"[Gregor and the Squonk's] eccentric comic performances delivered with confidence and nuance; it's a promising outing for a company less than a year old." - TimeOut Chicago

And Then It Burst:
An Evening of Short Works By George McConnell

The Plays

Meat

Featuring:

Daniel Caffrey* - Greg Daniel Caffrey is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Tympanic Theatre Company. Writing and directing credits with Tympanic include Splintered Crosses, The House Of Weird Death, and Gregor And The Squonk. His short plays have been produced in Chicago by ARFTCO, Chicago Dramatists, Dramatis Personae, Dream Theatre Company, Hobo Junction, iO, and WildClaw. Occasionally an actor, he has performed with The Side Project (Slipping), Tympanic, and WNEP (this year's SKALD storytelling competition). He has also directed with The Side Project in their Cut To The Quick festivals. Upcoming projects include his short play "Wishbone" in Dramatis Personae's Feats Of Strength festival, "Yukon Cornelius, Greatest Prospector In The North" with ARFTCO's Christmas Spectacular, and writing and directing "Pogo" for The Ruckus' Tell It & Speak It & Think It & Breathe It. He holds BA degrees in Creative Writing and Theatre, and is a graduate of the Training Center at iO.

Susan Myburgh* - Sara Susan Myburgh moved to Chicago in 2008 after graduating with a B.A. in Theatre from Florida State University. Some of her college credits include: The Birds (Ostrich/Inspector), Rabbit Hole (Izzy), Uncle Vanya (Sonya) and Amadeus (Ensemble/Understudy). In Chicago she has been seen in Gorilla Tango Theatre's LEA: A Nightmare, The Mammal's Devil's Don't Forget, Red Twist Theatre's Ride Down to Mount Morgan, and Apple Tree's Orchard Series. With Tympanic Susan has directed Morality Play (Splinttered Crosses), Gregor and the Squonk, and The Great Black Vulture (Bastards of Young). Next she can be seen at Oracle Theatre in Disturbed. Susan is represented by Lilly's Talent Agency for On-Camera and Commercial work. More info can be found at http://www.susanmyburgh.info/.

Heather Moats - Dramaturg Heather Moats was born in Tampa, Florida, a magical land where the sun always shined, and the temperature never dipped below 50. She was warm and happy, often frequenting such places as the beach or Disney World. In 2006, she moved to Tallahassee to pursue a B.A. in theatre from Florida State University. In the fall of 2008, she studied acting in London, England for four months thanks to a generous grant funded by her wonderful/amazing/supportive/loving parents. She graduated in May 2009. Not a month later, she threw some clothes in her car, packed her cat Fay, and headed north. Since her Chicago arrival, she’s managed to get a part-time job, do a couple of readings, and dramaturge a couple of shows. She is also an awesome photographer who you should hire for your next head shots and/or production stills. Visit her site at http://sites.google.com/site/heathermoatsphotgraphy.

Chris Acevedo* - Director Christopher Acevedo is a founding member of Tympanic Theatre Company. He moved to Chicago in 2007 and since has appeared in Pavement Group's fracture/mechanics, the Genesis Ensemble's The Secrets Project, Red Tape Theatre's inaugural CFAN Festival (with Genesis Ensemble), Drangoncello's And Time Runs On, Dramatis Personae's Feats of Strength and The Side Projects Splayed Verbiage (Cut to the Quick Festival). With Tympanic Theatre Company, he has appeared in Splintered Crosses, The House of Weird Death, Gregor & the Squonk, and most recently in Bastards of Young. Next he will be appearing with Tympanic in Curious Theatre Branch's Rhinoceros Festival, in January and with the Genesis Ensemble in Red Tape Theatre's CFAN Festival in February. He earned his B.A. in Theatre from Florida State University.

Tea

Featuring:

Ali Delianides* - Alice Ali Delianides graduated from Florida State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre. After graduation she originated the touring role of Mama in Omaha Theater Company for Young Audiences first national tour of Old Yeller. In Chicago she has been seen in Tympanic's productions of Gregor and the Squonk (Margaret), And Then it Burst (Alice), with Point of Contention in their annual CHAOS play festivals, and with Chicago Kid's Company in their productions of Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Tortoise and the Hare. Ali is also a teaching artist with Victory Gardens Theater's educational outreach program.

Chrissy Weisenburger* - Megan Ali Delianides graduated from Florida State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre. After graduation she originated the touring role of Mama in Omaha Theater Company for Young Audiences first national tour of Old Yeller. In Chicago she has been seen in Tympanic's productions of Gregor and the Squonk (Margaret), And Then it Burst (Alice), with Point of Contention in their annual CHAOS play festivals, and with Chicago Kid's Company in their productions of Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Tortoise and the Hare. Ali is also a teaching artist with Victory Gardens Theater's educational outreach program.

Heather Moats - Dramaturg Heather Moats was born in Tampa, Florida, a magical land where the sun always shined, and the temperature never dipped below 50. She was warm and happy, often frequenting such places as the beach or Disney World. In 2006, she moved to Tallahassee to pursue a B.A. in theatre from Florida State University. In the fall of 2008, she studied acting in London, England for four months thanks to a generous grant funded by her wonderful/amazing/supportive/loving parents. She graduated in May 2009. Not a month later, she threw some clothes in her car, packed her cat Fay, and headed north. Since her Chicago arrival, she’s managed to get a part-time job, do a couple of readings, and dramaturge a couple of shows. She is also an awesome photographer who you should hire for your next head shots and/or production stills. Visit her site at http://sites.google.com/site/heathermoatsphotgraphy.

Susan Myburgh* - Director Susan Myburgh moved to Chicago in 2008 after graduating with a B.A. in Theatre from Florida State University. Some of her college credits include: The Birds (Ostrich/Inspector), Rabbit Hole (Izzy), Uncle Vanya (Sonya) and Amadeus (Ensemble/Understudy). In Chicago she has been seen in Gorilla Tango Theatre's LEA: A Nightmare, The Mammal's Devil's Don't Forget, Red Twist Theatre's Ride Down to Mount Morgan, and Apple Tree's Orchard Series. With Tympanic Susan has directed Morality Play (Splinttered Crosses), Gregor and the Squonk, and The Great Black Vulture (Bastards of Young). Next she can be seen at Oracle Theatre in Disturbed. Susan is represented by Lilly's Talent Agency for On-Camera and Commercial work. More info can be found at http://www.susanmyburgh.info/.

Heart In His Hand

Featuring:

Paul E. Martinez* / Heart Paul E Martinez came to Chicago after graduating from Florida State University's School of Theatre in 2006 and is a graduate of Second City's Improv Conservatory. In Chicago, he has been seen in Los Desaparecidos (Babes With Blades), as well as in Splintered Crosses, House of Weird Death, and Gregor and the Squonk with the Tympanic Theatre Company. Paul has also performed with improv ensembles Tymprov and Colorado Beautification Coalition.

Chris Acevedo* - Soda Christopher Acevedo is a founding member of Tympanic Theatre Company. He moved to Chicago in 2007 and since has appeared in Pavement Group's fracture/mechanics, the Genesis Ensemble's The Secrets Project, Red Tape Theatre's inaugural CFAN Festival (with Genesis Ensemble), Drangoncello's And Time Runs On, Dramatis Personae's Feats of Strength and The Side Projects Splayed Verbiage (Cut to the Quick Festival). With Tympanic Theatre Company, he has appeared in Splintered Crosses, The House of Weird Death, Gregor & the Squonk, and most recently in Bastards of Young. Next he will be appearing with Tympanic in Curious Theatre Branch's Rhinoceros Festival, in January and with the Genesis Ensemble in Red Tape Theatre's CFAN Festival in February. He earned his B.A. in Theatre from Florida State University.

Megan Gotz* - Woman Megan Gotz moved to Chicago in 2007 after graduating from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. Chicago Credits include The Alycone Festival: The Massacre, House of Weird Death (Film Making Lizzie Borden), Splintered Crosses (Mary), Gregor and the Squonk (Squonk), and The 6th Annual WTA Showcase (Melancholy Play). She was most recently seen as Lynn in the Jeff Nominated show All My Love with Diamante Productions.

Heather Moats - Dramaturg Heather Moats was born in Tampa, Florida, a magical land where the sun always shined, and the temperature never dipped below 50. She was warm and happy, often frequenting such places as the beach or Disney World. In 2006, she moved to Tallahassee to pursue a B.A. in theatre from Florida State University. In the fall of 2008, she studied acting in London, England for four months thanks to a generous grant funded by her wonderful/amazing/supportive/loving parents. She graduated in May 2009. Not a month later, she threw some clothes in her car, packed her cat Fay, and headed north. Since her Chicago arrival, she’s managed to get a part-time job, do a couple of readings, and dramaturge a couple of shows. She is also an awesome photographer who you should hire for your next head shots and/or production stills. Visit her site at http://sites.google.com/site/heathermoatsphotgraphy.

Daniel Caffrey* - Director Daniel Caffrey is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Tympanic Theatre Company. Writing and directing credits with Tympanic include Splintered Crosses, The House Of Weird Death, and Gregor And The Squonk. His short plays have been produced in Chicago by ARFTCO, Chicago Dramatists, Dramatis Personae, Dream Theatre Company, Hobo Junction, iO, and WildClaw. Occasionally an actor, he has performed with The Side Project (Slipping), Tympanic, and WNEP (this year's SKALD storytelling competition). He has also directed with The Side Project in their Cut To The Quick festivals. Upcoming projects include his short play "Wishbone" in Dramatis Personae's Feats Of Strength festival, "Yukon Cornelius, Greatest Prospector In The North" with ARFTCO's Christmas Spectacular, and writing and directing "Pogo" for The Ruckus' Tell It & Speak It & Think It & Breathe It. He holds BA degrees in Creative Writing and Theatre, and is a graduate of the Training Center at iO.

Rain

Featuring:

Michael Greco* - Jim Michael "Mick" Greco (Jim / Rain) appears for the third time on stage with Tympanic Theatre Company, after House of Weird Death and Splintered Crosses. TTC also staged his short play Northstar Navigation as part of Bastards of Young. Mick has performed elsewhere in A View From The Bridge (Actors Workshop, now redtwist Theatre), and in classical productions for Chase Park Theatre, LiveWire Theatre and St. Sebastian Players.

McKenzie Gerber - Bob McKenzie Gerber is a founding ensemble member of Tympanic Theatre. Playwriting/directing credits with Tympanic include Splintered Crosses "What King?" and The House of Weird Death "Something out there" (co-writer / sound designer). Tympanic acting credits include Splintered Crosses, Gregor and the the Squonk, Bastards of Young, & And Then It Burst. He holds a BA degree in Theatre from Florida State University.

Heather Moats - Dramaturg Heather Moats was born in Tampa, Florida, a magical land where the sun always shined, and the temperature never dipped below 50. She was warm and happy, often frequenting such places as the beach or Disney World. In 2006, she moved to Tallahassee to pursue a B.A. in theatre from Florida State University. In the fall of 2008, she studied acting in London, England for four months thanks to a generous grant funded by her wonderful/amazing/supportive/loving parents. She graduated in May 2009. Not a month later, she threw some clothes in her car, packed her cat Fay, and headed north. Since her Chicago arrival, she’s managed to get a part-time job, do a couple of readings, and dramaturge a couple of shows. She is also an awesome photographer who you should hire for your next head shots and/or production stills. Visit her site at http://sites.google.com/site/heathermoatsphotgraphy.

Daniel Caffrey* - Director Daniel Caffrey is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Tympanic Theatre Company. Writing and directing credits with Tympanic include Splintered Crosses, The House Of Weird Death, and Gregor And The Squonk. His short plays have been produced in Chicago by ARFTCO, Chicago Dramatists, Dramatis Personae, Dream Theatre Company, Hobo Junction, iO, and WildClaw. Occasionally an actor, he has performed with The Side Project (Slipping), Tympanic, and WNEP (this year's SKALD storytelling competition). He has also directed with The Side Project in their Cut To The Quick festivals. Upcoming projects include his short play "Wishbone" in Dramatis Personae's Feats Of Strength festival, "Yukon Cornelius, Greatest Prospector In The North" with ARFTCO's Christmas Spectacular, and writing and directing "Pogo" for The Ruckus' Tell It & Speak It & Think It & Breathe It. He holds BA degrees in Creative Writing and Theatre, and is a graduate of the Training Center at iO.

About the playwright

George McConnell was born and raised in Michigan and earned his BA in Theatre Performance from Western Michigan University with an emphasis on playwrighting and directing. After graduation, he spent a couple of years in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles making theatre. He then went to Florida State to earn his MA in Theatre Studies and it was at FSU that he met several of the artists from Tympanic. He is currently working on his PhD in Theatre Historiography at the University of Minnesota. As he continues to get entrenched in the world of academia, he still manages to find time to make theatre. He has worked on several projects with the Minneapolis-based Bedlam Theatre Company, and is currently working on devising The Thing that will premiere in Minneapolis in Jan of 2010. He is very excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Tympanic artists on And Then It Burst.