Dawn Marie Galtieri
Executive/Artistic Director
Ms. Galtieri founded the Voice of the City (f.k.a. Arts Alliance, aurorARTSalliance) in 1999, combining years of artistic work in various disciplines, her background in and commitment to education, and her passion for local community work.
As the Executive/Artistic Director she runs the day-to-day operations of the organization, develops and coordinates programming, and builds relationship with existing and future funders. She recruits and trains artist/teachers, establishes partnerships with local community organizations, and (with the Executive Producer) fosters collaborations between artists of various disciplines.
Ms. Gatieri earned her MFA in Music Theatre from Roosevelt University (4.0/4,0) in 1997, and directed her thesis, Lady in the Dark, by Moss Hart and Kurt Weill. She completed a Bachelor of Arts from Wheaton College in Literature with an emphasis in vocal music education in 1984, and an Illinois High School certification in 1985. Since 1985 she taught English and Music for three years, and then built a performance, stage managing and directing resume from 1990 to present (available upon request). She served on Swift School’s Local School Council in 1991-93 as a community representative and as a representative to the district, and on the board of Logan Square Neighborhood Association (as the Arts Council co-chair).
Christopher Ellis
Associate Artistic Director
As the Associate Artistic Director and Executive Producer, Mr. Ellis insures the artistic quality of all the programs. He works closely with the Associate Artists, fostering collaborations between artists of various disciplines. As the Executive Producer of Vaudeville Underground, he recruits and auditions all performers, and provides artistic direction, as needed. He handles all marketing, writes and emcees the show, as well.
Mr. Ellis earned a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College of Chicago in Film and Theatre in 1995, and is a graduate of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. As an actor he was last seen in Corpus Christi at Bailiwick Repertory, and has performed with Apple Tree Theatre, Strawdog and Black Ensemble, to name a few. Mr. Ellis is a published, award-winning playwright. His plays: The Broken Museum. Pill and Hideaway, have all been produced in Chicago. He co-wrote the screenplays for the award-winning short film, Wrestled and for The Man in the Silo with Phil Donlon. He is currently working on the full-length version of the film, as well as a three-act play called, The Descent of the Condemned, (resume available upon request).
Interns
Voice of the City encourages college students to apply for internships. Past interns (Jampier Dones Calderon, Mark Embrey, Sherell Sullivan) have graduated through the A.R.T. - Artist Readiness Training Program, as well.
