The Actors

Nikki Brown, a singer/actress, relocated back to her roots here in Chicago.  After exploring LaLa land for about two years. Nikki is currently a Theater major at Columbia College.  She has many credits to her name such as ‘Dorothy’ in The Wiz, ‘Lady in Green’ in For Colored Girls…, ‘Shelby in Steel Magnolias and many more. She has a few indie films under her belt and is currently working on her c.d./demo.  Keep an eye on this star on the rise!! Miss Brown would like to say Thank You to Jason for remembering her audition back in November when she was unable to commit.  Watch us as we expose our souls to you! God bless!

Paul D'Addario is a member of The Gift with whom he has performed in 6 and Language of Angels. As a member of the Actors Theatre of San Francisco he worked on over twenty shows. Next up in May, A Young Man in Pieces by Will Nedved with The Gift at The National Pastime Theatre. He studies with Mary Ann Thebus. In SF he studied with Jean Shelton and Chris Phillips.

Cherie Dikelsky. Cherie is happy to return to the full-time comfort of her apartment after having spent the better part of 2 years in a car/truck/van on a tour, or on the side of the road waiting for the car/truck/van to be fixed.  Cherie finds immeasurable reward in working with children; she has worked with over 2000 children as a volunteer, teacher, actor and director both independently and with national theater companies, Child's Play Touring Theater and Missoula Children's Theater Company.  She hopes to continue her work with kids in her next professional undertaking.  Cherie earned her BFA from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where she trained at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting and in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.  Cherie thanks her family and her chums for their undying support and encouragement.

Audrey Francis is honored and grateful to be working with The 24 Hour Project for a second time. A graduate of Colorado State University's journalism department, some of Audrey's recent credits include Circle Theatre's New Plays Festival, Stop Kiss, “Callie”, Miss Firecracker Contest , “Popeye”, Private Eyes, “Cory”, The Vagina Monologues, the "Moaner” and Hellcab. Audrey is currently working as an understudy for the world premier of Damage Control at the Noble Fool Theatre.

Ricardo Gamboa graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May. Since returning to Chicago, he has been cast as an ensemble  performer for Barrel of Monkeys theater company and has been seen in Teatro Vista's, Latin Legends and The Mammals', Mexican Wrestling Macbeth. He improves his craft at the Piven Theater Workshop, where he was once a member of their Young People's Company. Ricardo is also an exhibiting and freelance photographer for local independent press, as well as a student at the School for the Art Institute of Chicago. He is excited to be a part of The 24 Hour Project.

Scott Haden. Scott is very excited to be returning to The 24 Hour Project, this time as an actor instead of director. Scott has lived in Chicago for the last few years as an actor and writer, and being an experienced procrastinator has always enjoyed projects that try to get everything done in one day. Recently, you may have seen Scott in Rose Rage at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (if you just happened to be there the night he went on as an understudy), or in the Lovewell Theatre Project's original musical The Book of Phil. Scott is a Gemini, and enjoys long walks on the beach.

Alyse Kittner is happy to be a part of her first 24 Hour Project. Other Chicago credits include Natural Affection and A Christmas Carol in Hogpatch Holler. She is a recent graduate of Wright State University where she performed in Philadelphia Story, Lysistrata and Steel Magnolias. She loves her job with the League of Chicago Theatres and her family.

Cody Lyman likes caffeine and metamorphosis, so he's excited to be a part of the 24 hour project. He has recently returned to Chicago from a tour with the Chamber Rep Theatre of Boston. Some favorite shows include Amistad Voices (at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), and Frodo-a-Gogo with the Free Associates, for which he hasn't won any awards. Just add water and watch us grow.

Cheryl Markowitz is excited to be appearing in The 24 Hour Project. Previous credits include Wait Until Dark and The Seagull at Borealis Theatre Company, The Cherry Orchard with Reverie Theatre Company, and Green Cricket in the Rhino Fest.

Matt E. Parker's still new to the Chicago scene. He's a kind, quirky guy who loves a risky project. Many thanks to Collaboraction, Next Theatre, and the good people here at The 24 Hour Project.

Lucas K. Peterson is an actor living in Oak Park, IL. He graduated from Williams College where he played principal roles in many productions, including Betrayal, Twelfth Night, and Into The Woods. He is recently returned from El Salvador, where he served in the Peace Corps. He is excited to be participating in this decidedly singular project.

Ryan Smith obtained his M.A. in Theater Education from Emerson College in Boston and then relocated to Chicago. The 24 Hour Project thus far has been an evil laboratory for Ryan to hone his skills and help produce new works. He has been seen locally as “Witwoud” in Mom And Dad Productions’ The Way of the World and “Lawrence” in UT/PR’s For Whom The Southern Belle Tolls. Currently, he is directing Sean Ewert’s one-man show, Gary Stereo Raves On opening in March at Stage Left Theatre. When not on stage, Ryan works as a Mentor and Job Developer for Chicago area youth and enjoys spending time with his tap-dancing dog, Lotus.

Elizabeth Urello most recently appeared as “Aerosmith” in The Free Associates' Frodo-a-Go-Go: The Rings Recycled. Elizabeth currently enjoys performing with the ImprovOlympic ensemble, Children of God, and with the improv teams International Stinger and Black Sheep at The Playground. Elizabeth is excited to be a part of The 24 hour Project.

Brooke VanPoppelen is a procrastinator who only works well under pressure. The 24 Hour Project is like a dream come true for this last minute gal. While Brooke cleverly disguises herself as a disgruntled waitress, she is actually a well adjusted individual who spends her free time acting, improvising, writing and doing stand-up around the Chicago area. She's in a bunch of shows coming up this spring that she'll gladly tell you about if you ask her. She'd like to thank her parents for their patience and faith that someday, somehow, something will come of all this nonsense and she'd also like to thank Tony Sam for being her favorite person in the whole world.