Staff

Tracey Baker, Musical Director, is a singer, keyboard and bass guitar player. She is a graduate of Robert Morris College and Hyde Park Career Academy High School. Tracey divides her time between teaching for MTW and performing with her band. She is also the bass guitar player for Victory Apostolic Church.

Cydney Cleveland, Technical Director, is currently attending Harold Washington College. She is pursuing a degree in Technical Theatre. Cydney began working with MTW when she was a junior at the Young Women's Leadership Charter School of Chicago.

Ozivell Ecford, Drumming and Step Instructor, is also a performer and visual artist. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from International Academy of Design and Technology in Multi-Media Design and Interactivity. In addition to his work with MTW, he is a School Assistant at Montefiore Special School in Chicago.

DeAngelo Horton, Administrative Assistant, has an Associates Degree in Computer Technology from Lincoln Trail College and holds Universal Certification in HVAC and Custodial Engineering from Lake Land College. DeAngelo was a participant in Temporary LockDown in 1992 and 93.

Molly Lane, Program Manager, holds a Masters of Arts in Education, with a major in Special Education, from National Louis University as well as a Bachelors degree in Family and Consumer Resources and Child Development, from the University of Arizona. Molly has extensive experience with children that are victims of physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse. She is a special education teacher for the Chicago Public Schools.

Marchello Lee, Choreographer, is a graduate of Harold Washington College and Columbia College Chicago. He has studied and worked with dancers and choreographers from West Africa, Brazil, Argentina and throughout the United States. In addition to his work with MTW, Marchello teaches dance in several schools and is a performer and assistant choreographer for the Chicago Shamrox Dance Team.

Nancy McCarty, Executive Director, has a Masters of Education Degree from Loyola University Chicago. She did her undergraduate work in theatre production, design and technology at Northern Illinois University. Nancy met MTW when she was teaching fifth grade at Stockton Elementary School. Prior to her teaching career, she spent 25 years working in the Chicago film, theatre and event industry.

Steven McClain, Singer and Musician, holds two Bachelor of Arts Degrees from Kentucky State University, the first in Music, specializing in Instrumental and Vocal performance and arranging. His second degree is in English Literature and creative-writing. He is an actor, writer, director, filmmaker and musician. Steven began working with MTW in 2007.

Meade Palidofsky, Artistic Director, is a writer and award-winning playwright who founded Music Theatre Workshop in 1984. Meade continues to lead MTW's programs and inspire the company. As a result of her writing background, Meade developed and refined the unique MTW process: Using personal stories as a springboard for personal growth. Her years of devoted work have made her an acknowledged expert in the specialized area of youth development through the arts.

David Peak, Writing Instructor, is a Creative-Writing MFA candidate at Columbia College Chicago. He also holds a BFA in Fiction Writing from Columbia College. His work has most recently been published in Hair Trigger 29, No Touching Magazine and the journal Lying Down With Full Stomachs.

Alyssa Sorresso, Program Manager, is a graduate of the University of Michigan where she received a Bachelor of Theatre Arts degree-focusing on theatre and social activism through the Prison Creative Arts Project. She is an actor, singer, director and stage manager. Alyssa began working with MTW in 2004.

Shawn Wallace, Composer has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Composition from the University of Illinois at Urbana. He is the owner of Qimusic a musical production company. Shawn is a teaching artist for several organizations including Mayo Elementary School and the Chicago Cultural Center.