Small. Visionary. Immersive.
Parker Players Theater Company crafts intimate, artist driven productions that invite audiences into the heart of the story.
About
Rooted in Barrington and inspired by Chicago’s vibrant theater tradition, we believe that theater is a shared act of connection. We commit to producing work of the highest caliber—immediate, meticulously crafted, and immersive—reminding us why live storytelling matters.
Without a permanent stage for years, we learned how to adapt—transforming unconventional spaces into powerful theatrical experiences. In 2019, Parker Players lost its original home to local development. Rather than pause, we evolved—producing acclaimed works like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and 12 Angry Men in temporary spaces throughout the community.
After a brief pandemic hiatus, the company returned stronger than ever, continuing to celebrate local talent and bold storytelling.
Today, Parker Players proudly calls The Barrington (540 W. Northwest Highway) home.
Our next chapter—Stage the Build—will transform this space into a fully realized black box theater. We invite the community to help shape a vibrant future for live performance in Barrington.
Board of Directors
VICE PRESIDENT
Ann Field
PRESIDENT
Dan McHugh
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Ray Harris
Lori Rowe
Reinhold Llerena
Judy Tolle
Joe Bateman
Julie Price
TREASURER
Emily Douville
Artistic Team
LIGHT / SOUND DESIGN
Ray Harris
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Jennifer McHugh
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Kristine Keegan
Blue Frog Design
SCENIC DESIGN
Dan McHugh
Emily Douville
BRAND DESIGN / WEBSITE
Liz Benedetto,
Ashby Creative Lab
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BOARD PRESIDENT
Dan McHugh graced a stage with his presence only one time in the winter of 2017. Although he swears audiences loved his rendition of the song 'Where's the Loot?' from the musical A Night In The Wax Museum, he swore to never ever return again. Instead, he now chooses to apply his keen financial acumen learned from decades working as an SPX Options Trader at the CBOE to Parker Players Theater Company. His expertise and natural leadership guides our team as we fundraise, build, manage and sustain Barrington's first state-of-the-art Black Box theater.
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ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Jennifer McHugh loves to share stories. An avid reader and 'pretender' Jennifer gravitated naturally to performing arts. Whether acting, singing, dancing or directing, Jennifer is most comfortable in the theater. Recently, she performed as Nurse Ratched in PPTC's One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. She's also performed in Nunsense (Sister Mary Amnesia) with Up & Coming Theater Co., and Suite Surrender (Athena Sinclair) with Elgin Theater Co. Jennifer also directed The Gift of the Magi and Love, Loss and What I Wore by Nora Ephron for PPTC.
Jennifer brings a unique perspective to the artistic team because she also has a background in business. She worked in the production department at Steppenwolf Theater, went on to earn her MBA from The University of Chicago and then spent a few years working in advertising at Leo Burnett. Jennifer believes that her combination of strategic thinking and creative vision is ideal in directing a theater company.
Jennifer is married to Dan and has three daughters who are all involved in the performing and fine arts in the Chicagoland area. Jennifer is thrilled to work with the rest of the Parker Players team to establish the company as a permanent part of Barrington's arts culture.
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BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
Ann Field is passionate about the Barrington community and having a theater company that brings everyone together to learn, laugh, cry, perform, and explore together. A lawyer by day and an actor by night, Ann brings her legal, creative, and acting expertise to the Board of Parker Players Theater Company.
You may recognize Ann from Parker Player’s stage as she played Louise in Ripcord (2022) and in Suite Surrender she played Dora Del Rio, the nosey reporter (2022). Ann also appeared as the funny yet creepy gardener “Miss Peake” in The Spider’s Web (2021), the hilarious “Dot” in Smalls Talk (2017) and a monologist in Love, Loss and What I Wore (2019 and 2022). Ann was also the Director of the The Odd Couple, performed at The Parker Playhouse in 2018. Ann has also performed and directed plays within the Second Set Play Readers Group of Barrington.
Ann is an improv comedy actor, having studied at iO Theater Chicago and Laugh Out Loud Theater Schaumburg. She performs regularly in the Northwest Suburbs as part of the Queen Bs improv comedy group (www.QueenBimprov.com). Ann has also studied at The Actor’s Studio of Chicago.
Ann lives in the Village of Barrington with her husband and three children.
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BOARD TREASURER + SCENIC DESIGN / BUILD
The 'about me' section on Emily's resume reads, 'Librarian. At your service.' She is currently the Foundation Director, Data & Management for Ascension Illinois Foundation of the Greater Chicago Area. Emily has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University, a Master of Library & Information Science from Dominican University and a degree in Health Information Management from University of Illinois at Chicago. How does she apply all of this knowledge to a theater company? In ways you can't even begin to imagine. Oh, and in her free time? She designs and builds our sets.
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BOARD MEMBER + TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Ray began learning all stage crafts while a student at Barrington High School. He gained further expertise working at a Lighting House in L.A., providing equipment to theaters and concert venues. In 2002, while taking an improv class at Second City in Chicago, Ray heard his teacher mention that Second City needed a 'light guy' for a show. Ray volunteered and spent the next decade designing and running light boards for improv shows throughout Chicagoland. Ray is also a founding member of Parker Playhouse and helped design the entire technical program for the theater. Ray now looks forward to designing for Parker Players.
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BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Reinhold Llerena graduated with a degree in Biology from Georgetown University and medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He completed his residency in family
practice at Resurrection Medical Center. He has been working for Ascension (formally AMITA) Medical Group since 1998, has a practice in the Village of Barrington. and serves as the Chief
Medical Officer for Ascension Medical Group and Chief Population Health Officer and CEO for Ascension Illinois (AMITA) Care Network which serves over 420,000 patients in Chicagoland.
He serves on the Boards for the Barrington Chamber of Commerce and Ascension Foundation. He participates in two local playreading groups in Barrington, enjoys playing piano and writing music, and is developing a comic strip (Gluteus Maximus).
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BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
Judy's love for the theater started at a very early age. Her mother loved the theater and encouraged her and her sisters to audition for everything. Dancing in The Nutcracker with the Washington Ballet as a young child was the start of a love of the theater. As life twists it is not on the stage that Judy is most skilled but behind the scenes. She started learning to sew in 2nd grade. With degrees in Fashion Design from Fashion Institute of Technology NYC and Textile Science from University of Maryland her creativity soars with textiles and materials. she has not turned her back on the stage as she is a member of Second Set and Barrington Play Reading Group tackling many diverse roles.
Judy has a strong sales and marketing background having worked in commercial interior furnishing product sales to the architectural and design community. Judy is excited to be returning to the PPTC board for a second tour of duty. She is a tireless and experienced volunteer. She brings creative energy, enthusiasm, persistence and problem solving to her role on the board. It is her single goal to help this board bring a showplace for creativity to the Barrington community for all to experience.
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BOARD MEMBER
Julie Price has been involved in local community and youth theatre for over 20 years. Her primary role has been Director with choreography and costuming thrown in. She loves the journey of putting together a show, for it is a unique experience that can never be repeated. Julie was the director of “Suite Surrender”, “Lend Me a Tenor”, and “Laughing All the Way: Radio Show” for PPTC.
In a previous life, Julie worked as a computer consultant back in the day of the mainframe. She gratefully left that chaotic life to raise her 2 children who currently live in Los Angeles, and have found their own artistic/technical careers as an Animation Film Editor and an Architect. Julie and her husband Rich love to spend time with their precious pooch Dusty (*Mr. Boodles in Suite Surrender), travel and attend theatre and music events as much as they can. She is thrilled to be a part of the PPTC team, helping them bring quality theatre to the community of Barrington and the surrounding area
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BOARD MEMBER
Joe Bateman has served as treasurer for Parker Players since 2019. In a previous life, Joe served as a board member and treasurer for the Pump House Theatre in Watford, England. Occasionally, he leaves the financial books behind and ventures onto the stage, performing in Spider's Web for Parker Players and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Death of a Salesman, Chess, Annie and In Praise of Love for other theater companies.
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BOARD MEMBER
Lori Rowe has been part of Parker Players since the Parker Playhouse was established. A Barrington resident since 1987, she wants to ensure performing arts will always be an integral part of the community where she raised her two daughters, and now her grandchildren reside. Lori and her husband, Kevin, are members and former presidents of Second Set, a play readers’ group in Barrington. As an established Barrington real estate broker, Lori has served as a location scout for national commercials, Disney, and independent films. She looks forward to enjoying world-class entertainment minutes from home at The Barrington!
Our History
An exciting season ahead, blending wit, depth, and timeless storytelling in bold new productions.
Productions:
The Lion in Winter
The Roommate
Holiday Radio Show
2026
A confident stride forward, featuring acclaimed modern works, sharp comedies, and beloved traditions.
Productions:
Glengarry Glen Ross
Mauritius
Pride & Prejudice
Dead Man’s Cell Phone
Holiday Radio Show
2025
A season defined by ambition and scale, pairing powerful drama with joyful ensemble storytelling.
Productions:
ART
Amadeus
Orphans
Laughing All the Way…
2024
Parker Players becomes the resident theater company at The Barrington.
Productions:
Love/Sick
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Lend Me a Tenor
2023
A return to live theater, reconnecting artists and audiences through intimate, character-driven storytelling.
Productions:
Love, Loss & What I Wore
12 Angry Men
Suite Surrender
Ripcord
2022
Live performances paused during the global shutdowns, strengthening the company’s resolve and vision for the future.
2020-2021
The theater closes due to state development. The company reinvents itself as Parker Players.
2019
Parker Playhouse opens as a black box theater.
2015
Marc and fellow artists envision a community theater for Barrington.
2011-2014
Marc launches the Barrington High School Performing Arts Alumni Endowment and produces a 60-year alumni showcase.
2010
Marc Parker graduates from Barrington High School, beginning a lifelong connection to theater and design.