The Company

Melissa Albertario
artistic director

Melissa Albertario is a director, writer and teacher who is passionate about collaborative  methodologies, devising and verbatim theatre. A Deerfield native, Melissa received an MFA in Directing from the University of Essex in London and  trained at the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS) in Moscow.  She holds a BA in theatre from SIU Carbondale.  Melissa is  Literary Manager and a Resident Director with Chicago's 20% Theatre Company.  She has directed professionally throughout the Chicagoland area and in the UK.  When not in the theatre,  Melissa enjoys films, travel and relaxing in Rogers Park with her husband.   E-mail Melissa

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Morgan Manasa
managing director

Morgan Manasa is a Detroit native and a graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts and Theatre Conservatory at Roosevelt University with a BFA in acting. She's performed and worked with such companies as Babes with Blades (Company Member), Point of Contention, Theatre Hikes, Rascal Children's Theatre and Bohemian Ensemble Theatre.  Morgan is also a textile artisan and painter.  When not in the theatre, she enjoys sleeping.   E-mail Morgan

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Jason Peck
literary manager

Jason Peck is an award-winning professional speaker, actor and public speaking coach.  A graduate of London's Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Jason has toured the UK and Italy in various theatre productions. He also wrote material for the award-winning sketch comedy show The Treason Show in Brighton, England and wrote and performed sketches with Newsrevue, London’s longest-running satirical sketch comedy show.  In his spare time, Jason enjoys films, blogging and hanging out in Rogers Park with his wife.  E-mail Jason

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Hayley Rice
marketing manager

Hayley is a Chicago area native and graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University (BFA Theatre Arts).  In addition to her work with FPTC, she has been seen at Illinois Theatre Center, Rascal Children's Theatre, LiveWire Theatre, Prairie Fire Children's Theatre and Rogue Theater.  She is also a proud Artistic Associate of First Folio Theatre.  When she is not doing something theatrically based, Hayley enjoys cooking monstrous-looking-yet-delicious food and feeding it to her friends.  Email Hayley

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Liz Cooper
Resident Designer

Liz received her BFA from Wayne State University in Detroit. She has designed the lighting for several theatre companies including 20% Chicago, Promethean Theatre Ensemble and City Lit. Liz is an Artistic Associate with 20%.  When not working, she can be found grilling tasty veggies and reading. Email Liz

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The founding members, 2010.