Michael is a co-founding member of Raven Theatre, where he has directed and designed many of the productions. Some of his favorite shows include: A TEXAS TRILOGY, THE CRUCIBLE, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS (Jeff Nomination, Outstanding Production), MARVIN’S ROOM, TALKIN’ BASEBALL, GOLDEN BOY (Jeff Nomination, Outstanding Production), A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Jeff-Award, Outstanding Production), A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (Jeff-Award, Outstanding Production), DANCING AT LUGHNASA (Jeff Nomination, Outstanding Production), and most recently, THE SEA GULL, THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA (Jeff Award, Scenic Design), LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, and JESUS HOPPED THE ‘A’ TRAIN. He has earned multiple Joseph Jefferson and After Dark awards for direction, and design. Along with his directing and design credits, he has, on occasion, performed on stage. Along with JoAnn Montemurro, Mr. Menendian received a 2007/2008 Jeff Award for Outstanding Contribution to Chicago Theatre.
Staff
Current Staff
Michael Menendian
Producing Artistic Director
JoAnn Montemurro
Co-Artistic Director
JoAnn co-founded the Raven Theatre with Michael Menendian in 1983. JoAnn has been acting with the company from the beginning. She has enjoyed playing such major roles as Martha in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? and Amanda in THE GLASS MENAGERIE. She has done costumes for several productions including GOLDEN BOY, A FEW GOOD MEN, THE MAN WHO HAD ALL THE LUCK, and HEDDA GABLER. In 2009, JoAnn will appear as Linda Loman in Raven’s season opener DEATH OF A SALESMAN, which will be directed by Michael. JoAnn is a graduate of the Goodman School of Drama.
Teri McCaskill
Events Coordinator
Teri McCaskill is honored to be joining Raven Theatre. Her involvement with Raven began in 1995 when she performed in Raven’s first production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN. She has been happily involved with Raven ever since, providing box office support, assisting with fundraising events, performing (YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, and LORD BYRON’S LOVE LETTER) and directing (A PAIR OF PINTERS, A CLEAN, WELL-LIGHTED PLACE, TALK TO ME LIKE THE RAIN). She is grateful for this opportunity to combine her theater and corporate experience (project administration, meeting/event planning and coordination; presentation/communication preparation) to help Raven’s continuing efforts to establish itself as an important voice in regional theatre.
Kelli Strickland
Educational Outreach Director
Kelli Strickland is the Director of Education and Outreach at Raven Theatre where she advocates for and implements arts education in the Chicago Public School system as well as administering Raven’s youth training program at the theatre. She has taught as part of Loyola University’s faculty for the last nine years. As a dramaturg, Kelli has worked with Guthrie Theatre, Missouri Repertory and locally with Shattered Globe. She has acted or directed with Bareboned Theatre Co., Bailiwick Repertory, Women's Theatre Alliance, 20% Theatre Co. and Avenue Theatre Co. She currently stars in the feature film HANNAH FREE appearing in over 50 film festivals internationally this year. Her articles have appeared in American Theatre and The Mamet Review and she has presented multiple times before the Mid-America Theatre Conference. In addition to her outreach work at Raven, Kelli serves as the Director of Education for Oak Park Festival Theatre and is a member of the Chicago Arts Learning Initiative.
Christa Rolf
Publicist
Christa Rolf currently handles media relations for Raven Theatre and The Neo-Futurists and serves as the PR/Marketing Manager for Trinity Academy of Irish Dance. As a stage manager/tour manager, Christa has worked with companies including The Gift Theatre, Defiant Theatre (RIP), Strawdog Theatre, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, The Artistic Home, Blindfaith Theatre, Open Eye Productions, Nebraska Theatre Caravan and the Irish dance show Celticfusion.
Kerry Reed
House Manager
Kerry joined the Raven family in 2002 when they opened this fantastic space. She enjoys starting your Raven experience with a smile and warm welcome, as well as, addressing any of your needs. On occasion she manages to slip away from the box office and appear on stage as she did in AMERICAN BUFFALO (foot traffic) and in DINER TALES (customer). Kerry truly enjoys her time here at Raven finding it a good complement to her career as a children's librarian where she performs a one-woman show (storytime) a few times a week for adoring preschool fans.
John Weagly
Administrative Manager
John has been rattling around Chicago theater box offices for the last fifteen years. Besides being the former Operations Manager for Organic Theater, he's also helped out at Mary-Arrchie, Bailiwick, Goodman and several small companies that have come and gone. As a playwright, he's had plays produced by Strawdog Theatre, Second City, Circle Theater, Artistic Home, Bailiwick, CollaborAction and numerous other companies around the world. As a fiction writer he's been published in multiple languages and won multiple awards.
Lavina Jadhwani
Audience Development and Grants Manager
Lavina Jadhwani is pleased to join Raven Theatre as their Audience Development and Grants Manager. Lavina previously served as the Grant Writer for Silk Road Theatre Project and in the marketing departments of Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Apple Tree Theatre. She has also worked with the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Victory Gardens and Writers Theatre in administrative capacities. Lavina is currently the Artistic Director of Rasaka Theatre Company and serves on the Steering Committee of the South Asian Theatre Arts Movement. She holds a BFA in Drama and a Masters in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Her thesis project, Audience Development and Diversification in Arts and Cultural Organizations involved working as a consultant for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Lavina is also a freelance director, dramaturg and arts educator. She can be found online at www.lavinajadhwani.com.
