A MAN’S WORLD was written in 1909. Why produce it in 2012? Perhaps, alas, because not very much has changed.

In 1845 one of my collateral ancestors, Margaret Fuller, wrote a book called Men and Women in the Nineteenth Century in which she decried the unequal status of men and women in law and in daily life. More than half a century later in A MAN’S WORLD Frankie Ware struggles with the realization that Malcolm Gaskell would probably not marry her if she had an illegitimate child, but she is expected to turn a blind eye to a man’s responsibility for producing a bastard. Today, more than a century later, the stain of illegitimacy has greatly lessened, but have the attitudes towards women’s sexuality changed significantly? Chastity remains desirable – if not required in some parts of the world – for women, but chastity is not expected – and is in fact a bit laughable – for men.

	Brad Cantwell (Gaskell) is thrilled to return to the Stage Center Theatre. Favorite past roles include Limping Man in Fuddy Meers, Orsino in Twelfth Night, Speed in The Odd Cou-ple, Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days, Gordon in Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Richard in Hay Fever, Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities, and Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Brad thanks the talented cast and crew of A Man’s World, with huge thanks to director Ann Hartdegen for this opportunity. Love to beautiful Lisa and McCoy, who know that every woman should be two things: who and what she wants.
	Ellen Cribbs (Frankie) is thrilled to be back at the Stage Center after playing Rosalind in As You Like It, Penny in You Can't Take It With You, and Judith in Hay Fever. She is an ensemble member with Imagination Theater and has worked with many local theatres, in-cluding First Folio Theatre, Fury Theatre, Commedia Beauregard, and Citadel Theatre. Ellen would like to thank her wonderful family and husband, Charles, for their continuous love and support.
	Blake Malley (Fritz) is excited to be performing with Stage Center, as well as working with so many of his favorite actors again. He was most recently seen as Fabian in Twelfth Night, Richard in Fuddy Meers, and Alceste in The Misanthrope. He wants to thank his family and friends for their continued support and Germans everywhere for not being offended by his accent.
	Julian Mares (Kiddie) My name is Julian and this is my first professional and serious play. A Man’s World is an awesome play and I am grateful to be a star in it. The other actors I work with are just unbelievable. If I had to thank someone or anything it would be NEIU Communications Department and also Ann Hartdegen, the director who gave me a chance and without her, I wouldn’t be in this play. I attend Beaubien Elementary School as a soon-to-be 8th grader. I have been taking Latin for almost 5 years. Also an honor roll student. My favorite hobby is sports, mainly basketball; I also play video games, which is second on my hobby list.
	Jill Matel (Clara) is very honored to be returning to the Stage Center stage once again. Currently completing her CMT degree at NEIU, she remains very active in the Chi-cago theatre scene most recently seen in Fury Theatre's pro-duction of Midsummer Night's Dream in June. Jill wishes to thank Ann, a very talented cast and crew, Lisa and Anna for their support and guidance and most especially RJ for being her rock!! Break Legs all!
	Mark Razniewski (Emile) is proud to once again have the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented cast. He was most recently seen at the Stage Center Thea-tre as Clitandre in The Misanthrope. He feels privileged to be able to dedicate his life to his art, and to share his pas-sion with all of you.
	Michael Slas (Wells) Mike is very excited to work with such a great bunch of people. He is an English Major and soon to be graduate. This is his fourth production at NEIU after Proof, Fuddy Meers, and The Misanthrope. He wants to thank everyone who supports his pursuits.
	Lily Stephens (Lione) is thrilled to be working on an-other wonderful production at Stage Center Theater. Former credits include Claire in Fuddy Meers and numerous appear-ances in improv performances throughout the city. Lily is a student in the Second City Conservatory program and hopes one day to make a living from her passion. Or at least enough to survive off a dollar menu. Thanks go out to her wonderful family and friends for always being supportive, fun, fabulous people whom she can only strive to deserve.

Ann Hartdegen (Director) holds an MFA in Directing from Northwestern University. Prior to teaching for NEIU's Communication, Media and Theatre Department she taught for 10 years at the State University of New York College at Brockport, serving as Artistic Director. For 25 years she taught at The Latin School of Chicago where she was Director of Theatre and, for too many of those years, Chair for Performing Arts. She thinks A MAN'S WORLD is the 150th production she has directed, but she gave up counting years ago.

Elizabeth Krahulec (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working with Ann and this amazing cast and crew this summer. Though she most recently was seen onstage as Gertie in Fuddy Meers and Arsinoe in The Misanthrope, she is no stranger to working behind the scenes and enjoys her time there. This summer, she also was the assistant director for Censored on Final Approach. She wants to thank the amazing cast and crew for the hard work and long hours and Ann for giving her this opportunity.
 
Jessica Kuehnau Wardell (Set/Costume Designer) is pleased to be designing her fifth season with Stage Center Summer Theater. A graduate of Northwestern University, Jessica received her MFA in both set and costume design. Over the past ten years, she has worked with Chicago companies such as Rivendell, Griffin, A Red Orchid Theatre, The Building Stage, Adventure Stage Chicago, Lifeline, Backstage and Steep Theatre. She is currently design professor at North Park University and full time teaching faculty at Northeastern Illinois University. Check out her portfolio online at jesskdesign.com

Brandon Wardell (Lighting Designer/Technical Director) is a freelance Lighting and Scenic Designer in Chicago. Over the past ten years he has worked with companies such as Lifeline, Griffin, Steep, Adventure Stage Chicago, Backstage, and Theatre Seven. He earned his MFA from Northwestern University in 2007, and is currently the Professor of Lighting Design at Northern Illinois University. His online portfolio is at brandonwardelldesign.com