Administrative Director 

Kat Basso has a Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in acting and directing. She first worked with the Kirk Players as Assistant Director for Over the River and Through the Woods, which continues to be one of her favorite shows. In her 10+ years with Kirk Players, she has been on stage in many roles including Bella Manningham in Angel Street, Liza/Damion in Sherlock’s Last Case, Evelyn Sutton in 37 Postcards and Masha Hardwicke in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Kat has a passion for directing and has been at the helm of many productions including The Mousetrap, The Hollow and The Ladies Man. She is proud of this organization which gives so much back to the community, both charitably and culturally.

Artistic Director and Vice President

Gretchen Grassl has performed in many plays and musicals beginning at a young age.  Since joining the Kirk Players, Gretchen has performed in The Glass Slipper, Enchanted April, David & Lisa, The Hollow, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily and I Remember Mama. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike marked Gretchen’s KP Directorial debut. She has assistant directed The Happiest Millionaire, Velveteen Rabbit, Jack and the Magic Beans, The Mousetrap and Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? and has co-directed Velveteen Rabbit and Becky’s New Car.

Communications Director 

Marilee C.C. Rusiniak is a Master Player. She has appeared on stage in, Alice in Wonderland, Tom Sawyer, The Velveteen Rabbit, Enchanted April and The Little Prince. Her performance as Pamela Fitzgerald in The Uninvited earned her a Best Actress “Leslie” and her portrayal of Stacy in A Nice Family Gathering earned her the Best Supporting Actress “Leslie”. Best Actress nominations include: Mary Hatch-Baily in It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Show, Mother in David and Lisa and Honey Raye Futrell in Christmas Belles. Best Supporting Actress Nominations include: Midge in The Hollow and Frances Egan in Up the Down Staircase. Backstage credits include Production Manager, Sound Design, Assistant Stage Manager, and Makeup Design.

Financial Director

Susie Hill was born and raised in central Pennsylvania. During her high school years she worked backstage and in the house for several shows. She continued her work in the theatre at Susquehanna University where she studied voice, movement and diction with Pamela Chabora.  While living in a small Illinois town she found herself cast in The Sound of Music with Forreston High School. Susie found Kirk Players during the Mundelein Arts Festival in 2012 and since then she has worked stage crew for Mousetrap and as the female understudy and Production Assistant for Do Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?

Membership Director

Randy Rice is thrilled to have been a Kirk Player since 2004 and has appeared on stage in over 20 productions. Favorite roles include: Inspector Hubbard in Dial M for Murder, Van Helsing in Dracula, Sidney Bruhl in Deathtrap, Doc in Leading Ladies, and Sergeant Trotter in The Mousetrap. During his time with KP, Randy has won a Leslie award for Best Actor, two for Best Supporting Actor, an "OD" for Best Actor in a Summer Workshop, and a "Behind the Curtain" Award. Randy sends out much love to Lisa and his family: Andrew & Michelle, Shara & Aaron, and grandkids Aidan, Everett, Audrey, and Greyson, many of whom have also been in Kirk Player shows!

Publicity Director

Meghan Lane is honored to be a member of Kirk Players, an organization working diligently both on and offstage to give back to our community by sharing its members' passion for the arts.  Meghan has played many roles over the years with Kirk Players, such as Louise Parradine in Postmortem, Katherine, Helena and "Wall" in Sounds and Sweet Aires, part of the Shakespeare First Folio tour, God and Violet Bick in It's a Wonderful Life a Live Radio Play, as well as in the role of Stage Manager and House Manager for several productions. Meghan looks forward to many more years with Kirk Players..

Sales Director and President

Brenda Sparks is our graphic designer and primary set designer. She has mostly worked back stage and has worked on all but 4 shows since joining the players in 1993. Brenda has served on the Board of Directors twice and is currently the President and Sales Director.