Who's who
Jason Paul Smith
Founder, Artistic Director
Jason Paul Smith started his career as actor, director, producer in 1980 having created the stage version of The Muppet Movie. Running 37 performances, it was witness by 39 stuffed animals, two adults, and one angry pre-teen. This memorable performance spawned an early career in the theater that included performances in every local theater, that means one, in Valley City, North Dakota. This eventually led him to earn a degree in Theater from the University of Minnesota.
His theater career has included a wide array of opportunities including, Barnaby Tucker in The Matchmaker, Frank ‘n Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, and Flan Kitridge in Six Degrees of Separation. He also wrote, directed and starred in Consulting Mavis or How I Got My Ass Out of North Dakota and Remained Sane. Directing credits include Hello Dolly for the Lakeshore Players and Sunday in the Park with George for Crisis Point Theater.
Smith decided to land a job in corporate America. Working in the Marketing departments of three major corporations in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he learned important marketing strategies and skills, from packaging and branding to marketing campaign strategy and event planning.
Smith currently resides in Chicago, where he is at work on several other projects including a documentary film and a re-envisioning of the Greek play, "Medea". He is the co-founder of Three Cat Media. He was recently awarded a 2009 Ragdale Residency and is a board member of the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
Trivial facts:
Jason played Abe Lincoln in the third grade play.
He starred in his first film at the age ten, playing Captain Jason in Bill Hunt’s infamous production of the Attack of the Zevons.
He was discovered by KOVC Radio – the same station that discovered Shadow Stevens and Peggy Lee.
His brother is the editor of The Digital Bits.
His favorite food is peanut butter.
To get in touch with Jason Paul Smith, email him at jsmith@threecatmedia.com. For more information, please visit his website at jasonpaulsmith.com.
Rob Dorn
Founder, Casting Director
Rob was born shortly after curtain time on July 24th, 1961. Prone to dramatics from an early age, he acted out and WORE out all of his Magic Mirror Disney records and his prized original soundtrack to The Wizard of Oz. Growing up in a five acre wood, he learned to survive by staying inside and watching tv. He has spent his life so far drawing, coloring, organizing, singing and play-acting.
It is no surprise that he received an associates degree in art and design and a bachelors of fine arts in musical theatre. Both degrees proved useful as he has teeter tottered back and forth between his work onstage and in the art world.
His performance career has taken him throughout the United States in regional theatre, national tours and as a member of the vocal group, Three Hits and a Miss of which he was the founder and artistic director. He considers Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Patti Duke, Chet Baker, Leslie Ann Warren and Barbra Streisand among his influences.
Rob's art career includes work as a graphic designer, web designer, illustrator and cartoonist. He has contributed to books, greeting cards, theatrical posters, logos, t-shirts and mugs. He considers W.W. Denslow, Charles Schultz, Edward Gorey and Creepy Magazine as influences.
Presently, Rob is happily housed in the Fine Arts Building (where The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was written and illustrated in the late 1800's). Rob is an advocate for helping people like himself, deal with Adult Attention Deficit Disorder... if he could only remember to do so.
Trivial facts:
Rob's first singing gig was with Hey Wires Singing Telegrams.
His first illustration was for the book The Stooge Chronicles by Jeffrey Forrester.
He and his partner live in Chicago with four cats: Sam, Isabelle, George and Parker.
He was a member of the Minneapolis company of Forever Plaid.
He almost knocked Doctor Ruth down a flight of stairs... by accident of course.
He has a blog entitled, “Am I Self Absorbed... or is it just me?”
To get in touch with Rob Dorn, email him at robdorn@threecatmedia.com. For more information about Rob, please visit his website at robdorn.com.
Jacque Lueken
Executive Director of Education
Jacque is ecstatic to be working with Skokie Theatre and Three Cat Media to return to the Northern Suburbs in the world of theatre education! She worked with Apple Tree Theatre in their youth programming as a Director with TYA at Apple Tree Theatre ('The Giver' - 2008; 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' - 2009), Camp Director for Summer on Stage (2008 & 2009), Director with EBPAW ('Bridge to Terabithia', 'Jungle Tales') and was an EBPAW Teaching Artist. She received her BFA in Acting from Syracuse University and, upon graduation moved to Chicago to work with Steppenwolf Theatre Co as the Asst Coordinator for their summer acting intensive The School at Steppenwolf. Since being in the city, Jacque has served as the Education Assistant for Victory Gardens Theatre and Education Coordiator at Emerald City Theatre Co. She has worked as a teaching artist with numerous companies in the Chicagoland Area including Emerald City Theatre Co, the American Mosaic Project with American Theatre Company and After School Matters. She has also served as a Mentor with Redmoon Theatre Co’s Dramagirls Program and a Director ('It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play') and Teaching Artist with Noble Fool Theatricals Performing Arts Academy.
To get in touch with Jacque Lueken, email her at jlueken@threecatmedia.com.
Jesse Pierce
Dramaturg, Choreographer
In 1st grade, Jesse found his mom’s original cast album of HAIR and fired up the turntable. The introduction to Aquarius struck a chord, and a few measures later, he discovered his heart; the stage. He was the recipient of the Marjorie Lawrence Opera Theatre Scholarship at Southern Illinois University where he appeared in productions of COMPANY (Paul) and PATIENCE (Bunthorne). Other favorite performance credits include WEST SIDE STORY (Action) and ANNIE at the McLeod Summer Playhouse. He’s directed and/or choreographed numerous productions south of I-80 and served as choreographer to several competitive middle and high school show choirs. In 2003, Jesse began work as an anti-violence educator and travels the state as a trainer and advocate for social change with the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Trivial facts:
Jesse is totes into wipes. Colorox Wipes. Pledge Wipes. Windex Wipes.
He is a hardcore sheet music collector.
His big-screen debut was "The Babe" starring John Goodman. (Extra. Group B.)
He enjoys ginger ale and Perrier. And pudding.
His mom is a hip, hip lady and bought her sons dolls for toys. Barbies for Jesse and Kiss Dolls for Josh.
He reminds people of Jack Black, but doesn't see it, Dudes.
To get in touch with Jesse Pierce, email him at jpierce@threecatmedia.com.
Glenda Kenyon
Associate Managing Director
Glenda Kenyon has been eagerly aiding behind the scenes of theatre since she was a freshmen in high school. Starting out with the basics of being a techie, she soon realized her love of the business end of theatre, becoming a Production Manager her junior year and House Manager her senior year. She continued on that path at Vassar College, obtaining a double degree in Economics and Drama. When she is not busy working for Three Cat Media or as a Box Office Manager, she is pursuing her writing ambitions and being a huge nerd.
Trivial facts:
Glenda has been actively writing since the 3rd grade, when she started the Toto the Adventure Dog series.
She shares a birthday with Samuel Adams
She is a third generation Star Trek fan.
Glenda has truly acted only once: as an ensemble member for her high school production of Anything Goes. She decided never to act again because of the high heels.
Her favorite dessert (at the moment) is creme brulee.
To get in touch with Glenda Kenyon, email her at gkenyon@threecatmedia.com.