a 12-year old from Glen Ellyn. She is thrilled to be starring in her debut role with Court Theatre. Recently, she has been cast in community theater productions as the roles of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird and Violet in Willie Wonka.  She has also done a variety of voice-overs, commercials, and print ads in the Chicagoland area. Molly enjoys playing the bass clarinet in Hadley Junior High’s Symphonic Band and hanging with her friends. She would like to shout out to the staff at Stacey De’s School of Performing Arts and Tom Lindsay.

JOHN HOOGENAKKER is honored to make his Court Theatre debut. Chica­go credits: Steppenwolf, The Goodman, Northlight, Writers’, Chicago Shakespeare, Apple tree, and The Royal George; Regional credits: Milwaukee Repertory, Kansas City Repertory, Arizona Theatre Company, Illinois Shakespeare Festival (Hamlet); Film: Flags of Our Fathers (Warner Brothers), The Lucky Ones (Lionsgate), Public Enemies (Universal); Television: ER (NBC), The Beast (A&E), Gifted Hands (TNT); John’s voice-over work includes campaigns for McDonald’s, Miller, OnStar and Comcast.

STEPHEN SPENCER made his Court debut last season in Wait Until Dark. Chicago productions include Congo Square’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Goodman) and The House that Jack Built. As an Associate Artist at Chicago Dramatists he’s performed in countless new play readings and the Jeff Award winning The Liquid Moon. As a founding member of The Shakespeare Project he’s directed or performed in over 30 plays of the Canon. He’s worked regionally and overseas, touring throughout Russia, including Moscow’s Leninsky Komsomol Theatre. He also performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Recent film: Public Enemies; Morning Due (Cannes 2008) Son of America, and Greg’s Leg.

ANDRÉ TEAMER is honored to work for the first time with Court Theatre. He was last seen in Well at NEXT Theatre, Weekend at TimeLine, and The 23^rd Annual Young Playwrights Festival at Pegasus Players. He is a company member with MPAACT (Ma’at Production Association of Afrikan Centered Theatre) and has had the privilege to work with many Chicago area theatres. He was featured in the ABFF award winning independent feature film, Love Shorts. He is the audio reader for Herschel Walker’s recent autobiography, Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder and several audio short stories at Sniplits.com. Much love to my wife, Shaunese, and our three sons for patience, support, and Love.

TERRANCE WATTS is thrilled to appear in his debut performance with Court Theatre and excited to work with this wonderful cast. Terrance and his brothers recently founded a sketch comedy troupe, Stringless Puppets. He has performed in several productions at ETA’s: Eyes (best actor nominations: Black Theater Alliance Award and The Black Excellence Award), Why Black Men Play Basketball, Forever My Darling, One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show, Stoops (Outstanding Actor nomination: Black Excellence Award). Other shows include the critically acclaimed Congo Square Theater production of Deep Azure, Chicago Theatre Company’s award winning production of Cut Flowers, The Death of Bessie Smith (Goodman), The State of Mississippi and the Face of Emmit Till (Pegasus Players) and Tender (Bailiwick). A former ETA youth performance workshop student, Terrence thanks his mentor Runako Jahi for continued inspiration. He thanks his parents for their constant support and GOD for life.