Leonicia M. Berry, from Cleveland, Ohio, received her B.A. in theatre from Loyola University Chicago and has worked professionally in Chicago for over 8 years in various roles including directing, producing, stage managing and performing.  Leonicia has also served as managing director for Rogers Park Theatre Ensemble.  Some of her favorite productions include:  The Colored Museum (Rogers Park Theatre Ensemble),Topdog/Underdog (Rogers Park Theatre Ensemble), The Wiz (White Horse Theatre Company), Stages XIII (Theatre Building Chicago), Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Loyola University Chicago) and Mistero Buffo:Comic Mystery (Piccolo Theatre).

Amanda Romano is a graduate of Columbia College with a B.A. in Theater.  She has been in the acting industry since the age of 7.  Amanda has worked with numerous theater cmpanies in and around the Chicago area.  She has an extensive background in dance and modeling.  Amanda has also worked on the television series Early Edition along with several independent films.

Bill is a graduate of the conservatory at The Second City in Chicago.  He can be seen performing improvisational theater and sketch comedy with his acting troupe on various stages throughout the city.  His other stage credits include a variety of theatrical productions ranging from, "Of Mice and Men," to Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."  He also has a love for film and has since worked on several independent features as well as an online mini series.  He can most recently be seen in the horror film "Cyrus" which will be released later in 2009.  Aside from this, he was also a former student at John Robert Powers and performed at their iPOP! convention in Las Vegas.  Bill is thrilled to be a part of JRP once again and for the opportunity to teach students his own first love - acting.

Jessica began her training in ballet, modern, jazz, tap and hip hop from childhood through high school at Denise Sabala Dance Studios.  She continued her training at Illinois Wesleyan University while obtaining a minor in Dance Theater.  During the summers of her college years, Jessica was a summer intensive scholarship student at the Joel Hall Dance Center.  Upon graduation, Jessica went under contract dancing aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.  After returning she joined Joel Hall’s second company, JHDII, and then the first company, Joel Hall Dancers with whom she performed with at Jazz Dance World Congress, Dance Chicago and various concerts at the Athenaeum Theater.  She also completed another contract with Jean Ann Ryan Productions aboard the SilverSeas Cruise Lines.  Jessica was also a featured dancer in the Chicago Dramatist’s “Voyeurs de Venus”.  She then became a company member of Instruments of Movement under the direction of James Morrow, performing in “Ain’t No Half Steppin’” and “Soundsuites”.  Jessica was also a company member in Chicago Contemporary Latin, performing in Dance Chicago and at the Latin Cinema Festival.  She has toured South Korea performing for the US troops over the holidays this year for an MWR tour through Goldberg Entertainment.  She is currently back performing with Joel Hall and has recently become a member of the hip hop and contemporary company Dance Crash.  She has taught classes in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, creative movement, ballroom and social as well as choreographed hip hop routines for state competitions for various local high schools.  

Anita has been in the modeling industry for 10 years. She was a client of John Robert Powers Chicago prior to her modeling career. Anita has modeled for clients such as Nike, Ralph Lauren, and Sonia Rykiel. She’s toured with Soft Sheen Carson (a subsidiary of L’Oreal) to Texas, California, Puerto Rico and Chicago. She models for Ford in Chicago, appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show (Chicago), done print work and has appeared in Today's Chicago Woman.

Ursula Tripp is a certified schoolteacher and certified Makeup Artist. She is a “Euro Makeup Wiz” Makeup Artist and trainer in personalized makeup artistry. She is a make-up stylist with Lily’s Talent Agency and was featured by “Chicago Magazine” as a makeup artist for Estee Lauder. Ursula has experience in makeup design and application for photo print, media appearances, public events, fashion and bridal shows and has been working an a makeup artist since 1991. Clients included, but not limited to: Marshall Fields, Neiman Marcus, Harper College, Columbia College, Art Institute of Fashion Design, Versace, Trish McEvoy, Estee Lauder.

Jenine has over 25 years of experience in the beauty and fashion industry. She has worked as a model, image consultant, cosmetologist, and has a background in Early Childhood Education. Jenine has a BA from Columbia College with a concentration in Fashion and also went through he John Robert Powers program herself. She loves sharing her knowledge and passion for the industry with her students and has the years of experience as well.

Shirley has been involved in the modeling industry for over 30 years.  She graduated from Patricia Stevens High Fashion Career College where she was coached and developed for fashion modeling, runway, make-up, nutrition and exercise, etiquette, wardrobe, poise, personal improvement, and photographic modeling.  She has done print work, tradeshows, warehouse modeling, countless fashion shows and runway, and was a spokesperson for a variety of products, both here in Chicago and San Francisco.  She taught at the London School of Fashion in San Rafael, California for four years.  Shirley loves all aspects of the modeling field, but her passion is for fashion shows.  She just loves the industry, whether it’s being the model, the commentator, or the coordinator.  

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, growing up as a trained dancer and award-winning artist.  While mastering her studies in business and marketing at Florida A & M University, Stacy found an undeniable attraction to modeling and operating under the many different aspects of it. Becoming well-respected for her visionary approach and knowledge of the fashion industry she ascended to an elected leadership position within FACES Modeling Troupe.  Her roles included coordinating a staff of over 40, training more than 150 prospective models a year, and designing high-octane events for her apprentices.  As a muse to designers, photographers, make-up artists and stylists alike, Stacy used her established networks within the fashion world to coordinate fashion shows as well as organize and direct photo shoots. She continues her modeling and leadership initiatives working towards her goals of developing an influential global business consciousness, synthesizing her vision for art, fashion, marketing and commercial sensibilities.

Devin has been a professional actor and model since the age of 4, at age 15 he was a client of John Robert Powers Chicago. He has done commercial work for McDonalds, All State and Tombstone Pizza, and has also been in over 15 plays with several Chicagoland theatre companies.  Before coming to John Robert Powers, he worked with Columbia College Chicago as an acting teacher at their summer arts program for children. He has also worked with North Light Theatre Company's Children's Theatre Program as an acting coach.

Marta’s acting experience dates back to High School. Her love for the craft led her to community theatre, where she performed in numerous musicals, and plays. Marta eventually became an official member of the American Thespian Troup Society in 2000.  She also did a few television shows to further expand her repertoire including a cable sitcom. She moved to New York City and attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.  She has done two highly anticipated shows off Broadway: Cementville and a featured vocalist workshop. Marta decided to return to Chicago and work toward an Arts, Media and Entertainment Management degree at Columbia College: During her free time she does seasonal modeling shows and image coaching for girls who want to participate in pageants.

Kinga is an actress/ model/ teacher/director from Poland. She is a graduate of Music Academy, Ballet Academy, Theatre Academy in Warsaw, and The Second City in Chicago- Improv Program. She has directed and coached actors from Theatre Academy in Film, TV, and Classical Play for over 12 years. She has been in performances of Pinocchio, Three Sisters, A Streetcar Named Desire, Romeo and Juliet, and The Cherry Orchard. Kinga is also a reporter for International TV Polstat 2 and hosts her own radio show on 1490 a.m.   Recently, Kinga has been working with the Trap Door Theatre.

Laura hails from the Quad Cities and has been a part of the Entertainment Industry for over eight years.  She has done extensive work in print, commercials and runway, including serving as the ad campaign manager for a top Chicago fashion designer.  Laura has been coaching children, teens, and young adults in the entertainment industry for the past five years.  She states that the most rewarding part of working with her students is seeing their confidence and self-esteem blossom.

Carrie Hardin is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Loyola University Chicago where she studied Theatre. She worked with The Popcorn Players, a traveling children’s theater troupe for four years and also worked with Cornered by Squirrels as a performer and writer. Her directing credits include Dead Man Walking, The Vagina Monologues, Alice in Wonderland, and Borders of Paradise. Ms. Hardin is a professional actress in Chicago; she also works as a scenic & costume designer, a director, and a voice & dialect teacher.

Originally from Dallas, Laura holds a BFA in Drama Education from the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied the Stanislavsky Method and Meisner acting techniques.  Currently, she is a singer and actress who has performed in over 50 musicals and plays.  In Chicago, she has appeared at The Organic, Shakespeare Project, Footsteps, Aardvark, and Chicago Dramatists theatre companies, as well as The Dallas Repertory and Theatre Three theatres in Dallas. Her acting credits include a two year stint in the comedy smash, TONY ‘N TINA'S WEDDING, as well as film (The Dark Knight, Lilliana, What Women Want, My Best Friend's Wedding, Jfk, Born On The Fourth Of July), Tv (Er, Cupid, The Untouchables, Dallas) and commercial, print and infomercial work for such clients as H&R Block, Tony Little Fitness, JC Penney, Kohl's, Boston Market, Kraft, U. S. Cellular, and Empire Today.  For seven years, she was the Managing Director of one of Chicago's off-loop ensembles, the Jeff-nominated Frump Tucker Theatre Company, where she last directed the Chicago premiere of the critically acclaimed, An Empty Plate In the Cafe Du Grand Boeuf.  A proud member of Actor's Equity Association, she has produced and directed dozens of theatrical productions and has been a teacher and acting coach for 15 years.

Erica is a recent college graduate from the University of North Texas.  Prior to moving to Chicago, Erica taught for five years with Dallas’ Junior Players.  Her credits include Mephistopheles in Dr. Faustus, Gertrude in Finding the Sun, and Belle in A Christmas Carol.  She has been with varies theater companies including Wing Span Theater Company, Risk Initiative Theater and the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas.  Directing has become Erica’s passion.  She has directed such plays as Lear’s Daughters and Talking With…, Tabula Rasa, I Believe, Epigrafo, and A Mother, A Daughter, all written and conceived with the Blank Line Collective – a theatre ensemble she helped found.  

Mark is a working theater professional in Chicago who comes with extensive experience and skills. He has worked on everything from contemporary American theater to Russian works to Greek plays. He graduated Columbia College with a BA in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Theatrical Directing. Mark finds that no matter what he does he always has an urging to share his experience with others and enjoys doing so immensely.

Brian is a director and performer from Texas, and has lived the last two years in Berlin, Germany. In Berlin he worked as a guest actor at the Carrousel Theater for the 2004-2005 season. In October of 2005 he also founded the theatre company Caesura Productions, serving as writer/director for their first production The Warrior/The Retreating World. Brian has a B.A. in Theatre/minor in German, University of North Texas, 2004. He recently moved to Chicago to pursue his career as a director and actor.