Meet the Chicago Kids Company Staff
Paige Coffman
Co-Founder, Executive Producer
Originally from New Jersey, Paige holds a degree in Theatre from Northwestern University….Go ‘Cats! Paige co-founded Chicago Kids Company in 1992, and is still thrilled to go to work everyday to play with such talented people. Paige has written every song you’ll hear in every CKC production (over 150 to date!), and choreographed every dance step. Paige began her career as a professional actress and joined the Actors Equity Association in 1998. Back in the 80’s and 90’s you may have seen her perform in over 30 productions for children in several Chicago theatres, including Drury Lane Theatre in Evergreen Park, Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook, and the Marriott’s Lincolnshire Theatre.
Paige manages the business, marketing, advertising and design. She is also the Composer & Lyricist, and created all the choreography.
Jesus Perez
Co-Founder, Artistic Director
Jesus was raised both in Illinois and Puerto Rico, and studied Theatre at Joliet Junior College and Lewis University. He co-founded Chicago Kids Company way back in 1992, and has created the colorful design of every CKC production. (It’s Jesus’ voice you hear right before every performance reciting the “rules”). He has created every costume, every set piece, and every prop, in addition to writing the script for every show. Jesus is a Jeff-Award winning Costume Designer and has designed costumes for The Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Circle Theater in Forest Park, St. Ignatius High School, Music Theatre Works, and Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater in Grand Lake, Colorado.
Jesus writes the scripts, directs the shows, designs and builds the costumes, scenery, and props
Russ Ramstrom
Company Manager/Box Office Manager
Russ grew up in Northwest Indiana where he fell in love with theatre at a young age. He studied theatre and telecommunications at Ball State University. While in Muncie, IN, Russ taught children’s theatre and starred in many productions at Muncie Civic Theater! You may remember seeing him in CKC productions of Rapunzel, Chicken Little, The Princess and the Pea, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!
Russ runs our box office and creates the merch for our camps and shows! He’s also one of our friendly voices when you call into our box office.
Kimi Garbe
Box Office Associate
Kimi first worked for CKC after graduating from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Poetry. After teaching high school English around the city, Kimi is happy to be back in the CKC box office. She enjoys working with teachers who want to introduce their students to the magic and possibilities of live theatre. She was delighted to share CKC’s productions and theatre classes with her own little one.
Kimi helps with box office operations, like booking and managing reservations for our shows.
Kimi@ChicagoKidsCompany.com
Amy Wolski
Director of Education
Amy is a former CKC performer known for her leading roles in Mrs. Claus! A Holiday Musical, Cinderella and the original cast of Rapunzel among others! She is a music teacher in a private K-8 school and regularly directs young artists in musicals all across Chicagoland. Amy and her husband Matt reside in the Western suburbs with their daughter Callie.
Amy creates the curriculum, leads and directs all of our classes and summer camps and generally loves being around budding talent!
Amy@ChicagoKidsCompany.com