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Cole Simon Cole Simon holds a B.A. in Theatre and New Works from The Ohio State University with a focus in acting and directing. He has acted professionally in Illinois and Wisconsin, and regionally in Ohio. He is Artistic Director of Glass City Films (www.glasscityfilms.com) as well as professional photographer. He was The Actors Gymnasium Drama Director for 2012 Summer Camp as well as its Youth Circus Shows. -->

Faculty

Chuck Coyl Chuck Coyl has been a professional fight director for over 20 years and was president of the Society of American Fight Directors for two terms. Stage credits include the Broadway and London productions of August: Osage County, and The Crucible and Superior Donuts at the Steppenwolf Theatre. Film and television credits include work as stunt coordinator for episodes of the Moments in Time series on the History Channel and episodes of the True Crime Authors series on the Discovery channel. In addition to teaching at The Actor's Gymnasium, Chuck is a member of the North Carolina Stuntmen’s Association and a founding member of the Single Action Theatre Company.
Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi is a lifelong practitioner of circus arts. She has received four Jeff awards for her circus choreography. In addition to teaching and managing the faculty at the Gym, Sylvia directs the Teen Ensemble and runs the summer Circus and Performing Arts Camp.
Amy Dominguez Amy Dominguez has been a long time student here at the Actors Gymnasium and loves being part of the faculty. She has a strong love for circus and costumes and is currently studying for a BA in Theater Design at Columbia College.
Nathan Drackett Nathan Drackett assists Sylvia with circus arts classes and directed and adapted Neverwhere: A Circus Underground at The Actors Gymnasium. He has been seen onstage at The Actors Gymnasium and Piven Theatre and has a BA in theatre from Northwestern University.
Jill Heyser Jill Heyser is a regular at the Logan Square venue Vaudeville Underground, where she is an Associate Artist. You may have also seen her at Estrogenfest 2005/2007,  in one of the first two Flying Griffin Circuses, the Tangerine Family Circus, The Tempest, or Neverwhere,, right here at the Actors Gym.
Meredith Kara Karstedt is a performer, choreographer, and teaching artist here in Chicago. She spent the last year working with Child's Play Touring Theatre where she traveled the country performing stories and poems written by children for children. She has been teaching dance for the past 13 years in Illinois, Pennsylvania and in her home state of New York.  She received a BFA in Musical Theatre with a Dance Minor from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.  She was The Actors Gymnasium Dance Teacher and Choreographer for 2012 Summer Camp as well as its Youth Circus Shows and Skooled: A Study in Circus.
Mandi Michalski Mandi Martens has a degree in dance from Northwestern University and a love for the circus.  She has been teaching since 1998.  She has been seen onstage at the Goodman, Lookingglass and The Actors Gymnasium.
Britta Rowings Britta Rowings graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in Theatre and Certificate in Creative Writing for the Media. At NU, she acted, taught, directed and wrote for numerous student theatre and film groups including directing an originial adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Witches. She teaches, performs and writes throughtout Evanston and Chicago.
Clare Tallon Ruen Clare Tallon Ruen received her MFA in choreography and performance from the University of Milwaukee Wisconsin. She is an avid contact-improviser and enjoys creating performance pieces in yards and trees around Evanston. She teaches creative dance and drama to children of all ages.
Meredith Cole Simon holds a B.A. in Theatre and New Works from The Ohio State University with a focus in acting and directing. He has acted professionally and regionally in Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin. He is Artistic Director of Glass City Films (www.glasscityfilms.com) as well as professional photographer (www.colesimonphotography). He was The Actors Gymnasium Drama Director for 2012 Summer Camp as well as its Youth Circus Shows.
Meredith Meredith "Tommy" Tomlins is a graduate of the original Actors Gymnasium Teen Ensemble and is proud to now hold the title of Assistant Director of the same performance group. She has been seen in many professional productions including Circus Crashers, Dream, and Lost & Found at The Actors Gymnasium and Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale in 2008 and 2010 at Lookingglass Theatre Company and The Goodman Theatre, respectively.
Oyunchimeg “Oyuna” Yadamjav Oyunchimeg “Oyuna” Yadamjav is one of Mongolia’s premier contortionists with over 25 years of experience performing internationally with the world-renowned Mongolian National Circus. She has won “SILVER CLOWN” at the global circus competition in Monte-Carlo and gold medals at international circus competitions in Germany and Cuba.