Atticus Finch was hatched in June of 2001 through the Incubator Program at the Playground Theater. From those 10 selected to be on a team together, 6 remained after the team reached it's sixth month mark. Those six were Ari Frede, Jon Forsythe, Melinda Graham, Holly Gibson, Matt Nelson, and Tony Seales. Under the tuttleage of Mark Hendersen, those core six created a unique team. Gifted in natural acting chops along with a sense of the weird, Atticus Finch distinguished itself by going to places few dare to go all the while keeping it real.
In January 2002, Lynette Cain joined the group, and she only helped to heighten the strengths of the group. That Spring Atticus Finch applied for and was voted into being the first Pilot Member team along with Mustang Repair. December was bittersweet when they lost Lynette to her playwriting focus and were voted into the membership of the Playground.
2003 saw the beginning of a different track for Atticus Finch. After Mark stepped down from his coaching duties, the Finches began their own training center of sorts when it went from guest coach to guest coach. Since then, they have been coached by the likes of Tim Sniffin, Joe Bill, John Lutz, Sara Gee, Tom Flannigan, Gary Ruderman, Don Hall, and Liz Allen. A week after their 2-yr anniversary, Atticus Finch added Kate Duffy and James Whittington to the team. In July they traveled to New York and were honored to be among the many teams to perform in the Del Close Marathon.
Atticus Finch is sill going strong and are honored by being the first team to perform a show in the new Playground Theater space on Feb. 19, 2004. With each of its members having at least 3 years of improv experience in Chicago, Atticus Finch proudly celebrates the ensemble while taking the time to make each other shine.
