Artistic Director (Play Selection, Artistic Development, Awards)

Pat Blake, A.C.T. is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, was also active in their theatre group. September of 2023 marked 30 years as a Kirk Player member starting as a guest performer in “But Why Bump Off Barnaby?”. He has performed or led Tech in over 75 Kirk Player shows. Patrick has organized and taught in our Summer Children’s workshop and taught our Adult Summer Workshop. Over the last four years, Patrick has served on the Kirk Player board, as Membership Director, Sales Director, and as Vice President. Patrick is now thrilled to serve as the Kirk Players Artistic Director. He would like to thank his wife, Kathy, for her love and support throughout the years.

Administrative Director (Administration, Grants, Scholarship)

Monica Stark-Brautigam is a lifelong performer and performs all around the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area. She found the Kirk Players in 2019 taking on the role of the mischievous Clea in Black Comedy. She then appeared onstage in Votes for Women and virtually in An Evening of Mystery and Clue: Stay at Home Version. She joined as a member in 2021 after seeing the hard work the Kirk Players did to try to create a space to create and perform in the uncertainty of the beginnings of the pandemic. After joining she found a love of Sound Designing taking the helm of designing the sound for Diary of Anne Frank. Outside of KP, she and her husband Nat (whom she met through the Kirk Players) have two lovely kitties named Rickon and Ashland. ​

Business Operations & President (Finance, Facilities, Safety)

Mindi Billock (she/her) is excited to be on the Board of the Kirk Players. Her childhood was full of participating in theatrical performances at the Players Workshop of Burlington, Iowa. She sings tenor in the Riverport Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines. She happily lives with a zoo of animals and her favorite daughter. Mindi does stuff AND things!​

Communications Director 

Natalie La Voie would've never fathomed that an extemporaneous speech junior year in high school (with Jon Leslie Lynn, no less!!) would have been the spark to her eternal passion of theatre flame! Since becoming a member, she has been seen as Elaine in Arsenic and Old Lace, Sherlock Holmes in the staged radio performance of The Immortal Sherlock Holmes and Hagragard in Chasing Charming. 
​Other memorable roles have included Anna Maurant in Street Scenes (CLC), Sally in Drinking Habits (LSP), Detective Tupolski in The Pillowman (LSP), Ynez in Oscar & Felix (LSP), Emily Brent in And Then There Were None (LSP), and Lois in Wonder of the World (OOHP).
She can also be seen performing improv with The Collective (founder), as well as murder mysteries & live radio shows with the Brown-Ullstrup Performing Arts Foundation. Other passions include the endless pursuits of knowledge & adventures, along with an unremitting love of animals (especially to that of her furry babies, Milo and Max).

Membership Director (Membership, Hospitality)

Marilee C.C. Rusiniak, A.C.T. has appeared on stage in many Kirk Player productions. Her portrayal of Pamela Fitzgerald in The Uninvited earned her the Best Actress “Leslie”. She has been seen on stage as The March Hare in Alice in Wonderland, Mrs. Harper in Tom Sawyer, Velveteen Rabbit in The Velveteen Rabbit, Lady Caroline Bramble in Enchanted April and Fox in The Little Prince. Her performance as 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, 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 Sound Design, Assistant Stage Manager, and Makeup Design. Marilee Holds a BA in Communications with an emphasis in Professional Writing from Southern New Hampshire University.

Public Relations Director & Vice President (Public Relations, Marketing, Social Media)

Mandy Stebbins, A.C.T.'s first time onstage was in KP's production of The Clown Prince of Wonderlust when she was 11 years old. She joined the Kirk Players in May 2003 after being active in many shows both onstage and behind the scenes. Recently she worked behind the scenes as assistant stage manager in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike and Red Herring where she also appeared as a sassy counter clerk. Her performance as Carol Melket in A Black Comedy earned her a Best Actress "Leslie" award. She's adapted to the times along with the Kirk Players in the Zoom performances of Tidings and Traditions and as Yvette in Clue: Stay-at-Home Version. 

Sales Director (Sales, Sponsorship, House Mgmt.)

Vidal Gonzalez grew up in Mundelein, having had my first taste of theater at West Oak Middle School, as the boat captain in The King and I. Then again at Mundelein High School took a theater class and was part of the ensemble for Fiddler on the Roof  my senior year. After a long hiatus and wanting to jump into acting, I auditioned for A Christmas Carol Musical  at the Mundelein Village Hall where I met a few Kirk Players that encouraged me to audition for Kirk Players productions, I did. I was cast as Sheriff of Nottingham and I have never looked back.
* Denotes Master Player with 5 years of dedication.
A.C.T. after listing denotes Artist in Community Theatre, with 10 years of dedication and 20 acting and/ or crew chief assignments.