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Will Karls - Director
As a director, Will is attracted to shaping pieces that reflect current issues that surface in our culture. He is particularly captivated by new works, devised shows, and older content that lends itself to reinterpretation. Stylistically, he is drawn to satire, camp humor, and parody.
Will has had the opportunity to study directing under Derek Van Barham as a part of his education at the Chicago College of Performing Arts.
ANYONE CAN WHISTLE
On November 19th and 20th of 2025, Will made his official Chicago directorial debut with two sold out performances of Stephen Sondheim's Anyone Can Whistle at Theo Cabaret Theatre.
"In the midst of an economic depression, the emergence of a miracle might just spell salvation for a destitute American town. However, Fay Apple, local skeptic and head nurse of the “Cookie Jar” (an asylum for free thinkers) has other plans. In an effort to expose the corruption of the Mayoress and her cronies, she releases the ”loonies” into a crowd of pilgrims seeking to heal their troubles with the power of the miracle, causing the people of the town to question just who is who. In this rarely produced Sondheim musical, the contemporary American lifestyle is called into question as hot button issues such as political corruption, stigmatization of minorities, respect for mental health issues, and the weaponization of law enforcement are explored."
Independently Produced
Directed by Will Karls
Running November 19th and 20th at Theo Cabaret Theatre
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Running November 19th and 20th at Theo Cabaret Theatre
By John Mclay, Brett Ryback, and Will Eno
By John Mclay, Brett Ryback, and Will Eno
BIG WIG (WORKSHOP READING)
In 2025, Will was given the opportunity to step in as the director of "Big Wig", a new TYA musical following the adventures of a young drag queen's wig as a part of the Chicago New Musical Theatre Festival. With mentorship from the writing team (Jonathan Keebler and Ryan Korell), he found innovative ways to create moments of magic that helped this new work shine.
"Based on the irrepressible children’s book, BIG WIG is a new musical with fun for the whole family. The story follows young drag queen B.B. Bedazzle and her magic talking wig as they compete in the Big Wig Ball. When stage fright strikes, B.B.’s wig flees the scene, only to be wig-napped and taken far from home. To reunite with B.B., the wig must find her confidence and unlock her magical abilities—before she misses the final performance!
"
Workshop Reading
Produced by Kokandy Productions as a part of the Chicago New Musical Theatre Festival
Directed by Will Karls
LILLY AND THE PIRATES (WORKSHOP READING)
In 2024, Will had the opportunity to direct a staged reading of John Maclay, Brett Ryback, and Will Eno's new T.Y.A. musical; Lilly and the Pirates. This closed performance was used by the writing team to workshop the show prior to its world premiere at Stage One in Louisville.
"Lilly is a ten-year-old worrywart. To keep her concerns at bay, she diligently and fervently lists them in a worry book. Her globe-trotting scientist-parents don’t worry about anything. When they learn of a rare sighting of the frangipani fruit fly, they set sail for the fabled Shipwreck Islands. Since water is her greatest fear, Lilly stays behind with her eccentric, librarian great-uncle.
Then news comes that the scientists are shipwrecked, and Lilly must overcome her fear of the sea, find the hidden island, and outsmart a bunch of treasure-hungry pirates to save her parents."
Workshop Reading
Directed by Will Karls
By John Mclay, Brett Ryback, and Will Eno
By John Mclay, Brett Ryback, and Will Eno
Featuring Olivia Egan as "Fern", Jack Jozefowski as "Andy", and Trisha Dobson as "Elise"
The opening formation of the music stands.
While working with Festival 56, Will had the opportunity to assistant direct Sydney Cahill on their annual new work reading, a presentation of Jillian Blevin's farcical comedy The Polycule. Will was heavily involved in providing blocking suggestions appropriate to the staged reading format, and working through tablework with both the director and the actors. Additionally, Will performed as "Gary" for the reading.
"Fern attends a dinner party to meet her new boyfriend's family--which consists of his wife and the other members of their polyamorous household. An outsider to their world of consensual non-monogamy and its unfamiliar rules and norms, Fern struggles to keep up and to fit in. Written in rhyming verse and inspired by Moliere, THE POLYCULE satirizes the conventions of unconventional relationships."
THE POLYCULE: A COMEDY OF MANNERS
(WORKSHOP READING)
Workshop Reading
Produced by Festival 56
Directed by Sydney Cahill
Assistant Directed by Will Karls
CARRIE
In 2025, Will Karls had the opportunity to collaborate once again with Derek Van Barham and Nick Sula to bring Stephen King's legendary flop musical "Carrie" to life at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. This stripped down iteration explored the importance of mental health in educational settings and the dangers of religious and social abuse. Throughout the process, Will was able to work closely with the actors on their tablework, and helped coordinate staging with the directorial and choreography team.
"Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it."
Produced by the Chicago College of Performing Arts
Directed by Derek Van Barham
Assistant Directed by Will Karls
Bat Boy the Musical
Featuring Jaxson Smith
Featuring Jaxson Smith
Bat Boy the Musical
BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL
Will had the opportunity to work with two of his biggest industry mentors, director Derek Van Barham and musical director Nick Sula, as the assistant director on Bat Boy: The Musical. Throughout this process, Will helped the directing team coordinate a cohesive vision by engaging in dramaturgical research, aiding in blocking, and weighing in on decisions that shaped the show's overall tone.
"Bat Boy: The Musical is comedy/horror hybrid inspired by 90s tabloid headlines. A terrifying creature (half bat, half boy) has been discovered in a cave and is now trying to assimilate to human life in a nearby town. With a pulsating rock score, this cult favorite is a campy and eclectic look at the dangers of intolerance, encouraging us to stop fearing our differences and embrace our inner Bat Boy."
Produced by the Chicago College of Performing Arts
Directed by Derek Van Barham
Assistant Directed by Will Karls
THE HEARTBREAK CABARET
Produced by Will Karls and Maryanne Boaz
Directed by Will Karls and Maryanne Boaz
Alongside collaborator Maryanne Boaz, Will devised, produced, and directed The Heartbreak Cabaret, a collection of songs about the ugly side of love. This 60-minute show featured the talents of the CCPA Musical Theatre class of 2025 alongside collaborative pianist Nick Sula.
