Tracye Dee

Tracye Dee is an entrepreneur, public speaker and freelance entertainment writer who publishes articles with industry newsletters, web sites and blogs. She first began her journalism journey as a hobby after college while working as a Communications Manager at a major Telecommunications company in Chicago. Tracye took some time off recently to open a business and pursue several other interests. She likes to stay active with outdoor activities, volunteer work (Chicago Youth Centers and Food Pantrys), and enjoys live music, the theater, motorcycling, traveling, sampling wine and laughter. Tracye lives in a western suburb of Chicago with her dog Nala.

Larry D. Wayne

Larry D. Wayne will submit his bio later.  But, he's keepin' the photo.

Sydney Chatman

Sydney Chatman proudly hails from Gary, Indiana and attended Indiana University with a concentration in directing and playwrighting.  Ms. Chatman is a director, educator, producer and founder of The Tofu Chitlin’ Circuit ("TCC") (located in the Bronzeville district of Chicago).  TCC is a conservatory that allows directors, playwrights, and designers to create works that speak to their community at large.  TCC's collection of artists are seeking to break the norms of what is considered “conventional theater.”  By no means do they have all of the answers, which is why they have developed monthly artist talks called The A La Carte. Each month is denoted by its delectable edition (Black eyed peas, candied yams, collard greens, etc.). 

Ms. Chatman is a recipient of the Lincoln Center’s Director’s Lab in New York.  Her directing credits include St. James Infirmary (Assistant Director to Harry Lennix), Drip!, The Dear Cora Trilogy with Cheryl Lynn Bruce (Assistant Director), Safia Bernard’s Relationship Games, Let the Circle be Unbroken, Heads, Poof!, Sugar Mouth Sam Don’t Dance No More, For Colored Girls, Beulah’s Land, and The Mojo and the Sayso, just to name a few.  Her stage management credits include The World Premiere of August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean (intern); King of Coons, directed by Harry Lennix; A Soldier’s Play, directed by Chuck Smith; and, Spunk, directed by Cheryl Lynn Bruce - among other notable productions. She is a former artistic associate with Congo Square Theatre.  Ms. Chatman is the performing arts instructor at University of Chicago Charter School where she has written and directed countless performances.  She also integrates challenging  lessons in Science, Math and Social Studies with the performing arts. 
 

Wendi Hill

A native of Virginia, Wendi Hill has been a Chicago resident since the mid 90’s.  Prior to moving to the Chicagoland area, she resided in New York City where she cultivated her appreciation of all things celebrating the arts and culture of African Americans.  Today, she finds Chicago to be one of -- if not the nation’s leading city for such offerings.  Enchanted at a young age, when her mother brought home the soundtrack album and photo-filled program to the Tony Award winning play Purlie Victorious, she has always treasured Black theater as the validating voice for the African American experience.

With a background as a project coordinator in promotional marketing and also as a legal assistant, she maintains that her true livelihood is her patronage of the local arts and humanities scene.  In addition to supporting such endeavors, she is also a writer, poet and an artist, having had poems published in ESSENCE magazine and having had her first art show in the Fall of 2008 in conjunction with the Flat Iron Artists’ Association.
 

Lauren

Lauren collects art, watches indie films, plays tennis and reads almost anything. She loves nature and the great outdoor and urban living. Life's not worth living without fine beaches, good food, house music, 60s-70s R&B and kickin' it with the people you love. She believes in world peace, the inherent dignity of every human being and laughing loud and often.

According to her young niece and nephew, Lauren rocks!