Artistic Associates at Mortar Theatre are an integral part of our growth as a company. Associates have been asked to join our company because they show a remarkable talent as an artist, whether it be in design, performance, or production. Mortar Theatre Company views Associates as an extension of their artistic endeavors, building a foundation of local artists that will have the freedom to express themselves in the theatre community by calling Mortar Theatre Company their home.

If you’ve worked with Mortar before, get in touch with us and we’ll fill you in on the requirements and benefits of the program.

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Greg Aldrich
Greg Aldrich was born and raised in Fairbanks, AK. Currently an MFA Playwright at Ohio University, Greg received his BA in English from Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. He has trained with Chicago Dramatists, Victory Gardens, Riverside Theatre and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Award-winning plays include THE BLUE HOTEL (Winner, City Lit Theater Company’s Second Annual Art of Adaptation Festival) and IN THE OCTOPUS’S GARDEN (Audience Choice Award, Rhythm Section’s MixTape 2010). Other plays include THE ATTACK OF THE LADYBUGS, TYPING LEAR, LOOKING LONG INTO THE ABYSS, THE PRINCIPLE OF THE THING, and IS IT SUPPOSED TO BLEED THIS MUCH. His plays have been developed and produced by such theatres as City Lit Theater Company, Bailiwick Chicago, Dreamwell Theatre, AstonRep Theatre Company, Third Base Players, Seward Follies Productions, The Englert Theatre, Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre, nufan ensemble, The Rhythm Section, Vintage Theatre Collective, and InnateVolutions Theater Productions.

Sentell Harper
Sentell Harper received his MFA in Performance from Arizona State University where he worked with Tim Miller, Laurie Carlos, Anne Bogart and SITI Company. It was there where Sentell premiered his first original solo piece Seek and Ye Shall Find. After graduating one of eight in his program during the spring of 2008, Sentell was awarded Links Hall Emerging Chicago artist mentorship with Tim Miller where he performed his second work in progress piece You’re Worthy, in 2008 and again in 2010. Since that time Sentell has performed in productions at Gorilla Tango Theatre, The Bailiwick and with Mortar Theatre’s production of Under America. Sentell has also had the pleasure of being as a teaching artist for American Theatre Company Mosaic Residency. Sentell has appeared in such productions as Suzan Lori Park’s The Venus (Negro Resurrectionist) directed by Laurie Carlos, and George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum (Kid/ Various). Some of Sentell’s favorite roles include The Island (John), Corpus Christi (James), Mother Courage (Swiss Cheese), and What, Where? (Bim) Directed by Leon Ingulsrud.

Deanna K. Reed
Deanna K. Reed is an Emmy Award winning actress who has been performing on stage for over 15 years.  She has been seen in Chicago as well as abroad in productions including but not limited to; “A Piece of My Soul”, “Crowns”, “Woman From the Town”, “Herbert III”, “The Black Nativity”, “Jekyll & Hyde the Musical” and Mortar Theatre’s world premier of “Under America”.  Deanna has received and been nominated for several awards for her talent, including; 2008 Emmy Award winner for “A Legacy In Bronze”, 2008 BTAA nominee for “Best Actress in an Ensemble”,  2005 JEFF Citation winner “Outstanding Ensemble”, 2003 Black Excellence Award nominee “Best Actress”.  Deanna also made a leap to the big screen and can be seen in movies such as “Barbershop” & “Rollbounce”.  Theater is her first love and she is extremely excited to participate as an artistic associate with Mortar during it’s second season.  The foundation is laid, the bricks are in place, so now it’s time to set the mortar.