Diana (she/they) is so grateful to be spreading peace and love with the Kokandy fam this summer! She is a Chicago-based theatre/commercial actor, and a proud Boricua from New Jersey. Kokandy: The Brass Teapot (CMTF/Steppenwolf LookOut). Regional: Octet (Raven Theatre), On Your Feet! (Drury Lane Theatre), Annie, Godspell (Music Theater Works), Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” (Young People’s Theatre), New Faces Sing Broadway Now (Porchlight Music Theatre), Milo Imagines the World (Chicago Children’s Theatre), and various concerts with The Beautiful City Project. You may have also spotted her face in an ad or two–working with companies like Burger King, Rakuten, Metro, CAVA, and the Chicago Cubs. Much love to her darling Callan, her DDO Dames, and her wonderful family and friends! @dianamarilynalvarez | dianamarilynalvarez.com

Justin is so excited to be making his Chicago theatre debut and Swing debut with Kokandy! He feels incredibly lucky to be apart of such a talented, hardworking, and fun cast. He recently performed in Three Sisters and Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 at Roosevelt University. He can’t wait for you to see this performance of Hair!

Morgan (she/her) is a Chicagoland native whose recent credits include The Hula Hoopin’ Queen (Young People’s Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Metropolis Performing Arts Center), and Hairspray (Uptown Music Theatre). Morgan graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of the Arts in Theatre, and certificates in Musical Theatre and Integrated Marketing Communications. She is now proudly represented by Gray Talent Group. Morgan is incredibly grateful for her loved ones and this amazingly talented cast, crew, and creative team without whom none of this would have been possible! You can follow her on Instagram @morganxbarber

Bio coming soon!

Caitlin (she/her) is excited to be back at Kokandy! Caitlin is a BTAA and BACA nominated actress. Recent theater credits include: Pegasus Theatre, Goodman, Black Ensemble Theatre, Theo Ubique, Temple Theatre in North Carolina, Children of Eden in Concert at the Cadillac Theatre, Porchlight Theatre, Underscore Theatre, About Face Theatre, Writers Theatre and Northlight. Caitlin is a graduate from Columbia College Chicago in Musical Theatre and Voice Overing.

Joshua is thrilled to be a part of this incredible production! Originally from a small town in Georgia where diversity in the arts was limited, Joshua took a leap of faith and moved to Chicago to pursue his passion for performance. Since arriving in the Windy City, he has completed college, built meaningful artistic connections, and even had the opportunity to take a Chicago-born musical on the road to the historic Apollo Theater in New York City. His previous theatre credits include Tarzan (Kerchak), Anything Goes (Luke), Grease (Johnny Casino), and many more. Joshua would like to thank his family and friends for their unwavering support, and most importantly, thank God for blessing him with this amazing opportunity. Follow his journey on Instagram: @joshuabemmanuel

Shayla is a senior at the Chicago College of the Performing Arts who recently traded the mountains and Mormons of Utah for the chaos and magic of Chicago. She is so excited to be making her Chicago professional debut in Hair, right after performing in Schoolhouse Rock Live! at Timberlake Playhouse (because apparently she doesn’t believe in taking breaks). Being an artist in 2026 can feel a little overwhelming at times, but getting to tell a story like Hair—one that speaks so directly to the world we’re living in—makes everything feel a little lighter. It’s a reminder of why we do this in the first place: to connect, to challenge, and to give people something they might not even realize they need. Shayla is incredibly grateful to be part of this production and to be working with Kokandy, creating meaningful, joyful, and honest theatre in a city that continues to inspire her every day.

Isadora is a graduate of Northwestern University with a BA in Theatre, Dance, Art History, a certificate in Music Theatre and a TYA module. Coco’s favorite NU credits include Aldonza in “Man of La Mancha,” Frida Kahlo in “Frida Libre,” and Miranda in “The Tempest.” Alongside performance, Coco is deeply interested in choreography and her research as a choreographer centers on the intersection of Judaism and movement through physical storytelling and history. She has choreographed two original pieces: “Gertle, Come Back” inspired by her summer training with the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company and “Pillars of Pages,” inspired by the story of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. At NU, Coco choreographed 7 full-length musicals ranging from “Cabaret” to “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Coco recently performed in “SPECTACULAR SPECTACULAR!” with [Producing Body], Goodnight Moon with Chicago Children’s Theatre, and is an Ensemble Member of Imagination Theatre performing for Chicago public schools. Enjoy the show <3 @isadora.coco

Allyriane (She/They) is thrilled to be making their Kokandy debut in Hair with such a wonderful team of artists! Originally from Athens, OH, Allyriane is a graduate of Indiana University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Chicago Credits: The Tender Trap (Blue in the Right Way), Dance Nation (Refracted Theatre Co.) The Living Room (Eclectic Full Contact Theatre) Other Credits: Webster’s Bitch (Constellation Stage and Screen). Allyriane would like to thank their friends and family for all of their support in her creative endeavors.

Wolfie J is a Chicago based actor, pole dancer, stripper, and circus artist. They have always gravitated towards celebrating sensuality / sexuality through their performances and cannot wait to bring that energy to this production. They were most recently seen in Porchlight’s production of Cabaret and have since been focusing on circus . If interested in learning how to pole dance, they teach at Pole Icons and Brass Ring and would love to see you in a class!

Amy (she/her) is a Chicago-based actor originally from Seattle, WA. Her recent credits include The Targeted, Veal (A Red Orchid Theatre), The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales, Frindle (Griffin Theatre), The Snow Queen (Marriott Theatre), and The Spongebob Musical (Kokandy Productions). She graduated from the Chicago College of Performing Arts with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Outside of acting, Amy is an early childhood educator specializing in arts, music, and movement at Bubbles Academy. She is proudly represented by Gray Talent Group. @amyyesom

Víctor is so happy to be back at Kokandy after having a wonderful time swinging Alice By Heart. He’s been seen around town at Metropolis (Rock of Ages); Music Theatre Works (Zorro; Legally Blonde); costume designing for The Impostors (ensemble member); singing in cabarets for Glendenning Theatre Company, and basically doing anything artistic anyone will have him for. Much love to those who have encouraged him along the way! @victor_lopez3

Bio coming soon!

Chosen (she/her) is from Nashville, Tennessee. She is a third year Musical Theater major studying at Roosevelt University: Chicago College of Performing Arts. There she was previously seen in Into the Woods (Bakers Wife), Pippin (Leading Player u/s), Jesus Christ Superstar (Ensemble;Soul Girl) and is currently playing in her first college play of Hit The Wall (Roberta). This past summer she had the opportunity to be a 2025 Acting Intern at her first summer stock at the New London Barn Playhouse! There she did Sister Act (Michelle: Ensemble), Mary Poppins (Mrs.Corry;Ensemble), and Hairspray (Motormouth Maybelle u/s *went on; Ensemble). She enjoys listening to music, outdoors, eating chipotle, and spending time with her friends and family. She is so excited to be making her first professional theater debut here at Kokandy Productions! She would like to thank God, her family, and friends for all their love and support watching her follow her dreams!

Catherine (she/her) is overwhelmed with gratitude to be returning to Kokandy Productions for this summer of endless love and sunshine. When she’s not performing in musicals, she’s singing for Maggie Speaks (an internationally renowned cover band/company), teaching voice lessons to children, or working on releasing her first EP. Some of Catherine’s most recent Chicago credits include: Queen Bea: A New Musical (Kokandy Productions), CATS and Guys & Dolls (Music Theatre Works), and RENT (Highland Park Players). Some of her favorite roles she’s played over the past few years include: Mimi Marquez (RENT), Alison (Fun Home), Demeter (CATS) and Christine (Be More Chill). She’s proud to be represented by Gray Talent Group, and is especially grateful to them, her family and friends for all of their love and support. She has her mom to thank for teaching her to believe in love and that “this too shall pass”. Much love for all! <3 Instagram: catherinerodriguezoconnor, Website: catherinerodriguezoconnor.biz

Ainsley is so excited to be making her Chicago professional debut in Hair!! A recent graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts, her educational credits include Carrie (Carrie) and Spring Awakening (Ilse). Biggest thanks to the entire directing team, cast, and crew for being so inspirational and welcoming, and all the love to her family and friends for being her biggest cheerleaders. Enjoy the show and welcome to our tribe!!!

Mateo is so excited to be a part of his first production in Chicago! He is originally from San Antonio, Texas and is going into his second year at the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) where he is an interdisciplinary student in voice and musical theater. Some of his favorite past roles have been Shrek in Shrek and the Mysterious Man in Into the Woods, and he is thrilled to add such an important show to that list.

Gavin is thrilled to be back at Kokandy Productions where he was last seen in their production of Amelie the Musical. Selected acting credits include: Gaslight (Northlight Theatre) The First Lady of Television (Northlight Theatre) The Promotion (MPAACT) The Singularity Play (Jackalope Theatre) King Lear (Montana Shakespeare in the Parks) Twelfth Night (Montana Shakespeare in the Parks) Queen C (Trap Door Theatre) Reality Theatre (Trap Door Theatre) Gavin holds a B.A. in Musical Theatre from Plymouth State University and is a proud graduate of The ACADEMY at Black Box Acting.

Zac is thrilled to be making his Kokandy debut. Recent credits include Heartbreak Hotel (Marriott Theatre), Short Shakes! Hamlet (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Medea (Lyric Opera) and GREASE! (Drury Lane Theatre). Zac would like to leave you with a quote from another revolutionary piece of art that consistently makes him cry: “I may not be that perfect son, but y’all be rockin’ when I’m done *sick guitar solo*”

Nicki (She/They) is a multidisciplinary Actor/Singer from the east coast, and she is delighted to be joining Kokandy Productions in HAIR! Most recently, she’s received acclaim and as The Angel in Angels in America (Invictus Theatre), starred in Madame & Steve, dir. by Cleo Flores (Lazy Susan Theatre), appeared in Love at Stake dir. By Cody Lee Walker (The Annoyance), and performed in Head Over Heels (CCC). You can catch their audio drama debut in Psychopompos – A New Mythology (Trap Door Theatre). Reps: DDO Artists Agency.

Jack is so happy to be back with the Kokandy Team for both Hair and Sunday in the Park with George! CHICAGO: The Angel Next Door (Northlight Theatre) Christmas Carol (Drury Lane Theatre) Diana the Musical (Theo Ubique Theatre, Non-Equity Jeff Award Nominee), Frindle (Griffin Theatre), Alice by Heart (Kokandy Productions). REGIONAL: The Play That Goes Wrong (Florida Repertory Theatre) OTHER: Royal Caribbean Vocalist. Endless thanks to his family, friends, and every opportunity to keep creating. For Nan. Represented by Big Mouth Talent. thejacksaunders.com | @thejacksaunders

Maliha is thrilled to be making her Kokandy debut! CHICAGO: Dhaba on Devon Avenue (Writers Theatre), Wish You Were Here (Remy Bumppo), A Lie of the Mind (Raven Theatre), Carousel (Music Theater Works), The Sondheim Tribute Revue & The Secret Garden (Theo Ubique), A Year With Frog and Toad (YPT Chicago), Work Hard Have Fun Make History (First Floor Theater), & Arabia, Arabia! (The Plagiarists). REGIONAL: Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical (Constellation Stage). TV: Deli Boys (Hulu). BFA Musical Theatre from Ithaca College. Represented by Gray Talent Group. Eternal love & gratitude to family and friends. Liberation is connected – none of us are free until all of us are free! Another world is possible! Free Palestine. malihasayed.com

Quinn is a Chicago-based performance artist and choreographer. They’re a proud Filipino-American and graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts (BFA Musical Theatre). CREDITS: Jekyll & Hyde, American Psycho, The Spongebob Musical (Kokandy), Spring Awakening (Flint Rep), You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (Marriott), Godspell, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Theo Ubique) CHOREOGRAPHY: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (CCPA), Rock of Ages, 9 to 5 (Metropolis). Thanks to my family, always! Mahal ko kayo!

Stone is a Junior Musical Theater Major at the Chicago College of Performing Arts and his favorite color is orange! Recent/Favorite credits include Dolokhov in Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Subtext Cabaret at the Green Room 42, Ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar at CCPA, Slim in Oklahoma! at the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theater, Stokes/ Tommy US in Carrie: The Musical at CCPA; Simon in Simon Says at Boaz Productions. If you are reading this he wishes he could give you a hug and a fist bump! He would like to thank his family and his friends for making him into the artist he is today! Peace out!

Bio coming soon!

Yasmeen (she/her) is a stage manager and teaching artist in Chicago. She teaches at public and private schools in the Chicago area through Raven Theatre and Creative Root. She Assistant Directed A Little Night Music at Theo, Assistant Stage Managed Jekyll & Hyde at Kokandy, and most recently Stage Managed Hamlet at Strawdog. She’s excited and grateful to be returning to Kokandy. Working on Hair with this wonderful cast, design team, and band has been delightful! Yasmeen recently earned a BFA in Theatre Arts and a BA in English at DePaul University. She is originally from New York City, where she attended LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts.

Kirsten (they/them) is a Chicago-born intimacy director, cultural/gender sensitivity specialist, and theatre educator. Chicago credits include Andy Warhol Presents: The Cocaine Play (Jackalope Theatre), In His Hands (First Floor Theater), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Haven Chicago), Last Night and the Night Before (Steppenwolf)  Tick, Tick…Boom (BoHo Theatre) The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas ( Theo Ubique Theatre ); Rent (Porchlight Music Theatre); Jekyll and Hyde, American Psycho: The Musical, Sweeney Todd, (Kokandy Productions); Mosque4Mosque and  The Magnolia Ballet (About Face Theatre) Regional credits: 9 to 5 (Metropolis Performing Arts Center) Sugar in Our Wounds, and Stonewallin’ (Richmond Triangle Players)

Derek (he/him) is the Producing Artistic Director of Kokandy Productions. Directing credits include Children of Eden in Concert (Broadway In Chicago), Into the Woods, Alice by Heart, Sweeney Todd, American Psycho, Head Over Heels (3 Jeff Awards and 2 Jeff nominations, Kokandy); Spring Awakening (Flint Rep); Rock of Ages (Metropolis); The View Upstairs (Circle Theatre); Miracle by Dan Savage, Poseidon (Hell in a Handbag) Carrie, Bat Boy, Merrily We Roll Along (CCPA/Roosevelt University). Choreography credits include Evil Dead (Jeff nomination), Coraline the Musical, Ghost Quartet, and Shockheaded Peter (Black Button Eyes). He was previously named one of Windy City Times’ 30 Under 30, and one of Newcity Magazine’s 50 Players 2024. MFA: CCPA/Roosevelt University. IG: @dvbarham

Shelby (she/her) is thrilled to be back at Kokandy! Recent stage manager credits include: Jekyll & Hyde and Alice By Heart (Kokandy Productions), PASSION (Blank Theatre Company), Sondheim Tribute Revue (Theo Ubique), The Kelly Girls (Factory Theater), Last Night in Karaoke Town (Factory Theater), Happy Birthday Mars Rover (Passage Theatre), Human Resource(s) (Theatre Evolve), Southern Comfort (Pride Arts), Scraps (NAFT) and The Spitfire Grill (Refuge Theatre Project). Shelby would like to thank her chosen family (near and far) and her girlfriend, Ellie, for their endless love and support.

Bio coming soon!

Lynsy (she/hers) is honored to be back with Kokandy Productions for the sixth production and third season in a row. You may find her working in the Chicagoland area as a sound artist, actor, director, or whatever trade she decides to pick up next. Lynsy would like to thank her loved ones, especially her family, for their constant support and faith in her!

Syd (she/her) is thrilled to be part of this groovy show, and always happy to be back with Kokandy Productions!  She’s held the position of Makeup Designer for all their shows in the last 4 seasons, including Sweeney Todd,  Alice By Heart, and returning to BIC Chicago this fall, Jekyll & Hyde! Syd has been Makeup Designer for companies all over the city,  including the last 14 seasons with Hell in a Handbag Productions (Queen for a Day, The Golden Girls Lost Episodes, and more!) Other past favorites include Metropolis (Rock of Ages), Highland Park Players (Kinky Boots),  Haven Theatre (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Trap Door Theatre, Nothing Without A Company, and too many more to list. Syd specializes in Headshot makeup application, as well as special event, and has worked on commercial and event makeup for ABC Chicago, Warner Brothers, Fever Productions, and more. She’s also an actor, and you may have seen her grace the stage a few times around Chicago. Syd is a graduate of the CCPA at Roosevelt University with a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance, and is a certified Makeup Artist through Make Up First School Chicago. www.madcbs.com

Bio coming soon!

Eleanor (she/her) (scenic designer) works regionally and internationally as a scenic designer, experiential, immersive, event and community-focused artist and designer.  Her works has appeared in hundreds of theaters and performance spaces including Millennium Park, The Second City, Chicago Children’s Theater, Thalia Hall (all aforementioned in Chicago), Children’s Theater Company (Minneapolis, MN), Northern Stage (White River Junction, VT), TheatreSquared (Fayetteville, AR), Young People’s Theatre (Toronto, Canada), as well as at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Scenic design highlights include: This Too Shall Slap (The Second City); Urinetown, Tell Me on a Sunday, and Never Better (Theo Ubique); Wonder! A Woman Keeps a Secret (Northern Stage); It’s A Wonderful Life and In the Grove of Forgetting (TheatreSquared); Goodnight Moon and Milo Imagines the World (Chicago Children’s Theater); Notes from the Field (Timeline Theatre); Hairy Ape and The Mother (Oracle Productions); and she annually designs the social justice-focused youth ensemble production with Free Street Theater.  Career highlights include: co-creator and designer of FORTS! Build Your Own Adventure; scenic design for Iron & Wine on the national Outside Problems tour; creative director + designer for an immersive lobby activation at the Harris Theater for English National Ballet’s production of CREATURE; designer for a 2019 art activation in Millennium Park; and details designer for Hebru Brantley’s Nevermore Park. She was named one of NewCity Magazine’s Top 50 Players Who Really Perform for Chicago in 2025. Eleanor has an MFA in Scenic Design from Boston University. Her full portfolio can be viewed at www.eleanorkahn.com. Kahn is a proud member of USA 829

Hannah (she/her) is a Chicago based Sound Engineer and Electrician. She works seasonally as the Lighting and Sound Supervisor at Peninsula Players Theatre and the Assistant Sound Supervisor at Chicago Children’s Theatre. She is also the Production Assistant for Joe Mazza at brave lux inc. As an assistant and technician, Hannah has recently worked on productions at Shattered Globe Theatre, Steep Theatre, Writers Theatre, About Face Theatre, and Citadel Theatre. Hannah is an alum of Loyola University Chicago and is thrilled to be working on her first show with Kokandy Productions!

Galt MacDermot (1928-2018). Two-time Grammy and Tony Award-winning composer Galt MacDermot is best known for the music he wrote for the Broadway scores of HAIR and Two Gentlemen of Verona. He garnered his first Grammy for the song “African Waltz” in 1960. His work spans the gamut of performing arts: musicals, ballet scores, film scores, chamber music, the Anglican liturgy, orchestral, poetry, drama accompaniments, band repertory and opera. His work encompasses a wealth of musical genres, crossing the boundaries of jazz, folk, funk, gospel, reggae and classical styles.

The son of a Canadian diplomat, Galt was born and raised in Montreal. He received a Bachelor of Music from Cape Town University, South Africa. Based on his traditional training, he wrote his own arrangements. He moved to New York in 1964 and, three years later, wrote the music for the landmark Broadway production HAIR, which he later adapted for the screen. He formed the New Pulse Band in 1979, which features his original music played by some of the world’s greatest musicians, including Bernard Purdie and Wilbur Bascomb.

Galt’s music is consistently sampled by hip hop and rap artists who find his rhythms perfect for setting their lyrics to, as in Run DMC’s Grammy Award-winning “Down With The King” and Billboard’s top chart-buster, “Woo-Hah!! Got You All In Check” by Busta Rhymes.

Galt MacDermot wrote more than 3,000 songs over his lifetime. His music is listened to and enjoyed in 179 countries worldwide, and HAIR has been performed constantly since its inception in over 40 countries worldwide.

Galt MacDermot is music.

Bio coming soon!

After over a decade in Chicago, Max (he/him) has created over 300 designs on over 200 professional & educational productions. He is a proud member of the United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE. Max has won 2 Non-Equity Jeff Awards (Lighting – Jekyll & Hyde @ Kokandy & Projections – Angels in America @ Invictus), a Lou Award (Lighting – Into the Woods @ Big Noise), and 3 Equity & 9 additional Non-Equity Jeff nominations. He has also designed on 1 Equity & 6 Non-Equity Jeff Award Winning Musicals/Plays. Max is the Resident Lighting Designer for Roosevelt University’s CCPA & before that was an instructor at Northeastern Illinois University for 7 years (Instructor Excellence Award, 2019). A founding member of Another Door Theatre Project, he worked for 3 years as Head of Production/Resident Scenographer. Max spent 2 summers designing lighting for the touring opera company La Musica Lirica (Novafeltria, Italy). Favorite projects at Kokandy, Porchlight, Paramount, The Gift, Black Ensemble, Invictus, American Blues, Handbag, Cincinnati Shakespeare, Mercury, TATC, Black Button Eyes, BoHo, Steppenwolf Garage, City Lit, ADTP, CCPA, NEIU, Northwestern, & DePaul. ivMaxin.com

As always, just really happy to be here. Have fun on your trip 🙂

David is a Chicago-based performer most recently seen as Drew in Rock of Ages at Mercury Theater, before that he was Mark in RENT with Porchlight Music Theatre and Sebastian in Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical with Kokandy Productions, for which he received a Jeff Nomination. Previous credits include: Don’t Dress for Dinner, Bridges of Madison County (Brightside Theater); Noises Off, Mousetrap, A Christmas Carol (Metropolis Performing Arts) The Last Five Years, Big Fish (Big Noise Theater).

Bio coming soon!

Chels Morgan (they / them) is a Queer, Black and Dominican Intimacy, Movement and Fight Director as well as a Cultural Sensitivity Specialist for stage and screen. Their work lives at the nexus of physical storytelling, mental health and cultural competency, as they recognize that authentic storytelling is only possible when the artists telling the story are cared for. They are also an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator and the Director of Accessibility and Inclusion at the Intimacy Professionals Education Collective (IPEC). Notable credits include Paranormal Activity (Broadway / North American Tour), How to Defend Yourself (New York Theater Workshop), ICEBOY! (Goodman Theatre), safronia (Lyric Opera of Chicago), and THE CHI (Showtime). Their intimacy, violence and cultural competency work has also been seen at the Old Globe Theatre, The Lucille Lortel Theater,  the American Conservatory Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theater, Syracuse Stage, Lookingglass Theater, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater, among others.

Kara is a multi-instrumentalist, music director and actor in the Chicago area. As a pit musician of many years, her mission is to foster a band and cast that feels empowered to groove in their own individuality. Past shows include Always, Patsy Cline (Drury Lane), Amélie (Kokandy), Porchlight Sings the Season (Porchlight Music Theatre), LOKI: The End of the World Tour (Lifeline Theatre), Rock of Ages (Metropolis), Tell Me On a Sunday (Theo Ubique) and Houston, You Have a Problem (Streamline Theatre).

James Rado (1932-2022) was an actor, songwriter and co-creator of the characters, story, dialogue and lyrics of HAIR. His daydream, since he was a teenager, was to write a Broadway musical. He taught himself how to write lyrics from intense study of Rodgers & Hammerstein, Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter, etc., as well as pop music from the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. In college, he wrote the music and lyrics for two shows: Interlude at the University of Maryland and Cross Your Fingers at the Catholic University of America.

After a two-year gig in the U.S. Navy, in 1956 he moved to New York to be an actor. Five years later he got his first Broadway break when the famed director and teacher Lee Strasberg plucked him from an acting class for a small part in June Havoc’s Marathon ’33starring Julie Harris. This led to a string of acting roles in Luther, Generation, The Knackand, in 1964, Hang Down Your Head And Die, where he met fellow actor Gerome Ragni. He told Ragni about his daydream of creating a Broadway musical and proposed that they team up to write a show about the hippies and the antiwar movement which was happening all around them. Ragni came aboard with some of his exciting experimental poetry.

In 1966, in the midst of writing HAIR, Rado got a leading role as Richard the Lionhearted in the James Goldman play The Lion in Winter, starring Robert Preston, Rosemary Harris and Christopher Walken. By 1967, Rado and Ragni had a presentable script of HAIR, which they gave to the producer Joseph Papp. Papp liked what he read and decided HAIR would be the inaugural production of his newly-founded New York Shakespeare Festival at The Public Theater on New York City’s Lower East Side. HAIR opened on Broadway in the spring of 1968 and starred Rado and Ragni in the lead roles. The rest is theatrical history. In his later years, Rado continued working on two other pieces: American Rainbow and Sun.

James Rado photo by Marc B. Weiss.

Gerome Ragni (1935-1991) From Pittsburgh PA, Gerome was the youngest of a large family with six sisters and two brothers. After four years as a medic in the United States Air Force, he began acting and was recognized by winning the Barter Theatre Award as Outstanding Young Actor. He appeared on Broadway in John Gielgud’s Hamlet featuring Richard Burton, and he starred off-Broadway in The Knack. He was involved with The Open Theater (which he named) studying experimental theater techniques with Nola Chilton and Joseph Chaikin. With James Rado he co-created the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical HAIR, and their lyrics were set to music by Galt MacDermot. A dynamic stage and life presence, he originated the role of Berger in HAIR. On his own, he authored the Broadway musical Dude, with score by MacDermot. He teamed up with another composer, Steve Margoshes, who wrote the music for the Ragni opus Jack Sound and His Dog Star Blowing His Final Trumpet on the Day of Doom. Soon thereafter, he and Rado rejoined forces to collaborate on a new musical they called Sun. A gifted actor and prolific writer and painter, he originated “paper-napkin art” and he wrote a volume of dynamic poetry under the pen name Virginia Miller. He passed in 1991. His son, Erick Ragni, is an innovative architect.

Lolo is a multidisciplinary artist who enjoys collaborating, curating, collecting, and making. This is her first collaboration with Kokandy Productions. She recently worked with First Floor Theater on Work Hard Have Fun Make History. She hopes you are having a good day.   

Matt is thrilled to be joining Kokandy Productions for his fourth production, having previously designed Amelie, Into The Woods and Alice By Heart. He has sound-designed over sixty theatrical productions and received two Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for his work. He is an A1 for musical theatre and his mixed shows with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Manual Cinema and many other productions. He is currently the Sound Supervisor for Chicago Children’s Theatre and he has a degree in Sound Design for Theatre from The Theatre School at DePaul University. 

Nicholas is a Producer and Production Manager based in Chicago. NYC: Sentinels: A New Play with Music (A.R.T./New York Theatres), Jungle Jim: A Musical Wildlife Adventure (Theatre Row). KOKANDY: Jekyll & Hyde, Amélie, Into the Woods, Alice By Heart, American Psycho, The Spongebob Musical, Hundred Days, Head Over Heels and two seasons as Festival Producer of the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival. Nicholas holds a BFA from Illinois Wesleyan University and was previously named as one of Windy City Times’ 30 Under 30, honoring the best and brightest individuals in Chicago’s LGBTQIA+ youth community. He also serves as the Productions Manager at The Den Theatre in Wicker Park.

Bio coming soon!

Keith is the Wig Designer for the Fabulous, and is thrilled to be designing Hair and Wigs for HAIR! Keith does not perform in front of the curtain, but creates Magic behind it! Keith is a 2020 Jeff Award winner for Artistic Specialization, Wig Design, for Hedwig and The Angry Inch (Theo Ubique). Jeff Nominated for Priscilla, Queen of the Desert! (Mercury Theater) 2022-2023; Taste of Soul (Black Ensemble Theater)2023-2024; The Real Housewives of The North Pole (Hell In A Handbag) 2024-2025. With over 200 shows to her credit, she has created magic with Kokandy Productions, for the last several seasons, as well as Hell In A Handbag Productions, The Black Ensemble Theater, Oak Lawn Park District Theater, Mercury Theater Chicago, Alex Grelle Productions, Metropolis Theater, Sweetback Productions, Theo Ubique Theatre, Firebrand Theatre, New American Folk Theater, Big Noise Theater, Leyden High School and more.

Kyle (he/him) is part of the next generation of American theatremakers. As an emerging director, producer, and arts leader, the heartbeat of Kyle’s work is warmth, unbridled support, and stupid fun. Previous Kokandy work includes AMELIE (Directing Intern). Selected directing credits include THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (The Theatre School), OUR LIVES INSEPARABLE (International Voices Project), SPRING AWAKENING & ALICE BY HEART (Act One Project OC). Assistant directing credits include THE ADDING MACHINE (The Theatre School) and NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED (Chicago Playworks). BFA/4 Theatre Management at The Theatre School at DePaul University. @kylemstafford

Rachel is thrilled to be back with Kokandy! Other companies she has worked with include Goodman, Midsummer Flight, Music Theater Works, Theater Wit, Backstage Breckenridge Theater,  Babes with Blades, Trap Door, Oak Park Festival Theater, Citadel, Black Button Eyes, Hell in a Handbag, Lifeline, Porchlight, Griffin, Strawdog, the Factory and Redtwist. She also has designed at Wheaton College, Governor’s State University, North Central College, St. Patrick’s High School, Indiana University Northwest, Loyola Academy, and the Chicago Academy for the Arts. She is a ten-time Non-equity Jeff nominee, having been awarded two. More info at www.rachelsyp.com

B is a deviser who works with community members, artists, and actors alike to build a process specific to the questions and skill sets of the group. B’s NYC Credits include Into the Woods, SHO1B, Macbeth, Strays, (un)belonging*, Blood Grudge, Electric World, My Best Friend’s Cabaret, Singing Lessons, iii sisters, Connection is Unstable, The Munchies, Leo’s Requiem and Alley Between the House. Assistant on Blackout Songs (MCC), I think Big Cat…(Roundabout) . In Chicago, B directed Half-Baked, The Beauty of Your Eyes and Civics and Humanities and assisted productions including Spring Awakening, Children of Eden, Hair and Another Room in Your Head. MFA Directing Columbia University, BFA Acting CCPA, recipient of the Neo-Futurist Artist of Color scholarship. Founding member of Pick Six. www.brennanurbi.com @brennan_urbi