Wheaton Native, Now Theatre Seven Actor, Talks Show and Hometown

A former Wheaton resident and a St. Francis High School graduate, Jake Szczepaniak has gone on to a career as a stage actor, most recently in Theatre Seven’s series of short plays, “Unwilling and Hostile Instruments: 100 Years of Extraordinary Chicago Women,” the Suburban Life reports.

“I think it hits all sorts of different notes—some realism, some more abstract, but it always comes back to us actors having a discussion or breakthrough about these women,” Szcezepaniak told the paper in an interview. “[And] for people who are already interested in going to a play, the production is really great… There’s a lot of talent being thrown around irreverently and joyously on stage.” 

According to the interview, Szcezepaniak started acting after a miserable stint in Little League, and decided on plays instead after inheriting his father’s interest in musicals; his credits now include plays at Circle Theatre, Shattered Globe Theatre The Hideout and at multiple Shakespeare festivals. 

“[Growing up in Wheaton” gave me something that many people don’t get right away or lose the importance of, and that’s being well-rounded,” he told the paper. “I was very lucky to be in Wheaton and St. Francis and having communities that are very diverse and very close knit and having people who are together pursuing one goal for a period of time.” 

Find out more about “Unwilling and Hostile Instruments” here.

Read the full interview at the Suburban Life website.