Our Super Staff


Tom Arvetis, Producing Artistic Director

Tom is responsible for the creative vision of Adventure Stage Chicago, the implementation of all programming, and the supervision of the theater staff. Tom recently returned from The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., where he directed a reading of Jason Tremblay’s new play Katrina: The Girl Who Wanted Her Name Back as part of the 2008 New Visions/New Voices festival. Tom will also direct the world premiere production of Katrina for Adventure Stage Chicago in April, 2009. Tom previously directed ASC’s world premiere production of The Blue House by José Cruz Gonzalez and wrote and directed I Dream in Blues. Next summer, he will direct a new play by Elizabeth Wong for the Silk Road Theatre Project.  Tom is an Emeritus Company Member with Barrel of Monkeys, has acted in award-winning productions with the Neo-Futurists, Bailiwick Repertory Company and Pyewacket Theatre, and is a veteran sound designer. He received a Bachelor of Speech degree from Northwestern University. Email Tom at tom@adventurestage.org.



Scott Letscher, Managing Director

Scott joined the theater staff in June 2005 after spending 14 years with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in marketing and ticketing. He was also a company member of Terrapin Theatre for over 10 years where he held various positions, including Artistic Director and Literary Manager. He also acted in and directed many Terrapin productions, including the After Dark Award-winning Aunt Dan and Lemon. Scott has a Theatre Arts degree from Marquette University and lives in the Ravenswood neighborhood with his family. Email Scott at scott@adventurestage.org.


Merissa Stewart, Director of Education

Merissa joined Adventure Stage Chicago in the fall of 2007.  From 2005-2007 she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where she promoted student-centered learning methodologies, designed teacher trainings, coordinated English camps for Thai students, organized after-school drama programs, and facilitated a nation-wide Theater festival for Thai youth. Prior to that she worked for ArtsBridge America, a non-profit outreach program affiliated with UCLA where she mentored teaching artists. She was an instructor for UCLA High School Acting and Performance Institute, teaching movement, scene study, and directing student-created, original performance pieces for three years. She has freelanced as a curriculum writer and teaching artist for the Silk Road Theater Project, is the Fine Arts Curriculum Advisor at Rowe Elementary School, and has been as a mentor (Drama Mama) in Redmoon Theater’s Mentoring program, Drama Girls.  In fall of 2008 she co-founded the Chicago Arts Educator Forum which provides networking and professional development opportunities to Arts Educators, Teaching Artists and Arts Education Administrators. Merissa serves on the board of the Illinois Theatre Association as the Children's Theatre representative. Merissa has a BA in Theater and an MA in Theater Education from UCLA and K-12 Teaching Credentials from Santa Clara University. Email Merissa at merissa@adventurestage.org.


Jennifer Mathews, director of Communications

Jennifer joined Adventure Stage Chicago's staff in 2005. Previous experience includes two years as a Marketing Specialist at Carol Fox & Associates and six years as Director of Public Relations for Infamous Commonwealth Theatre. Jennifer is also Communications Director with Erasing the Distance, an arts organization that sheds light on mental health issues through theatre, in addition to being a member of their acting ensemble. She has also worked with Sideshow Theatre, Chicago Dramatists, Steppenwolf Theatre, Pride Film & Plays, Circle Theatre, Open Eye Productions, Hi-Volt Theatre, and Will Act For Food. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Drama from Indiana University. Learn more about Jennifer at jennifermathewsonline.com. Email Jennifer at jennifer@adventurestage.org.

ALLISON LATTA, ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Allison is in charge of community engagement and works with the other departments at the Northwestern University Settlement House to introduce artistic practice into the social services and strengthen relationships between the theater and neighbors in the community. Her relationship with Adventure Stage Chicago began in 2004 when she performed in its inaugural production of Sideways Stories from the Wayside School. Since then, she has worked with the company as a teaching artist and performer, appearing in a number of productions including Holes, Still Life With Iris and Gossamer.  In 2011, she worked as the project coordinator for the Innovation Lab with Adventure Stage Chicago and the Settlement House, which led to her current position. In addition to her work with Adventure Stage, Allison continues to perform onstage and on-camera throughout Chicago. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Virginia Tech. Email Allison at allison@adventurestage.org.



Brandon Campbell, Production Manager

Brandon Campbell has worked for Adventure Stage Chicago and the Vittum Theater as a teaching artist, stage manager, and production manager, since moving to Chicago in 2001.  Hailing from Portland, OR, he is also an Associate of Collaboraction, serving as production manager for Sketchbook 5, 6, 7, 8, and Carnaval. Other production credits include the world premier of Jose Rivera’s Massacre at Goodman Theater (with Teatro Vista), Chicago Sketchfest, and several shows with the Neo-Futurist’s. In his creative time he has worked as a writer/performer (Dark Eyed Strangers), a puppeteer and designer, (Laika’s Coffin, The Cay, Joe’s Garage), and a sax player (Jenn Rhoads Project, 2nd Story, The Denizens). Email Brandon at brandon@adventurestage.org.



DANI BRYANT, MARKETING AND SALES ASSOCIATE

Dani has worked for Adventure Stage Chicago as an actor, dramaturge, teaching artist, and is passionate about community collaboration work with the Northwestern Settlement. Dani hales from Gatlinburg, TN, but has called Chicago home for almost 5 years. As a theatre maker, Dani uses real food and storytelling to explore relationships and the deeper meaning that food holds in our lives. Dani's solo show, Binge, was produced at the University of Chicago's Summer Incubation program, the Around the Coyote Festival, ChiFringeBinge, and StudioBE. Dani’s other foodie plays include Kitchen for Walkabout Theater and Molè for Adventure Stage. Dani’s work is often seen at the Food & Performance events in Chicago. Dani's next project The Last Meal Man will be produced this summer with Collaboraction. Dani is a proud founding member of Cabaret Vagabond, a modern variety show intended to foster community amongst Chicago artists. Email Dani at dbryant@adventurestage.org.