Julie Ann Kornak

Julie Ann Kornak was most recently seen Florence in Chess and as Charlotte in BST’s A Little Night Music.  Other BST credits include: Amalia in She Loves Me, Tanya in Mamma Mia!, Claudia in BST’s Inaugural concert series production of NINE in Concert,  and as Francesca in Bridges of Madison County.  Julie has also been singing in the Summer in the Parks Concert Series.  Julie can be seen singing in many Naperville and local area churches.  Much love to Adam, Ryan, Aidan, Amanda, and Grandma for being my biggest fans!  Thank you for supporting BrightSide Theatre

Michelle Bolliger

Meghan Kessel

Meghan Kessel is happy to be back at BrightSide! Past BST credits include Gypsy,City of Angels, She Loves Me, and Promises, Promises. Other favorites include Winnie the Pooh (Owl), Metropolis’ Christmas Carol (Christmas Past), and 9 to 5 (Judy Bernly). When not on stage Meghan teaches at Old Town School of Folk Music and works as a Music Director. She would like to thank her family and friends for their constant support and love!

Christine Ronna

Christine is excited to be back performing in her 4th Summer in the Parks. She was most recently seen in BrightSide’s Chess in Concert. Her other BrightSide credits include Oolie/Donna in City of Angels in Concert, Rosie in Mamma Mia, Mrs. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol the Musical, Marge in The Bridges of Madison County, General Cartwright in Guys and Dolls, and Sister Margaretta in The Sound of Music. Christine would like to thank her husband, Jim and her vocal coach, Anne Perillo for their continued support.

Jon Cunningham

Jon Cunningham is thrilled to be back with BrightSide. You may have seen him recently as Pontius Pilate (Jesus Christ Superstar), Fredrik Egerman (A Little Night Music), Georg Nowack (She Loves Me), Stone (City of Angels in Concert), Lawrence (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) or Chuck Baxter (Promises, Promises in Concert) . With over 20 years of experience, Jon has performed at Drury Lane, Marriott Lincolnshire, Theatre at the Center, Big Noise, and Apple Tree. Favorite roles include Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors), Jesus (JCS), John (John and Jen) and Charlie (Merrily We Roll Along, 2005 Best Actor Jeff Citation Nominee).

Brady Mcneil

Brady Mcneil is excited to be back for another summer with BrightSide after performing in last summer’s musical concert tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber. Brady’s Chicagoland debut was the role of  “Stine” in BrightSide’s 2023 concert production of City of Angels. Other local credits include Titanic the Musical (Harold Bride/Wallace Hartley; Wheaton Drama), Spring Awakening (Music Director; Home Creative Co.), and Ragtime in Concert (Younger Brother u/s, Ensemble; Highland Park Players). When not onstage or in the pit, Brady is the Coordinator of Music Education and Symphonic Band Conductor at Wheaton College. 

Zach Gibson

Zach is excited to join BrightSide Theatre’s Summer in the Parks Concerts.  Most recently he performed this last season in Jesus Christ Superstar and Chess in Concert. He has been involved in regional theater for over 10 years. Favorite roles include The D’Ysquith Family (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder; 2023 Lou Award Winner – Best Performer Lead Role), Barrett (Titanic the Musical), & Peter Shaw (Silent Sky) [Wheaton Drama]; Quasimodo (Hunchback of Notre Dame) & Officer Lockstock (Urinetown) [NTP]; Father Flynn (Doubt) [Greenman]. More at zachgib.weebly.com.

Jeffrey Cass (Director)

Jeffrey Cass, a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee has successfully directed over 30 Productions for BrightSide Theatre, most recently Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess in Concert, A Little Night Music and Gypsy. He also played “Edna” in BST’s production of Hairspray. He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theater Performance from Roosevelt University. He previously served as the Producing Director for Circle Theatre where he directed 8 Productions including The Who’s Tommy (6 Joseph Jefferson Nominations including Best Musical and Best Director).