Get To Know Our Team: Erynn Mackenzie as Lourdes  - ‘Cuba and His Teddy Bear’

1. Where are you from? If not from Chicago, how did you end up here? What is your ethnicity?

Hey, my name is Erynn Mackenzie and I am originally from Indianapolis, IN.  Once I graduated from college, I moved to Gary and from there then moved to Chicago.  I always wanted to live in a Big City and Chicago was always a really cool place.  I decided to pursue my passion for theatre and film in The Windy City. My ethnic background is of black and irish descent.

2. What is your position in Cuba?

When you ask position I am assuming you mean what role do I play in Cuba. LOL.  I play the role of the spicy Latina Lourdes.

3. What drew you to want to work on Cuba and His Teddy Bear?

In terms of what drew me to this play Cuba and His Teddy Bear, interesting enough, I received a call from the director asking me if I would be interested in auditioning for the play.  I was, but knew absolutely nothing about the play. The Director  (Marilyn Camacho)  gave me a brief description of the character I’d be auditioning for and I frantically got off the phone with her and began researching the play.  I was so excited to do a play like this where I’d get to play a chararcter of another race.  I thought it would be both fun and challenging.  Boy, was I right!!!!

4. Why is this a great piece of theater for Chicago?

I think that this play is a great piece for Chicago because it displays urban life in a Big City.  In the play we are talking about New York but the issues and problems that affect minorities in New York are the same in any metropolitan area.  I also feel that though this play takes place circa 1983, the problems are still just as relevant today as they were almost 30 years ago.  I find this play to be very endearing and shows a portrait of the struggles that a father and a son contend with in the face of poverty and identity.

5. What makes Chicago Theater great to you?

Wow, Chicago theatre is great because Chicago is such an amazing city!!  I mean there is truly no place on earth quite like Chicago.  Chicago is so refreshing in that here we have so many nationalities of people.  It is truly a melting pot and it has the laid back midwestern vibe that makes people very down to earth and approachable.  I think that is why Theatre is so great here.  There is a humbleness from the actors I’ve encountered that is unlike any other place.

6. What do like about working with UTC/PTC? If you have worked with UTC/PTC before what show did you work on and how was your experience?

What  I enjoyed about working with People’s and Urban Theater Company was the fact that everyone was so supportive and like family.  It was a very nurturing environment and also, these folks are TALENTED!!!  The fact that they think me talented just makes me swell with pride.  LOL.

7. What do you do for work outside of your position in Cuba?

I, outside of the acting work I do, I  teach dance to highschool girls (cheerleading coach) and I do mental health therapy.

8. Also maybe, other than Cuba, what is your favorite play that you have worked on?

I would have to be diplomatic when answering the question of my favorite play.  I would genuiniely have to say that I’ve been lucky that all the work I’ve done has been really great work that is very close to my heart.  But, If i had to pick, I would say that aside from Cuba, doing Hair was amazing.  But, honestly I’ve done great work.  Body and Sold was really incredible, The Darkest Pit, and Raisin In the Sun were awesome plays as well.  Don’t get me started on the movies I’ve done.

9. Why are you pursuing theater in Chicago, rather than somewhere else?

First off, I love Chicago.  But also I still have family here who need me and I am reluctant to leave them at this point.

10. What’s your favorite line from a play?

Dios Mio!!!! The questions just keep getting harder!!!  This is a tough question in terms of what is my favorite line from the play.  I mean this is a heavily dialogued play with alot of great lines so picking just one is way hard.  But since you want an answer, let me think, um, I’d have to say when Cuba says:  “When you got money you’ve got friends all over the place and when your broke nobody wants you.”  Also there is a line that Cuba says:  “I am your father and if I wasn’t your father I’d say don’t trust me.” I also like alot of other lines but I would be here all day dissecting the entire play and really who has time for that!!

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For tickets click: I Support Theater in Chicago!

-UrbanTheater Company (UTC)

FROM the STREETS to the STAGE

Interview by Ivan Vega

Get To Know Our Team: Hank Hilbert as Jackie - ‘Cuba and His Teddy Bear’

From now till the end of the run we will highlight the talented individuals involved in helping make the Midwest Premiere of Cuba and His Teddy Bear possible with a brief questionnaire. Enjoy!

1. Where are you from?

If not from Chicago, how did you end up here? What is your ethnicity? My father was in the air force so I am from all over. My wife and I made the move here after graduate school. My mother is Filipino and my father is white.

2. What is your position in Cuba?

I play Jackie

3. What drew you to want to work on Cuba and His Teddy Bear?

I wanted to work with Madrid St. Angelo.

4. Why is this a great piece of theater for Chicago?

Shows true life.

5. What makes Chicago Theater great to you?

All the storefront theatres in Chicago.

6. What do like about working with UTC/PTC? If you have worked with UTC/PTC before what show did you work on and how was your experience?

I did Eulogy For A Small Time Thief, and it was great.

7. What do you do for work outside of your position in Cuba?

I am going to school to be an elementary school teacher.

8. Also maybe, other than Cuba, what is your favorite play that you have worked on?

I played Renfield in Dracula.

9. Why are you pursuing theater in Chicago, rather than somewhere else?

I am a Chicago fan.

10. What’s your favorite line from a play?

Show the children you have to show the children.

For tickets click: I Love Chicago Theater! (ONLY 8 SHOWS LEFT!)

-UrbanTheater Company (UTC)

FROM the STREETS to the STAGE

Interview by Ivan Vega

Get To Know Our Team: Elayne LeTraunik (Theater Consultant/Grant Writer) - ‘Cuba and His Teddy Bear’

From now till the end of the run we will highlight the talented individuals involved in helping make the Midwest Premiere of Cuba and His Teddy Bear possible with a brief questionnaire. Enjoy!

1. Where are you from? If not from Chicago, how did you end up here? What is your ethnicity?

I was born and raised in Chicago.  My ethnicity is Russian-Jewish

2. What is your position in Cuba?

I am working on getting the theater tax exempt status and then grant writing

3. What drew you to want to work on Cuba and His Teddy Bear?

I had helped on Broken Thread and wanted to continue helping out

4. Why is this a great piece of theater for Chicago?

Because it is a premiere and is a work of Latino theater that is rarely done

5. What makes Chicago Theater great to you?

You can start on a shoestring and build to success and be taken seriously, even if you are a small theater

6. What do like about working with UTC/PTC? If you have worked with UTC/PTC before what show did you work on and how was your experience?

I worked a little on Broken Thread but I like the dedication of the people and I feel the theater has a good chance of becoming even more successful

7. What do you do for work outside of your position in Cuba?

I am a freelance grant writer and PR person for small theaters

8. Also maybe, other than Cuba, what is your favorite play that you have worked on?

My favorite was “Class Enemy” that I produced in 1999.  It was brilliant

9. Why are you pursuing theater in Chicago, rather than somewhere else?

Because I have lived here my whole life.  There is no other place I would want to pursue theater

10. What’s your favorite line from a play?

“I stand outside myself, watching myself, watching myself.  I smile, I smile, I smile”

From “The Ruling Class” by Peter Barnes

For tickets click: I support Theater in Chicago!

-UrbanTheater Company (UTC)

FROM the STREETS to the STAGE

Interview by Ivan Vega

Get To Know Our Team: Kamal Hans as Dealer - ‘Cuba and His Teddy Bear’

From now till the end of the run we will highlight the talented individuals involved in helping make the Midwest Premiere of Cuba and His Teddy Bear possible with a brief questionnaire. Enjoy!

1. Where are you from?

If not from Chicago, how did you end up here? What is your ethnicity?   I am from Chicago.  I am East Indian.

2. What is your position in Cuba?

Dealer

3. What drew you to want to work on Cuba and His Teddy Bear?

The fact that I have worked with Madrid before and was looking forward to working with him again.  He sold it to me saying, “this is a role, no one would normally cast you in, but I think you will be great!”

4. Why is this a great piece of theater for Chicago?

Excellent portrayal of hard life in the streets, how everyone regardless of position in life or race faces the same types of family issues.

5. What makes Chicago Theater great to you?

Chicago theater is raw, real and in your face!

6. What do like about working with UTC/PTC? If you have worked with UTC/PTC before what show did you work on and how was your experience?

The actors are excellent; everyone involved is at the top of their game (designers, director, producers, actors, etc).

7. What do you do for work outside of your position in Cuba?

I run a South Asian distribution company called Zarda King.  We supply companies (retailers and wholesalers) throughout North America with over 1,100 items.

8. Also maybe, other than Cuba, what is your favorite play that you have worked on?

I have loved working in and my roles in A Passage to India, Chess, Amadeus, Merchant on Venice, and The Normal Heart.

9. Why are you pursuing theater in Chicago, rather than somewhere else?

Chicago is the greatest city in the world.

10. What’s your favorite line from a play?

I have many, but one that sticks with me is “she sang Happy Birthday to the Turkey”

For tickets click: I Support Theater in Chicago!

-FROM the STREETS to the STAGE

Interview by Ivan Vega