Meet the Artists
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Jacqui Russell (Camp Director)
has been teaching theatre to children with autism for more than ten years. Jacqui is the Artistic Director of Chicago Children's Theatre, a company she founded with Board Chair Todd Leland in 2005. Prior to her time at CCT, Jacqui was the Executive Director and Education Director at Lookingglass Theatre, and the Director of Children's Programs at Old Town School of Folk Music. Jacqui began CCT's Red Kite program in 2007, and directed the inaugural performance, Red Kite/Blue Moon in April 2008. Most recently, Jacqui has been developing new productions and programming under the Red Kite banner and teaching private theatre classes to children on the autism spectrum on the weekends.
David Rench
has been collaborating with Jacqui Russell for the past 8 years at Agassiz Elementary School. He holds a B.S. in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Education from University of Illinois at Chicago. David has worked with children with special needs children since 1992. He currently works at Agassiz teaching elementary age students with autism. David is looking forward to collaborating with Ms. Russell and all the staff during this wonderful summer camp.
Beth Rice
received her degree in special education as well as elementary education. She has 5 years experience teaching children with autism in an instructional classroom at Agassiz Elementary School. Beth has previously collaborated with the Red Kite Project and is thrilled to be a part of Camp Red Kite.
Patty Walsh
has an M.Ed. in special education from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a B. A. in theatre from Illinois State University. Currently, Patty teaches in an instructional autism program at Ole A. Thorp Scholastic Academy, where she was recently the recipient of a 2008 - 2009 Chicago Foundation for Education Grant, "Let's Make Music and Move!" Patty is very excited to be a part of Camp Red Kite.
Bianca Delgado (Arts/Crafts)
holds a degree in Apparel Merchandising and Costume Design from Indiana University. She is the Director of Development for Chicago Children's Theatre and spends much of her free time in the creative arts.
John Francisco (Drama)
performed in last season's Red Kite/Blue Moon and is working with Artistic Director Jacqui Russell to develop the follow-up, Red Kite Round-Up. He was formerly employed at Erikson Institute: A Graduate School in Child Development.
Tim Speicher (Arts/Crafts)
has a BA in Theatre and Drama from Indiana University. He assistant directed last year's Red Kite/Blue Moon production and has been a camp counselor for Indiana Repertory Theatre, Missoula Children's Theatre, and Destination Imagination.
Beth Wolf (Dance/Movement)
holds a degree in theatre from Northwestern University, and taught improv and musical theatre at a summer arts camp called Arts Unlimited in Southern California for many years. She also mentors the Chicago Public Library Teen Reader's Theatre Troupe through her association with Promethean Theatre Ensemble.