Pro Training Class 2026

Serena Chiappelli (Year 2 Student)

Hi! I am Serena Chiappelli (she/her)! I am originally from Clarkston, Mi but am currently loving life in Chicago! I grew up doing musical theatre and dance, but have recently discovered my huge love for circus. This is my second year of Protraining at Actors Gym and I am beyond excited to be back! I am so thankful for the continued support of my peers, family and everyone who has continued to push me to follow my dreams!

Hannah Finley (Year 2 Student)

Finley (she/they) is a dancer, choreographer, and aerialist from Memphis, TN. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a BFA in Dance in the Fall class of 2023. Her primary apparatus is silks and her ground act is stilts. This will be her second year in the program. She cannot wait for her cohort from the Class of 24/25 to expand this coming year. She has officially run away to the circus and has been loving every second!

Kassandra Fortuna

Kassandra Fortuna (she/her) is a theatre and circus artist from Virginia Beach VA. She is a graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.A. in theatre and a minor in business. Kassandra's passion for performing arts developed when she was involved in high school theatre. After high school she discovered her love for aerial and circus arts. She has been teaching lollipop lyra and pole in Richmond VA for the past few years. She has a strong passion for teaching pole dance and hopes to open her own studio one day. Kassandra is ready to immerse herself in the Chicago art community and is extremely ecstatic to take her skillset to the next level at The Actors Gymnasium.

Raina Grant

Hi! I'm Raina (she/they), I'm originally from Long Beach, California and I've been training for 4 years now. I've finally decided to take the next step in my career with ProActors. I'm also currently working on getting my masters in Library and Information Sciences from Chicago State. I am very excited for this new journey!

Eric Infanger

Eric Infanger (he/they) is excited to be joining the Actor’s Gymnasium ProTraining Class for the 2025-2026 season. Trained in tap and jazz dance from a young age, he developed a knack for movement, storytelling, and performance. He graduated from Bard College (Annandale-on-Hudson) with a BA in Written Arts, specializing in children’s fiction. During college, he discovered a passion for Clowning and the Aerial Arts through Bard’s Surrealist Training Circus, where he also went on to become the club’s co-head. Now, he’s eager to learn new disciplines and entertain the masses!

Renee Jones (Year 2 Student)

Renee Jones (she/her) is an actress and circus artist, currently based in Chicago. She can often be found doing aerial chains, petting a cat, or still trying to write the next great lesbian vampire musical. She is thrilled to be returning to Actor’s Gym for her second year!

Patrick Lacey

Patrick (they/theym) is a 20-something performer with a penchant for life. They hail from Atlanta, Georgia and have been rock climbing and singing for as long as they can remember. Through some strange twist of fate, these two hobbies would coalesce into the movement and cirque-based theatre that they now love. Starting with silks classes during Covid, they have since found a love for corde lisse, cyr wheel, devised partner movement, juggling, and even more. Patrick is thrilled to see where Actor's Gym will take them next!

Symonne Still (Year 2 Student)

Symonne (she/they) is a Chicago based performer from Southern California looking to expand on circus skills. This is her second year in the program so she is excited to see what she can push out of herself and build on!

Chandler Paskett (Year 2 Student)

Chandler Paskett (he/him) has loved being a performer in Chicago. From musicals to puppetry, dance to circus arts, Chicago has presented him with many opportunities in the years since moving from his hometown in Utah. A few of his favorite opportunities have been a multiyear touring performance as Devin in, The Flashlight Play, a shadow puppet show that encourages free storytelling, and working at UVCC as their balance instructor for a summer camp for kids. Chandler is excited to be in his second year of training in circus arts at Actor’s Gymnasium with a focus on clown, tight-wire, and duo Lyra. He is so thrilled to be back at Actor’s Gymnasium and can’t wait to share his joy with all of you!