MARS WOLFE (they/them) is a genderqueer nomad. They orbit New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, writing, performing and project managing. Mars moonlights as the genderf*ck drag queen Ella Van o’Clock (11 o’Clock) and their one person variety show, Mundane Moments of Time, has been performed at Williamstown, Chicago’s Berlin Nightclub, and in TMI: Black Trans Stories Matter showcase. As a project manager and coordinator, Mars has worked on MTV’s Video Music Awards, VH1’s Trailblazers Honors and Tyra Banks’ ModelLand attraction. Mars has written and performed for The Onion and their plays have been seen on All Arts/PBS (Wish I Could P. starring Linda La) and Victory Gardens. The digital salon Mars created, following BIPOC freelance artists during quarantine 2020, is available to stream at de-cypher2020.com. Mars is the stage manager of the upcoming Broadway musical Kimberly Akimbo and they are a tall poPpy apprentice, studying with Tony Award winning composer Jeanine Tesori. Mars’ Trans-fairytale series, Who Rang the Bell?!, is being archived in the Library of Congress: COVID-19 Response Collection. Mars aims to amplify the voices of Trans/Gender variant people of color, adjusting the volume and turning the dial from the familiar to the unsung and unconventional.

JESS MAYNARD (she/her) is an actor, writer, and photographer based in Chicago, IL. Her work is based in the psycho-physical work of Michael Chekhov. She is a graduate of DePaul University and The University of Michigan. She has worked with The Michigan Shakespeare Festival, Remy Bumppo, Theater Wit, Eclipse Theatre, Pursuit Productions, and more. During the pandemic, Jess created online communities to cold read Shakespeare, Chekhov, and the work of Contemporary Playwrights. Her photography is focused on portraiture and headshots. Check out her work at JessMaynard.com and JessMaynardPhotography.com

AYANNA BRIA BAKARI has recently been seen in RELENTLESS, HOW TO CATCH CREATION (Goodman). RELENTLESS is her return to TimeLine, previously having been seen in TOO HEAVY FOR YOUR POCKET. She graduated with a BFA degree in acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. Select theater credits include AS YOU LIKE IT (Chicago Shakespeare), THE ORIGINALIST (Indiana Repertory Theatre), SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER (Raven) and STICKFLY and THE NICETIES (Black Theater Alliance Award, Writers). Television and film credits include Wu-Tang An American Saga (HULU), THE CHI (Showtime), CHICAGO PD, CHICAGO FIRE, and EMPIRE (FOX) and Holiday Heist (BET). Ayanna Bria is proud to be a governing ensemble member of The Story Theatre and is represented by Stewart Talent.

JEROME BECK (They,Them) is a non-binary actor currently based in Los Angeles. Before relocating to LA, they lived in Chicago where they originated the role of Applewood in Ike Holter’s Rightlynd at Victory Gardens Theater and the roles of Marcus and Joshua in Incendiary by Dave Harris at Goodman Theater. They recently were a part of the rolling world premier of The Great Khan by Michael Gene Sullivan at San Diego Rep. They can be seen in tv shows such as The Chi on Showtime and The Neighborhood on CBS. They’re repped by Stewart Talent (Chicago), Master Talent Agency (LA) and Entertainment Lab Management (LA). They received their MFA from The Theatre School at Depaul University.

MASEN COLUCCI is a cinematographer and director based in Chicago. A graduate of Kenyon College, he is one of the co-founders of Transit Productions, a film collective focused on producing trans and queer stories, narrative work and digital drag projects. Masen is a proud trans man.

HUGO HENTOFF is a DC native with a passion for theatre, filmmaking, photography, and finding great deals at thrift stores. Since arriving in Chicago, he’s worked closely with the Auditorium Theatre, as well as doing video work for the Harris, iO, and the Midwest chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. Hugo is currently part of the video team at the Goodman Theatre and, at least once a day, thinks, “how cool is it that this is my job?”

ALBERTO MENDOZA is the video producer for the Goodman Theatre and co-founder of Abraham Werewolf, a film and mixed-media production company based in Chicago, IL.

ALVIN COBB, JR., a native of Atlanta, GA, is a musician, producer, photographer, and educator currently based in Chicago, IL. In addition to Atlanta’s urban music scene, his earliest influences consisted of his father’s eclectic record collection, the rich tradition of southern drum corps and the marching bands of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU’s), and the a cappella gospel singing he grew up hearing on Sunday mornings. Alvin formally studied jazz percussion under Leon Anderson, Jr., and Willie Jones III. He is a graduate of Florida State University (B.A. in Music Performance and Jazz Studies, 2013) and Northwestern University (M.M. in Jazz Studies, 2015). Alvin’s first post-collegiate professional opportunity was with trumpeter and veteran Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra member Marcus Printup. He has since gone on to work with countless artists, including Victor Goines, Sherman Irby, Patricia Barber, Sarah Marie Young, and Dee Alexander, performing on notable stages such as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the Chicago Jazz Festival. In 2015, he had the opportunity to work on Nico Segal & The Social Experiment’s critically-acclaimed album, SURF, featuring Grammy-Award winning artist Chance the Rapper. He currently leads the Alvin Cobb, Jr. Trio, featuring vocalist and bassist Katie Ernst and pianist Julius Tucker, and co-leads a collaborative dance project with Indian movement artist Ashwaty Chennat. Alvin has also collaborated as a performer and/or composer with numerous dance, theatre, and film organizations including Mandala Arts, American Rhythm Center, Pivot Arts, and Black Harvest Film Festival.

ELON NNAKWE-SLOAN is a writer, facilitator, gender consultant, and dramaturg. Elon has been a facilitator for more than 6 years and has fought for inclusion for queer and trans artists of color in that time. They firmly believe that art and performance are a crucial means for marginalized communities to create, preserve and disseminate knowledge.

ANDREAS (he/they) is a queer visual artist who focuses on film, photography & makeup.

Our new digital platform, Ars Nova Supra, is the home to most of our 2021/22 season offerings! Tune in weekly for premieres created specifically for streaming, and priced at just $5-$10 each — or available live and on-demand with a $15/month, cancel-anytime subscription. LEARN MORE.