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Sheree Bynum

Sheree Bynum has brought to life a plethora of characters. One of which landed her a Best Actress Nomination by the Black Excellence Committee/African American Arts Alliance for her profound ability to “become” and capture the essence of a recovering drug addict in the 9X11 Production, “Overcome”. Sheree’s journey has landed her roles on film and on stage alongside Karen Malina White (Cosby Show) in Indy film, “Jump In”. Brian Hooks (Eve Show, 3 Strikes), Kiki Shepard (Apollo), and Keesha Sharp (Girlfriends, NBC Lethal Weapon) in the hit touring stage play, “Friends with Benefits. She landed the lead character, Mary, in the stage play Two Twenty-Seven, that was later turned into the hit NBC TV show, 227. Sheree produced and starred in a series of comedic skits, “Laugh to Keep from Crying”, seamlessly playing 7 characters throughout 5 skits, live on stage at The Biograph/Victory Gardens Theater.

Gary Daggett

Gary Daggett is an actor and production engineer. Gary has a background in short film and improv and has worked on recent short films ALUS (2023) playing James and contributing as a production engineer and The Girl in the Street (2025) as a featured extra and production engineer. Gary has also performed in various stage readings as well as improv events. He is also a poet and maker who uses a variety of fabrication and production skills to create unique and functional pieces. Gary is a commercial real estate agent and is also serving in his second term having been re-elected to the Board of Trustees in Flossmoor Illinois.

Natalia Rivera

Natalia Rivera is a Chicago-based actor who earned her BA in Theatre and Performance from UIC and is passionate about connecting people through storytelling in collaborative spaces. Natalia is thrilled to make her debut with the 3rd Dimension and is grateful to be part of this production. A Teaching Artist as well, she encourages students to discover their voice through hands-on artmaking. Recent credits include the world premiere of Poor Queenie at Subtext Studio. Outside the theatre, Natalia works as a barista and enjoys time with her family and fiancé.

Christian Ortega

Christian Ortega has Graduated with his BFA in Acting and Theatre Performance from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Christian has done other play readings at The Vittum Theatre, along with experience in TV (Chicago PD), Voice Over, Teaching, and Theatre.

Duane Enty

Duane Enty Jr. is thrilled to make his theatrical debut with 3rd Dimension Performance Group! A former student at Yorkville Christian High School (IL), and Current Student at Northern Illinois University, Duane has trained at the Paramount School of the Arts in Aurora, IL. At Calvary Church Naperville, IL. Duane performed in productions including Alice into the Looking Glass (Tweedledum) and The Chronicles of Narnia (Peter Pevensie). Duane’s journey began with weekly church skits, church and school plays, youth worship, and solo singing and rap performances, growing into a passion for storytelling and leadership. Offstage, Duane is a varsity basketball champion (IHSA 1A State, 2022), film editor, competitive gamer, and aspiring business leader with strengths in marketing, accounting, and finance. Last year Duane studied abroad in Japan and next year he will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing.

Phyllis Schaeffer

Phyllis Schaeffer (Edith Washington) is a Chicago writer, performer, and director. This is Phyllis’s debut performance with the 3rd Dimension Performance Group. She is a company member of Hardworktellingstories and has also worked with Improv Olympics and Society for New Things. Phyllis is thankful for this opportunity to work with 3rd Dimension, and a special thanks to the friends who gave their time so she could perform today.

Steven

Steven F. McClain, an actor, writer, director, musician, educator is thrilled to return to the stage in this reading. Actually, it's a little bittersweet as the story is about one of his biggest fears: being trapped underground...

Ted Williams III

Dr. Ted Williams III is a performing artist and educator who teaches Political Science at the City Colleges of Chicago. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago, Rutgers University, and Northern Seminary. His acting credits include NBC's Chicago PD, Showtime’s The Chi, and various films, plays, and commercials for companies including Empire Carpet, Cheerios, and Subway. Williams is the former host of WYCC-PBS Television’s The Professors and author of the book The Way Out: Christianity, Politics, and the Future of the African American Community. He was a previous candidate for the Chicago City Council and currently serves on the Illinois Reparations Commission. He and his wife Roslyn have three children.

Cynthia Walls

Cynthia ”Cyndi” has directed two productions for Third Dimension. The first was “Torn the Musical” and currently “1619: The Journey of a People”. After graduating from DePaul University she directed for Chocolate Chips Theatre Company. Some of the shows she directed included “A Few of My Sisters”, “Blue Monday”, “The Tiger Who Wore White Gloves”, “Shani on the Hill” and “We Live in Bronzeville”. Cyndi is also very involved in Theater Ministry. She feels that using her God given talents is her highest form of praise. The faith-based productions Cyndi has directed include “Crossroads”, “Choices”, “Why Have You Forsaken Me?”, “Did You Hear That?” and “Souls of Most Folks”.

Omari Aton

Born Tyrone C. Williams on Chicago's south side, Omari's journey into music was set in motion almost from birth. He was an inquisitive child, always deconstructing mechanical devices to understand how they worked—a skill that would later translate to his talent for deconstructing and arranging complex musical compositions. His mother, being a DJ, filled their home with music, sparking a lifelong passion in Omari. This passion was formalized at Parker Elementary School, where he learned the trumpet and served as the drummer for the color guard. Omari's talent flourished at Paul Robeson High School, where he joined the band after being injured as a freshman running back on the varsity football team. His versatility and skill earned him positions in the All-City Band and Orchestra (in the percussion section) the All-City Choir (as a 2nd tenor), and the All-City Jazz Band (pianist) for three consecutive years. Under his high school band director Gene Page's tutelage, Omari became a true multi-instrumentalist, mastering every percussion instrument, piano, trombone, and the baritone horn. He successfully competed in city-wide competitions as both a solo percussionist and a member of a trombone trio, earning superior ratings. His leadership potential was also recognized, leading to his appointments as the band's instrument and equipment manager and, ultimately, Band President. This period also honed his strategic mind. Fascinated by the strategy and planning of chess, Omari developed an analytical approach that he would later apply to his musical arrangements and management style. After earning a full music scholarship to Lincoln University, a twist of fate brought him back to his native Chicago, setting the stage for his professional career. In 1982, Omari Jahi’s path converged with that of Rahim Chesed Aton, famously known as "The Sax Preacher." Omari joined his group, Chicago's Own Band, as a pianist. His deep technical knowledge and natural gift for arrangement quickly became evident, and he soon stepped into the role of Band Director. Drawing from his extensive experience in orchestras and jazz bands, Omari brought a unique talent for "musical blend and balance" to the group, shaping their sound and performance. Beyond the stage, he assisted in mentoring inner-city youth, sharing his knowledge of the music business and providing a platform for new talent. In 2019, Omari began a new chapter to broaden his technical and creative palette. He expanded his audiovisual abilities by securing a six-year internship in the journalism and broadcasting field under the mentorship of DiMarkco Chandler. True to his inquisitive nature and disciplined approach, Omari mastered these new skills, becoming a proficient sound engineer, videographer, photographer, and journalist. This added a powerful new dimension to his entertainment and production capabilities. Today, Omari Jahi is a seasoned and disciplined multi-talent: musician, leader, producer, and media professional. He possesses a rare ability to hear the "rhythm of life" and harmonize complex situations, whether musical, technical, or strategic, giving them structure and order. This unique blend of raw musical talent, analytical thinking, and proven leadership makes him a dynamic force in the entertainment world.