Instructors

Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi (she/her) is Executive 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, 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.

Kaitlyn Andrews is a multidisciplinary performer– while working primarily as a circus artist these days, she has over a decade of experience as an actor, clown, and theatre maker. With her theatrical background Kaitlyn has a keen eye for storytelling in her circus work. She is drawn to creating experiences that evoke reaction from her audiences, whether humorous, horrifying, or melancholic– her work carries a large range of expression. Kaitlyn is a graduate of the Theatre program at Northwestern University, and of the Professional Circus Training Program at The Actors Gymnasium where she majored in aerial rope. She is a founding and former member of BIPOC Circus Alliance (formerly BCAM). Primarily as a circus artist Kaitlyn performs aerial rope, and partner acrobatics. Previously as a theatre artist she has performed with the Neo-Futurists (The Arrow, Tangles & Plaques), The Ruffians (Burning Bluebeard), and is an emeritus of PlayMakers Laboratory (That’s Weird Grandma). Acting credits include The Becomers. Kaitlyn’s coaching style is patient, encouraging, and ultimately grounded in supporting her students with healthy movement habits to support their circus journey for the long haul. You can catch Kaitlyn performing in the air at events around Chicago.

Austin Rambo is a professional clown and physical theater actor. Austin is a recipient of jeff awards such as best ensemble/play/new work from their performance in All Quiet on the Western front back in 2019. Austin joined the Actor's Gym family as a recreational student back in 2019 with his first class being acro yoga and has since taken the professional training 2 year program. Although Austin can do anything his primary focus is Clown, partner acrobatics, and chinese pole. When he is not training or gigging you can often find Austin streaming on Twitch and Youtube (Rambii70)

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.

Michel Rodriguez Cintra is a Cuban born dancer, choreographer, and tumbler based in Chicago. He started training in gymnastics at the age of 6, later competing nationally and internationally as part of the Youth National Cuba Team. Rodriguez Cintra has a degree in Cuban Modern Dance and Afro-Cuban dances from the Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana. He was a Member of Danza Contemporanea de Cuba where he achieved the rank of Principal Dancer. After moving to Chicago he danced, choregraphed, taught and rehearsal directed for multiple companies including Hedwig Dances Khecari, Chicago Dance Crash, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. His choreography has been performed in multiple festivals and abroad. In 2010 he was featured as one of the “Men of 2010” by TimeOut Chicago. Rodriguez Cintra was featured as a “25 to Watch” in Dance Magazine, and was awarded a “3Arts” Award for outstanding accomplishment in his field in 2014. Michel served as an adjunct faculty member at Columbia College Chicago, and has taught master classes at the collegiate level nationally. Rodriguez Cintra is an ensemble member with Lucky Plush Productions and a member of the faculty at The Actors Gymnasium.

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.

Jacinda Ratcliffe graduated from Northwestern University with a B.A. in Dance and Psychology. Upon graduating, she trained on scholarship at Lou Conte Dance Studio under Claire Bataille. She danced with Project Bound Dance in their 2016-2017 season in addition to working freelance throughout Chicago. Notable roles include leading role of Lucifer in Striding Lion Performance Group’s production of The Great and Terrible Doctor Faustus as well as the titular role in Frankenstein AI: A Monster Made By Many which premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2018. She dances as an ensemble member with Lucky Plush Productions. In addition to performing, she has worked as a choreographer for theatre companies in Chicago; in 2019, she choreographed Birch House Immersive’s production of The Ode at Pint’s End, and in 2020 she was the Movement Director for the Griffin Theatre’s Jeff-nominated production of Mlima’s Tale. She has taught for Lucky Plush Productions, Opportunity Knocks, Ruth Page Intensives, and is on faculty at Chicago Movement Collective.

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!

Jean Claudio (he/him) is a circus and physical theater performer from Puerto Rico established in Chicago since 2016. In 2013 he traveled to Argentina to train and learn more about the circus world. Co-founded his own circus and physical theater company along his spouse, Raquel Torre. In 2016 decided to move to Chicago to start the Actors Gymnasium Circus Program. Since then he has been working and collaborating with companies like, Emerald City Theater, Theater Oobleck, Actors Gymnasium, Cabinet of Curiosities, Barrel of Monkeys, La Vuelta Ensemble and many more. In 2018 entered the Cirque du Soleil Data Base as a clown and Physical Performer. He loves pistachio ice cream and green plantains.

Oyunchimeg “Oyuna” Yadamjav is one of Mongolia’s premier contortionists with over 25 years of experience, performing internationally with the world-renowned Mongolian National Circus. She has won “SILVER CLOWN” at the global circus competition in Monte-Carlo (Presidency of the H.S.H. Prince Ranier III de Monaco) and gold medals at international circus competitions in Germany and Cuba. Oyuna is currently teaching for the Mongolian Children’s Performing Arts.

Griffin DiStasi (they/he) is an engineer, illustrator, maker, and circus artist based in Chicago. They have been steeped in circus excellence since birth, and they started operating the Actors Gymnasium's rigging during their time as a member of the Gym's Teen Ensemble. Now with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and completion of Vertigo's TOP Flight program, they have become AG's go-to person for any and all rigging needs.

When not suspending things in the air, Griffin busies themself with a plethora of other creative pursuits. They have created props, costumes, and illustrations for Midnight Circus, Manual Cinema, Lookingglass Theater, and of course the Actors Gym- all while making time to write and illustrate their own comic. They even enjoy a touch of time in the spotlight, from running D&D games for their friends to lending their voice to animated characters and even the occasional live circus performance.