EMJOY GAVINO
Actor / Casting Director / Producer / Grocery Store Enthusiast
based in Chicago and Minneapolis
She / her / hers
Representative Productions - Ensemble Design
MOTHERS, Gift Theatre February 2023
Midwest Premiere
Directed by Halena Kays
THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE, The Gift Theatre September 2023
Directed by Devon de Mayo and Peter G Andersen
CULLUD WATTAH, Victory Gardens Theatre June 2022
Midwest Premiere
Directed by Lili-Anne Brown
AT THE VANISHING POINT, The Gift Theatre April 2022
Directed by Lavina Jadhwani
IN EVERY GENERATION, Victory Gardens Theatre March 2022
World Premiere
Directed by Devon De Mayo
QUEEN OF THE NIGHT, Victory Gardens Theatre January 2022
Directed by Ken-Matt Martin
THE PILLOWMAN, The Gift Theatre February 2020
Directed by John Gawlik
KENTUCKY, The Gift Theatre September 2019
Midwest Premiere
Directed by Chika Ike
THE WOLF PLAY, The Gift Theatre May 2019
Midwest Premiere
Directed by Jess McLeod
WOLVES EAT ELK, Jackalope Theatre April 2019
Circle Up Reading Series
Directed by Abhi Shrestha
DOUBT, The Gift Theatre March 2019
Directed by John Gawlik
WHEN THE TSUNAMI KNOWS…, Jackalope Theatre February 2019
Circle Up Reading Series
Directed by Devon DeMayo
COSMOLOGIES, The Gift Theatre October 2018
Midwest Premiere
Directed by Michael Patrick Thornton
CULLUD WATTAH, Jackalope Theatre October 2018
Circle Up Reading Series
Directed by Chika Ike
HAMLET, The Gift Theatre June 2018
Directed by Monty Cole
PERKUP ELKHORN, Jackalope Theatre March 2018
Circle Up Reading Series
Directed by Vanessa Stalling
HANG MAN, The Gift Theatre March 2018
World Premiere
Directed by Jess McLeod
WE’RE GONNA BE OKAY, American Theater Company January 2018
Midwest Premiere
Directed by Will Davis
GOOD BAD PEOPLE, Jackalope November 2017
Circle Up Reading Series
Directed by Cameron Knight
WELCOME TO JESUS, American Theater Company November 2017
World Premiere
Directed by Will Davis
SWELL IN THE GROUND, The Gift Theatre October 2017
Midwest Premiere
Directed by Chika Ike
PILGRIMS, The Gift Theatre June 2017
World Premiere
Directed by Jessica Thebus and Michael Patrick Thornton
PICNIC, American Theater Company October 2017
Directed by Will Davis
UNSEEN, The Gift Theatre February 2017
World Premiere
Directed by Maureen Payne Hahner
MEN ON BOATS, American Theater Company January 2017
Midwest Premiere
Directed by Will Davis
IN THE NEXT ROOM…, Timeline Theatre August 2016
The Chicago Inclusion Project Staged Reading Series
Directed by Mechelle Moe
SAINT JOAN, Writers Theatre July 2016
The Chicago Inclusion Project Staged Reading Series
Directed by Michael Halberstam
GRAPES OF WRATH, The Gift Theatre June 2016
Directed by Erica Weiss
RICHARD III, The Gift Theatre March 2016
Directed by Jessica Thebus
THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE, Victory Gardens Theatre June 2015
The Chicago Inclusion Project Staged Reading Series
Directed by Chay Yew
2010 - present
2010 - present
WORK EXPERIENCE
Gift Theatre Access Coordinator
January 2019-February 2024
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Hires caption designer and audio describer per production, communicates needs
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Participates in production meetings with an eye on sensory and ADA needs
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Communicates production changes to cast and crew for sensory friendly performances; creates signage for lobby communicating changes for house management and audience
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Creates language for press release and social media regarding access dates, coordinates with multiple platforms to make sure information is dispersed to community
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Works with production team to make sure captioning equipment will work on each set
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Communicate with actors well ahead of touch tour the conversation points they will have
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Ensure equipment for audio description and captioning days are confirmed
Gift Theatre Director of Casting / Associate Artistic Director
May 2015–February 2024
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Collaborates with Artistic Director, Executive Director, Production Manager, company members and guest artists
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Actively participates in season selection, organizing readings and workshops when needed
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Communicates verbal and written offers to all cast members and their agents, negotiating schedules, conflicts and contracts
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Facilitates all correspondence with actors, artistic and production team to ensure concerns are addressed
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Coordinates a staff of monitors and readers for an efficiently run audition room
Chicago Inclusion Project Executive Director/ Casting Director
March 2015–Present
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Oversees and facilitates daily operations of an arts advocacy non-profit specializing in inclusive theatrical experiences and hiring practices
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Creates monthly programming, including community engagement field trips, salon readings with moderated talk backs and an artist training series
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Strategizes and budgets for long term growth
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Maintains a staff of volunteers
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Speaks as guest lecturer for college and high school theater classes
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Curated and organized unified general auditions for AEA and storefront theatres to see the work of underrepresented artists
Freelance Casting Consultant
2015–Present
Provides casting design and consulting services for AEA and non-union theaters throughout Chicagoland
Awards
2018 Leppen Leadership Award – About Face Theatre
To the Chicago Inclusion Project
For contributions to transforming the Chicago landscape for individual artists and institutions and the ways in which this demonstrates extraordinary support for LGBTQA youth of all abilities, gender identities and ethnicities
2017 Hallie Flanagan Award – Stage Left Theatre
To the Chicago Inclusion Project
For their dedication to and promotion of inclusive works, significantly contributed to artwork that illuminates the social and political aspects of the human condition - awarded to The Chicago Inclusion Project
2017 Katheryn V Lamkey Spirit Award – National EEO
For providing ongoing opportunities for underrepresented artists in the Central Region
2017 Make A Wave Inaugural Grant – 3Arts
For compelling work and important contributions in Chicago’s artistic community