Our very first episode features a husband and wife director/ choreographer team who have been seen on Broadway and National tours, but since 2013 have made Chicago their hometown and their creative home base.

Justin Brill is an actor, singer, dancer and educator currently assistant professor of Theater arts at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Shanna VanDerwerker is an actress, singer, dancer and choreographer and one of Chicago’s most well loved and well respected dance teachers.

They both offer group workshops and private coaching and, while they do occasionally work on separate project, here in Chicago they are lovingly referred to as “Team VanDerBrill”.

I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with my good friends, Justin Brill, and Shanna VanDerwerker.

Welcome to the Chicago Theater-Makers podcast!

Each episode we’ll chat with actors, directors, choreographers, designers and producers shaping Chicagoland’s one-of-a-kind-theater scene!

The aim of this podcast is to highlight theater-makers at every level: From high school drama clubs to community theater to storefront theaters to the big Union houses.

New episodes drop every Monday, and in our first season, our list of guests already includes:

- Executive and associate directors from the top regional houses in town,
- A playwright whose shows have been produced world-wide,
- A husband and wife, director/choreographer team,
- Jeff Award Nominees and winners, and much more. Whether you’re a theater-maker just starting out, a theater pro, a curious audience member, or just love a good backstage story…This is the podcast for you.

So now that you’ve found us, please like us on Facebook and Instagram, share us with your friends and colleagues and subscribe to us on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

And, if you or someone you know would like to be a guest on the podcast, drop us a note at our website: www.chitheatermakerspodcast.com

Thanks for listening and we’ll see you on the boards soon!