Meet the Staff

Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi

Executive Artistic Director, Co-Founder, Master Teacher (She/Her)

Sylvia is Artistic Director of The Actors Gymnasium. She also serves as master teacher and director of The Professional Circus Training Program and is a faculty member at Northwestern University’s Department of Theatre. Sylvia is a second generation circus performer who grew up touring with various circuses, including Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey. In 2019, she and her family, The Hernandez Troupe, were inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame for their monumental contributions to the world of circus. Sylvia is an ensemble member of the Tony Award-winning Lookingglass Theatre Company since 1999, where she has worked on over 20 productions. She has received 4 Joseph Jefferson Awards for her work with Lookingglass (Lookingglass Alice, Hard Times, Baron in the Trees) and Marriott Theatre (All Night Strut), and a total of 5 Joseph Jefferson nominations. In 2018, she won a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and a Robby Award, both for designing the acrobatic/aerial choreography of the South Coast Repertory staging of Moby Dick. Other theater credits include The Lyric Opera, Writer’s Theatre, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago Children’s Theater and The Goodman. Sylvia is the recipient of The 3Arts Award for Design (2014), and also received an Award of Honor for Outstanding Contributions by The Illinois Theater Association.

Murphy Monroe

Managing Director 

Murphy Monroe (he/him) is an autistic leader, storyteller, and speaker who has spent nearly a decade securing and shaping the future of The Actors Gymnasium. As Managing Director, he stewards the organization’s staff, finances, and long-term sustainability—helping to ensure The Gym’s continued impact as one of the nation’s most celebrated circus schools.
In addition to his leadership at The Gym, Murphy co-owns the True REST Float Spa in Skokie with his sister, where he has spent over a thousand hours in sensory deprivation, exploring consciousness, perception, and altered states of awareness. His work and advocacy have been featured in The New York Times, and he serves as a City Commissioner and Chair of Evanston's ADA Access Committee. His special interests include pacifism, donuts, and the Grateful Dead.

Madie Doppelt

Recreational and Youth Programs Manager (She/Her)
ProTraining Alum Class of 2022

Madie Doppelt is a theater and circus artist based in Chicago. She’s a recent graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, as well as an alum of Actors Gym’s beloved Teen Ensemble.

Kat Harvey

Special Events Manager (She/Her)

Kat Harvey is a theatrical inter-disciplinary circus artist who adeptly struts the line between comedy and sensuality in her work. Although generalist by nature, her passion and expertise lies—or flies rather, in the disciplines of silks, partner acrobatics and duo trapeze! Having performed across 34 countries she is so excited to be back at Actors Gym again! Credits include Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Paramount Theater, AIDA Cruises, TUI Cruises, Mohegan Sun, Six Flags Great America, and more!

Rachel Reizburg

ProTraining Program Manager (She/Her)

Rachel is a multi-disciplinary circus artist, storyteller, and theatre maker currently based in Chicago, IL. Currently specializing in aerial silks and stilt walking, Rachel has been performing, coaching, and training throughout Chicago for the past 10 years.

Rachel grew up in the theatre, performing in various venues around South Florida, before falling in love with circus the first time she flew on a Flying Trapeze when she was 15. She graduated from Northwestern University in 2019 with a degree in Theatre, Dance, Playwriting, and Theatre for Young Audiences and from the Professional Circus Training Program at the Actors Gymnasium in 2023 where she majored in Aerial Silks.

Rachel’s favorite thing is introducing new students to the world of circus that she loves so much. Her coaching style is patient, encouraging, and focused on building strong foundations while helping students discover their own creativity and confidence. As a storyteller and theatre maker, Rachel is especially interested in the ways circus can be used to connect with audiences, tell stories, and create moments of joy and wonder.

Alice Wu

Marketing Manager (She/Her)

Alice Wu is an actor based in Chicago. Prior to working at Actors Gymnasium, Alice has done everything from managing a coffee shop (she makes a mean latte!) to account managing for major corporations and she is excited to finally combine her love of the arts with her love of spreadsheets. 

Alice graduated with her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Performance from North Dakota State University and is an alum of the Actor’s Theatre of Louisville Professional Training Program as an Acting Apprentice. Alice has been fortunate to work with many theatres in Chicago including Remy Bumppo, Avalanche Theatre, A Red Orchid Theatre, Red Theatre, and more. Alice is represented by DDO Artists Agency. 

Alice is an avid DnD and TTRPG player, lover of board games, and is usually hanging out with her family Jellybean (dog) and DJ (husband). 

Erin Nicole Hollway

Production Manager (She/Her)
ProTraining Alum Class of 2022 & 2023

Erin Nicole Hollway is a Circus Generalist with specializations in Silks, Lyra, Aerial Net and Partner Acrobatics. Erin has also been working as a Props and Scenic designer since 2017 and has been living in Chicago since 2018. The Actors Gym was the perfect place for her to grow her circus skills and develop them alongside her theatrical background.

She now performs with New Moon Chicago, Yes Ma,am Circus is part of the Unbridled Cast at Untitled Supper Club as well as being a performer and coach here with Actors Gym. As a lifelong storyteller, circus gives her the opportunity to share aspects of herself and the world in a whole new language. As the Production Manager Erin Nicole is able to combine her diverse skill sets in theatre and circus to create inspiring work alongside incredible people.

Richie Schiraldi

House Carpenter/Facilities Manager (He/Him)

Richie Schiraldi is an actor, movement Director, physical theater maker, and woodworker. He has taught and perform circus, theater, and movement work in Chicago since 2014, and has an MFA in acting and contemporary performance from Columbia College. Richie has toured internationally with Aura Curiatlas, as well as with Whisper Theatre – a company he cofounded. He also has an extensive background in stage management and scenic carpentry, and builds custom furniture and accessories. In his “spare” time, he enjoys boardgames, bicycle rides, and park hangouts.