MEET THE CREW
Ryan Martin
CEO + Founder
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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
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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
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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 dedicated student of Stoicism, and an avid fountain pen enthusiast who likes to preach about the joy of handwriting and the value of “analog living”.
Nicholas Reinhart
Productions Manager
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Nicholas (he/him/his) is a Producer and Production Manager based in Chicago. NYC: Jungle Jim: A Musical Wildlife Adventure (Theatre Row). CHICAGO: American Psycho (2024 Jeff Award - Best Production of a Musical), The SpongeBob Musical, Hundred Days, Head Over Heels (Kokandy Productions); A Little Night Music, Godspell, Once Upon a Mattress, 8-TRACK: The Sounds of the '70s, Songs for a New World (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre); Get Out Alive, Titus Andronicus (Haven); and productions with Underscore Theatre Company, CPA Theatricals, and Circle Theatre. UPCOMING: Alice By Heart, and the return of the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival (Kokandy Productions); SENTINELS (CPA Theatricals). 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.
Ronee Goldman
Audience Services Manager
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Ronee started off as a Front of House Associate at The Den and is proud to now be the Audience Services Manager. Originally from Maryland, Ronee has a BFA in Acting and a minor in English from Ithaca College. She is also an improviser throughout the city, having taken classes at The Annoyance and Second City. She is a resident artist with Two Chairs Theatre Company. In her free time, Ronee loves a lake day, reading a book, and doing a crossword puzzle.
Adelynn Dunajcik
Technical Director
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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.
Darnell Willison
Technical Coordinator
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The son of a musician, Darnell began following his Father around to shows at the age of 13 which sparked a love for the entertainment industry. Graduating from Southern Oregon University with a degree in Emerging Media and Digital Art, Darnell honed his skillset in Music, Television, and Radio before moving to Chicago and working in Comedy in 2019. Today, he represents The Den Theatre proudly as our new Technical Coordinator.
Will Flanagan
Bar Manager
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New addition to The Den crew. Son of two Chicago teachers, Will comes very well-vetted from Chicago industry. Steeped in our culture, born and bred. His background stands in arts and nerdiolgy, with perks in bar management, fine dining, and cocktail building. Profound networker and connector of people.
Julia Stoyanova
Talent Buyer
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Julia Tony Stoyanova graduated from the National Academy of Theater & Film Arts in Bulgaria in 2016 and literally two days later, she moved to the US and began her new journey. Ever since she completed the Conservatory of Second City, Julia has been an active part of the Chicago comedy scene and has produced numerous shows all over the city. In 2023, we officially welcomed Julia as the new Talent Buyer of the Den Theatre.
Carly Kazmer
Marketing Coordinator
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Carly Kazmer, from Schaumburg, IL, is excited to be The Den Theatre's Marketing Coordinator. Carly holds a film degree from Columbia College Hollywood and studied Business Technology Solutions at Arizona State University. After graduating in 2020, Carly relocated to Florida to enjoy a break from Chicago's harsh winters. There, she discovered her passion for digital marketing by creating promotional assets for local businesses. She is thrilled to contribute to The Den Theatre and connect with its wonderful community.
Rodescu Hopkins II
Videographer & Editor
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Rodescu Hopkins II is a skilled Videographer and Editor at The Den Theatre. With experience from a camera rental house, he has operated cameras for gigs at the Chicago Theatre, Lincoln Lodge, and various independent shows around Chicago. He also owns a studio where he produces and films content for local artists.
Rodescu excels in video editing, producing, setting up productions, operating cameras, and time management. In 2020, his photo from the Chicago protests was featured in the book "Time Stop for No One."
He studied at an arts high school in Cleveland, Ohio, and pursued visual storytelling with the Los Angeles Film School online. Rodescu is passionate about Muay Thai, combat sports, and the Chicago comedy scene, where he performs and hosts open mic events.