OUR MISSION
The mission of Wayward Sisters Theatre Ensemble is to authentically represent the lives of the underrepresented, while striving to make theatre more accessible to our community.
BUSHWICKGIRLS
PLAYWRIGHT
SUSIE GRIFFITH
Susie Griffith (Clara Winslow) is thrilled to have a second opportunity to work with Wayward Sisters, having appeared in their production of Bandera, Texas in 2020. Other recent credits include Nancy Earl in City Lit’s Voice of Good Hope, ensemble work with Chicago Shakespeare in the National Theatre’s production of An Inspector Calls, and Karen Daniel in That Night with Erasing the Distance. She has worked with numerous Chicago theaters, such as Court, Remy Bumppo, Silk Road, Timeline, Stage Left andSteep, among others. She is a graduate of Northwestern University, and has trained at The School at Steppenwolf, Black Box Acting and Vagabond School of the Arts. She is represented by Lily’s Talent. Thanks to this wonderful cast and team, and to my cherished network of supportive family and friends!
CAST & CREW
EMMA S. RUND
Emma S. Rund is a Chicago-based playwright, actor and avid reader, passionate about stories centering womxn. There are not enough complicated womxn onstage, and we deserve to be seen in all our wonderful complexity. Emma’s 10-minute play, To Fix A Dinosaur, was recently published in an anthology titled, American Theatre of the Twenty-First Century available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. Emma has had the pleasure of workshopping her plays with companies like Chicago Dramatists, Women’s Theatre Alliance, and Playpenn, and she could not be more excited to add Wayward Sisters to that list.
DEVON HAYAKAWA
Devon Hayakawa (Director) (she/her/hers) is a theatre artist currently working in Chicago. She has a passion for storytelling, and loves shaping those stories from a variety of roles. Previous directing credits: To Fix a Dinosaur, Se Battre Pour L'Amour, and 9066. Previous dramaturgy credits: The Bushwick Girls, Rosemary and Time, Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992*, Newsies, Gypsy, Dry Land, American Idiot* (* KCACTF Dramaturgy Award Winner). Previous new work credits: Baked! The Musical, LIFT, Speak Out Because, Emily/Emily, Because It Is Allowed, and Lily & Tessa's Super Star Show, Episode 37. For more about Devon, check out devonhayakawa.com!
CAMERON KAUFFMAN
Cameron Kauffman (Margot Kühn) (SAG-E) studied at Loyola Marymount University (B.A. - Theatre Arts) and The Moscow Art Theatre. Cameron most recently starred in Mama Mia (Sophie) at The California Theatre. Other productions include The Sound of Music (Maria), Dogfight (Rose), and Cymbeline (Imogen). Cameron has also worked on web-series, “Dr. Scotty’s Intergalactic Motel and Cafe” and feature film, “The One I Wrote For You.” Cameron is now grateful to work on The Bushwick Girls with the Wayward Sisters.
TUSLI MCDANIELS
Tulsi McDaniels (Gloria Moore) is a Chicago based artist performing in both live theatre and on-camera work. After having completed her Bachelor's through an interdisciplinary program at Columbia College, Tulsi has continued her studies at Chicago's Neo-Futurists Theatre and Second City. While COVID has hindered her live theatre presence, her more recent work in shadow puppetry has acted as her primary artistic practice. Tulsi's ongoing shadow puppet piece set to premier in 2021, explores the life of a filed complaint made against a CPD officer, and the inherent flaws under the state's policing system.
SHANNON MCELDOWNEY
Shannon McEldowney (Bridget McCarthy) Recent credits include Almost Heaven (Theatre at the Center), TRU (Gosz & Fotos at Stage 773), Welcome to Jesus (American Theatre Company/Chicago Inclusion Project), and Mamma Mia! (Drury Lane Oakbrook). Shannon is a graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Social Justice and Community Organizing with Prescott College. She is dedicated to the integration of theatre and social justice and is honored to share this story. For Blaire. shannonmceldowney.com
MARY MIKIVA
Mary Mikva (Bridget Andrews) has been acting on and off in Chicago theatre for many years, beginning at the age of six with Jack and Jill Players. She recently played Du in Keely and Du at Intrinsic Theatre Company and Mary in The Memo with Organic Theatre. She was also Cauchon in the all femme Saint Joan. She has been in many short play festivals including Collaboraction sketchbooks and Cut to the Chase at Artistic Home. She has also worked with Mary-Arrchie, Chicago Dramatists, Adapt Theatre, Rendition Theatre, and Walkabout Theatre, among others. She is thrilled to be part of this talented cast in helping to workshop this exciting new play.
LLOVIZNA MIRANDA
My name is Llovizna Miranda (Gabriella Sánchez), and I live in Chicago, IL. I am a Theatre major with an Engineering minor attending Valparaiso University. I have a family of 7 and a pitbull named Alaska. I like to sing, paint, code, and design. I am Latina and bilingual: spanish. I love meeting new people and networking. Oh, who can forget food? I love cooking and tasting new food. I mean have you tried traditional foods from different cultures? It's amazing! Lastly, I love going on hikes and dancing. I like to collaborate with people so let me know if there's any future work you may want to do. Let's make it happen. I am open to new experiences in life to learn and grow. Feel free to connect in any of my social media outlets: Insta (@llovizna_m7) or TikTok (@llovimiranda).
ZOE NEMETZ
Zoe Nemetz (Ariella Feldstein) is grateful and excited for her first production with Wayward Sisters Theatre Ensemble. Zoe recently received her BFA in Acting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is back in Chicago working on her craft and teaching Yoga and Pilates. Some of the roles she is honored to have embodied include: Sam, in The Violet Sisters; Beth, in cutman.; Hermione, in Because I am Your Queen; Ensemble Member, in Assassins; #8, in a staged reading of The Wolves; and Daphna, in Bad Jews. Zoe is honored to play a role in bringing important stories to life.