Staff
Derek Jarvis (Managing Director): Derek has been a Chicago native for over a decade now, after spending time in Perrysburg, Ohio and Downingtown, Pennsylvania reverse chronologically. His love of theatre started when his mother forced him into a summer theatre program shortly after moving to Ohio so that he would have something constructive to do. He played the Barrister in the Wizard of Oz, and it was the beginning of the arts bug. Several summers of theatre later and one Bachelor of Science in Theatre from Northwestern University later (that's right, Theatre B.S.), Derek now calls Chicago home, no matter how much the weather tries to scare him away. Besides Chicago dell'Arte, Derek is also an ensemble member with Promethean Theatre Ensemble and an emeritus member of GreyZelda Theatre Group. Besides being an actor, Derek has taught theatre workshops for high-school age children, written a play called Arr! Pirates now buried in obscurity, and participated in Promethean Theatre's outreach to the Chicago Public Library Teen Volume Project. Derek has also walked four companies through the 501(c)(3) paperwork for the IRS, which should entitle him to some sort of statue or demi-godship. You can reach Derek at derek@chicagodellarte.com
(Artistic Director) Originally from Missouri, a statement he is proud to
make. After graduating from the prestigious Truman State University in
2007, Nick moved to Rhode Island for 8 months where he
worked as a time traveling tour guide at the Astor Beechwood Mansion.
After leaving the east, Nick made the sudden and rash
decision to move to Chicago in the spring of 2008. Since arriving in
Chicago he has worked with wonderful companies on wonderful shows
including NachtKabarett with Painted Lady Productions, Dracula at The Building Stage, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow with Filament Theater Ensemble, as well as A Commedia Christmas Carol and Murder, Murder, Murder with his beloved Chicago dell'Arte. Nick would like to thank his friends and most importantly his family for their completely undying support of his vast dreams. If you wish to contact Nick, you may do so at nick@chicagodellarte.com.
Daniel Martin Roberts (puppet designer) designed puppets for Light Of Love. He was an Art Major at St Olaf College. He left Chicago to go spend 2 years working as a lumberjack in Washington (...seriously) But he's back with us and designing again.
Jeff Semmerling (Mask Maker)- Jeff operates the Inside Out Art Studio, the home of Semmerling and Schaefer Mask Studios. Semmerling and Schaefer, www.maskartists.com has been making the finest quality, most comfortable masks since 1986. Inside Out Art Studio, www.insideoutarts.us, is located in Chicago (2005 W. Montrose at Damen). There they teach art as "serious fun for artists of all ages." At Inside Out Jeff teaches weekly classes and weekend intensives in mask making to artists of all ages, for a range of students from beginners to master mask makers. "We want to make exploring the magic of masks easy for you," says Semmerling the "Mad Master Mask Maker." The mask is a doorway to special time and space and in this special captivating mask presence theater can find a potent tool. Call Jeff at 773-697-5012
Jeff also performs a 30 to 90 minute performance he calls "The Magic of Masks" featuring his fun transformative masks, plus teaches workshops, speaks, and does lecture demonstration/presetations about the almost forgotten ancient form of art.
