Katrina Syrris is an actor, director, producer, and playwright in the Fox Valley Area, and currently serves on the board of the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission. She has been involved in theatre since she was four years old, after she gripped her chest and screeched while slowly sliding down the giant lazy boy in her living room, prompting her parents to put her into acting classes. Since then, she has starred in and directed shows consistently for the last two decades. She is founder of Goodly Creatures Theatre, previously seen at the Elgin Art Showcase, Stage 773 in Chicago, and festivals. She is also Goodly's primary educator, teaching acting lessons, and yoga classes for artists and the general public. As an actress, she has been nominated by Broadway World Chicago for Best Actress for her appearance as Alice in The Drowning Girls and for best Ensemble for The Drowning Girls and Boeing Boeing (Gabriella). 

Other favorite roles include Woman #3 in The Big Meal, Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Young Woman in Machinal, Viola in Twelfth Night, Sooze in SubUrbia, Annie in Over the Tavern, and Annie in The Miracle Worker. She has also been featured in Bravo Magazine's "On the Marquee" as a featured interview. 

For Katrina, theatre was never just a phase, it’s her passion.

Founder & Owner,  Producer, Artistic Director, Playwright

Katrina Syrris

Rachel Stevens is an actor and director in the Fox Valley Area. Rachel studied theatre and English at Aurora University, where she participated in several stage productions including Machinal, Dancing at Lughnasa, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Trojan Women. She is assistant directing the Yellow Wallpaper for Goodly, after she recently assistant directed and stage managed Elgin Theatre Company’s production of Dead Man’s Cell Phone. First seen at Goodly in our production of A Review of Shakespeare's Sonnets for Modern Times, Rachel now serves as Associate Producer for Goodly Creatures Theatre, assisting in the creative process for every production in a myriad of ways. Rachel's integrity and creative instincts are an invaluable asset to the team.

Associate Producer

Rachel Stevens

Katrina Plonczynski is a former lawyer who followed her new-found passions to become a massage therapist and actor from Aurora. Combining her passion for theatre, and her previous experience as a Jane-of-all-trades, she provides indispensable help in managing contracts and ensemble relations for Goodly Creatures Theatre. Some of her previous roles have included Dr. Dalitch in "These Shining Lives," Mrs. Prinne in "Da," and of course, Katrina in Goodly's debut production, "Goodly Creatures." When offstage, she can be found reading, napping, and spending time with her dogs. She would like to thank Mitch, for all the things.

Human Resources

Katrina Plonczynski

Rachel Metcalfe is a marketing coordinator and actor from Aurora. Rachel studied English at Aurora University, where she performed in shows including Machinal (Filing Clerk) and Our Town (Wally Webb). She also performed in Alice in Wonderland (White Queen) and It’s a Wonderful Life (Mr[s]. Gower). Rachel previously stage managed Goodly’s performance of The Yellow Wallpaper, has starred as Mary Shelley in Lit Ladies, and as Helen in Nevermore. In her free time, she can be found practicing her broken French or rewatching The Office for the nth time with her cat, Tiny Panther. Rachel would like to thank those special people that have loved and supported her throughout absolutely everything. Merci beaucoup.

Lit Ladies Director

Rachel Metcalfe