Mission Statement
Through a modern exploration of traditional puppet and mask theaer, the Incurable Theater enhances the artistic experiences of both adults and children in Chicagoland area by creating intimate puppetry-based performances that focus on visual storytelling.

Philosophy
Through the use of masks, puppetry and creative set design The Incurable Theater constructs a living canvas on which the triumphs and troubles of the human conditions are painted in bold and daring strokes. Through word and actionk image and emotion, music and imagination our story is brough to life. We are a theater of transformation and it is through the artistic illumination of the ordinary that we reveal the extraordinary beauty of our common human existence.

History
The Incurable Theater was founded by Damien Hinojosa and Jennifer Friedrich, in the summer of 2000. Both co-founders have worked extensively in the performing and visual arts fields.

Jennifer Friedrich is an Illinoois Arts Council Fellow and is executive director of the Incurable Theater. She has been awarded several grants including several CAAP grants, and a NAP grant. She was an artist in residence at the Kunstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin, Germany where she lived for several years. She has also worked with the award winning Redmoon Theater as a builder and designer, and was director of their Children's Company. Currently Jennifer teaches both puppetry and experimental photography in the art and design department of Columbia College in Chicago.

Damien Hinojosa is a mask and puppet creator, as well as a woodworker and carpenter. He has worked with several theaters including Redmoon Theater and Jabberwocky Marionette Theater. He has created several original works that played at spaces such as Women in the Director's Chair Theater and Links Hall. Damien is a CAAP grant recipient and artistic director for the company.

The Incurable Theater debuted its first incarnation of The Sandman in the summer of 2001 at the Chicago Humanities Festival.

Staff

	Jennifer Friedrich Jennifer Friedrich is Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Incurable Theater. Before co-founding the Incurable Theater, Jennifer worked for several years as a builder and designer with Redmoon Theater. She also directed their Children's Company for over two years. Outside of the Incurable Theater she teaches puppetry and experimental photography at Columbia College in Chicago. Jennifer is an Illinois Arts Council Fellow and has toured with her visual art and performance pieces internationally.
	Damien Hinojosa Damien Hinojosa is the Master Builder and Co-Founder of the Incurable Theater. Damien is a designer, head puppet builder and actor for the company. Outside of the theater he is a woodworker and sculptor. Damien's work has been seen in many festivals including showings at the Women in the Director's Chair Theater, The Chicago Historical Society, Links Hall and The Field Museum. Damien has also worked with several puppet troupes including Redmoon Theater and Jabberwocky Marionettes.
	Joy Dennis Joy Dennis is an Artistic Associate with the Incurable Theater. Joy has starred in several Incurable productions as an actor and puppeteer. Joy's work was most recently seen at the 'Winterroot Puppetry Festival' at Links Hall. Joy is a student at Columbia College where she is studying for an interdisciplinary degree focusing on puppetry. Joy is also the president of the puppetry club at Columbia College and has been a builder/puppeteer for 'Spectacle Fortuna', 'Char Siu Bao Boy', and various other performances.
	Robert Cruz Accordionist Robert Cruz began playing piano at age 3, and by junior high school he was fronting his own garage band on electric guitar. A founding member of Chicago's Gypsy Garage Combo, Cruz regularly performs with Vern Tonges and the edutainment band Illinois first. He has appeared with the Chicago Klezmer Ensemble, Redmoon Theater, Twang Bang, and the Sinister Luck Ensemble. Cruz's latest musical project is the 1970s rock revival group The Coprolites. Rob is the composer and a musician for the Incurable's Nutcracker and the King of Mice.
	Jill Summers Jill Summers is an Artistic Associate with the Incurable Theater. Jill is a musician and writer who studied music performance at Indiana University and Rollins College and has a Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Book and Paper Arts from Columbia College Chicago. She is a two time Caxton Club fellow whose artist' books have been exhibited throughout the city. Her literary audio fiction has been featured by Chicago Public Radio, the international New Adventures in Sound Art competition, and the Third Coast International Audio Festival. She also runs a small recording studio, Stray Dog Recording Co. with sound engineer David Whitcomb.
	Emily Tamblyn Bio coming soon.
	Blayne Greiner Bio coming soon.