Shea
Shea is a professional actor and freelance photographer with a passion for children and play. In addition to working at Hoyne Street Playgroup (HSPG), they have experience in tutoring, babysitting, and teaching children’s theatre classes. Originally from Houston, Texas, they moved to Chicago in 2013 to study acting at The Theatre School at DePaul University. In 2017, they graduated with honors, received their BFA in acting and has worked professionally in Chicago with The Goodman Theatre, First Floor Theatre, Story Theatre, Windy City Playhouse and several independent filmmakers. They are passionate about plants, yoga, and community engagement (check out the Love Fridge!). They believe in empowering the next generation to create a better society for the future. They are inspired by the kids at HSPG (kids are teachers just as much as adults are), nature, and play. They are so excited and grateful to be at HSPG and are thrilled to welcome more friends to the Playgroup family.
Anna
Anna is a Pacific Northwestern transplant who graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelors of Science [2016]. They are currently going into their fifth year of working in Chicago storefront theater. They have a passion for working with children through art and nature, and have worked at multiple art focused summer camps in Oregon [Grace Arts Camp, Camp Arrowhead, Camp West Wind]. Since moving to Chicago, they have worked as the waterfront program director at YMCA Camp Pendalouan, after school arts educator and tutor at The Francis Xavier Warde school, and they are currently developing an absurdist theater program and writing curriculum for middle school and high schoolers through their resident theatre company, Trap Door Theater. They value honest communication with children, a focus on nurturing creative thinking and imaginative play, and cultivating wonder for the world around us. They are so grateful for all the beautiful moments they’ve experienced with our evolving Playgroup family, and they are looking forward to discovering new joys and ways to express emotion through art and movement.
Andrea
Andrea is a Latina immigrant & artist passionate about being in community focused practices that plant seeds for healthy futures. With a teaching practice developed through the Waldorf classroom Andrea believes in facilitating a whole human approach and exploratory play based learning. A strong believer in the natural world, Andrea loves encouraging outside play, exploration and activities that build from organic materials, allowing for connection to our ecosystem. Andrea hopes to place herself in work where she sees the planting of seeds, for compassion & empathy; fostering environments where youth can develop their own unique capacities as caring members of the community. Andrea aims to provide a foundation that emphasizes self expression and play, building empowered youth. Her hope as an educator is to enrich the learning experiences of youth through innovative, creative & globally diverse education.