Citadel Theatre 2019-2020

Biographies 11 Director’s Note I first read the book Peter and the Starcatchers when living in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. I was eleven years old, and my dad suggested we read the books together. Every night we read a chapter or two, side-by-side. His hope was that I’d fall asleep next to him like I did when I was a baby. Happily, the Starcatchers series proved to be anything but sleep-inducing. Molly, the Boy, and the Neverland found me at a time where I missed home more than ever. I had lived in subtropical Florida and mountainous Lake Tahoe. Yet, if you asked where or what home meant for me then, I would have found it difficult to answer. Like Peter, and maybe like you, my other homes were lost to me, and my current home felt more foreign than familiar. Reading the Starcatcher novels brought me solace. The orphan Boy who became Peter was lost; home was elusive all his life. The bright and brave Molly, who became the youngest Starcatcher in history, also felt out of place. No matter where you are in the world, so many cultures have a word for this raw, gutting ache for home: Saudade in Portuguese; Dépaysement in French; Hiraeth in Welsh; Toska in Russian; and Fernweh in German. I’m sure the indigenous people of the island that became Neverland had their own word too. Homesickness afflicts everyone. From Bolivia I moved to the Bay Area, and from there my travels brought me to Chicago. Sometimes Chicago feels like my home, but so does a quick phone call with my dad. Your travels brought you to this theater, and we hope you get a taste of the home we’ve created together. At its core, finding a home seems more a journey of finding oneself. With or without the help of starstuff, we become who we always were: A leader, a foodie, a mother, or a dreamer. Home is what we make it, and growing up is an awfully big adventure. Julia Atkin, Assistant Director Jayson Lee (Boy/Peter Pan) is very excited to make his Citadel Theatre debut in Peter and the Starcatcher! Jayson just completed his BFA training from The Theatre School at DePaul University. Some of his most recent credits include: Hooded; or being black for dummies (First Floor Theatre) that received Jeff Nominations for Best Play and Best Ensemble, and Oresteia (The Theatre School) the US premiere by Robert Icke. You can see Jayson next in Northlight Theatre’s world premiere of The Whickhams: Christmas at Pemberley. Jason Goff (Prentiss) is honored to be making his Citadel debut with this magical group of people. Chicago area credits include The Goodman, Victory Gardens, Court Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Emerald City at the Broadway Playhouse, and the Latino Carnival Festival. TV credits include Chicago Fire (NBC) and Patriot (Amazon). He is represented by Grossman and Jack Talent. Shout out to his fiancée, Chelsea, for believing in the magic in all of us. Daniel Gadaj (Ted) is an actor, clown, and solo performer originally from New Jersey. Recent credits include The Tempest (Commission Theatre), Dutch Masters (Jackalope Theatre), Bicycle Thieves (Littlebrain Theatre), Peter Pan (Bros do Prose), and Once A Spy (20% Theatre Company). Daniel has also performed original solo work as a part of Hindrance & Friends at the Newport Theatre, Scratch Night at Chicago’s Physical Theatre Festival, and Heels Over Head at the Actor’s Gymnasium. Daniel graduated from the Theatre School at DePaul University with a B.F.A. in Acting. ’ Christian Edwin Cook (Lord Leonard Aster) is delighted to make his Citadel Theatre debut in PETER AND THE STARCATCHER. Chicago credits include: WAR! AND OTHER COMEDIES by Josh Nordmark, BROOKE ASTOR’S LAST AFFAIR (Chicago Musical Theatre Festival), and DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER, & A FLY (Emerald City Theatre). Christian earned his MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University, holds a BA in Theatre from Drury University (Springfield, MO), and is proudly represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent. Cast Biographies