Jeff Broitman (Serebryakov), he/him. Jeff was previously seen in Edge’s Much Ado About Nothing, Inherit the Wind; The Language Archive, for which he received a Jeff nomination; and The Book of Will. Jeff has written, directed, taught, and performed theater and improvisation for over 30 years in New York City; Minneapolis; and Chicago. Recent credits include Harvey (St. Sebastian Players); Deck the Stage (Yellow Rose Theater); and The Blood Countess (Idle Muse Theatre). Thanks to Stacey and everyone at Edge for this opportunity!

Brian Alan Hill (Astrov), he/him. Mr. Hill is thrilled to be back at Edge
of the Wood. Past appearances include The Minutes and It is So
(If You Think So!). In a former life, Brian was an associate
casting director with Zane/Pillsbury Casting in LA, and prior to
that, he was the founder/artistic director of Visions & Voices
Theatre. Mr. Hill wishes to thank his wife, Camille, for her
continued encouragement and love.

Izzi King (Sonya), she/they. Izzi is an actor and intimacy director based in Chicago. She received her BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University in 2024 and her IPTC (Intimacy Professionals for Theatre and Cinema) intimacy direction certification in 2026. Izzi is the executive director of Sub Rosa Theatre Collective, a non-profit theatre company in Chicago, where she directs, acts, and produces. For credits and more info, visit izzi-king.com or follow on Instagram @izzi__king.

Stephen Loch* (Vanya), he/him. Stephen is an actor and graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. He has appeared in many Edge of the Wood Theatre productions, including Bernhardt/Hamlet (Jeff nomination–Performer in a Supporting Role), The Language Archive, Light Up the Sky, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Our Town, The Fantasticks, Holiday, Arcadia, The Minutes, and The Book of Will.

Jeanann Power* (Maria), she/her. Jeanann holds an MFA from the Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. She has appeared in a number of Edge productions, including The Glass Menagerie, Inherit the Wind, It Is So (If You Think So!), The Minutes, The Crucible, The Book of Will, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Seagull, She Loves Me, Our Town, The Man Who Came to Dinner, and The Secret Garden. She also portrayed Emily Dickinson in The Belle of Amherst at Edge, and the show then transferred to open the South Haven Theatre Series.

Janet Rourke* (Marina), she/her. Janet is one of the co-founders of Edge of the Wood and an instructor at the school. She has directed and/or appeared on the stage at The Goodman, the Marriott, the Barn, and CenterStage. Janet’s appearances with the Resident Theatre include Into the Woods, Our Town, The Seagull, Twelfth Night, Drood, Meet Me in St. Louis, The Beautiful People, Pride and Prejudice, Light Up the Sky, A Doll’s House, Part 2, and Much Ado About Nothing. Janet directed The Minutes in 2023 and received a Jeff Award nomination for Best Director–Short Run.

Fred A. Wellisch (Telegin), he/him. Fred last appeared at Edge of the Wood Theatre in The Language Archive. He has performed at Steppenwolf, Profiles, Teatro Vista, Porchlight, Invictus, Strawdog, City Lit and Timeline. Favorite roles have included: Frosch in Die Fledermaus (Lyric Opera); King Lear (Chase Park); Shylock in The Merchant of Venice (Boho); and Peter in Born Guilty (A Red Orchid). A special shout-out to the marvelous and supportive women in my family: Edie, Becky, Julia and Margaret!

Liz Albenesius (Yelena u/s), she/her. Liz is thrilled to be making her Chicago debut with Edge of the Wood! Originally from Sioux City, IA, she is a recent graduate of Minnesota State University where she earned a BFA in Musical Theatre and Business Administration minor. Her favorite place to train and play is at the Chekhov Studio NYC! She thanks her family for their endless love and encouragement. Instagram: @liz_albe.

Emma Close (Sonya u/s), she/her. Emma is a Chicago actor with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Dance from Columbia College Chicago. She recently graduated from the two year conservatory at Atlantic Acting School in New York. Some favorite credits include Mr. Hanratty in The Minutes (Atlantic), and Amina in Dance Nation (Columbia).

Herb Metzler* (Serebryakov u/s), he/him. Herb made his Edge directorial debut with Much Ado About Nothing. As an actor he has appeared in The Beautiful People, The Book of Will, Light Up the Sky, The Minutes, It is So (If You Think So!), and Bernhardt/Hamlet, along with Strange Cargo: The Doom of the Demeter at City Lit and Janus Theatre’s Enemy of the People. Herb is co-founder and an active member of The Sturdy Beggars, performing The Mud Show© at Renaissance faires around the country for over 47 years!

Ellen Shaw (Maria/Marina u/s), she/her. Ellen is delighted to return to Edge of The Wood, where she previously appeared in The Language Archive (Alta) for which she was a Jeff Awards nominee. Some of her favorite credits include The Trip To Bountiful (Carrie Watts), The Gin Game (Fonsia Dorsey), and Love Letters (Melissa). Ellen is a Florida transplant who struggles with Chicago winters, but for the other three seasons, she loves her adopted city.

JEFF AWARDS

Recognized for excellence

The Resident Theatre at Edge of the Wood produces family-friendly, professional-caliber shows in our community, engaging and inspiring young people as performers and theatre-goers. 

Four Jeff nominations for Bernhardt/Hamlet

• Production (Short Run)
• Design (Short Run) – Elizabeth Niemczyk
• Performer in a Principal Role (Short Run) – Courtney Abbott
• Performer in a Supporting Role (Short Run) – Stephen Loch

The Jeff Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatre. Congratulations to all the nominees!