Native Garden's Crew
Moises Diaz - Director
Moises is incredibly excited for you to see our Production of Native Gardens. Previous work include Costume Designer for The Hatmaker's Wife and Krugozor at Theatre EVOLVE and Directing for God of Carnage at Fleeing Artist Theatre. He is currently a Diverse Learning Teacher at Horizon Science Academy-Southwest. Moises would like to thank the rest of the EVOLVE Finches for their belief that he could helm this project. Moises would also like to thank his Parents, Siblings, Gerson and Eloida and last but certainly not least his wife Kelsey who supports Moises in every crazy dream he has. And F*ck ICE.
Gabrielle Owens - Stage Manager
Gabrielle Owens (she/they) is an Artistic Associate with Theatre Evolve and delighted to return to stage manage with them again. When she’s not in a theatre, she can frequently be found writing short stories, working as a dog walker, or playing DND. Past Theatre Evolve credits: Krugozor, The Hatmaker's Wife, MEDEAMEDEAMEDEA. Other past credits include: Richard III (Babes with Blades), Ghost Fetus (Trap Door Theatre), Oh the Places You’ll Glow! (Second City), Labyrinth (Broken Nose Theatre), Language Rooms (Broken Nose Theatre).
Riley Bulson - Assistant Stage Manager
Riley Bulson is a Chicago-based stage manager and theatre artist, excited to be the Assistant Stage Manager for Native Gardens with Theatre EVOLVE! She is an undergraduate student at Loyola University Chicago, where her credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Legally Blonde, and Orange Julius. Riley serves as Production Management Coordinator for Loyola’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts and has additional stage management experience with The Beautiful City Project on Jesus Christ Superstar and We Will Rock You!. She gratefully acknowledges the mentorship of Miranda Anderson, Theresa Ham, and Rachel Healy, along with the support of colleagues and friends.
Daniel Mendoza - Dramatrug
Daniel Mendoza is thrilled to be returning to theatre with Theatre Evolve as Dramaturg for this production of Native Gardens. He thanks his family, friends and cats for their undying support and Moises for years of friendship, trust, and opportunity; “Especially now as we put up your Chicago directorial debut, congrats pal!”
Jeff Brain - Techinical Director and Scenic Designer
Jeff Brain is a Chicago-area designer and performer that is excited to work on his first show with Theatre Evolve. He is an Assistant Technical Director and scenic designer at the University of Wisconsin - Parkside, where he recently designed Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play. His work in Chicago has included Antigone (Props Designer), Isaac's Eye (Technical Director), Babel (Props / TD), and more. He has also recently been seen onstage in How to Transcend ... (Redtwist Theatre) and Bloodshot (Nonsense Theatre Co.) He is an ensemble member with Redtwist Theatre and Nonsense Theatre Company. Thanks for supporting live theatre!
Daniella Brown - Sound Designer
Daniella is an Illinois-based Sound Designer with an M.F.A. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Sound Design and Technology. Daniella is passionate about crafting immersive and dynamic designs that use sound as both art and narrative. A lifelong theatre maker, Daniella finds inspiration in the emotional depth and energy of live performance. As a queer artist of color, Daniella loves bringing a unique and deeply personal perspective to her work. Through her art, she aims to amplify underrepresented voices and explore the intersections of culture, queerness, and the human experience.
Dinorah Guillen - Costume Designer
Dinorah Guillen is ecstatic to be making her Chicago debut with Theatre Evolve. Born and raised in the city, she spent a few years east, earning her MFA in Costume Design from Temple University and her BFA in Theatre from DePauw University. Previous design credits include The Press Conference (3Brothers Theatre), Pippin, and Big Fish (Temple University). When not designing on stage, you can find Dinorah tackling her TBR list, drinking tea or playing with costume concepts. She would like to thank her family and Maddie, without whom none of this would be possible.
Anna Rachel Troy - Producer and Props Designer
Anna Rachel Troy is a Chicago-based theatre artist and the founding Artistic Director of Theatre EVOLVE. While she usually works as a director and producer, she’s stepping into a new role as props designer for Native Gardens—her first time designing props. She’s especially drawn to the small details that help bring a world to life and is excited to be learning something new alongside this team. Thank you to the entire team of Native Gardens, to #TeamEVOLVE, and of course to her mama, Susan, for being her biggest fan. This show is dedicated to her father, Robert Troy. Lastly, F*ck ICE