OUR STAFF

Karen Shuman (Shuey) has been performing, directing, choreographing and teaching for the past 30 years. Her theater training is in several acting techniques, improvisation, and directing. She is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory and a cast member in the Second City Improvisation text "In Process." Karen studied with Byrne Piven (Piven Theater) and was his assistant for Adult Scene Study. She has an MA from Northwestern in Theater and Criticism, was one of the first Spielberg Fellows, and a scholarship member of ATJT (San Francisco). Karen has directed/choreographed over 30+ shows.

Karen has dance training in Ballet, Jazz, Afro-Caribbean/Afro-Cuban Folk, Modern, and Hip-Hop. She studied and/or performed at the Edna Manley School of Visual and Performing Arts (Jamaica), Gus Giordano, and was a scholarship student at Joel Hall. She has choreographed pieces in several areas including competitive dance and musical theater. The Chicago Critic says of her work, "Choreographer Karen Shuman deserves a standing ovation for taking a huge amateur company of various skills and experiences and giving every performer a purpose and a place.  The dancing crackles with verve and attitude that feels completely in character and never superfluous to the central story.  Bravo!"

 

 

Other areas of experience and teaching:

Karen was also the Executive Producer of the Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant. She designed and directed the artistic vision for the pageant, leading a stellar production team for ten years and counting.

​

Karen has been teaching and coaching Public Speaking in higher education and individually for the past fifteen years as well. 

​

Currently, she serves on the board of Illinois Theatre Association as the Community Theatre Chair.