Master Class: Scene Study

Kaiser Ahmed (he/him) is a Bangladeshi-American theatre director, producer, teacher, and actor based in Chicago. He’s worked at Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, American Blues Theatre, The Artistic Home, Northlight Theatre, and others. Kaiser was named on NewCity’s Players 2019 and 2022: “Fifty People Who Really Perform For Chicago”. Kaiser is a 2015-16 Eugene O’Neill National Directors Fellowship Finalist, a 2016-17 Victory Gardens Directors Inclusion Initiative recipient, and an Associate Member of SDC.

Kaiser was the Co-Founding Artistic Director of Jackalope Theatre Company from 2008-2012, he continued to serve as the Associate Artistic Director through 2019, and resumed as Artistic Director in 2020. At Jackalope, he’s worked closely on every production in the company’s 14-year history. 

Kaiser holds a BA in Theatre Directing from Columbia College Chicago, is an Eagle Scout, and is fluent in Bengali. 

Karissa Murrell Myers (she/her) is a Filipino American theatre artist based in Chicago, where she works as a playwright, actor, producer, and casting director. Winner of the 2023 Maxim Mazumdar Award and an O’Neill Finalist, her plays have been developed and/or produced at Goodman Theatre, Alleyway Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Strawdog Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, The Road Theatre Company, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, American Blues Theatre, A Red Orchid Theatre, The Gift Theatre, Oregon Contemporary Theatre, City Theatre, Boise Contemporary Theatre, Broken Nose Theatre, Avalanche Theatre, and Bramble Theatre Company, where she serves as the Artistic Director and Co-Founder. MFA from University of Hawaii, BA from Boise State University, and proud graduate of The School at Steppenwolf 2019. Member of the Dramatist Guild and SAG-AFTRA.

Marti Lyons (she/her) most recently directed ‘ART’ by Yasmina Reza, Love Song by John Kolvenbach and Galileo’s Daughter by Jessica Dickey at Remy Bumppo Theatre Company. Lyons also directed Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley at Northlight Theatre, Wife of a Salesman by Eleanor Burgess at Milwaukee Rep, Sense and Sensibility adapted by Jessica Swale at American Players Theatre and the world-premiere of John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower at Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C. Selected other credits include: The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess at Writers Theatre; Cymbeline at American Players Theatre; The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe and Kings by Sarah Burgess at Studio Theatre; the world-premiere of How to Defend Yourself by Liliana Padilla, a Victory Gardens and Actors Theatre of Louisville co-production; Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee at Victory Gardens and City Theatre; Witch by Jen Silverman at Geffen Playhouse and Writers Theatre (LA Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Direction); Native Gardens by Karen Zacarías at Victory Gardens; Botticelli in the Fire by Jordan Tannahill at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company; I, Banquo at Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Title and Deed by Will Eno at Lookingglass Theatre Company and Laura Marks’ Bethany and Mine at The Gift Theatre. Lyons is also an ensemble member at The Gift Theatre and a member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.