Bryan Avis (Merriman) is currently in his second semester at Northeastern Illinois University majoring in Speech and Performing Arts and minoring in Theatre.  He is currently involved in directing and plans to compete in this spring's Illinois Theatre Association's undergraduate festival. He has recently joined NWIU's Honor's Program as well. In addition to The Importance of Being Earnest, he was also asked to participate in the Illinois Teacher's Association's annual dinner banquet May 18. He was last seen at NEIU as the Irish man in The Hebrew Lesson, as Loki in Maricela De La Luz Lights the World, and as stage manager for Song and Dance by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Most of all he wants to thank God for all His gifts and hi-five to his boy, his pug, Loo-E. In addition to acting, he enjoys boxing, watching classics, and traveling: he plans to go to Ecuador in May. Peace.
 The Importance of Being Earnest
Jim Blair (Rev. Canon Chasuble) Incarcerated in a Turkish prison for carrying a concealed pun, upon his release in 1991, Jim reentered the American mainstream, and in 1993 his one man show, Jim Blair Dead or Alive, opened at Chicago's Greenview Theater to raving reviews. Jim has published two books of poetry-Conversations with My Daughter Sigmund and The Blue Flame Lingers and has published his fiction, poetry, and humor in The Christian Science Monitor, Chicago Parent, The Augusta Review, and The Chicago Quarterly Review.  Currently Jim is a theater instructor in The Speech and Performing Arts Department, on loan from NElU's Chicago Teachers' Center.  This is his first foray into illegitimate theater.
 The Importance of Being Earnest
Melanie Bujan (Miss Prism) is currently a visiting lecturer in the Department of Speech and Performing Arts here at Northeastern. Earnest marks Melanie's ' debut on Northeastern's stage, and she is delighted to .be working with such a talented cast. Previous work is far too old to mention, but she wants the audience to know she has a lusty torch song hiding under all that Victorian primness.
 The Importance of Being Earnest
Angela DeMarco (Gwendolen Fairfax) is thrilled to be back on the Stage Center stage as Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest. She was last seen as Rose Mundy in Dancing at Lughnasa here at Northeastern. She is a graduate of the Second City Training Program and also works around the Chicago-land area with the Mystery Shop Theater. Favorite credits include Jan in Grease, Ado Annie in Oklahoma and Babe in Crimes of the Heart.  Thanks to the cast and Rodney for letting me play. And lots of love to my friends and family, especially Brett who has had to deal with my mood swings throughout rehearsals or for the past three years, whichever you choose to believe!
 The Importance of Being Earnest
Smedley Hooper (Lane) is descended from a long line of actors most of whom could be found at one time or another gathering in uneven and ill-organized crowds outside the Cock and Bull Tavern waiting for their manager. This fellow also booked bull and bear baiting acts in the off-season.  In preparing for his current role, Mr. Hooper has studied carefully rehearsal and performance techniques created for similar roles by Arthur Treacher, Sam Jaffe, John Gielgud, William Powell and Victor McLaughlin among others.  He is indebted to Mr. Higginbotham for taking the fooolhardy risk of rescuing Mr. Hooper from a long-deserved obscurity to play in this production. Thanks to all cast members for their warm wishes and support.  Also, Hello Caitlin!
 The Importance of Being Earnest
Lindsey Pearlman (Cecily Cardew) has performed in Crimes of the Heart, The Best Man, and I Hate Hamlet.  She is excited to be working with a creative and fun-loving cast and crew. Dad, thank you once again for making the trip from Connecticut. Your support is invaluable.  Mom, thanks for believing in me and my passion! Cara and Tony, my soulmates, my constant encouragement. I love you guys crazy-style for sheezy. Orphans Crew, thank you for providing me with such stability. Knowing you're always there for me is so needed and appreciated. I'd also like to thank Mami, Muriel, Papa, Niko, Ben, Kerry, Jeff G, Prof. Barbara Scott, Chad C, Mike A., Lauren F, Ryan B., and, of course, my little "Ladybug." You have supported my the- atrical endeavors and I am truly blessed. If you weren't mentioned and you think you should've been . . . well ... I forgot. Please know that you are loved.
 The Importance of Being Earnest
John Ross, Jr. (Algernon Moncrieff) After not being on the American stage for over seven years (his appetite is itching once again!) John is very pleased to be a member of the very talented cast of Earnest. He sincerely hopes that his absence from the professional theatre is not all too apparent in his performance as the incorrigible ALGERNON MONCRIEFF. John teaches courses in speech, communications, and theatre., at NEIU and is now solely devoted to directing, translating (of plays) and screen writing. John is proud to have adapted and directed last semester's The Hebrew Lesson in our Studio Series. Some of John's favorite's roles include: Tony (West Side Story), Brick (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Malvolio (Twelfth Night) and his recurring role as Stanley in Neil Simon's comic trilogy: Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues and Broadway Bound, all at The Youngstown Playhouse in eastern Ohio. He has appeared in several locally made films; and even managed to get a couple of quick close-ups in While You Were Sleeping and The Negotiator filmed right here in Chicago. John holds a degree in drama from Harvard ('98), which he sincerely hopes will not be expropriated should any university trustees catch word of him as the ostentatious, proud and merciless 'Algy.'
 The Importance of Being Earnest
Jeff Wade (John Worthing) is an NEIU student and extremely thrilled to be part of this wonderfully talented cast- During last year's Stage Center season he played William Russell in The Best Man and was also seen in the Studio Series as Roy in The Visitors from Forest A Chicago area native, Jeff is also a free-lance musician. He has performed for the last decade with several local orchestras including the Elgin and Lake Forest symphonies and the Lincolnwood Chamber Orchestra. He also served as concertmaster for the Lakeshore and Classical symphonies. He currently is Acting Associate Concertmaster for the Southwest Michigan Symphony. A dedicated Chicago Fire supporter, Jeff's other turm-ons include thunderstorms, puppies and hugs. His tum-offs are Confederate flags and the death penalty. He wishes to thank Marcella.
 The Importance of Being Earnest
D. P. Wirth (Lady Bracknell) has been involved in Central Michigan University and an M.F.A. from The University of California, San Diego, D. P. toured throughout the United States with The Acting Company. While in New York City, D. P. performed at the Public Theatre, the Harold Clurman Theatre, the 18th Street Playhouse, the Lamb's Theatre, Playwright's Horizons, The American Place Theatre, and the Actor's and Director's Lab (later renamed the Samuel Beckett Theatre.) In Europe, D. P. performed at the Edinburgh International Theatre Festival and in London's West End. Regionally, D. P. has appeared at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, and the Utah and Oregon Shakespeare Festivals. D. P. has worked with the esteemed directors Alan Schneider, Joseph Papp, Michael Langham, Liviu Ciulei, Garland Wright, Jerry Turner, and Sharon Ott. D. P. appeared in the film Rookie of the Year. D. P. has directed for six theatre companies in the Chicago area. An award winning playwright, D. P.'s plays have been performed in Ohio, California, and Washington, D.C. Currently in the midst of a sixth wonderful year of teaching at Northeastern, D. P. has also taught a variety of theatre and communication courses at Dominican University, Oakton Community College, Harper College, Wright College, Daley College, and Lake Forest College. Also a published poet and a film maker, D. P. is the proud parent of two terrific children, Ian (11) and Kailey (6.) D. P. would like to dedicate this performance to Shiensky.
 The Importance of Being Earnest

Rodney Higginbotham (Director) has directed for professional, university, and community theatre around Chicago for several years. He is currently serving as Acting Chair of the Department of Speech and Performing Arts. Beginning the 2002-03 season he will step into the role of Director of the Stage Center Theatre. It has been a treat for him to blend a cast of five faculty and four students in mounting a production of this classic comedy.
 The Importance of Being Earnest
Jason Cruz (Stage Manager) First and foremost, all my thanks to my wife Jennifer for her constant support. Secondly, to my unborn child which shall grace my life and yours this April-I love you.  Now for everything else. Thanks to Rodney for having the faith in me and allowing me to be part of this wonderful production. To our amazing cast, break a leg. You are great and don't let any one tell you you are not. Finally to all of my loyal fans, without you there is no me.
 The Importance of Being Earnest
Jeng Fong (Sound Designer) has been the sound techinician since time began here at The Stage Center Theatre. He appeared in the Best Man last fall. His sound credits include Dining Room, Inspecting Carol, Scapino, and Moon Over Buffalo. His hard work has endeared him to the entire department, and earned him a well-deserved sabbatical. How about it Anna?
 The Importance of Being Earnest
Tina Haglund (Costume Designer) is happy to be working with such an upbeat cast. She has designed for many local companies including. The Next, Famous Door, Sweetback, and Shattered Globe. She also serves as Executive Director for A Reasonable Facsimile Theatre Co. Look for her in November in Words with C, an A.R.F.T. Co world premeir at the Conservatory, Bird!
 The Importance of Being Earnest
Robert G. Smith (Scenic Design) is the resident designer in Northeastem's Department of Speech and Performing Arts where he has been designing scenery and lighting for the Stage Center Theatre since 1984. He is an ensemble member at Famous Door Theatre, Stage Left Theatre, Plasticene and A Red Orchid Theatre. His designs have also appeared at Northlight, The Next, The Organic, The Apollo, Mary-Arrchie, Pegasus, Apple Tree, New Crime, Live Bait, Light Opera Works, Porchlight, Irish Repertory, Remy-Bumppo and dozens of other theatres in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Dublin, Edinburgh, Jerusalem, London's West End and across the nation on the A & E Cable network.  His design for Beautiful Thing played Off Broadway at the Chelsea Theatre. He has been nominated nine times and received seven Joseph Jefferson Citations, two After Dark Awards and an Emmy nomination.
 The Importance of Being Earnest
Matthew D. Wysocki (Set Crew) is a professor of media in Northeastem's Speech and Performing Arts Department. He has been involved on and off in theatre since his grade school days and is happy to be helping his friends in this production. It should be noted he shares an office with D. P. Wirth and is married to the publicity coordinator, so that's why he gets a bio in the playbill.