Getting to know you . . .
Salutations dear friends!
Today is the day we start to give you a little insight on the people who make Tympanic tick!
I recently decided to pose a few questions to a few of our new company members in hopes it would shed some light on their character, much like when the Batman interrogated the Joker.
Though I didn’t hit anyone (hard anyway) I think I was able to extract a few interesting tidbits about these crazy kids.
In the inaugural edition of the “Getting to know you” section, we’ve decided to highlight Tympanic’s New company members Michael Greco, Chrissy Wiesenburger, and Ali Delianides
Here are few things you may not have known about them.
Michael Greco
Why is Tympanic Theatre a good fit for you?
Tympanic is a good fit for me because the members share such a strong passion for contemporary theatre, new work / original scripts, edgy and provocative subject matter, fearlessness, and unusual means of expanding the theatrical experience … all in the service of what 'works.' Most of the experimental choices that end up as part of a production are interesting and pretty compelling (there is never the sense that some element or piece was included or introduced just to gratify someone's ego or navel-gazing "I've always that it'd be so fucked-up if…" type of whim). Plus the members are talented, serious and a blast to work with.
If Theatre is your Career, what's your job? What's your everyday disguise? Clark Kent to Superman style.
I practice law on people. They got rid of most of the enclosing phone booths (DOH! That was in the 70s Sup, showing my age-ism), so changing guises is a challenge. I have a car for that.
What's your favorite El Stop ? why?
Easy. The Belmont el-stop is such a gateway, the intersection of numerous transit routes plus a riot of urban energy vibes. If John Dos Passos were alive and had to re-write Manhattan Transfer re-set in Chicago (or outside Manhattan), he'd need only squat on the Belmont platform for a Spring or Summer weekend.
What is your favorite Joke?
There are lots, but for bartender style purposes (quick strike for short attention spans): "How do you titillate an ocelot / oscillate its tit a lot." (Musical, rolls trippingly on the tongue, plus the edu-geeks laugh harder to signal they know what an ocelot is, the others look around nervously if they don't).
Who do you admire the most and why?
I'll have to give this more thought, but for quick answer purposes I'd love to emulate Francis Ford Coppola. Zoetrope studios didn't work out perfectly, and Apocalypse Now is a bloated take on Heart of Darkness (I watch it every few years though, still love it). Sidney Lumet was more prolific and probably more disciplined, but Coppola could create scope – in 1974 he won Oscar for Godfather 2, and The Conversation was his side project (!!!).
Ali Delianides
Why is Tympanic Theatre a good fit for you?
Tympanic and I go together like peas and carrots. My first production when I moved up to Chicago was Gregor and the Squonk with Tympanic. I had a blast working with everyone and am very much at home
with the company. I'm also a big fan of Tympanic's mission statement and the work that is produced through it.
If Theatre is your Career, what's your job? What's your everyday disguise? Clark Kent to Superman style.
I wear a lot of different disguises in my everyday life. Right now, I am teaching an acting class at Victory Gardens Theatre for kids, grades 7 to 12. I also am a house manager and bartender for the theatre. I also dabble at the GAP part time. I just finished acting in a 4 month long run of Cinderella with The Chicago Kids Company.
What's your favorite El Stop ? why?
Southport el stop is where it's at kids. When I first moved up here and started to familiarize myself with the el. I took a trip to the Southport. I loved the homey and city feel you get from the area all at once. I'm lucky to live by it now.
What is your favorite Joke?
What do you call cheese that's not yours? Nacho Cheese….pure genius.
Who do you admire the most and why?
My mom is the most incredible woman I know. She is my rock, best friend, role model, and biggest fan. I don't know what I would do without her.
Chrissy Weisenburger
Why is Tympanic Theatre a good fit for you?
Tympanic is great for me because being in this company allows me to stay involved in theatre while having very limited availability. I'm currently working toward a second bachelor's degree in Computer Science at UIC, and it is very time consuming! With all the work required I have little to no time to audition or really work on a show. But being with Tympanic I can still be involved in planning, give my input on various issues, and help in small ways with upcoming shows. I've also been in or worked on all of Tympanic's shows since the company opened in Chicago. Having spent so much time with this group I've become good friends with everyone. So being a part of Tympanic is truly great because I get the chance to work on theatre with people I truly enjoy being around. The people make the experience worth while!
If Theatre is your Career, what's your job? What's your everyday disguise? Clark Kent to Superman style.
For me theatre is my first career, but as I mentioned I am in school for Computer Science. So right now I'm a student and cannot wait to graduate! After school I hope to work as a web designer or in some form of computer animation. My ultimate goal is to be able to work with computers during the day and do theatre on nights and weekends. So I guess I'm trying to be superwoman 
What's your favorite El Stop ? why?
My favorite El stop?? Umm…I never really thought about it, but I guess I would have to say Washington on the Blue Line. Washington is right in the Loop downtown Chicago, and I love downtown! I love the activity, variety of things to do, and people to meet. So I suppose any stop that gets me downtown is at the top of my list.
What is your favorite Joke?
So a blond, brunette, and a redhead are running down the street from a cop. They run into a bar and ask the bartended for a place to hide. He points under the bar to three potato sacks they can hide in. So they climb into the sacks just before the cop enters the bar. He's looking around and finally notices the potato sacks. He goes up to the first one and kicks it, it’s the brunette and she says "Woof Woof!" The cop says "oh it’s just a dog". So he kicks the second one, it’s the redhead and she says "Meow!" The cop says "oh it’s just a cat. Finally he kicks the third one, it’s the blond and she says" "POTATO!!".
Haha! Get it!?
Who do you admire the most and why?
I admire my parents the most. Because of my father I fell in love with the arts. He is an artist as well as a craftsman and since I was little he would teach me how to draw or how to look at things a bit differently. Because of him I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the arts. My mother is a nurse and has always been there to take care of me and my sister. Because of her I know not to lose my head when a little problem occurs but to stay calm and do the best I can with whatever situation I am in. Together they have turned our house into a home, provided for me and my sister, and most of all supported us each step of the way. When I decided to go into acting they never once said it wasn't ok. Because of their love and support I knew and know that whatever I decide is the best thing for me. My parents helped me become who I am today; they are extraordinary people and I love them very much!
Thanks for getting to know us!
Be seeing you – Mac Gerber
I love that even in a spotlight of our new family, Mac found a way to include a photo of himself in the entry.