Richard Edward III
Artistic Director
The Artistic Director, Richard Edward III is an Award winning, producer, artist and a multi-faceted entertainer. Born in Chicago, Richard Edward's interest in performing began at an early age from summers spent with his Father and Mother in Amsterdam. He gained an appreciation and understanding for life that would later influence the art he would create in years to come. Since first being recognized for his ability at a young age Richard Edward III has asserted himself as a trailblazer in the creative world. Richard Edward joined Definition Theatre Company in 2013 and his massive influence in the theatre and film space has commanded the market since, with no end in sight. Richard Edward has catapulted, not only as an artist, but as a cultural maven with Studio Mayday. Sharing the story’s of the thriving art scene in Atlanta, Richard Edward has built out Studio Mayday from a small-scale studio about his crew in Chicago to an all-encompassing lifestyle brand, including his Theatre Company, Acting career and his annual MaydayBash. Richard Edward has reached great heights in recent years and he continues to create and dominate the global market. As Richard Edward says, “It’s about the experience. If the city isn’t talking about it five, six, seven days later, or if people don’t remember it for years to come, then I haven’t done my job…I’m going to find out what comes after this, but there’s definitely another evolution of Richard Edward."
Jeff Hathcoat
Founding Ensemble Member
Jeff Hathcoat was born and raised in Atlanta, and received his BFA in Acting from Boston University. After graduation, he moved to New York City where he has performed Off-Broadway with The Public Theater (All The President's Men?, Shakespeare in the Park), and regionally with Williamstown Theatre Festival (The Valley of Fear, Shinhaz). He has worked with many different theatre companies throughout NYC, having the opportunity to grow as an artist performing in many different styles and genres of performance, from Shakespeare to new works to musicals. He is thrilled to be home and creating the type of art that has always inspired him and others. His goal as an artist is to bring life to and pursue the idea brought forth by Shakespeare himself, in that the purpose of our job as artists is "To hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to nature.". With that, he looks to be part of the conversations people have that inspire the kind of growth and change that will ultimately bring us together.
Kristy Leigh Hall
Design Director
Kristy Leigh Hall, costume designer, has worked in Chicago, Washington, DC, New York and regionally. Off-Broadway designs include: Woody Harrelson's Bullet for Adolf; Feather: A Musical Portrait; Theatre Row: I Forgive You, Ronald Reagan. In Washington, DC, she has designed: American Voices (Infinite Stage), Genesis Reboot (Synetic Theatre), That Face (Studio Theatre). In Chicago she has designed: An Octaroon (with Goodman Theatre), Byhalia, Mississippi (at Steppenwolf) and A Doll’s House with Definition Theatre Company, where she is a company member. Additional designs include: Pygmalion (Remy Bumppo Theatre, Jeff Award for Best Costume Design), Stick Fly, Apartment 3A (Windy City Playhouse), The Who and the What (Victory Gardens). Milwaukee: The Wizard of Oz and Tosca (Skylight Music Theatre). Faculty: University of South Carolina. www.kristyleighhall.com
Mark Deler
Choreographer
Raised in Chicago, Mark Deler, holds a BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Favorite credits include West Side Story (Nat'l Tour), Oklahoma (Goodspeed), Cats (Macavity/Admetus). Mark is also very thrilled to begin rehearsals for The Guthrie Theatre's first ever West Story. He will be a member of AEA later this year
![]() |
---|