MEET THE CREW
Ryan Martin
CEO + Founder
The son of a diplomat, Ryan Martin was a traveler at birth. He was born in the Philippines and lived between Tunis, Washington DC and Germany before the age of six. At ten years old, his family moved to Texas, where Ryan attended high school and began acting classes. His adventures continued after graduation, as he traveled abroad through Europe, playing semi-professional tennis for the Club De Tenis Andres Gimeno in Spain.
With an inspired outlook, he returned to Texas to attend college. Ryan found comfort in the city of his youth, but soon became restless. In 2002, he moved to Chicago, with the simple desire to create something meaningful. Finding himself in a bustling theatre city further grew an ingrained love of performance. His personal search led him to more acting classes, exciting roles, enlightened mentors, and eventually, an understanding that his vision lied more in creating a community, than performing on a stage.
In 2010, Ryan rented a second floor with one room, and opened his very own theatre in Chicago’s Wicker Park. What was once a space without a name is now The Den Theatre, housing seven live spaces and three bars—more active performance and event space than any other building in the country. Since opening the doors, Ryan has run operations, while leading the creative direction of the theatre. He also fell in love with a city to call home, and a lovely woman named Erinn.
Ryan spends his free time with his wife and family, including daughter, Haven, and son, Rigby. His theatre remains an ever-expanding entity: a life-long project to give a voice to all artists, at any level of experience. The lessons told to him on his travels inspire him still today, and the stories of the humans he’s met push him to give an opportunity for others to share theirs.
Carol Cohen
Co-Owner
Carol is a Co-Owner of The Den Theatre, along with her partner, Ryan Martin. Carol is also the Founder of Haven Theatre Company. Carol served as Haven's Executive Director from 2012 until 2019, when she stepped down to assume the role as President of the Haven Board of Directors. Since 2013, Haven and Carol have produced 13 productions garnering over 18 Jeff Award Nominations, and winning six Jeff Awards. Carol attended Columbia College Chicago majoring in Theater with concentrations in Costume Design and Theater Management. Prior to starting Haven, Carol worked as a freelance Costume Designer. As a philanthropist, Carol gives a yearly scholarship to Columbia College Technical Theater Students, as well as funding other store front theater productions throughout the city. Carol is excited to be part of The Den Theatre and is looking forward to the growth of this space into the best entertainment venue in Chicago
Ron Wells
Chief of Operations
Ron has been with The Den Theatre since the start, appearing in its first production, Bus Stop, which began a long and exciting partnership with Ryan Martin and The Den. Along with his involvement in Den Productions, he has held several positions here over the years, and is now Chief of Operations. A Jeff Award-winning, longtime Chicago stage actor, Ron has also directed 2 shows at The Den: City of Dreadful Night (Jeff Nomination, Best Director), and The Roper. In addition to his life in the theatre, Ron is a student of Stoicism, and an avid fountain pen enthusiast who hosts occasional “pen-fests” here called “Pens at The Den”, where he preaches the joy of handwriting and the value of “analog living”.
Nicholas Reinhart
Productions Manager
Nicholas (he/him/his) is a Producer, Production Manager, and Director based in Chicago. Directing: The Land of Forgotten Toys (CPA Theatricals), Triassic Parq, First Lady Suite (Circle Theatre Chicago), ANTHEM (CMTF at Underscore Theatre Company), The Bitchfest Club (MidTangent Productions). Producing and Production Management: Songs for a New World (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre), Head Over Heels, Hundred Days (Kokandy Productions), Titus Andronicus (Haven Chicago), PROXY (Underscore Theatre Company), The View UpStairs, Venus in Fur, 35MM: A Musical Exhibition (Circle Theatre Chicago). During The Great Pause, Nicholas worked with CPA Theatricals to develop and produce two original musicals (The Mystery of Custodia and The Moment) designed for virtual production, as well as a new musical, Miley Chase: The Science Ace, which is currently being developed for television. Nicholas holds a BFA in Music Theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University and has previously been named as one of Windy City Times’ 30 Under 30, honoring the best and brightest individuals in Chicago's LGBTQIA+ youth community.
McKenna Pitcavage
Audience Services Manager
McKenna is brand new to the Chicago area, having been a supervisor at the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts for the past three years. She holds a BA in Theatre from Michigan State University where she gained a background in acting, analysis, and design. She looks forward to expanding her professional career in Chicago as Audience Services Manager at The Den Theatre.
Adelynn Dunajcik
Technical Coordinator
Adelynn is excited to return to theatre after spending a brief pandemic hiatus teaching art to the best students in Chicago. Prior to 2020, she worked in a variety of technical theatre roles in Aspen, Colorado, Saint Louis/ Springfield, Missouri, and Chicago. Her previous Chicago credits include shows at the Goodman, Second City, and educational programs around the city. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Missouri State University and holds a BFA in Theatre and Dance with an emphasis in Stage Management and a minor in creative writing.