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Getz Theatre
72 East 11th st
Chicago, Illinois, 60605
United States

Ana Belaval

From the high wire to the wake boarding, there is no much Ana hasn’t tried as the “Around Town” reporter for the WGN Morning News. Ana, a three-time Emmy Award winner, enjoys bringing a slice of Chicago life to viewers each morning as she previews notable attraction, people, activities and uncovers some of Chicago’s best-kept secrets. Ana joined WGN in 2005 from Univision – one of few Spanish reporters to cross over to the English broadcast market. At Univision, Ana began as a general assignment reporter and weekend anchor of the Chicago affiliate and worked her way up to network correspondent based in New York and substitute host for Univision’s national morning show, “Despierta America”.

Anthony Sturdivant

Anthony J. Sturdivant is an award winning screenwriter and producer from the West side of Chicago, Illinois, who is ultimately looking to create and encourage change. He recently started a short film series and organization that focuses on promoting positive messages around the world, while encouraging individuals to think before they shoot. As the President, he created this movement in order to bring awareness to the senseless shootings and stress the importance of thinking before committing an act of violence. Think Before You Shoot is a non-profit organization that utilizes short films and student outreach programs to visually connect and engage with the youth and communities. Currently, he has written and produced six short films which are available online at www.TB4YS.com.

Evelyn Kim

Born and raised in Southern California, Evelyn Kim is currently a Senior Design Manager at Uber. Previously, she was a User Experience (UX) Manager for Google Maps in Mountain View, CA. In 2007, she joined as the first visual designer for Google Maps and Earth, and went on to co-lead the complete redesign of all Google products in 2011 under Larry Page, and the Material Design for Google Maps in 2014. Evelyn has also had speaking engagements on design for Google at SXSW, IxDA, and Rhode Island School of Design.

Imran Khan

A graduate of Chicago Public Schools, Imran Khan returned to the district and taught for five years at W.R. Harper High School in West Englewood. While serving as English Department Chair, AVID Coordinator, and a member of the school’s Instructional Leadership Team, he was a 2011 Finalist for the Chicago Drive Award, a presenter at the Annual ASCD Conference (the world’s premier education development event), and a Gold Medal Winner for Highest Student Gains in Chicago’s Area 12 for three consecutive years.

Marcos Palacios

Marcos "Kosine" Palacios is a true product of his environment, born and raised on the Westside of Chicago, he has captured the passion of the city and translated it through his musical talent. Having a strong foundation of music training and education led by the support of his mother, Marcos began playing the piano at age six, then later adding the saxophone, and the drums to his portfolio of instruments. His career skyrocketed as a co-founder of the superstar music production duo Da Internz, a business plan he created while a student at Columbia. Through Da Internz, Marcos was able to help develop and influence a distinct sound which has impacted multiple genres of music including hip-hop, pop and neo soul, leading to 8 GRAMMY nominations, multiple industry awards, and a discography boasting over 30+ MILLION in record sales.

Maria Peñil Cobo

Born in Santander, Spain, Maria Peñil Cobo is a mixed media artist currently residing in Beverly, Massachusetts. As a child, she explored San Vicente de la Barquera, a small fishing village on the northern coast of Spain. Her work looks at metamorphosis, evolution, and latency. She looks at how nature is shaped and filters that interpretation into an abstract element, using solid, natural mediums such as hemp, bees wax, wood, branches, thread, fabrics, and seeds to display her thoughts and interpretation of the world.

Michelle Rafacz

Dr. Michelle Rafacz is an Assistant Professor of Biology in the Science and Mathematics Department at Columbia College Chicago. She received her B.S. in Biology from Knox College, M.S. in Biology from Loyola University Chicago, and received NSF Graduate Research funding to complete her Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Chicago. For over a decade, she has worked at the Lincoln Park Zoo as a post-doc researcher and then as an Adjunct Scientist in the zoo’s Conservation & Science Department where she studies behavioral endocrinology to aid wildlife conservation. Dr. Rafacz’s current research focuses on the role of hormones and behavior in reproduction, mate choice, and stress in endangered species. She is also interested in bio-mimicry and the intersection of art and science. At Columbia College, Michelle currently teaches Honors Evolution of Sex, Animal Behavior, Introductory Biology, and Environmental Science.

Sandor Weisz

Sandor Weisz is the commissioner of The Mystery League. He’s built puzzles for the likes of the Chicago Architecture Foundation, The University of Chicago, The House Theatre, The Art Institute of Chicago, Marbles Game Store, and Cards Against Humanity. He has been making puzzles and puzzle hunts since he was a teenager. You can often hear them on the NPR Sunday puzzle, or read about them on his blog. His previous career was designing for the web. He lives in Chicago with his wife and two kids, with whom he records The ZED Show podcast.

Timothy Goodman

Timothy Goodman is a designer, illustrator, art director, and author running his own studio in New York City. His clients include Airbnb, Google, Adobe, Ford, J.Crew, MoMA, Target,The New Yorker, and The New York Times. He has received awards from most major design & illustration publications including American Illustration, The Art Directors Young Guns, Print magazine's New Visual Artist, Type Directors Club and GDUSA’s “People to Watch.” He graduated from the School of Visual Arts in NYC, where he now teaches. In 2013, Timothy co-created the blog and book called 40 Days of Dating with Jessica Walsh, that has received over 15 million unique visitors and whose film rights were optioned to Warner Bros