A Midsummer Night's Dream

Rachel Borgo

Rachel Borgo is a multi-hyphenate theatremaker serving as the executive director of The Impostors Theatre Co (ITC). Most recently, Rachel served as the director of MONSTROUS by Stephanie Lewis and the company's anthology series FOOTHOLDS for the last five years. She also performed as Puck in Dominick Alesia’s HELENA & HERMIA IN THE ENAMORED ODYSSEY (ITC), recipient of four (4) Non-Equity Joseph Jefferson Awards including Best New Work and Best Production in the short run category. In 2022, she wrote and stage managed HERTHA NOVA, an adaptation of the novel New Town by Harry Blamires, which received seven (7) Non-Equity Joseph Jefferson Award nominations in the short run category. Outside of ITC, Rachel has served as the Assistant Director of the Musical Theatre Experience (MTE) at Performing Arts Workshop (PAW) in southwest Michigan every summer since 2021 within her larger PAW career beginning in 2017. She also recently collaborated with Theatre L’Acadie and Pocket Theatrics on their Inc Ubator series as a producer and stage manager. When she is not directing, performing, or writing, Rachel has served as a stage manager, dramaturg, and scenic painter on various ITC productions. Outside of the theatre, Rachel works as a ghostwriter, editor, and book coach, supporting authors of varied backgrounds across a multitude of genres.

Antonio Cruz

Antonio Cruz is incredibly excited to jump into the complicatedly simple mind of Demetrius! Antonio graduated from Millikin University with degrees in Theater and Human Services, despite daydreaming 70% of the time. Recent credits include Johnny in 4th Graders Present an Unnamed Love Suicide (Bump in the Night), Lucious in Scandalous Boy, the Fey in Beyond the Garden Gate (Impostors Theatre), Hanschen in Spring Awakening (Steel Beam), Kevin US in The Swan (Theatre L'Acadie), Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Don Alfonso in Cosi Fan Tutte (Millikin Uni.) and the swing for Chicago Lore(s) (Urban Theatre), and Muffed (Factory Theatre). Antonio is also a playwright, focusing on stories that delve into magical realism. They most recently penned Sunkissed, Fifteen, and the musical The Path. When not creating, Antonio works as a self-directed assistant for families with special needs and adores spending time adventuring with/annoying his friends. 

They thank the endless list of people that have supported him and the new members of his theater family he found here!

Peter Gertas

Peter Briceño Gertas (He/Him): Peter is a graduate from Roosevelt University with a BFA in Acting and has worked in the Chicago theatre scene ever since. Recent credits include LOKI: THE END OF THE WORLD TOUR (Lifeline Theatre), HEDDA GABLER (Remy Bumppo Theatre Co.), CLICK, CLACK, BOO (Lifeline Theatre), OUTSIDE MULLINGAR (Dunes Summer Theatre), A CHRISTMAS CAROL and CINDERELLA (Metropolis Performing Arts Centre), NATIVE GARDENS (Williams Street Rep), and OUT OF LOVE (Interrobang Theatre Co.). Peter is excited to be a part of this production and hopes everyone in the audience has a raucous midsummer night! Endless thanks to friends, family and patrons of the arts! 

Insta: @petergertas

Courtney Marie Hennington

Courtney Marie is thrilled to be making her Shakespeare debut as Snout/Fairy! Courtney proudly serves as the operations director for The Impostors Theatre Co. (ITC). Most recently, she performed as Dr. Eliza Babbage in ITC’s STATIC-HEAD after having the privilege to direct for FOOTHOLDS VOL. 3 – 7. Courtney is proud to serve on the board of ITC and to be an ensemble member of both ITC and the Chicago Reader’s Best Storefront Theatre Company of 2025, Ghostlight Ensemble Theatre! Courtney is eagerly anticipating the fall when she will have the privilege of starring in Ghostlight’s AMERICAN SON by Christopher Demos-Brown, running September 17 - October 4 in Jefferson Park. When not on or behind the stage, Courtney works as a corporate contracts manager in Chicago. Courtney sends her everlasting love all the way across state lines to her husband and fur family back home. 

Kayla Higbee

Kayla is a Chicago singer, artist, and voice actor represented by Big Mouth Talent. She's performed with The Impostors Theatre Co. as Miranda in the Jeff Recommended Miranda: A War-Torn Fable (2022), and as Our Lady of Scars/5th Player in The Last Living Gun (2023). She also made her directorial debut with The Impostors in this season's Footholds Vol 7 (2026). You can find her audiobooks on audible or wherever you listen to your audiobooks. We hope you enjoy the show! kaylahigbee.com 

Steph Lewis

Steph is a swampy little word witch and performer who emerges from her hovel once every season with an offering to the creative collective. She often takes the shape of an ensemble member with the Impostors Theatre Company (ITC) in Chicago. She’s been spotted playwrighting, performing, and directing, depending on what her malfunctioning meatsuit allows. Previous Impostors stories Steph collaborated on include Caged: An Allegory, Tippy: Stories From The River, Hertha Nova: A Radio Reading, The House of Baba Yaga, and Footholds Vol.7. Her first short play, Agita, featured in Footholds, ITC’s new play anthology. When the muses beckoned again, Steph answered with Monstrous (ITC), a play about the legendary gorgon Medusa directed by Rachel Borgo this past fall. Fellow myths and monsters: embrace your divine oddities. The world needs your magic. Make it as only you can. So may it be. 

Tim McCarthy

Tim is honored to be playing Theseus/Oberon for Schoolhouse Shakespeare! His previous on stage performances include Monstrous, Barefoot in the Park, The Zoo Story, The Taming of the Shrew, Harvey, No Exit, The Tempest, A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear, and Macbeth. He would like to thank the cast and crew for their focus and collaboration, as well as his partner in greatness for all her love and support.

Tom Mizell

Tom Mizell (he/him) is so excited to welcome you to A Midsummer Night's Dream! Tom is the co-founder and Managing Director of Schoolhouse Shakespeare Company. He is so proud to be able to share the work of this wonderful cast and creative team with you all! Tom is a BFA Acting Grad of CCPA at Roosevelt University. He has performed professionally with Shakespeare's Motley Crew and Edge of the Wood Theatre. He is also a writer, whose works have recently been found at JD Drama Publishing, Mushroom Cloud Press, and as a staged reading with Schoolhouse Shakes this past April!

Thanks to all the cast and crew for believing in us and this project! And thank you to Anna and Dom, I couldn't have asked for better collaborators.

Máire Witt O'Neill

Máire Witt O'Neill (pronounced “Maura”; she/her) is an interdisciplinary theater and performance artist and educator. Máire holds a BFA from Maryland Institute College of Art and an MFA in Performance from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she currently teaches as an Assistant Professor, Adjunct in the Performance Department. Máire is the head of the Theater program and Musical Theater Director at Music House Chicago. Maire is also one half of the collaborative duo Mia+Máire who started Soft Pants Studios, a parafictional production company that is best known for their web series Sad Girls Club TV. Máire is delighted and grateful to be a part of this inaugural show at Schoolhouse Shakes!

Grace Sopko

Grace Sopko (she/her) is thrilled to be a part of Schoolhouse Shakespeare’s inaugural production! Playing Hermia has been a dream of hers since she started acting as a teen. Grace graduated from Drake University with a BFA in musical theatre where favorite roles include Sister James (Doubt) and Amy (Little Women). Professional credits include Lucille (Junie B’s Essential Guide to School) at Memphis Playhouse, Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland) with Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre, and Marcy (25th Annual…Spelling Bee) at Baker Playhouse. All my love and thanks to Jess!!

Nicole Tuma

Nicole Tuma (she/her) is a singer, music director, educator, and flutist. Nicole is an active performer of classical and contemporary music in solo, choral, and chamber music settings throughout the Chicago area. She music directs Music House’s Musical Theater program, where she has worked on over 40 productions and oversees the studio’s vocal curriculum. Nicole is a long-time soprano soloist and section leader at Chicago’s Old St. Patrick’s Church, and directs youth choirs there and at St. Giles School. Nicole has written and performed in original interdisciplinary works at the Chicago Fringe and Wisconsin Flute Festivals, and coordinated and taught the Grant Park Music Festival’s Classical Campers program from 2015-19. Nicole holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Rutgers University New Brunswick and the University of Wisconsin Madison, and is thrilled to make her Shakespeare debut with Schoolhouse Shakes!

Alexa Williams

Alexa Williams is thrilled and honored to be a part of the inaugural production with Schoolhouse Shakespeare Theatre Co! Alexa is a director, actor, voice teacher, music director, and creator based in Chicago. Alexa holds a BA in Music Theatre & Dance Education from Elmhurst University. She continues to foster her own passion for theatre, opera, and performance technique in both herself and her students. She is so thankful to have gone on such a fabulous Shakespearean adventure!