Staff

Cydney Patrice Cleveland, Technical Director, is currently attending Harold Washington College. She is pursuing a degree in Technical Theatre. Cydney began working with Storycatchers when she was a junior at the Young Women's Leadership Charter School of Chicago.

Rachel Hauben Combs, Grants Administrator, has worked as a development officer or consultant with several Chicago companies, including About Face Theatre, Remy Bumppo Theatre, the League of Chicago Theatres, and the Center for Religious Architecture. Prior to moving to Chicago, she was a performer and playwright with the Blue Barn Theatre in Omaha, NE, where she served as part of the artistic leadership for six years. She also worked as a development officer with numerous organizations in Omaha, including Opera Omaha, the Nebraska Theatre Caravan, and the Ronald McDonald House. She holds a BFA in Acting from the State University of New York at Purchase.

Ozivell Ecford, Drumming and Step Instructor, is also a performer and visual artist. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from International Academy of Design and Technology in Multi-Media Design and Interactivity. In addition to his work with Storycatchers, he is a School Assistant at Montefiore Special School in Chicago.

Brandi Rose, Program Manager, has a Masters in Arts Management (Arts in Youth and Community Development) from Columbia College Chicago and a Bachelors of Music degree in Vocal Music Education from James Madison University in Virginia. She previously worked for the Smithsonian Institution, the Washington National Opera, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Brandi was also a music teacher at A.G. Richardson Elementary School in her hometown of Culpeper, VA.

Myron Silberstein, Teaching Artist/Composer, is an award-winning classical pianist with extensive experience as music director, pit orchestra performer and vocal coach. Teaching experience includes Columbia College Chicago and supplemental education services for Chicago Public Schools, as well as private lessons in New York City, Pittsburgh and Chicago.

John Swenson, Teaching Artist/Music Director, is a certified music educator with over 20 years of professional teaching and coaching experience. He holds a Masters of Music degree in Opera and Voice performance, and received his Bachelor's degree in vocal, instrumental and vocal performance from Viterbo University in LaCrosse, WI.

Nancy McCarty, Executive Director, has a Masters of Education Degree from Loyola University Chicago. She did her undergraduate work in theatre production, design and technology at Northern Illinois University. Nancy met Storycatchers when she was teaching fifth grade at Stockton Elementary School. Prior to her teaching career, she spent 25 years working in the Chicago film, theatre and event industry.

Meade Palidofsky, Artistic Director, is a writer and award-winning playwright who founded Storycatchers Theatre in 1984. Meade continues to lead Storycatchers' programs and inspire the company. As a result of her writing background, Meade developed and refined the unique Storycatchers process: Using personal stories as a springboard for personal growth. Her years of devoted work have made her an acknowledged expert in the specialized area of youth development through the arts.

Alyssa Sorresso, Program Manager, is a graduate of the University of Michigan where she received a Bachelor of Theatre Arts degree-focusing on theatre and social activism through the Prison Creative Arts Project. She is an actor, singer, director and stage manager. Alyssa began working with Storycatchers in 2004.

Ethan Ucker, Program Manager, works as an arts educator with multiple Chicago organizations, including Storycatchers Theatre, the Piven Theatre Workshop, After School Matters, the Off the Street Club, and through the Illinois Arts Council's Arts-in-Education Residency Program. He has directed for the Chicago Fringe Festival, and in 2006, he worked with men serving life sentences at the State Correctional Institute at Graterford, PA to develop a theater production about the effects of violence and incarceration on Philadelphia's families and communities. Ucker studies juvenile justice policy as a Research Analyst for the Children and Family Justice Center at the Northwestern University School of Law. He received his undergraduate degree from Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.