EG Canzano^ (Kara) is a recent graduate of DePaul University, graduating with a BFA in Acting. Her recent works include Chicago Fire (Lily Metzger), Max is the Shit (Mal), and The Guy Who Doesn’t Like Musicals (Charlotte, Deb). EG wants to thank everyone in her life who supports her through all her creative endeavors. A special thanks goes out to her family for making the trip to see the show and her girlfriend, Gina, for always helping her tape auditions and being the best girlfriend a girl could ever ask for.

EG would like to dedicate this show to her friend Addie Wisniewski, who passed away in January of this year. Thank you for supporting live theatre, and enjoy the show! 

Tyler James Finch (Andy) is psyched to be making his Chicago theater debut with How To Defend Yourself (Andy). A chronically online meathead who realized in college that he had been a non-practicing theater kid his whole life, Tyler immediately switched his major and dove in. Along the way amassing credits from plays like Waiting For Lefty (Fatt/Agate), Fools (Count Gregor), and A Beautiful Day in November (Ned). He has also been an improv troupe leader (After School Special), sketch show writer/cast member (MSU Telecasters/ROIAL JACSS), and has dabbled in standup. Gratitude to his friends, family, and you specifically. tylerfinch.com

Kseniya Janyan (Mojdeh)(she/her) is a queer actor of Armenian/Egyptian and Russian heritage who’s never quite settled anywhere but recently resides in Chicago, IL. Latest credits include: Wish You Were Here(Remy Bumppo Theatre Company), Pigeon Whole (Eclectic Full Contact Theatre), and Ubu the King (Facility Theatre). She thanks you for supporting O&E + storefront theater and the devoted teams behind them! She urges you to keep the conversation going, and to remember—we’re still kids. Just with bigger consequences. Take care of each other out there.

Maya Kumar (Nikki) Maya Kumar is a professional Chicago-based actor. Maya is a recent graduate of Northwestern University’s Theatre program with a double major in Political Science. At her time in university, she was in a plethora of productions both as an actor and as a stage manager or assistant stage manager. Since graduation, she has been involved in many industrials, short films, and staged readings. Maya is so grateful for her Chicago theatre debut as Nikki! Maya wants to thank the wonderful director of this play Jianna and the wonderful cast and crew for making this an incredibly fun process with lots of laughs and amazing memories! Maya would also like to give the utmost gratitude to her parents for their endless support and love for her passion and career.

Abby Orr (Brandi) is so excited to be making her Chicago theater debut in How to Defend Yourself with Odds + Ends Theater Co! Originally from Northeast Arkansas, Abby moved to Chicago in 2025. Since then, she has appeared in various short films and commercials. She has also trained at the Acting Studio Chicago, Black Box Acting Studio, The Second City, and Atlantic Acting School (NYC), among others. Thank you to Mom and Dad for relentlessly believing in me and loving me unconditionally. Thank you to Harrison for being my #1 delusional superfan. Thank you to Mary Hollis Inboden for pushing me out of the nest. And so much love to this incredible cast and crew for making this process so joyful and fulfilling. 

Kayte Salgado (Diana) is honored to be making her Chicago theater debut in How to Defend Yourself. Kayte, a recent graduate of Columbia College Chicago, has credits in theater, film, and voiceover. Each credit shaping her both as an artist and a person. She is beyong grateful to her friends and family for their continuous support throughout each endeavor. Kayte encourages the audience to see themselves in each of the characters and leave asking, how can I reclaim my voice and body? But most importantly, enjoy the show!

D'Angelo Wright (Eggo) is a film actor who has accumulated credits like Sasquatch Summer (Colin) and Strokes (Melvin), who recently moved to Chicago and decided to take a step into the theater scene. He is both grateful and excited to be making his Chicago theater debut in How to Defend Yourself as Eggo, alongside such an amazing cast and crew (Odds & Ends Theatre Company). Thank you for coming out and supporting this project! I genuinely appreciate you. Much love to you and yours! Before you go - in theme of the show, he wants you to “Remember, it was never your fault. It only becomes your fault when you continue making it your fault.”

Jianna Atlas (Director)(She/Her) is a Chicago based theatre director and educator, who is passionate about using theatre as a means to spark meaningful and often difficult conversations. Recent directing credits include Dry Land, Akrasia (Ego Death Theatre Collective), Us/Them, Violet, Stone Girls Dreaming, and A Kid Like Jake (Illinois State University). 

RJ Cecott (Fight/Intimacy Choreographer) is an award-winning actor and award-nominated fight/intimacy choreographer, and a proud graduate of Illinois State University. Most recent choreography works include Cabaret, The Outsiders, RENT, Peter and the Starcatcher, Carrie: The Musical, The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong, A View from the Bridge, Misery, Night of the Living Dead, and Noises Off! (where he was also the Stunt Choreographer/Performer and Garry/Roger). You can see more at rjcecott.com/ or @rjcecott_actor

Ellie Donnelly* (Stage Manager, Marketing)(she/her) is psyched to be a part of the HtDY team! Ellie is a Chicago-based actor, producer, and director from Ohio as well as the managing director of Odds+Ends. Recent performance credits include Gruesome Playground Injuries (Odds+Ends), Carrie the Musical (Scenefive Productions), The Wolves (No Dogs), and Dry Land (Ego Death Theatre Collective). This is her first time stage managing! If you can tell, don't say anything or she will cry.

@ellieravioli

August Tiemeyer* (Lighting Design)(he/him) is a theatre designer and educator. He loves his children's theatre and TYA work with the Northbrook Theatre, as well as his work with various independent companies in the Chicago area. He also loves his dog, CC, and Lily's cats, Ham and Sandwich. Full of love, this guy.

Lily Kerr-Jung* (Producer) is a Chicago based director, playwright, improviser, and producer, and she is thrilled to present Odds and Ends' third show! Recent Odds and Ends credits include Gruesome Playground Injuries (director), and When the World Ends (and it will) (playwright). You can see her perform weekly on The Fizz Show at iO theatre, and read her advice column in the Indy Star. As always she would like to thank her friends and teammates AJ (foppish and drily witty), Ellie (shiny hair and nose ring), and August (so tall up there) and the wonderful cast and creative team of How to Defend Yourself for their absolute commitment. She would also like to thank you, the audience, for supporting storefront theatre in Chicago. If you don’t, who will?

AJ Reinhardt* (Producer) is a writer and flaneur in Chicago. His recent credits include When the World Ends (and it will)(Stage Manager) and Gruesome Playground Injuries (Assistant Stage Manager). He is also the editor in chief of the Indy Star - subscribe at chicagoindystar@gmail.com