Illinois Theatre Association - College/University Theatre

Lauren Wells-Mann is an actor, director, dancer, choreographer and arts educator. Currently, she serves as Director of Arts in Education and Community Engagement at the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University. Additionally, as a proud company member with MPAACT (Ma'at Production Company of African Centered Theatre), she has had the pleasure of directing countless productions. Mrs. Wells-Mann holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theater/Acting (Columbia College Chicago) and a Masters in Secondary Education (Univ. of Phoenix). She has also performed with companies such as Lookingglass, Black Ensemble, MPAACT, Harlem Theater Company, Healthworks Theater Company, and Victory Gardens to name a few. Additionally, Mrs. Wells-Mann coached competitive acting and speech events for the Illinois High School Association for over 20 years. Under her direction, students have won numerous state and national championships in various acting and public speaking activities. Prior to coming to Governors State University, she served as the Theatre Department Head at The Chicago High School for the Arts. Lauren Wells-Mann believes in the transformative power of the intersection of arts and education and the importance of BIPOC artists having autonomy over their own narratives. It is a mission to which she is deeply committed.

Brandon Wardell
Expires 2026

Brandon Wardell is a Lighting and Scenic Designer based in Chicago. He is an Ensemble Member of Steep Theatre Company, an Artistic Associate with Griffin Theatre Company, and Associate Professor of Lighting Design at Northern Illinois University’. Recent designs include Two Trains Running (Court); A Case For the Existence of God, Light Falls, and The Writer (Steep); An Act of God (Paramount); The Lifespan of a Fact, Trouble In Mind, and Cardboard Piano (TimeLine Theatre Co.); The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Steppenwolf); A Number (Writers Theatre); Blues in the Night (Porchlight Music Theatre); Men On Boats (American Theatre Co.); Solaris, Titanic, London Wall, and Men Should Weep (Griffin); The Game of Love and Chance (American Players Theatre); and Million Dollar Quartet (Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival). Brandon earned his MFA from Northwestern University and is on the faculty of Northern Illinois University.