Tony Lawry
Artistic Director/Education Director/Managing Director
Tony discovered his love of theater in 1990 before entering high school. Since then he has been driven by the sounds of audience reaction and seeing the enjoyment of the youth in theater. Since he didn't have the opportunity until later in youth to experience theatre he wanted to give those opportunities to young people so they too might be "bitten by the bug." Since moving here in 2002 he has been working with tweens and teens for other Chicago theatres. He felt what was missing in Chicago was the youth learning through onstage experience with older actors. So, finally in 2016 Tony opened Theatre Above the Law
He has worked with other Chicago Theatre companies including Piccolo, Court, Mudlark, Northlight and American Theatre Company & founded the award winning teen improv ensemble Underage Sugar Addicts. Tony, himself, is an award winning director for "Romantic Comedy" by Bernard Slade. He is represented by Stewart Talent.
ARTISTIC ENSEMBLE
Ross Compton
Literary Manager
Ross Compton is a graduate of Ball State University and has been performing in Chicago for 10 years. You may recognize him from...I mean, probably nothing unless you are his grandma or nemesis. But I ASSURE YOU, he has done many plays, films, and improv shows. He wrote his first full-length play, Amicable, which had its world premiere here at Theatre Above The Law in May of 2019. He hates writing bios.
Michael Dalberg
Literary Manager
Michael Dalberg is a resident of Chicago, and graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Parkside. As an actor, Michael has worked with First Folio Theatre, Idle Muse Theatre Company, Oil Lamp Theater, MadKap Productions, Halcyon Theatre, Piccolo Theatre, Fury Theatre, The Public House, Great River Shakespeare Festival, InTandem Theatre, and more. As a playwright, Michael was commissioned to write the first adaptation with Theatre Above the Law: Cyrano, which was produced in company's second season. His full length drama Family Values was produced at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to critical acclaim after getting its international debut in London. Michael has also had several smaller plays produced throughout the Midwest. See more at michaeldalberg.info.
Brittany Vogel
Casting Director
Brittany Vogel is very honored to be a part of the ensemble at Theatre Above the Law. You may have seen her on stage as Sheryl in What Rhymes with America during TATL's inaugural season, or the 2nd season as Donna in Cyrano or this past season at Marc in Art. When not spending time on stage, Brittany also works as a freelance makeup artist. To stay up to date on her upcoming projects, please visit www.BrittanyVogel.com.
Ian Muentener
Ian Gabriel Gonzalez-Muentener (He/Him) is an actor hailing from St. Petersburg, FL, and is incredibly honored to be a part of the TATL fam. He moved to Chicago in 2012 to pursue his career in theatre, deepening his love and knowledge for the craft at Green Shirt Studio shortly after arriving. He may be recognized from/bought a drink for his appearances in shows such as Hamlet (Horatio, St. Pete Shakespeare Co.), Comedy of Errors (Aegeon/Courtesan, Stone Soup Shakespeare), or maybe even Amicable (Pete, Theatre Above the Law). He also falls into the camp of, "Basic cis dude who has a podcast," so if you love movies be sure to check out Ian and his brother Ben on 2 Many Flix.
Travis Shanahan
Travis Shanahan is an actor, singer, and musician originally from the suburbs of Minneapolis, MN. Since relocating to Chicago in 2016, Travis has been privileged to work with such theaters as Invictus Theatre Co. and Metropolis Performing Arts Center. He is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent (woo Ham Fam!) Web: travisshanahan.com IG: @travjshan
Melanie McNulty
Melanie McNulty is an actor, writer, director, and youth teaching artist in Chicago. She holds a B.A. in theatre-acting with minors in dance and film from Indiana University-Bloomington and a certificate in acting from the Gaiety School of Acting-The National Theatre School of Ireland in Dublin. Most recent theatrical credits include Sunday Evening (JENNY) with Rose Valley Theatre Group, Amicable (SHANNON) with Theatre Above the Law, and West Side Story (VELMA) with Cardinal Stage Company. Her most recent film credits include feature Rendezvous In Chicago (HONEY) and shorts Malady (REBECCA), Goodbye, Janet (KELSEY), Forever (SAM), and Compartmentalization Storage Facility (TALULAH). She has directed at and taught with various companies such as Emerald City Theatre, Skyline Studios, and Dovetail Studios. You can see her in Constellations (MARIANNE) with Theatre Above the Law during the 2020-2021 season, or summer 2021 in The Camino Project with Theatre Y. She is a proud member of the ensembles at Theatre Y and Theatre Above the Law. For further credits and updates, join her on her journey at melaniemcnulty.com or on Instagram @melaniepmcnulty.
Stina Taylor
You can find Stina doing all sorts of tech, including stage management, lighting design, scenic design, and running the board for almost anything! During Theatre Above the Law's fourth season, you may have seen her around as Stage Manager for POE, and Stage Manager and Lighting Designer for Adaptation. In addition to her TATL credits, she has also worked with Bluebird Arts, Cabinet of Curiosity, Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, and designed the scenery for Fun Home as her senior capstone at Kalamazoo College. There she studied Theatre Arts and Psychology.