Cast Bios

Adam Bitterman (Otto Frank) is proud to be making his YPTChi debut in such an important and relevant play. A native Chicagoan, Adam is a graduate of NYU/Tisch School of the Arts where he studied with both Stella Adler and David Mamet. His most recent stage work includes productions at City Lit and Redtwist theaters. Adam has had roles in studio features and indie films, and has been heard in video games and animated series; he has been seen in several network and cable TV shows in a variety of co-star, guest star, and recurring roles. Visit adambitterman.com. for more info.

Amy Stricker (Mrs. Van Daan) is excited to share Anne Frank’s story with Chicago audiences at YPTChi. A Chicago-based actress and voice artist, she spends most days in the closet recording and in the kitchen crafting desserts for her brand new business, Peace of Cake! Theatre credits include: Refuge Theatre’s Jeff Award-winning High Fidelity; The Mousetrap and Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Citadel), HAIR and Ragtime (Big Noise), and Company (Brightside). TV/Film credits include: Chicago PD, The Big Lie, RAGE, A Magnetic Anomaly, Inferior Decorating, The Sleight and the award-winning Yellow Polka Dot. Catch her next in Williams Street Repertory’s Othello! Infinite love and gratitude to Mom and Dad. Thank you for supporting the arts! IG: @itsamystricker

Caron Buinis (Edith Frank) CHICAGO CREDITS: Beautiful, Oliver!, The Snow Queen (Marriott Theatre); How Blood Go (Congo Square at Steppenwolf 1700); I Am a Camera (Porchlight Revisits); All’s Well That Ends Well (Chicago Shakespeare); Murder on the Orient Express, An American in Paris (Drury Lane); Sweeney Todd, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder (Porchlight Music Theatre); The Wizard of Oz, Cabaret, Oklahoma!, The Music Man (Paramount Theatre); The Full Monty (Kokandy); Chimerica, The Audience (Time Line). FILM: Silent as the Grave, Lacy’s Christmas Do-Over. TELEVISION: Chicago Fire (NBC), Chicago PD (NBC). EDUCATION: MFA Theatre.

David Krajecki (Mr. Van Daan) is grateful for a chance to tread the boards again in this YPTChi production. He’s done some locally shot TV and an Independent film in recent years, but it’s been a minute since he's been in a full-on stage production. David would like to acknowledge the work his agent, Maryann, and his bestie/audition reader, Barb, have put into his career. Thank you. He is a member of SAG/AFTRA and The Free Readers Ensemble. Gey gezunterheyt.

Esther Fishbein (Anne Frank) is grateful to be making her YPTChi debut.  Chicago credits: The World Premier of In Every Generation (Victory Gardens Theatre), Little Women, Henry V (First Folio Theatre), Ride or Die (Jeff Nomination Best Ensemble, MPAACT), Failure: A Love Story (Oil Lamp Theatre), Billy and the Potato Powered Time Machine (Chicago Music Theatre Festival); Child’s Play (Babes with Blades), Sapphic Switcheroo, Movie Queens (Pride Films and Plays) International Credits: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts). Television Credits: I Hate You Too (Web Series). Education: BFA, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Jake Busse (Mr. Kraler; Mr. Dussel U/S) is thrilled and so grateful to be making his YPTChi debut telling this very important story. When Jake was in grade school, he saw a touring production of The Diary of Anne Frank that sparked the acting bug in him. Jake is grateful he gets to have this full circle moment by performing in a piece that had been so formative to his artistic identity. You may have seen Jake previously performing at Oil Lamp Theatre, Raven Theatre, Invictus Theatre, Citadel Theatre, The Beverly Art Center, Surging Films and Theatrics, Steel Beam Theatre, and other companies around the Chicagoland area, where he has been acting professionally since 2017. You can catch him portraying Mr. Evers on Season 10, Episode 19 of Chicago Fire. Instagram: @jake.busse

Jeff Broitman (Mr. Dussel) is thrilled to be making his debut with YPTChi, and honored to be part of this essential, relevant story. A graduate of DePaul University’s Theatre School, he has written, directed, taught, and performed theater and improvisation for over 30 years In New York City, Minneapolis, and Chicago. Recent credits include: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (MadKap Productions, Skokie Theater); The Book of Will (Edge of the Wood Theater); Mrs. Warren’s Profession (Promethean Theater); and the one-man show, Charlie Johnson Reads All of Proust (Den Theatre). Thanks to Randy, Sam, and everyone at YPTChi.

Juliana Liscio (Margot Frank) is happy to make her YPTChi debut, and proud to share Anne Frank’s story with young audiences.  Recent credits include: A View From the Bridge (Shattered Globe Theatre, u/s Catherine); Space Station Safety (The National Theatre for Children, Laika/Bile); Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Citadel Theatre, Suzanne/The Countess); Brighton Beach Memoirs (Citadel Theatre, Nora); Dracula (Surging Films & Theatrics, Margaret Sullivan) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oak Park Festival Theatre, u/s Titania/Hippolyta). She is a playwright with Shattered Globe’s Inclusive Playwright Project and is represented by Shirley Hamilton.

Sam Hook (Peter Van Daan) is excited to be joining YPTChi! He is graduating from Roosevelt University this May with a degree in Musical Theatre. Recent credits include: Moritz in Spring Awakening and Woof in Hair. Thanks to his friends and family for their love and support!

Tamsen Glaser (Miep) is pleased to return to YPTChi! Chicago credits: Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Victory Gardens, Northlight, Haven Chicago, Red Tape, GreatWorks, & Second Site. Regional credits: Seattle Repertory Theatre. TV credits: Shining Girls (Apple TV), neXt (Fox), Chicago Med, Chicago Fire (NBC). Film credits: A Christmas Winter Song (Lifetime). She holds an MFA from the University of Washington’s Professional Actor Training Program and degrees in Acting & Vocal Performance from Western Michigan University. She is proudly represented by DDO Chicago. www.tamsenglaser.com

Abbie Brenner (Anne & Margot U/S) is very excited to be working with YPTChi! Abbie is a graduate of Illinois State University’s School of Theatre and Dance with a dual degree in Acting and Theatre Management. Since graduating in 2019, Abbie has worked at various Chicago theaters in administrative roles, including the Goodman Theatre, Mercury Theater Chicago, Theatre Wit, and Lookingglass Theatre Company. She recently completed Shattered Globe’s Protégé training program this Fall and was an understudy for Strawdog’s recent production of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Abbie can’t wait to continue pursuing a career in Chicago’s vibrant theatre community.

Daniel Vaughn Manasia (Otto & Mr. Van Daan U/S) Chicago: Dex and Abby (Dex) with Pride Arts and Films; Almost Maine (u/s) with Oil Lamp Theatre; HoA (u/s, perf) with The Factory Theatre; On The Greenbelt (u/s, perf) with Strawdog Theatre; Stove Toucher (u/s) with Buffalo Theatre Ensemble; Holmes and Watson (u/s) with Buffalo Theatre Ensemble.  Film: Otherwise a Woman; Fatal Witness;  City of Vultures 3; City of Vultures 4. TV: Chicago Fire (NBC), Justified City Primeval (FX).

Evelyn Leary (Edith & Mrs. Van Daan U/S) is happy and grateful to be part of her first production with YPTChi. She has trained at Second City and Green Room Studio and has performed in over 15 productions in Chicago. She recently started guitar lessons and is looking forward to learning to play her first full song.

Kelly Killorin (Miep U/S) is thrilled to be making her YPTChi debut! Kelly is a Northwestern Theatre graduate hailing from snowy Duluth, Minnesota. Recent Chicagoland credits include Theo Ubique’s Winterfest Cabaret: Our Way Back Home, The Polar Express Train Ride Chicago, and Macbeth with Northwestern’s WAVE Productions (Lady Macbeth). She is so grateful to tell stories through theatre, and she hopes you enjoy this production. Thank you to her family and friends for their unwavering support and love!

Trevor Hendrix (Peter & Mr. Kraler U/S) is originally from Crystal, Minnesota and is excited to be making his YPT Chicago debut. Most recently, Trevor played Greg Gardner in A Chorus Line at the Skokie Theatre. Before moving to Chicago, he graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a BFA in Theatre Performance. There he was involved in a number of productions including: Singin' In The Rain as Don Lockwood, Twelfth Night as Malvolio, and Pippin as Lewis. Trevor would like to thank his partner, Veronica, and their two cats, Snickers and Inky, for their support. Website: trevorhendrix.com