Thomas Gibson

Thomas Gibson hails from Charleston, South Carolina. At a young age, Thomas became interested in theater, and later moved to NY to become a member of Group 14 at Juilliard’s Drama Division. He has worked extensively on stage in NY, including Shakespeare in the Park, Molière and Noel Coward on Broadway, as well as last year’s premiere of Ibsen’s “Ghost” by Charles Busch at Primary Stages. Thomas has also created roles in premieres by Romulus Linney, Anna Cascio, David Hare, and Howard Brenton, among others. Thomas’ work in films and television includes the beloved “Tales of the City” series, as well as Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut,” Whit Stillman’s “Barcelona,” Scorcese’s “Age of Innocence,” as well as “Love and Human Remains” and “Stardom,” both with Denys Arcand. He starred with Jenna Elfman in “Dharma and Greg,” for which he was twice nominated for a Golden Globe. He is also known for playing Aaron Hotchner on the series “Criminal Minds.” Thomas is an accomplished director both in the theater and on television, and recently produced and starred in “The Writer’s Bible,” a short film which he co-wrote with his son, JP, and which JP directed and produced.

Keith Kupferer

Keith Kupferer delivered a widely praised, powerhouse performance in “Ghostlight,” directed by Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan, which premiered to critical acclaim at Sundance in 2024 and was later released nationwide by IFC Films. His work in the film earned him multiple prestigious end-of-year nominations, including recognition from the Gothams and Independent Spirit Awards. He was awarded Best Actor in a Comedy by the Satellite Awards and named the “2025 Chicagoan of the Year in Film” by the Chicago Tribune. A veteran of Chicago’s theater scene, Kupferer has performed at many of the city’s most esteemed institutions, including Steppenwolf, Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens, Writers Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Northlight Theatre, A Red Orchid and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. A founding member of Rivendell Theatre Ensemble—now celebrating its 30th anniversary—he has starred in critically acclaimed productions such as “A Mile in the Dark,” “The Cake,” “American Wee-Pie” and “Cal in Camo” (for which he won a Jeff Award for Supporting Actor). His other notable credits include “Support Group for Men,” “God of Carnage” and “Sweat” (Goodman); “The Seagull,” “The Great Leap,” “The Qualms,” “Good People” and “Middletown” (Steppenwolf); “Hillary and Clinton,” “Never the Sinner” and “Appropriate” (Victory Gardens); “West Side Story” (Lyric Opera) and the world premiere of “The Humans” (American Theater Company). He has also appeared in numerous films and television shows.

Al’Jaleel McGhee

Al’Jaleel McGhee is a dynamic actor whose work spans stage and screen. He recently toured nationally with the Broadway production of “A Soldier’s Play” and has performed extensively in Chicago’s top theaters. His credits include “Noises Off” at Steppenwolf, “Intimate Apparel” and “Fireflies” at Northlight Theatre, “Hamlet” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, “Graveyard Shift” at the Goodman Theatre’s New Stages Festival, “Paradise Blue” at TimeLine Theatre, and “Blues for an Alabama Sky” at Court Theatre. Beyond Chicago, Al’Jaleel has appeared in regional productions such as “Noises Off” at the Geffen Playhouse and “Toni Stone” at the Huntington Theatre. On screen, he can currently be seen in “Lady in the Lake” and “Shining Girls” (Apple TV+), “61st Street” (AMC), and “POWER Book IV: FORCE” (Starz). Al’Jaleel holds an MFA from Northwestern University and studied at the University of Illinois Chicago and North Carolina Central University. He is represented by Gray Talent Group. Love to the tribe! @AntwonChekhov

Daniil Krimer

Daniil Krimer is an actor and theatermaker whose work spans stage and screen. In New York, he appeared in “Really Really” with Normal Ave Productions. His regional credits include “Sherlock Holmes” at West Virginia Public Theatre, while in Chicago he has performed in “Romeo and Juliet” and “Twelfth Night” at Kane Repertory Theatre. On television, Daniil has been seen in “FBI” and “Chicago P.D.” He holds an MFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University and is the co-founder and former Artistic Director of Kane Repertory Theatre. Daniil Krimer holds is MFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University. He is represented by Stewart Talent. Daniil is grateful to David Mamet for the opportunity to bring his work to his hometown and to his family for their unwavering support.

Brian Koester

Brian Koester is thankful to be working with this exceptional group of artists. Past work includes Measure for Measure, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet , On an Average Day, God of Carnage (Kane Repertory Theater) and What the Butler Saw (Noble Fool). Other favorite credits include Wake Up Mrs. Moore, Good People (iambe Theatre), Job Opportunity (Bailiwick Theater), Saved (Oblivion Theater), The Oresteia (Stage Actors Ensemble) and The Tempest (Marin Shakespeare Company). Brian is a graduate of the Theatre School at DePaul University. He would like to thank his family for their love and support.

Steve McDonagh

Recent credits include Anything Goes (Porchlight Music Theatre; Jeff Nomination), What Will Happen to All That Beauty (Contemporary American Theatre Festival), The Music Man (Goodman Theatre), Judgment Day, The Comedy of Errors (Chicago Shakespeare), Every Brilliant Thing (Farmer’s Alley; Wilde Award), Arsenic and Old Lace (Court Theatre), The Elephant Man, Native Gardens (Williams Street Rep), The Producers (Music Theatre Works) and productions at Drury Lane, Royal George and Marriott Theatre. Off-Broadway credits include Lamb’s Theatre and regional work at The Kennedy Center. Television credits include Chicago Fire, multiple appearances on Chicago Med, American Greed, PBS Chicago Stories and Twisted Little Lies as well as numerous ‘exasperated dad’ commercials. In his life as celebrity chef, Steve was the season one winner of Next Food Network Star, co-host of Food Network’s Party Line With The Hearty Boys and co-author of “Talk With Your Mouth Full” and “The New Old Bar.”

Edward Torres

Edward Torres is a director and performer whose work has been seen on stages across the country. As an actor, he most recently appeared in Bruce Norris’s "Downstate" at Playwrights Horizons, following acclaimed productions at the National Theatre in London and Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He also received a Lucille Lortel nomination for Featured Outstanding Performance 2023 for his role in Downstate. As a director, Edward has led productions at The Old Globe, including "El Borracho," "Familiar," "Native Gardens" and "Water by the Spoonful." He was named one of The Old Globe’s Classical Directing Fellows in 2021 and directed the podcast adaptation of "Macbeth" for NEXT Chapter Podcasts and Play On Shakespeare. He helmed the world premiere of Kristoffer Diaz’s "The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity" at Victory Gardens Theater and Teatro Vista, a production that was named Best Play of 2009 by the Chicago Tribune and won five Joseph Jefferson Awards, including Best Production and Best Director. Torres has also directed at several other prominent theaters, including Geffen Playhouse, Second Stage Theatre, Goodman Theatre, The Public Theater and Repertorio Español. His work has earned him accolades such as the Latin ACE Award for Best Musical and the Artistas de Teatro Independiente Award for Best Director. He is an associate Professor at University of Illinois -Chicago and serves as Artistic Director Emeritus at Teatro Vista

About Victory Gardens Theater

The Victory Gardens Theater, established in 1974, stands as a beacon of innovation and artistry in the theater community. With a record of producing more world and Chicago premieres, collaborating with more living playwrights, and exporting new plays for production elsewhere than any other theater in the region, we are proud to lead the way in the evolution of contemporary theater. Our mission is to cultivate and present powerful, new works that capture the diverse narratives of our world, enriching the American theater landscape. Through our productions, we ignite important conversations that drive meaningful civic change and foster an inclusive theater experience that invites everyone to partake. Our achievements over the past 50 years were recognized in 2001 when we received the prestigious Tony Award® for Outstanding Regional Theatre at New York's Radio City Music Hall. This esteemed award honors our unwavering commitment to artistic excellence and our significant contribution to the growth of theater on a national scale. As we celebrate our past, we look forward with determination to the next 50 years, remaining steadfast in our values of integrity, diversity, innovation, and excellence. Together, we will continue to inspire and transform the theater experience for audiences everywhere. Please visit victorygardens.org/mission-history to learn more about our history or victorygardens.org/donate/ to donate to our cause.