CTW DIRECTORS
AARON UMSTED
Artistic Director & Show Director
Originally from Durant, Oklahoma, Aaron is a Chicago based teacher, actor, dancer, director and choreographer whose work has taken him around the world.
His Chicago area theatre credits include productions with the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook, and Marriott Theatre where he was nominated for a Jeff Award for his role as Will Parker in Oklahoma. He has also toured North America in the Broadway companies of A Chorus Line, Disney’s Mary Poppins, and the Tony Award winning revival of Anything Goes.
Aaron taught musical theatre classes at Roosevelt University, Chicago Academy for the Arts, and in India with the organization, Artists Striving to End Poverty.
His directing/choreography credits include: Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Northwestern University, and Bravo Performing Arts in Oak Park.
Aaron is a ten-year member of Actor’s Equity Association, received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Oklahoma, and a Master of Education in Theatre Pedagogy from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
MEET THE VISIONARY TEAM BEHIND THE CURTAIN
JENNY OELERICH
Director & Associate Choreographer
Jenny is a dance artist originally from Winnetka, Illinois and received her BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. During her time as an undergraduate she had the privilege of working with Jan Erkert, Renee Wadleigh and Abby Zbikowski, among others.
Since graduating, Jenny has danced for Contemporary/Jazz company Alluvion Dance Chicago and Chicago-based modern dance company, Khecari. Jenny is a dance and fitness instructor with students ranging in age from two-years-old to adults. Jenny currently teaches at the Winnetka Community House, Sona Fitness and Kaleidoscope Dance in Evanston.
Jenny is also a CTW alum!
HOLLY FRANCIS
Director & Associate Choreographer
With dreams of becoming a professional ballerina, Holly began studying ballet when she was eight. About the same time she made her musical theater debut in a local production of Alice in Wonderland and has been singing, dancing and acting ever since. She attended New Trier High School and performed in multiple productions.
Holly attended The University of Illinois where she majored in theater with a minor in dance. She went on to receive a Master of Science degree in Communications from Northwestern University and has spent more than 20 years using her performance skills as a professional communicator, and media and communications skills coach.
TOBY NICHOLSON
Director
Toby attended Northwestern University, where he received a BS in Theatre and a MS in Dance Education.
He was the New Trier High School dance and drama instructor, director/choreographer for 30 years. Additional activities include ballet, commercial, theatre and film acting. He has directed many school and local productions, including Menz Dance at New Trier and the Winnetka Community House biennial production of A Christmas Carol.
Toby has been a DIrector at CTW since 2000.
PAST DIRECTORS
CTW is privileged to have worked with these dedicated educators and talented theatre professionals
BETSY BALKIN
MUSIC DIRECTOR & EDUCATOR
CATHY HIRSCHMANN
DIRECTOR
CTW 25 YEARS
RANDY WHITE
DIRECTOR & EDUCATOR
STEPHEN SCHELLHARDT
DIRECTOR, EDUCATOR, PRODUCER &
CTW ALUM
ANNAMARIE BASKIN
VOCAL DIRECTOR, EDUCATOR & AUTHOR
