The Team
Joel Willison - Artistic Director
Joel is a Queer Chinese-American, based in Chicago by way of Uganda focused on accessibility to stories/the stage/theatre and the intersection between the internet and live theatre. He produces work focused on new work development for new voices - curating a space for new/early-career artists to understand their craft and collaborate in community. As a Director, he is centered on telling stories that confront traditions and demand change - Theatre is the balance between the expectation and reality of being human.
Joel is the Artistic Director for Pocket Theatre V.R., a company member of Playground Chicago, a member of the Associate Board for A Red Orchid Theatre, a member of For The Group Chicago and was selected for Directors Haven 6 in 2023. Recent credits include Assistant Director for Tambo & Bones with Refracted Theatre Co; Haven, Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble, Stage Left Theatre, Eclectic Full Contact Theatre, Chicago Dramatists, and Virtual Theatre Collaboration. Keep up to date with his work at joelwillison.com
Theresa Murphy - Director of Marketing
T Murphy (she/her) grew up in the arts community by going to plays, musicals and museums. She received her BFA in Theatre with a minor in Studio Art from Knox College and a certificate in Interior Design from SAIC. After college, she was a freelance theatre technician throughout Chicago and work on the Guest Services team at a few large theatres. T currently lives on the East Coast where she has been for just a few months. She loves to travel and especially loves to visit The Escape Game around the country where she works.
Genevieve Swanson - Literary Manager
Genevieve Swanson (she/her) is a director, writer, and administrator currently working in Chicago, Illinois. Originally from Southern California, she moved to Chicago to pursue a degree in Theatre Arts Directing from The Theatre School at DePaul University. She loves to incorporate her experience in education, economics, and dance into her work. Over the past few years, she interned with the International Centre for Women Playwrights and Chicago Children’s Theatre. Most recently, Genevieve directed a production of Clearing by Beth Hyland at The Theatre School.
Mya Piccione - Director of Development
Mya Piccione is a newly Chicago-based director and theatre-maker who believes that theatre is powerful, and it has the ability to change lives and perspectives. She recently moved to Chicago from South Bend, Indiana after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre (with a minor in dance) from Indiana University South Bend. During her time in college, she was fortunate enough to direct several department productions including The Revolutionists, Incognito, Mousetrapped, The Ugly Duckling, and even an original adaptation of the 16th century morality play The Summoning of Everyman for her Senior Capstone. Mya was also able to pursue many other areas of interest during her time at college in design and production, stage/production management, as well as working several years as a departmental administrative assistant and a member of the school’s scene shop. Mya sees theatre as a reflection of society- a way to cope with, understand, and challenge the world around us. She is incredibly excited to be working with a company like Pocket Theatre Virtual Reality to keep challenging traditional barriers in theatre and create honest and accessible theatre for everyone. Website: www.myapiccione.com