The Medium Cast
CAROLINE WRIGHT - Monica (Oct 24, 26, Nov 2)
Caroline Wright, Soprano, received her vocal training at Illinois Wesleyan University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While studying, Caroline performed roles such as Lauretta from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, the title role from Carlisle Floyd's Susannah, and Donna Anna from Mozart's Don Giovanni. Upon finishing her graduate degree, Caroline performed extensively throughout the Washington, DC area in multiple operas, operettas, and musicals including: the Countess Almaviva from Le Nozze di Figaro, Musetta from La Bohème, and Rose Williams in one of the first readings of the new musical Tom to TENN by Paul Leavitt. In 2011, Caroline moved to Chicago where she has performed with many vibrant companies such as Fresco Opera, Lingerie Lyrique, and Theo Ubique Cabaret. Always improving her craft, Caroline is involved with the Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago and the Sherill Milnes Voice Studio, where she has studied with, and performed for, illustrious members of the opera community.
Caroline Wright, Soprano, received her vocal training at Illinois Wesleyan University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While studying, Caroline performed roles such as Lauretta from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, the title role from Carlisle Floyd's Susannah, and Donna Anna from Mozart's Don Giovanni. Upon finishing her graduate degree, Caroline performed extensively throughout the Washington, DC area in multiple operas, operettas, and musicals including: the Countess Almaviva from Le Nozze di Figaro, Musetta from La Bohème, and Rose Williams in one of the first readings of the new musical Tom to TENN by Paul Leavitt. In 2011, Caroline moved to Chicago where she has performed with many vibrant companies such as Fresco Opera, Lingerie Lyrique, and Theo Ubique Cabaret. Always improving her craft, Caroline is involved with the Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago and the Sherill Milnes Voice Studio, where she has studied with, and performed for, illustrious members of the opera community.
ANGELA BORN - Monica (Oct. 25, 31, Nov 1)
Angela Born was recently seen as Meg Murry in a workshop production of Libby Larsen’s new opera A Wrinkle in Time. Other roles include Musetta in Puccini’s La Bohéme at Loveland Opera Theater and, at the University of Colorado Boulder, Beth in Adamo’s Little Women, Suor Genovieffa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, Mrs. Hayes in Floyd’s Susannah, and Barbarina and the cover of Susanna in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. Music theater roles include the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland by Adam Busch (Chicago Opera Playhouse), Nellie Forbush in a gala production of South Pacific (Loveland Opera Theatre) and the cover of Julie in Carousel for the University of Colorado Boulder. She was a finalist in the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition and the Henry Charles Memorial Concerto-Aria Competition. She received her Master of Music from the University of Colorado Boulder studying with Julie Simson and her Bachelor of
Music from Illinois Wesleyan University with Sam Scifres. Angela currently resides in Chicago and studies with Theresa Brancaccio.
Angela Born was recently seen as Meg Murry in a workshop production of Libby Larsen’s new opera A Wrinkle in Time. Other roles include Musetta in Puccini’s La Bohéme at Loveland Opera Theater and, at the University of Colorado Boulder, Beth in Adamo’s Little Women, Suor Genovieffa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, Mrs. Hayes in Floyd’s Susannah, and Barbarina and the cover of Susanna in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. Music theater roles include the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland by Adam Busch (Chicago Opera Playhouse), Nellie Forbush in a gala production of South Pacific (Loveland Opera Theatre) and the cover of Julie in Carousel for the University of Colorado Boulder. She was a finalist in the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition and the Henry Charles Memorial Concerto-Aria Competition. She received her Master of Music from the University of Colorado Boulder studying with Julie Simson and her Bachelor of
Music from Illinois Wesleyan University with Sam Scifres. Angela currently resides in Chicago and studies with Theresa Brancaccio.
WILL GREEN - Toby
Will Green is currently a senior in the Acting program at Columbia College Chicago. He also
passionately continues his storytelling work as one of the founding members of the devising
theater company Room|916.
Will Green is currently a senior in the Acting program at Columbia College Chicago. He also
passionately continues his storytelling work as one of the founding members of the devising
theater company Room|916.
AMANDA RUNGE - Madame Flora/Baba (October 24, 26, November 1)
Amanda Runge, Mezzo-Soprano, started singing opera at a young age in her native Wisconsin. At age 14 she sang the role of Lady Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and her love of opera began. She received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California
where she performed such roles as Tituba in The Crucible, La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi, and Third Lady in The Magic Flute. She also attended Aspen Music Festival and School where she performed in multiple scenes, her favorite being Lucretia in The Rape of Lucretia. She received her Master of Music from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England, where she revived her roles in Gianni Schicchi and The Magic Flute. After her return to the Midwest she has had the pleasure of singing with Mainstreet Opera, Opera on Tap, Grant Park Chorus, DaCorneto, Verismo Opera, Katydid Productions and Elgin Opera Company. In 2013 she performed in Berlin, Germany where she sang in an opera production of baroque music with Kiez Oper, in Hangzhou, China with Redmoon Theater, and performed her first Carmen with the American Chamber Opera here in Chicago. In addition, Amanda has been an active recitalist in both the USA and England, singing with Bakersfield Symphony, Banbury Symphony, Aspen Festival Orchestra, and the Northwest Choral Society.
Amanda Runge, Mezzo-Soprano, started singing opera at a young age in her native Wisconsin. At age 14 she sang the role of Lady Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and her love of opera began. She received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California
where she performed such roles as Tituba in The Crucible, La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi, and Third Lady in The Magic Flute. She also attended Aspen Music Festival and School where she performed in multiple scenes, her favorite being Lucretia in The Rape of Lucretia. She received her Master of Music from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England, where she revived her roles in Gianni Schicchi and The Magic Flute. After her return to the Midwest she has had the pleasure of singing with Mainstreet Opera, Opera on Tap, Grant Park Chorus, DaCorneto, Verismo Opera, Katydid Productions and Elgin Opera Company. In 2013 she performed in Berlin, Germany where she sang in an opera production of baroque music with Kiez Oper, in Hangzhou, China with Redmoon Theater, and performed her first Carmen with the American Chamber Opera here in Chicago. In addition, Amanda has been an active recitalist in both the USA and England, singing with Bakersfield Symphony, Banbury Symphony, Aspen Festival Orchestra, and the Northwest Choral Society.
RENA AHMED - Madame Flora/Baba (October 25, 31, November 2)
Rena Ahmed, Mezzo-Soprano, has been featured in numerous productions of opera,
operetta, musical theater, theater, cabaret and concert works throughout the Chicago area. Earlier this year she appeared as Lucy in Snoopy! The Musical (Petite Opera), as Effie in The Ballad of Baby Doe (Music by the Lake), and as Costanza in Enchanted April (Theatre-Hikes). Some of her favorite roles include the title role in Iolanthe, The Principessa in Suor Angelica, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Agnes Gooch in Mame, and Suzuki in Madama
Butterfly.
Rena Ahmed, Mezzo-Soprano, has been featured in numerous productions of opera,
operetta, musical theater, theater, cabaret and concert works throughout the Chicago area. Earlier this year she appeared as Lucy in Snoopy! The Musical (Petite Opera), as Effie in The Ballad of Baby Doe (Music by the Lake), and as Costanza in Enchanted April (Theatre-Hikes). Some of her favorite roles include the title role in Iolanthe, The Principessa in Suor Angelica, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Agnes Gooch in Mame, and Suzuki in Madama
Butterfly.
MARY LUTZ GOVERTSEN - Mrs. Gobineau
Mary Lutz Govertsen is delighted to be making her debut with Third Eye Theatre Ensemble. An
emerging young professional in the Chicago opera scene, Mary has performed with Chamber Opera Chicago, Verismo Opera, Main Street Opera, OperaModa, Opera for the Young, the DuPage Symphony and Chorale, the Music Institute of Chicago, Katydid Opera, and Chicago Symphony Chorus. With these companies, she has been seen as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni,
Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Adele in Le Comte Ory, Heroines in Les Contes d’Hoffmann, First Lady in The Magic Flute, Mimi in La Bohème, Madame Lidoine in The Dialogues of the Carmelites, and Mlle. Silberklang in Der Schauspieldirektor, among others. She has been an
apprentice at Opera New Jersey, where she covered the role of Clorinda in La Cenerentola, and at Opera Cedar Rapids, as Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte. Mary recently made her role debut as Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor with Main Street Opera and continues her 2014-15
season as a company member with VOX 3.
Mary Lutz Govertsen is delighted to be making her debut with Third Eye Theatre Ensemble. An
emerging young professional in the Chicago opera scene, Mary has performed with Chamber Opera Chicago, Verismo Opera, Main Street Opera, OperaModa, Opera for the Young, the DuPage Symphony and Chorale, the Music Institute of Chicago, Katydid Opera, and Chicago Symphony Chorus. With these companies, she has been seen as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni,
Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Adele in Le Comte Ory, Heroines in Les Contes d’Hoffmann, First Lady in The Magic Flute, Mimi in La Bohème, Madame Lidoine in The Dialogues of the Carmelites, and Mlle. Silberklang in Der Schauspieldirektor, among others. She has been an
apprentice at Opera New Jersey, where she covered the role of Clorinda in La Cenerentola, and at Opera Cedar Rapids, as Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte. Mary recently made her role debut as Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor with Main Street Opera and continues her 2014-15
season as a company member with VOX 3.
CHRISTOPHER SKYLES - Mr. Gobineau
Christopher Skyles has been singing with various choral groups and opera companies
around Chicago for the last six years, and is the co-founder of Third Eye Theatre Ensemble. Previous solo experience includes portraying both Figaro and Antonio in Le Nozze di Figaro, The Bonze in Madama Butterfly, Rev. G.R. Haughton in The March: A Civil Rights Opera, Tom in Blue Monday, The Innkeeper in Man of La Mancha, Cecil B. DeMille in Sunset Boulevard, Earl in Whistle Down the Wind, and as a Featured Baritone in Phantom of the Opera.
Christopher also enjoys singing for various churches throughout Chicago and is a National Anthem singer for numerous sporting events.
Christopher Skyles has been singing with various choral groups and opera companies
around Chicago for the last six years, and is the co-founder of Third Eye Theatre Ensemble. Previous solo experience includes portraying both Figaro and Antonio in Le Nozze di Figaro, The Bonze in Madama Butterfly, Rev. G.R. Haughton in The March: A Civil Rights Opera, Tom in Blue Monday, The Innkeeper in Man of La Mancha, Cecil B. DeMille in Sunset Boulevard, Earl in Whistle Down the Wind, and as a Featured Baritone in Phantom of the Opera.
Christopher also enjoys singing for various churches throughout Chicago and is a National Anthem singer for numerous sporting events.
ADRIANNE BLANKS - Mrs. Nolan
Adrianne Blanks, Mezzo-Soprano, holds a Bachelor of Music from the Boston Conservatory
and a Master of Music from Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts. She made her mainstage debut last winter in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream with Opera Naples in Florida, and performed with Chicago Opera Theater last fall and Music by the Lake this summer. Other recent performances include Papagena and Third Lady in The Magic Flute with the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s outreach program, Opera in the Neighborhoods,
Antonia’s Mother in Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffman, Eliza in Sullivan’s The Zoo, and Isolier in Rossini’s Le Comte Ory. She has been featured as a soloist in Handel's Messiah and Britten's Ceremony of Carols, both with Harper College. Up next she will be seen as Meg
Page in Verdi's Falstaff with Kor Productions.
Adrianne Blanks, Mezzo-Soprano, holds a Bachelor of Music from the Boston Conservatory
and a Master of Music from Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts. She made her mainstage debut last winter in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream with Opera Naples in Florida, and performed with Chicago Opera Theater last fall and Music by the Lake this summer. Other recent performances include Papagena and Third Lady in The Magic Flute with the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s outreach program, Opera in the Neighborhoods,
Antonia’s Mother in Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffman, Eliza in Sullivan’s The Zoo, and Isolier in Rossini’s Le Comte Ory. She has been featured as a soloist in Handel's Messiah and Britten's Ceremony of Carols, both with Harper College. Up next she will be seen as Meg
Page in Verdi's Falstaff with Kor Productions.