FanCon Presenters

Andrew

Andrew Trygstad


A longtime fan of all things Star Wars, Andrew has made it a life’s passion to learn how to teach and fight with weapons safely and effectively for the stage. He recently completed his Bachelor’s degree from Columbia College Chicago, where he spent an extensive amount of time studying Stage Combat. He’s begun comprehensively mapping out the seven lightsaber forms and preparing a lightsaber manual.

Anthony

Anthony Mele


Spending over 15 years on the stage, and even more with a video game controller in his hand, Anthony Mele is a big ol’ nerd. Literally. You’ll find him easily by looking up, he’s 6’5”.

Arc Impulse in neon lights

ArcImpulse


Arc Impulse is a Chicago-based video game cover band, rearranging and rocking old gaming songs! Drummer Bobby Shields, guitarist Zach Wolfenbarger, and keyboardist Andrew Estrada have played together at venues, music festivals, fan conventions, and community events across the country. Come listen to arrangements from their favorite games, from the 8-bit era to today’s biggest releases!

Cirques in teal Experience in navy blue above chicagowheelJAM.org in teal

CirquesExperience


Located in Chicago, CirquesExperience has welcomed people of all ages, from 5 to 99, to participate in various programs and activities. Gym Wheel and Cyr Wheel, Aerial Silks Arts and Dance, Static Trapeze, Trampoline, Partner Acrobatics, Juggling, and many more since its inception in 2011.

Stop by the POW Pavilion for one of the Cirque Acrobat Extravaganza performances.
 

 

Photo of Hailey Cristiano

Hailey Cristiano


Hailey Cristiano is a Chicago-based cosplayer and actor, currently working towards a master’s degree in education. She fell in love with acting in high school, going on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Acting from Columbia College Chicago in 2018. During the pandemic, she decided to pursue her master’s and is hoping to teach high school theatre or elementary education. When not working her day job, Hailey can be found working on school work, sewing new costumes, hanging out with family or friends, or cuddling her puppy. This will be her third year attending FanCon as a guest.

Photo of Joe and Gina in team rocket costumes

Joe Tinaglia & Gina Venable


Joe Tinman: Joe The Tinman Tinaglia is a multimedia artist known for his cosplay, comic books and movie making. He studied illustration and fashion at the Art Institute of Chicago before becoming an art teacher at Northeastern Illinois University. He has spent the last 20 years publishing books and the last decade running cosplay clubs that travel the world. 

Gina Venable: Gina Venable is an artist known for her hundreds of self-made imaginative cosplays. Along with her two sons she loves learning about new fandoms and games. She has spent the last five years performing for numerous charity organizations to spread love, healing and education through her performance art. 

Photo of Kazar on black background with white copy "Kazar the Time Wizard"

Kazar the Time Wizard


Kazar presents a fast paced show of unique magic and comedy with effects of his own creation. Kazar has entertained thousands of audiences in the US and abroad in a wide variety of venues. 

 

Photo of Lisa and Sophia together

Lisa Hartman and Sophia Guerrero


Lisa Hartman and Sophia Guerrero met in 2018 around a D&D table in Chicago, both of them brand-new players. Now, with many adventures under our belts and 10 years combined experience running games, we are excited to welcome you into our world of magic and mischief. We love focusing on roleplay and character-driven storytelling while channeling the chaos and creativity our players bring. Whether you’re new to tabletop games or a seasoned adventurer, you are welcome at our table! 

Photo Madysen, a woman with blonde hair in a green shirt.

Madysen Frances


Madysen Frances is a singer/actor based in Chicago and originally from Wheaton. She has been performing for over 10 years. Madysen has worked on stage with Broadway in Chicago and on screen with NBC and Disney. She loves being able to work events, such as FanCon, to help create magic for kids and adults near the suburbs where she grew up.

Abstract illustration of man in orange shirt.

Mark Anderson


Mark Anderson is a professional cartoonist. He has been a featured speaker at the National Cartoonist Society annual Reuben Awards. He has also spoken at the Kenosha Festival of Cartooning, taught at two Success in Comics seminars, and written for the International Journal of Comic Art. Mark even has a cartoon displayed in the Smithsonian Museum of American History. He is syndicated online by Universal. Visit him at www.andertoons.com 

Green glowing 20 sided dice on black background. White text RPG-13

RPG-13


RPG-13 is a comedy company from Chicago, IL, that combines role playing with improvisation: where fate and funny collide! With the help of our Game Master, our Adventurers will improvise whatever story you want and/or whatever the fate of the dice roll allows.