ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List
The Actors Gymnasium Announces Casting for
LITTLE RED
its Annual Winter Circus
An original circus theatre production created and directed by Heidi Stillman
with circus choreography by Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi
March 1, 2025 – March 30, 2025
at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston
Recommended for ages 5+
Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, we've long been fans of The Actors Gymnasium and their excellent shows and training programs for children through adults. Chicago is lucky to have such a fabulous resource. My own son and daughter were cast in their annual youth circus shows for years. And now my son is back and assistant stage managing for Little Red. We'll be catching this one on opening night, March 1st, so check back soon after for our full review.
The Actors Gymnasium is proud to announce LITTLE RED, an original circus theatre production created and directed by Heidi Stillman, with circus choreography by Artistic Director Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi. The show features Kat Hoil, Madie Doppelt, Kaitlyn Andrews, Kylie Anderson, and Julie Matolo, as well as members of the Actors Gym’s Teen Ensemble.
LITTLE RED is part of Actors Gym's annual Winter Circus tradition, which is one of Chicago's most popular circus shows.
Inspired by the 17th-century fairytale, Little Red Riding Hood, LITTLE RED is a captivating movement piece exploring the thrilling and mysterious journey of Little Red facing the biggest, baddest foe of them all - The Wolf. But who is the Wolf? And who is Little Red? Discover the answers—and the questions—in this circus tale of innocence, fear, and transformation. LITTLE RED created and directed by Heidi Stillman and Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi coming to Actors Gym this Spring!
Production Details
LITTLE RED
Runs: March 1st - March 30th, 2025
Opening and press night: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Performances are Saturdays at 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 3:00 PM
Director: Heidi Stillman
Circus Choreographer: Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi
Production Associate: Griffin DiStasi
Stage Manager: Olivia Sullam
Production Manager: Erin Gautille
Costume Designer: Mara Blumenfeld
Lighting Designer: Hannah Wien
Sound Designer & Composer: Rick Sims
Set & Props Designer: Natsu Onada
Dance Choreographer: Jacinda Ratcliffe
Tickets start at $25 for adults and can be purchased online at www.actorsgymnasium.org/shows
All performances are at Noyes Cultural Arts Center at 927 Noyes St., Evanston, IL.
About the Artists
Heidi Stillman (creator, director): is a writer, director, and an ensemble member of Lookingglass Theatre Company, where she has served twice over the years as Artistic Director. Some of her favorite shows she has written and directed at Lookingglass include: Cascabel (with Tony Hernandez and Rick Bayless), Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale (also at The Goodman Theatre), The Brothers Karamazov, and Hard Times (also at the Arden Theatre in Philadelphia). Directing work at Lookingglass includes: Act(s) of God, Death Tax, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Trust, and Hillbilly Antigone. Additional writing credits with Lookingglass include The Old Curiosity Shop and The Baron in the Trees. Heidi recently directed Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress at Childrens Theatre Company in Minneapolis. She directed Minita Gandhi’s Muthaland for Silk Road Rising, Victory Garden’s Ignition Festival, and at 16th Street Theatre. She wrote (with Caroline Macon) and directed The Year I Didn’t Go to School at Chicago Childrens Theatre. Her adaptation of The Book Thief premiered at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Heidi lives in Evanston, and her children performed in many Winter Circuses over the years.
Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi (Artistic Director & Circus Choreography): is Artistic Director of The Actors Gymnasium. She also serves as master teacher and director of The Professional Circus Training Program and is a faculty member at Northwestern University’s Department of Theatre. Sylvia is a second generation circus performer who grew up touring with various circuses, including Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey. In 2019, she and her family, The Hernandez Troupe, were inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame for their monumental contributions to the world of circus. Sylvia is an ensemble member of the Tony Award-winning Lookingglass Theatre Company, where she has worked on over 20 productions. She has received 4 Joseph Jefferson Awards for her work with Lookingglass (Lookingglass Alice, Hard Times, Baron in the Trees) and Marriott Theatre (All Night Strut), and a total of 5 Joseph Jefferson nominations. In 2018, she won a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and a Robby Award, both for designing the acrobatic/aerial choreography of the South Coast Repertory staging of Moby Dick. Other theater credits include The Lyric Opera, Writer’s Theatre, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago Children’s Theater and The Goodman. Sylvia is the recipient of The 3Arts Award for Design (2014), and also received an Award of Honor for Outstanding Contributions by The Illinois Theater Association.
Kat Hoil (Ensemble): Kat Hoil is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary artist based in Chicago. They have worked with such companies as Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Audacious Machine Creative, Northbrook Theatre, The Chicago Park District, Everleigh Entertainment (Chicago), The Lincoln Center (New York City), Constellation Immersive (Los Angeles), and The Grand Shanghai Theatre (Missouri)
Madie Doppelt (Ensemble): Madie Doppelt is a Chicago-based theater and circus artist who proudly calls Actors Gymnasium her artistic home. An alum of both the Teen Ensemble (2016) and Professional Training Program (2022), Madie has been in many shows on the sprung floor across the years, most recently including CIRCUS QUIXOTE (2023). Other recent acting credits include CORDUROY (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), FEFU AND HER FRIENDS and EURYDICE (Snails on a Bike Theatre Collective), and DRY LAND (The Theatre School at DePaul University).
Kaitlyn Andrews (Ensemble): Kaitlyn is a multidisciplinary performer– while working primarily as a circus artist these days, she has over a decade of experience as an actor, clown, and theatre maker. With her theatrical background Kaitlyn has a keen eye for storytelling in her circus work. She is drawn to creating experiences that evoke reaction from her audiences, whether humorous, horrifying, or melancholic– her work carries a large range of expression. Kaitlyn is a graduate of the Theatre program at Northwestern University, and of the Professional Circus Training Program at The Actors Gymnasium where she majored in aerial rope. She is a founding and former member of BIPOC Circus Alliance (formerly BCAM). Primarily as a circus artist Kaitlyn performs aerial rope, and partner acrobatics. Previously as a theatre artist she has performed with Neo-Futurists (The Arrow, Tangles & Plaques), The Ruffians (Burning Bluebeard), and is an emeritus of PlayMakers Laboratory (That’s Weird Grandma). Recent acting credits include The Becomers which is now available for streaming. When not performing in full length shows, you can catch Kaitlyn in the air at various events around Chicago! She is so thrilled to be part of this year’s Winter Circus at Actors Gymnasium
Kylie Anderson (Ensemble): Ky Rambo (professionally: Kylie Anderson) (they/them) is a physical actor and circus artist represented by Stewart Talent. Ky is a company member at Avalanche Theatre and a founding company member at Bramble Theatre Company but has worked with a medley of other theaters in Chicago including Redtwist, Remmy Bumppo, Steppenwolf, and Lookingglass Theatre. Ky has a BFA in Drama with an emphasis in Acting from the University of Oklahoma, but has also trained at Stella Adler’s Studio in New York City, NY for physical theatre, attended the School at Steppenwolf (class of 2019) in Chicago, IL, and you might have even seen them here at The Actor’s Gym, having studied aerial arts and clown in the Pro Training class of 2021 and 2024. Excited to make their Actor’s Gymnasium Circus School and THEATRE COMPANY debut alongside their talented friends, Ky would like to thank their husband Austin, their mom Carol, and literally anyone and everyone who has ever encouraged them to keep chasing their dreams.
Julie Matolo (Ensemble): Julie Matolo (she/her) is an accomplished dancer, acrobat, aerialist, stunt performer, actor, choreographer and teaching artist. She is based out of California and Chicago. Her artistic goals have led her to travel, tour and perform in the majority of our fifty states, in addition to Canada, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and throughout Europe.
Chicago: Most recently performed in Portal (The Lookingglass Theatre/Night Out in The Parks). Champion (The Lyric Opera of Chicago), The Cat in the Hat (Northbrook Theatre), Midsummer Night's Cirque (Dominican University), BHM Cabaret, Solidarity (Bipoc Circus Alliance), Principal Dancer (The Joel Hall Dancers).International Tours: MARVEL Universe Live, MARVEL Universe Live 2 (Feld Entertainment), Multiple Shows in dance and aerial (Royal Caribbean Productions).Regional: Cirque du Beautiful (On the Fly Productions), Oklahoma (Opera San Luis Obispo), Clara's Trip/A Cirque and Dance Nutcracker (Caroline Calouche & Co.).
Film: Dhar Mann Studios Teaching Artist: Chicago Public Schools. And Choreographer to local area High Schools and Youth Companies/Ensembles.
Julie is eternally humbled and grateful to be part of the incredible team of 'Little Red'!
About Actors Gym
The Actors Gymnasium is one of the nation’s premiere circus and performing arts training centers, led by master teacher and Circus Ring of Fame artist Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi. Founded in 1995, it provides educational programs for students of all ages and levels, and produces original and daring circus-theatre.The Actors Gym also offers award-winning entertainment for corporate and other special events.
Actors Gym is proud to partner with theatres across the country to bring powerful circus theater productions to life and serves as the exclusive provider of circus performing arts training for Lookingglass Theatre.
