CELESTE M. COOPER is so grateful to work as a multifaceted artist. She is connected to the University of Chicago/Court Theatre in a few different ways. In 2016, she spent some time working as a teaching artist/coach for the August Wilson Monologue Competition. In 2017, Celeste played Delia in the award-winning Blues for an Alabama Sky (Jeff Award – Best Production), directed by Ron OJ Parson. She has also performed in Court Theatre’s production of The Hard Problem, directed by former Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director Charles Newell. In 2023, she started teaching at the University of Chicago and casting at Court Theatre with the lovely Becca McCracken. Together, they’ve cast many Court Theatre productions and readings, in addition to projects for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, television, and commercials.
As an actor, Celeste has worked at several regional and Chicagoland theatres. She has also been an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre Company since 2018. She was awarded Most Promising Actress by the Black Theater Alliance in 2014, Best Actress for Range Runners from the Twister Alley Film Festival in 2019, and NewCity Stage included her in their annual list of People Who Really Perform for Chicago in both 2020 and in 2023. As a teacher, coach, and speaker, she also occasionally works at The Theatre School at DePaul University, the Actors Training Center, Green Shirt Studio, Northwestern University, Columbia College, and more. She received her BA in Speech Communications and Theatre from Tennessee State University and her MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. She is also passionate about serving, producing, community building, and spreading love and light as much as she can. Celeste is very grateful for her relationships with Jesus, family, and friends.
Bio as of 8/2025