| Stephen Leaver, Executive Artistic Director
Mr. Leaver began working with Imagination Theater in 1997 as an ensemble member which was a position he held until becoming the Associate Artistic Director in 2001. In 2003, he took over as the Artistic Director of the company and in 2009 expanded his position to Executive Artistic Director. He currently oversees all of the programming and business aspects of the theater including but not limited to oversight of the financial, marketing, and development departments. Throughout his years at Imagination Theater, Mr. Leaver has designed and implemented countless customized programs for all ages as well as staff development workshops for schools, corporations, and community organizations across the country. In addition to his work at Imagination Theater, Mr. Leaver has taught acting at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights IL, since 2002. He currently serves as the head of the drama department there. In addition to his employment, Mr. Leaver had served on the board of the Illinois Theatre Association (ITA) since 2008 where he has represented the Theatre for Young Audiences division and has served as co-chair of the ITA’s "Theater in our School's" events held every March. Mr. Leaver graduated Cum Laude from Illinois State University where he holds a BS in theater.
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| Derek Czaplewski, Associate Artistic Director
Derek has been working as an actor, director and arts administrator in Chicago since 2001. He received his B.S. from Bradley University, with a double-major in theater and radio/tv communications. As Associate Artistic Director, Derek oversees many of the day-to-day tasks at Imagination Theater, including casting, coordinating rehearsals and serving as liaison to the ensemble. He also serves as the benefit committee chairperson. Prior to joining the staff of Imagination Theater, he was the Artistic Director for HealthWorks Theatre - a theater primarily focused on providing HIV/AIDS prevention education to young people. As an actor, Derek has worked with Northlight Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, Piven Workshop, and even Imagination Theater, among many others. Derek is also an ensemble member with Handbag Productions.
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| Jeremy Schaefer, Marketing Director
Jeremy started with Imagination Theater as an ensemble member and currently handles marketing and bookings in the office. He earned his BFA in Theater Arts from Illinois Wesleyan University where he served on the managing committee for the student-run Phoenix Theater. In addition to Marketing Jeremy is an active storyteller, writer, improviser, comic and actor. He's performed with Laugh Out Loud Theater, First Folio Shakespeare Festival, Storybox, pH Productions, Janus Theatre, The Improv Playhouse, The Chicago Theater for Young Audiences, Appetite Theater and The Big Picture Group. He has also performed stand up comedy in venues around Chicago and London.
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| Bethany Jorgensen, Development Coordinator & Director of Senior Spotlight
Bethany joined IT as a Social Issues ensemble member in 2001. Shortly thereafter helped originate the Senior Spotlight show in its current form, and, in 2009, she created the Senior Spotlight residency program. As Development Coordinator, she is in charge of all grant writing and donor relations. As an actor, Bethany has performed with Senior Spotlight and other Chicago theaters including The Goodman Theatre (6 consecutive years in A Christmas Carol), Northlight Theater, Live Bait Theater (Blind Tasting - Jeff Award, Best Original Work), Shapeshifters Theatre (2005 Best Production, Acting Irish International Theatre Fest), First Folio, Raven Theatre, and Remy Bumppo. A violinist since age 4, Bethany is also a registered Suzuki violin teacher. She is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy and Northwestern University.
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| Cliff Ruemmler, Bookkeeper
Cliff joined Imagination Theater in February 2010. Mr. Ruemmler is Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Ruemmler has 15+ years of experience working with public and privately held companies as an auditor, information technology specialist and program director with such companies as Ernst & Young LLP (senior manager); and Equity Office Properties Trust (Director of Program Management). Mr. Ruemmler is currently a stay-at-home dad and donates a significant amount of his time to various PTO’s and community organizations on the north shore of Chicago. Mr. Ruemmler received his Bachelors of Accountancy and Bachelors of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from the University of Oklahoma in 1988.
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| Amanda Blowers, CSAPP Program Facilitator
Amanda began working with Imagination Theater in 2010. Prior to joining IT, Amanda worked as an intern with Rape Victim Advocates and continues to volunteer at the agency. This involvement in advocacy for survivors of sexual assault is how she got her start with Imagination Theater! She received a Bachelor of the Arts from DePaul University with a major in Sociology and a dual minor in Spanish and Women's & Gender Studies. Amanda is currently working towards a Master's of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago.
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