Dani is a professional actor/teaching artist with several years of work in the Washington D.C. theatre scene.  Along with Civic, Dani currently adjuncts at USI in the Theatre Department. Administrative credits include: Programming Associate (Theatre Prometheus), Assistant Patron Services Manager (Atlas Performing Arts Center), Summer Teen Institute Admin (Round House Theatre Education), and Box Office (Round House Theatre and New Harmony Theatre).

High-lights of professional work: Dorra (The Body of a Woman as a Battlefield) with ExPats Theatre, Caithleen (Bloomsday) with Washington Stage Guild, Beatrice (The Changeling)  with Brave Spirits Theatre Company, Millie Martindale (Perfect Arrangement) Source Festival

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B.S. in Theatre Arts from The University of Southern Indiana (Class of 2015) and an MFA in Acting from The Catholic University of America (Class of 2018)

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The first time Emily performed on the Evansville Civic Theatre stage was for an end-of-the-year music review with the D’alto Elite Triple Threat group. Emily is an Evansville based professional actor, producer, casting director, and assistant director for film. She toured with Missoula Children’s theatre for their ‘16/‘17 season, as well as a summer tour in ‘18, and has recently received accolades for her performance in COMPRESSION, a film she produced with her partner, Jakob Bilinski (Cinephreak Pictures), and their co-producer, Peter Matsoukas (Rockscar Films). She has produced and crewed on many local film sets, and she and Jakob (as Cinephreak Pictures) partner with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra to provide them with video advertising for their concerts. Her love for the arts fuels her, and she is so excited to be at the helm for this exciting time in ECT’s history!

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B.A. in Theatre Arts with an acting emphasis from the University of Southern Indiana, ‘13

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Joe's  love of theatre began while performing at Gibson Southern High School, graduating in 2009. He joined the Civic family in the fall of 2013, performing in the Underground production of Coyote on a Fence. Since then, he has been on the Civic stage for 17 productions (and counting). He had discovered an even deeper love for ECT after becoming the volunteer historian and archivist in 2020. His goal is to make sure that every person who has given to this organization is given their credit and have their names memorialized for future generations.

Mackenzie has been dancing since the age of six, and it was through dance that she discovered her love for theatre at Carterville High School in her hometown of Carterville, Illinois. She continued nurturing her passion for the performing arts at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where she was a member of the collegiate dance team and further developed her dance background.

In 2020, Mackenzie relocated to the Evansville area during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges of that time, she quickly found a sense of belonging within the Evansville Civic Theatre community. Her first role with the company was playing Anne in their Underground Series production of Kate Crackernuts.

For Mackenzie, theatre has always been about more than just being on stage. It’s about building confidence, forming genuine connections, and being part of something bigger than herself.

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Bachelor of Science in Business and Administration from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (Go Dawgs!)

I joined the theatre community in 2015 and have enjoyed getting people to come and experience live productions and talks about it any chance I get. Love theater and the way it brings everyone from different walks of life together. Love that fact that a show can really make you think about something you never realized before and gives the space to have needed conversations on all topics or just to have fun and be in a group.

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Bachelors in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resource Management 

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Adam Funkhouser is the Senior Administrative Assistant and Manager of Box Office Operations for USI Theatre. He has over 30 years of experience in Theatre and has a background in Technical Theatre. Having joined USI Theatre in June of 2023 he finally achieved a lifelong dream of a career in the theatre. Previously, Funkhouser designed lighting for Guys and Dolls, scenery and set for Little Shop of Horrors, and sound for The Boys Next Door for Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg, Illinois. In 2024, he performed in the Evansville Civic Theatre’s production of Rope as Sir Johnstone Kentley and serves as a board member for the organization.

Adam is currently enrolled at USI pursuing a degree in Professional Studies with a focus on communications and marketing with a minor in Theatre. Residing in Evansville, by way of Carmi, IL, he along with his wife Dana and sons Alex and Liam enjoy being a part of this community. He also spends time as a coach of Special Olympics in Vanderburgh County.

Aaryn  is an actress from Evansville, IN with over ten years experience with community theatre in the city. She graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a Bachelor's in Theatre Performance in 2018 and has since been active with Evansville Civic Theatre, STAGEtwo, Evansville Shakespeare Players, and more. She believes that play is an important part of how we learn and grow and is eager to serve the needs of our community. When not on stage, she enjoys spending time with her partner and playing games like Dungeons and Dragons with friends.

Sydney has been involved in theatre for as long as she can remember. An alumna of the EVSC Summer Musical Program, she discovered the profound impact of theatre in fostering connection and belonging. As an adult, she found a home in community theatre and quickly became deeply involved, both onstage and behind the scenes.

She has performed and stage managed throughout the local theatre scene, including returning to her roots to stage manage for the EVSC. Notable roles include Susan in Tick, Tick… Boom! and Yvonne in Sunday in the Park with George.

Sydney is passionate about creating a safe, inclusive environment where individuals of all ages can freely express themselves through art. She is proud to serve on a board that shares her commitment to accessibility and community in theatre.

Zach is an Evansville native, a father of three, and currently contracting in BESS maintenance for Renewance, a renewable energy stewardship company based in Chicago, Illinois. 

Zach previously co-founded the Evansville Semi-Professional Football Club, a non-profit sports organization. During his 8 year tenure with the club, Zach rotated through various board offices and administrative positions. Zach served as President, Vice-President, and Treasurer in rotating tenures for the club's board of directors from 2008-2015 while becoming a three-time all-star defensive tackle. Zach also spent three years as the club's head coach and General Manager of Football Operations. The club generated over $30,000 in donations and thousands of hours of volunteer community service for other area non-profit organizations during his time with the club.

Zach's lifelong appreciation of the performing arts naturally led him to the various local community theatres. He has participated in productions for ten different companies in the tri-state area. In 2022, Zach founded Top Bunk Productions, a performing arts company specializing in underproduced plays with challenging content.

Sam Kuban is an Artist Growth Strategist at Wally Opus, an independent record label and artist management company located in Evansville, IN. He is also the drummer and vocalist of The Chugs, a chart-topping surf punk band dedicated to Hamm's Beer as well as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist in his solo project, Swamp Eyes. 

Kuban also serves as the Creative Director for 3P Marketing and has contributed copy editing to some works of Aaron Tanner, whose coffee table books for bands like Pixies, Face-To-Face, and more are housed in the permanent collections of MoMA, The Smithsonian, and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Sam is excited to bring his music industry experience to the Civic Theatre stage to help grow Evansville’s creative scene!