ABOUT | Stages Chicago

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Performing Arts Education for EVERY Child

Stages Chicago is an arts education program founded in 2016 that is dedicated to bringing the highest quality, developmentally appropriate performing arts experiences to children and families. Our curriculum is developed by professional performers turned early childhood development professionals who have decades of experience onstage and in the classroom. Stages is proud to offer a variety of inclusive programming for all ages and abilities. From developmentally appropriate music classes for infants (that are also entertaining for adults) to after school programs that serve as a training ground for the next generation of performers, Stages has it all.

In 2021, Stages Chicago transitioned to a not-for-profit organization in order to expand our reach and better support our mission of making quality performing arts education experiences accessible for all children and families.

Our Core Values

Children of all races, abilities and socio-economic statuses should have access to high quality arts education and arts experiences.
Representation and diversity matter. We want to celebrate and amplify diverse voices and stories that make up both the greater theatre community as well as the communities in which we operate. We want every child to see themselves in the stories we tell and feel a sense of belonging.
Arts experiences foster empathy in children which in turn builds more inclusive communities.
We believe in the magic of musical theatre and the ability of high quality arts experiences to inspire creativity, curiosity, and openness in children.

Meet the Board

Emily Pinas Schakowsky

Founder, Executive Director,

& Board President

Emily Pinas Schakowsky

Founder &

Executive Director

In 2016, drawing on her deep roots in musical theatre and her expertise in child development, Emily brought her vision for developmentally informed performing arts education to life with the founding of Stages Chicago. What began as an idea quickly grew into a vibrant community where children are encouraged to build confidence, creativity, and connection through the magic of theatre.

Before founding Stages, Emily spent years training and performing professionally. In Chicago, she appeared as a child actor in The American Girl’s Review and was a member of the original cast of Circle of Friends. She later attended the prestigious Summer Intensive at Circle in the Square Theatre School on Broadway and served as an apprentice at Williamstown Theatre Festival, where she performed on the mainstage in Anything Goes.

Emily earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre from New York University’s Steinhardt School. During her time in New York, she appeared in numerous productions, including Into the Woods at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts and Joe Iconis’s Lit & Messy & Not At All Ashamed at the historic Provincetown Playhouse. Through her work with Tisch’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program, she also had the opportunity to workshop and perform material from several new musicals in development.

Emily earned her Equity card performing in Bitty Bear’s Matinee in New York — an experience that introduced her to the joy and impact of performing for young audiences. That work ultimately inspired her decision to step away from performing professionally and dedicate her career to nurturing the next generation of theatre lovers.

In 2012, Emily returned home to Chicago and pursued graduate studies at Erikson Institute, where she earned a Master of Science in Child Development with a specialization in Infancy and Administration.

Today, Emily lives in Chicago’s South Loop with her husband, Mark, and their two favorite “Broadway Babies,” Addie and Maggie.

Colin Funk

Director of Early Childhood Programming

& Board Vice President

Colin Funk

Director of Early Childhood Programming

& Vice President

Colin has both performed and worked with children most of his life. He has worked as an actor and choreographer for professional shows throughout Chicago, with companies like Metropolis, Towle, Kokandy, Porchlight, and many others. He continues to sing in The Chicago Carolers, The Feathered Beaus, and self produced cabarets. He also produces a podcast with husband Pavi called "Then, A Moment" all about storytelling.

After working as a nanny for many years, he joined Stages when the company started in 2016, has helped grow the program, and has filled many roles. He has since gotten a masters degree in childhood development from Erikson Institute, with a focus in infancy, and became a developmental therapist with a trauma based care specialization. He still works part time as an Infant Development Specialist at La Rabida Children's Hospital.
Colin is now the Director of Early Childhood Programming, and wears many hats in helping Stages to run smoothly while growing to help more and more people.

Allison Hendrix

Board Secretary

Allison Hendrix

Allison brings a lifetime of experience in the performing arts to her role as Secretary of the Board of Stages Chicago. Her career spans work as an actor, pianist, music director, director, and founding Artistic Director of Kokandy Productions, one of Chicago's celebrated storefront theatre companies. That breadth of experience extends naturally into education: she has taught and worked with students from infancy through college level, grounding her approach in both the rigorous craft of musical theatre and the developmental needs of young learners. She has also led education workshops in partnership with Broadway in Chicago, reaching students from across the city and visiting students from around the country. Her connection to Stages Chicago runs deep — she joined the program in its first year as a music director, played an integral role in its transition to nonprofit status, and proudly stepped into her current position on the Board.

Beyond the stage, Allison holds a 500-hour advanced yoga certification and has been a practicing instructor since 2012, having taught public classes throughout Chicago before transitioning to private, one-on-one instruction. Her commitment to education as a discipline in its own right continues today as she pursues further study in the legal field. Across every role she has taken on — artist, educator, wellness instructor, emerging legal professional — a through line of mentorship and community investment has defined her work, making her a dedicated and well-rounded advocate for the mission of Stages Chicago.

Jeremy Round

Board Treasurer

Jeremy
Round

Board Treasurer

Jeremy Round has served as a strategic advisor of Stages since 2019 supporting us through the pandemic and our transition to a 501c3 at which time he joined our board. He is a serial entrepreneur, HR expert and business advisor. Jeremy studied film at Northwestern '02 and completed his MBA at UCLA in '09. He has owned and operated businesses in the home services sector, children's enrichment, real estate and addiction treatment while advising countless others. His HR expertise stems from his time as a leader in Yahoo's People Team and his time at Cultivate Brands, where he is a partner. Jeremy has helped set long-term strategy to win for many companies and most importantly help build amazing teams to execute it.

When not working, Jeremy cherishes his roles as a father and son. He sings and plays the guitar, bass, and ukulele. As Jeremy's daughter and colleagues will testify, he simply loves all things Disney, especially the theme parks. As part of a team-building exercise that he designed, he once went to all 4 parks in Walt Disney World in 1 day and on another day rode every single moving attraction (all 48 open that day) at the Disneyland resort. His feet still hurt.

Sara Yaniga

Community Outreach Specialist

& Board Member

Community Outreach Specialist

& Board Member

Sara Yaniga

Sara Yaniga is a communications, marketing, and community engagement professional with a passion for expanding access to arts education for children and families. She brings extensive experience in nonprofit support, storytelling, social media strategy, and relationship building through her work across publishing, consulting, and small-business operations in the Chicago area.

As a parent of a Stages Chicago performer and longtime advocate for inclusive arts opportunities, Sara is deeply committed to ensuring every child has access to creative experiences that build confidence, empathy, and belonging.

Her professional background includes roles in community-focused media, nonprofit communications, fundraising support, and marketing strategy, where she has helped organizations strengthen visibility, connect with families, and grow community partnerships.

Sara believes in the transformative power of the performing arts to inspire creativity, amplify diverse voices, and help children discover their unique strengths both on and off the stage.

Meet the Team

Olivia Buss

Camp Director & Teaching Artist

Olivia Buss

Camp Director & Teaching Artist

Olivia Chant Buss is a Chicago based actor, director, writer, and educator. This is her third year with Stages Chicago, where she teaches toddlers, teenagers, and every age in between! Olivia primarily teaches Broadway Preschool Prep, Broadway Stars, and school residency classes throughout the school year, as well as serving as Camp Director during summer. When not in the classroom, she helps manage marketing and outreach for Stages. Olivia has been performing professionally in theatre and film for nearly her entire life. She is also a produced director/writer with new projects always in the works. Olivia is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music's BFA Acting program.

Cee Scallen

Director of Operations

Cee Scallen

Camp Director & Teaching Artist

Cee Scallen (they/them) is a theatre artist, arts educator, and dedicated cat parent. They have a decade of performance experience and theatrical training from the Guthrie Theater, Carleton College, the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, the National Theatre Institute, and Moscow Art Theatre. Recent credits include Lysander in Big Noise Theatre's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Buzz/Overseer in Impostor Theatre Co's Footholds Vol. 4. In addition to their work with Stages Chicago, Cee is the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program Coordinator and ensemble member with Imagination Theater. They yearn to make inclusive, innovative, and intentional theatre that strives to make a social impact. Cee is proud to be represented by Talent X Alexander.

Claire Weinstein

Development Director & Event Manger

Claire Weinstein

Parties & Events Manager

& Teaching Artist

Prior to becoming the Parties & Events Manager for Stages, Claire spent many years in the classroom as a public school teacher in Chicago, Memphis, and France (yes, she is bilingual!). She is a graduate of the Erikson Institute and holds a M.S. in Early Childhood Education. Claire's extensive knowledge of Child Development combined with a love for all things planning makes her the ultimate party planner and one of our favorite guest Teaching Artists on Day Off Camps!

Alex Speight

Business Manager & Teaching Artist

Alex Speight

Business Manager & Teaching Artist

Alex Speight (she/her) serves as both a Teaching Artist and Business Manager at Stages. She first joined the organization in 2019 as a Teaching Artist and, after a two-year hiatus, is thrilled to be back!

Originally from Texas, Alex holds a BFA in Acting from Oklahoma City University and a Certificate in Acting from The Moscow Art Theatre. A passionate advocate for arts education, Alex firmly believes that every child deserves access to a vibrant and inspiring arts experience. Her own arts education played a vital role in shaping both her professional career and personal growth.

Outside the theater, Alex is a cat enthusiast and a newlywed as of September 2025. Her greatest dream for Stages is to one day see a production of Phantom of the Opera Jr. come to life on stage.

Feel free to reach out to her anytime!

Faye Davis

Event Coordinator & Teaching Artist

Faye Davis

Birthday Party Coordinator & Teaching Artist

Faye is a teaching artist who's been a part of the Stages Chicago team since November 2022. Among her Stages roles, Faye is a Broadway & Me and Stars instructor, Party and Events Coordinator, and a Stages camp counselor. She received her BA in Theatre Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and works as a professional actor in Chicago. At the age of 4, Faye began performing on her Fisher Price stage, and has been acting and singing ever since. Faye incorporates her love of the arts, imaginative play, and fun when working with her students in the classroom.

Jonah Cochin

Events Coordinator & Teaching Artist

Jonah Cochin

Birthday Party Coordinator & Teaching Artist

Jonah is a Chicago-based actor/singer/teaching artist. Originally from Massachusetts, he moved to Chicago in 2015 and has been working in theatre ever since. He has worked with a variety of theatre companies in the Chicagoland area, including Porchlight Music Theatre, Blank Theatre Company, and The Beautiful City Project, among others. When he is not performing or teaching, Jonah enjoys playing guitar, rewatching episodes of Glee, or exploring parts of Chicago he hasn’t seen before!

Kevin Zhou

Music Director

Jason Fehlen

Technical Director

Maryann Carlson

Teaching Artist

Maryann Carlson

Teaching Artist

Maryann been a part of the Storefront Theatre scene here in Chicago for well over a decade, performing and working for a number of companies during that time.

In addition to her extensive experience onstage, Maryann has worked as a scenic painter and toured as a performer and director with Missoula Children's Theatre. Maryann holds a BA in Theatre from the University of Vermont where her primary focus was performance but she had the opportunity to train in all aspects of theatre.

Now in here 3rd year with Stages Chicago, Maryann is thrilled that she is able to share her lifelong passion for theatre with the children of all ages.

Haley Bolithon

Teaching Artist

Haley Bolithon

Teaching Artist

Haley Bolithon has been working with kids since her first summer job as an Inclusion Aide for NWSRA. Since then she has been a nanny, a babysitter, a swim instructor, and a counselor for an after-school program. Haley has been acting professionally since age 13 as Martha Cratchit in A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre. Since then she has acted at A Red Orchid Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, Chicago Children's Theatre, Redtwist Theatre, Blank Theatre Company, and Inkwell Arts and Learning, and she can be seen on TV in Somebody Somewhere (HBO), Work in Progress (Showtime), Knives and Skin (Chicago Film Project), and various commercials. Haley is an ensemble member at Bramble Theatre Company and Proboscis Theatre and is an alumnus of School at Steppenwolf.

Leon Evans

Teaching Artist

Lili Galluzzo

Teaching Artist

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Miranda Hunter

Teaching Artist

Miranda Hunter

Miranda Hunter has been working with young stars since she was fourteen years old. Starting as a counselor in training at a Nashville theater camp, Ms. Miranda has worked with young stars both in the classroom setting as well in the theater for the last decade; and she is so excited to be working with Stages! Aside from her experience with children Ms. Miranda has an extensive musical theater background both on and off the stage; lending her voices to projects such as MTI’s Children of Eden Jr. Outside of Stages Ms. Miranda works as a local comedian and playwright recently nominated for "Best Playwright of 2023" in the Chicago Reader.

Hope Lee

Teaching Artist

Hope Lee

Teaching Artist

Hope graduated with her BFA from Stephens College in 2018. This is where her love for children’s theatre was sparked. She moved to Chicago in August 2019 and began teaching at Stepping Stones Nursery School. Here she started with infants and joined the 2/3 yr olds. Her main focus was merging art of all forms to navigate social and emotional development. From there she began to nanny and joined the Stages team in 2021. Hope is elated to be apart of the team whether it’s running party logistics, or helping out with camps and classes. The power of art and community fills her heart!

Kylee Masterson

Teaching Artist

Kylee Masterson

Kylee is a Chicago based actor, playwright, and teaching artist. They are a recent graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Musical Theatre and Fashion Styling. They have been working with youth for years from starting their own drama program for middle schoolers to teaching art classes over summers. They have worked with different companies in Chicago to act and have their own plays produced.

Cameron Nalley

Teaching Artist

Cameron Nalley

Teaching Artist

Mr. Cameron has always had a passion for performing, and graduated in his hometown from the University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music with a BFA in Acting. Since then, Cameron has performed both on main-stages and in educational tours with the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, as well as Midsommar Flight back here in Chicago. Since working for Stages, Cameron has had the pleasure of teaching just about every level of classes we offer.

Deanna Nutt

Teaching Artist

Deanna Nutt

As a dedicated teaching artist at Stages Chicago, I bring a unique blend of experience and expertise to the world of children's theater. With seven years of invaluable childcare experience in daycare, preschool, and camp settings, I've honed my skills in creating engaging and educational experiences for young minds.

I am a proud graduate of Virginia Tech, where I achieved academic excellence by graduating cum laude. My degree in theater performance, coupled with the completion of the pre-education track, equips me with the knowledge and passion necessary to inspire and nurture the budding talents of our young performers.

At Stages Chicago, I am committed to fostering creativity and self-expression in our future stars, while instilling a love for the arts. I look forward to contributing to the growth and development of our young actors as we embark on an exciting journey through the world of children's theater.

Duda Regis

Teaching Artist

Duda Regis

Teaching Artist

Duda is thrilled to be part of the Stages Team! She is a performer, teacher and an animal lover. She is a student at Roosevelt University- CCPA, where she is earning her BFA in Musical Theatre with a Dance concentration. Duda was last seen in “Phantom Tollbooth” and “Mirrors: The Change I Want to See” at CCPA.

Back home in Brazil, Duda started working with kids and teenagers academically in 2021. In the summer of 2023, she worked at 7&8 Dance studio with kids from k-2 to High School! Duda joined the Stages Team in the Fall of 2023, and she is so happy to be assisting in Broadway Stars classes! She hopes you enjoy Stages as much as she does.

Mo Phillips Spotts

Teaching Artist

Hunter Trammell

Teaching Artist

Hunter Trammell

Teaching Artist

Hunter is a Chicago based actor originally from Louisville, Kentucky. He obtained a BFA in Acting at The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he helped facilitate numerous student lead projects, in addition to acting in main stage productions. Hunter has been acting professionally since the age of 14 in both theatre and film. In his second year with Stages Chicago, Hunter is proud to teach children of all ages, all over the city.

Patrick ZurSchmiede

Teaching Artist