BJ Jones has been Artistic Director of Northlight since 1998. Mr. Jones is a two-time Joseph Jefferson Award-winning actor and a three-time-nominated director. He prides himself on bringing new work to the Northlight stage, and has directed the world premieres of Relativity, Charm, Faceless, White Guy on the Bus, Chapatti, The Outgoing Tide (Jeff Nomination), Better Late, and Rounding Third.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?

Spend time with my grandkids, doing everything they’re interested in.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I’m a HUGE Bears fan.

bjjones@northlight.org

I joined Northlight as Executive Director in 2007 after 20 years in leadership positions at Steppenwolf Theatre. As ED, I oversee all of Northlight’s strategic strategies, staff and trustee management, and long-range initiatives, especially our new theatre project in downtown Evanston.  

Do you have a hidden talent?

Furniture woodworking, I’ve built beds, chairs, tables, dressers, and, a long time ago, a sailboat. 

What are some of your favorite things?

biking, walking, writing, and live jazz. 

tevans@northlight.org

I’ve been with Northlight since 1999, and what an amazing journey it’s been! During that time, I’ve grown from Company Manager to Managing Director, and Northlight has grown from a $1.8m budget to $3.9m, from a staff of 8 to 26, and now from renting a theatre to building a home of our own. Looking forward to being a part of what’s next.

Have any hidden talents?

I have a 4,361-day French Streak on Duolingo (and counting), and I have played the piano since I was 6.

What are some of your favorite things?

Food, Wine, Travel, Reading Fiction (I’ve been in the same book club since 2004), music, yoga, and gardening.

jmullet@northlight.org

I actually have 3 anniversaries for Northlight.  I started as an intern in the summer of 2004, returned to a part-time position in production in the summer of 2005, and went full-time in 2006.  I like to view myself as the Stage Manager of the office. I have a top-down view of what is happening across all departments and help each department work with the other.

What media inspires you?

I watch a lot of RuPaul’s Drag Race and have recently started getting into Anime.  I enjoy a good YA book and every genre of Board Game and Tabletop Wargaming.

What do you do for fun when you’re not at work?

Every Monday night, I have a regular D&D group with my friends from college.

vmartini@northlight.org

I came here after most recently working at About Face Theatre as the Managing Director. Before that, I had a period of time as a full-time AEA stage manager. Before that, I was the Production Manager and Marketing Manager at American Theater Company. All along, I’ve been doing consulting projects for arts leaders.

I started working in the theatre industry because I caught the bug early as a performer from middle school through undergrad. I always imagined I would work in entertainment or a creative industry in some way. My main responsibilities at Northlight are anything and everything that has to do with money.

What media inspires you?

The Princess Bride (film & book), Kingdom Hearts, How I Met Your Mother, all music by Andrew McMahon (Something Corporate, Jack’s Mannequin, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness)

Who do you spend your time with when you’re not at work?

I spend most of my time with my partner, Danny. The rest of my family lives in Kansas, but my mom, brother, and I travel together often.

ljones@northlight.org

I began working at Northlight Theatre in June 2022. Prior to this role, I worked in corporate America, making this my first experience in a performing arts setting. My primary responsibilities include tracking paid time off, processing weekly payroll, and administering benefits for our staff.

Who do you spend your time with when you’re not at work?

I spend my evenings with my beautiful family of seven. My wife and I are proud parents of five wonderful children.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I was an All-Conference baseball player in high school and still hold a couple of school batting records to this day.

esolomon@northlight.org

In addition to performing and stage managing, I’ve worked in theatre admin roles since 2019, and found my way to Northlight last fall. 

Share a fun fact about yourself!

I’m on the original cast album of SOFA KING QUEER that premiered in Chicago last fall.

What media inspires you?

Shrek (film franchise and musical ☝🏼), Pride and Prejudice (2005), A Discovery of Witches book series, currently eagerly waiting for the next season of Severance!

aswanson@northlight.org

My love of theatre led me to Northlight Theatre, as I was a patron before I started working here. There’s a lot of variety in my position. I get to do a little bit of everything, from editing documents to setting up for Opening Night receptions to printing show scripts. 

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

If being at home with pillows, blankets, and snackies is a hobby, then that’s my favorite. 

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I’m left-handed and somehow even in the 21st century, it’s a big deal. Lefties will always hear the reaction “OMG, you’re left-handed?” like it’s a new phenomenon or trend.

mpasko@northlight.org

I started working at Northlight in 2021. I wanted to learn more about how theatre works behind the scenes. 

Share a fun fact about yourself!

I was in an episode of Chicago PD

What media inspires you?

Bosch (TV Series), Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man (Book), The Dark Knight (Movie).

esmith@northlight.org

I started working at Northlight in September 2014.   Prior to coming to Northlight, I worked in fundraising at the Youth Job Center, a not-for-profit  based in Evanston focused on helping youth be successful in the workplace.  A YJC board member who was also involved at Northlight told me about the development opportunity with Northlight, so I decided to apply!  I have always been a theatre lover (and, little-known fact, I was in all my high school plays!), so I was eager to get more involved in the theatre world on a professional level!

Who do you spend your time with when you’re not at work?

Married for over 40 years to Kirk; we met when we were freshmen in college!  Kirk and I have 4 daughters; 3 are married and one is engaged!  We also have three adorable (of course!) grandchildren, Audrey (4), Zoe (2), and Oliver (18 mos).  We raised our family in Evanston and lived there for over 30 years.  Most of our friends are still in Evanston, so we spend a lot of time there, though we moved to the city about 5 years ago.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

My father was one of the inventors of the Pop-Tarts. The first one ever (Dutch apple) was baked in our oven in the mid-60s!

khoopingarner@northlight.org

I started working at Northlight in August of 2025 after my graduation in June. Theater has been my passion since I was in my first production at 7 years old. Going into college, I knew I wanted to be involved with theater making for the rest of my life, and found my love and skills for development through summer internships! Currently, I am responsible for managing annual giving initiatives such as the appeals and providing general assistance for the campaign. 

What media inspires you?

Les Misérables and Miss Saigon are my favorite musicals of all time. I grew up watching lots of Mythbusters with my parents. I’ve probably seen every episode! 

Have any hidden talents?

I play the bass! I spent lots of my free time in orchestras all through middle and high school. In college, I mainly played in pit orchestras for musical productions.

akanes@northlight.org

I’m the grants manager at Northlight, and I work on the advancement team to manage new and existing funding opportunities that support Northlight’s work. The mission of the nonprofits I work for is very important to me, and I think Northlight’s mission is exciting and fulfilling!

Who do you spend your time with when you’re not at work?

I’m a mom to an almost 2-year-old daughter named Lena. I love spending my weekends and evenings with her and my husband, Jakub. I also have 3 older siblings with whom I am very close.

What media inspires you?

Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Mad Men, The Office. I also admit to regularly watching Reality TV (Traitors is of my favorites).

cgrablucki@northlight.org

I spent my 20’s managing the Box Office at Theater Wit, and both directing and as Artistic Director of a (now defunct) theatre company I helped found called Nothing Special Productions. I left theatre entirely for about 10 years of corporate work, and returned because helping make theatre is far more fun and feels more meaningful.

Have any hidden talents?

I can juggle! It’s what I list as the final “Special Skill” on my resume, mostly to see if people mention it because it indicates they read it until the end.

Who do you spend your time with when you’re not at work?

Primarily, my lovely wife Molly, our wacky daughter Rooney, and my sister in law Liza (who lives with us). Also, sometimes the odd group of people who are either artists, theatre makers, or hippies that I find myself hanging out with from time to time.

mlaird@northlight.org

Dinah is a Chicago-based theatre-maker and arts educator. They’ve worked with Northlight as a Teaching Artist since 2022 and now work part-time as an admin in the Education & Community Engagement Department. 

What are you up to when you’re not at work?

Outside of Northlight, Dinah performs, writes, and directs theatre all over Chicago, including at Improv Olympic, A Red Orchid, Trapdoor, etc. Outside of theatre, they organize with Queers on The Rocks, volunteer with Chicago Adventure Therapy, sing and play guitar, drums, and bass in a Queer music ensemble. 

What are your favorite hobbies?

Gardening, rock climbing, painting rocks, backpacking, spending time in the wilderness, playing guitar, learning banjo, and accordion!

dberkeley@northlight.org

I always wanted to work in the arts, but not as a performer, and in college, I wasn’t sure about the professional path to get here. After bouncing around a few other jobs first, I landed one as the Marketing Associate at Northlight in 2004, and the rest is history!

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I love entertainment – plays, dance, movies – anything with a live audience! I love traveling when I can, and when I’m home, going to Chicago attractions like museums and historic sites. 

I performed with a belly dance troupe for a long time, but I’m retired

What’s a fun fact about you?

I think I’d be a solid Jeopardy contestant. I’m surprisingly good at pre-guessing the answer to final Jeopardy based solely on the category before they reveal the clue.

mmihlfried@northlight.org

I started down the path of marketing as an intern for The House Theatre while I was in college! After spending a few years in Indiana for graduate school (I have a masters in scenic design), I spent two years working for the United States Institute for Theater Technology (USITT). That job, plus being a freelance designer, required A LOT of travel, so I jumped at the opportunity to work with Northlight so I could spend more time at home in Chicago.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

When I’m not at work, I’m usually working on a show somewhere in the city! But in the few evenings when I have free time, I like playing video games, watching Game Changer on Dropout, playing DND, and exploring theme parks with my husband.

Who do you spend your time with when you’re not at work?

I live in Rodger’s Park with my husband, Daniel, our dog Deeogie, and our two cats. Thankfully, my husband also works in theatre as a director, so he understands how busy a freelancing artist can be!

sdonovan@northlight.org

I started working for Northlight as their Patron Services Associate just over a year ago! I work in the Box Office and assist our patrons with anything from subscriptions to group sales and more.

Who do you spend your time with when you’re not at work?

I spend most of my time with my wonderful partner, Luca! We usually spend our weekends at game nights with friends or going to the movies. My mom and sister are back in Ohio, but we visit each other as often as possible.

What media inspires you?

My favorite movie is a tie between The Princess Bride and Ratatouille. I’m into most period pieces. I recently finished Downton Abbey and loved it! I am a very big Muppets fan.

lsmith@northlight.org

I was drawn to the craft of theatre from an early age because I was constantly asking myself, “How did they do that?” I’ve always been fascinated by the emotional experiences of the audience during live entertainment.  

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

reading, fine dining, learning about old things, making new things, and travel adventures

Who do you spend your time with when you’re not at work?

I am robustly supported by my husband and daughter!

ekneer@northlight.org

I began working at Northlight in 2019 as the Assistant Technical Director. My main job is to take a designer’s drawings, evaluate them for budget, safety, and feasibility, and then bring them to life. 

Where did you go to school?

Kalamazoo College

What can you tell us about your job?

When I describe my job to non-theatre people, I tell them that I build fake houses for imaginary people.

cschuldeis@northlight.org

Hannah was lucky enough to be raised in a theatre-loving house and learned to sew early on. She made the move to specialize in costuming during her undergrad at Knox College, and has worked in costuming as consistently as the world has allowed ever since.

Who do you spend your time with when you’re not at work?

I live with my adorable cat „niece and nephew“ that belong to my roomies. I grew up with the sweetest dogs and really just love all animals. I had rats as pets in my mid twenties, and I named them after Shakespeare characters!

What media inspires you?

I’ve always been musical soundtrack-obsessed. I started with Rent, Wicked, and Phantom, but in 2011, Hadestown was shared with me, and it has been my favorite ever since. Watching it get to Broadway was so special. My favorite board game is Betrayal at House on the Hill. I love the supernatural side of the world- in fact, Supernatural is one of my favorite TV shows. Outlander is one of my favorite books and TV series. I love gnomes and have a problem with collecting pretty glass bottles.

hcompton@northlight.org

I started working for Northlight as an overhire technician in the fall of 2013, and have been the head of the Lighting department since August 2014. I’m primarily in charge of the installation, operation, and maintenance of any lighting equipment or practical effects used in Northlight productions.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Tabletop role-playing games, video games, and playing musical instruments (bass guitar and trumpet).

What media inspires you?

Books: The Wheel of Time, The Expanse, The Locked Tomb; Games: The Legend of Zelda, Horizon

cdrewry@northlight.org