Liz Fredette (Director in Residence, Director) has been involved in theatre, in some way or another, since 1986 when she had the leading role in her 1st grade play. Liz attended Sarah Lawrence College where she earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Science in Education, with a focus on theatre education and acting. She has worked in myriad capacities on more than 30 productions with MacGuffin – some of her favorite MTF directing credits include: The Odyssey, Seussical the Musical, Romeo + Juliet (2022), The Brutus Files, Much Ado About Nothing (2020), Hamlet, A Year with Frog and Toad, Metamorphoses, As You Like It, Honk!, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo + Juliet (2015), The Lion King (2014), Much Ado About Nothing (2011), and Twelfth Night. Liz is the Director in Residence at MacGuffin where she has functioned as: Associate Artistic Director; Director; Assistant Director; Choreographer; Stage Manager; Costume, Set, and Props Designer; Company Manager; and Instructor. Outside of her work at MacGuffin, Liz is also the Creator and Director of Poolside Players, a theatre group for kids ages 5-13 at Lombard Swim Club. She has taught and directed theatre at various schools in the Philadelphia area, including Friends Select, The Philadelphia School, Germantown Friends School, and Schwartz Preschool. Over the years, she has worked with several theatre companies and programs in Philadelphia and New York, including Arden Theatre Company and Lunchbox Theatre Outreach. A huge thanks to all her students, past and present, for their dedication and inspiration. This and everything is for Bex.
Joey Schulman (Artistic & Administrative Assistant, Production Assistant) earned her degree in Theatre History and Performance Texts from Marymount Manhattan College. Throughout her career, she has worked in a wide range of roles, including director, dramaturg, actor, choreographer, stage manager, seamstress, and writer. She has directed and written productions for inner-city public schools in Washington, DC, and dramaturged several projects during her undergraduate years. Now in her second year at MacGuffin—and her first as Artistic & Administrative Assistant—she is deeply grateful to the MacGuffin community, as well as Jen, John, and Liz, for their continued support, which has given her the opportunity to create, inspire, and grow both as an artist and as a person. Twelfth Night holds a special place in her heart—and now even more so because of this particular production. She’s thankful for the chance to help bring it to life once again and sends love to Eli and her cat, Machiavelli, for their unwavering support and devotion.
Emma Ditnes (Text Coach) holds a BFA in Acting and an M.Ed. in Early Childhood, with a certificate in Infant-Toddler Mental Health from Arcadia University. Emma is also a proud MacGuffin alum and previously held the position of Artistic & Administrative Assistant. During her tenure at MacGuffin, she worked on more than 25 productions in myriad capacities. Thanks to John for leaving the door open for me to keep doing work I love; Liz for the invitation, the collaboration, and the eye conversations; Joey for all the thoughtful work you do; and to the cast for making this complex work so much fun—it has been a joy to explore the wonderful words of Shakespeare with you all. Congratulations to everyone who had a hand in this production!
