Chloe Johnston is a writer, director, and teacher in Chicago. Her work transforms deep archival and sociological research into interactive, accessible, and surprising performances that deal with the thorniest issues of the past and present. She has worked with theatres across Chicago and is a long-time ensemble member of The Neo-Futurists. Her original plays and performances have been called “powerful” by the New York Times, "lively and affecting" by the Chicago Tribune, "inspired" by the Chicago Sun-Times , and "moving, engaging, thought-provoking" by Time Out Chicago. Recent projects include 46 Plays for America’s First Ladies (Critics Pick, NYTimes), a reimagining of American history, and The Map of Now, an interactive online performance about technology and connection. She is also the creator of Leave the Light On, a collaboratively created, interview-based performance and audio project about caretaking labor. She is a passionate educator and a scholar who has published widely on devised theatre and activist performance, including co-authoring Ensemble-Made Chicago: A Guide to Devised Theater, published by Northwestern University Press.

Coya Paz (she/her) is the Strategic Director of Free Street Theater, which creates community-engaged and ensemble-devised work focused on racial, economic, and environmental justice. She previously served as the company's Artistic Director (2012-2023). Coya is an Associate Professor in The Theatre School at DePaul University and the co-author (with Chloe Johnston) of Ensemble-Made Chicago: A Guide to Devised Theater. Above all, she believes in the power of performance to build community towards social change. Visit her on the web at coyapaz.com