Essential Invisible
Makenna Van Raalte
They/She | Founder/Artistic Director
Makenna Van Raalte is the artistic director and founder of Essential Invisible Productions. With a B.A. in Theatre and English from Loyola University Chicago, Makenna is dedicated to the pursuit and love of stories, in their variety of forms and mediums. The beauty of life is found in the tradition of performance and storytelling; they manipulate the way we see the world and offer new perspectives on life. As a queer, femme performer, writer, director, and producer in Chicago, they are drawn to the stories of those with unique perspectives and experiences. Essential Invisible stems from a place of learning and growth between communities with shared experiences and those who have nothing in common.
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Annemarie Andaleon
She/Her | Literary Manager
Annemarie is a proud Filipino-American actor, singer, musician, and writer. You may have seen her work with companies like Black Button Eyes Productions, Circa Pintig, PrideArts, Pocket Theatre VR, Theatre L’Acadie, and New Wave Theatre Company. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a BA in Theatre and a BS in Data Science.
Olivia Wheeler
She/Her | Director of Finance
Olivia Wheeler is a Chicago-based actor and director. Originally from Beach Park, IL (de facto Waukegan), Olivia received her BFA in Musical Theatre from the Dobbins Conservatory and moved to Chicago upon graduation.
Since graduating, Olivia has worked at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and on CHICAGO FIRE. Within Chicago’s astounding storefront scene, Olivia has worked with companies such as Chicago Dramatists, Runaways Lab Theater, Bump in the Night Theatre, and on a variety of short films. Olivia is a local hire in New York City and has worked at The Producers Club and Players Theatre, having made her off-Broadway debut in 2023.
Additionally, Olivia works in the administrative side of new play development in production & operations. She has worked as the Associate Artistic Director for the Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. Past positions with the festival include Guest Artist Liaison & Guest Coordinator.
At Essential Invisible Productions, Olivia recently directed the staged reading of fellow ensemble member Annemarie Andaleon’s new play ARACHNE, and will be stage managing Life is a Queer Cabaret in June 2025.
Olivia is proud to call Essential Invisible her artistic home and is excited to share more of what EI brings to Chicago’s robust theater scene.
Autumn Ramos-Perry
She/Her | Production Manager
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​Autumn Perry was born and raised in Chicago and is thrilled to join Essential Invisible as the new Production Manager. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Film & Theatre from Columbia College and a Master’s in Elementary Education from DePaul University. A lifelong actor and singer, Autumn has been involved in theater since childhood. After taking a break from performing to focus on teaching, her passion for the stage was reignited while teaching English in South Korea (from 2019-2024), where she joined an expat theater group. Now back in the States (and teaching adults instead of children, bless up!), Autumn feels a fire within her to both create and uplift. She is deeply committed to shining a light on diverse, queer, and femme artists in her beloved hometown of Chicago. When she’s not busy with work or a show, you can find her playing D&D, watching a horror movie, or bothering her cat, Go-Go.
Jacque Bischoff
She/They | Marketing Director
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Jacque is an actor, singer, and improviser based in Chicago, Illinois! Originally from the show-me state of Missouri, Jacque credits her late Aunt Dolly with her love for performance. After venturing to St. Louis staples such as The Muny and The Fox Theatre, it didn’t take long for Jacque to fall in love with spectacle of theatre.
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Jacque graduated from Truman State University in 2019 with a BA in Theatre and a minor in French. Eventually, she found her home in Chicago performing on stage and working behind the scenes with a bounty of talented, passionate, and loving artists including Idle Muse Theatre Company, Essential Invisible, MPAACT, The National Theatre for Children, SMC Plays, Laughing Stock Theatre Company, Babes with Blades, Possibilities Theatre, and Runaways Lab Theatre. Some of her favorite memories include portraying Ariel in Idle Muse Theatre Company’s production of The Tempest and collaborating as a makeup artist with Distant Era Photography.
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Shining a light on joy and silly art is at the top of Jacque’s priority list. In recent years, she has taken a particular interest in Shakespearean comedy and improv. When she’s not performing, you can find her playing video games, watching horror movies, and ranting about Batman to anyone who will listen.