Steve Needham

(He/Him/His)

Co-Artistic Director and Creative Producer

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Steve is a founding member of Convergence-Continuum, which is still producing provocative black box theatre nearly 25 years later. It was there that Steve directed Quills by Doug Wright, about the Marquis de Sade, and began a long interest in the treatment of historical people and events in drama and fiction.

In Chicago, Steve has previously worked in various capacities at The Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, About Face Theatre, and Pride Films & Plays. He holds a B.A. in Theater from Kent State University, a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago and a J.D. from Cleveland State University. 

Previously at Tin Drum Theatre, Steve wrote the company’s inaugural play, Winter Garden about Edwin and John Wilkes Booth.  Keeping with the theme of famous people from history, Steve will be directing Isaac’s Eye, about a young Isaac Newton, in November. 

Jason Palmer

(He/Him/His)

Co-Artistic Director and Production Manager

Hailing from the scenic coal region of north central Pennsylvania, Jason has pursued the theatrical spotlight from coast to coast. Taking a jack-of-all-trades approach to theatre, he’s done everything from acting to directing to stage management and set construction. Jason also has numerous film and several TV credits to his name - again, both on-camera and off. Theatre has been a love that has stayed with him across several career changes and several long-distance moves. He is excited to be back in Chicago, his favourite city, playing loving dog dad to Bryn, and doing what he loves. Jason is honoured to be a founding member of Tin Drum Theatre Company, having also directed its production of Winter Garden. 

Next up Jason will be directing Incognito in July.

Teddy Boone

(He/Him/His)

Founding Member and Casting Director

Having lived through several eras here in Chicago spanning almost two decades, Teddy is grateful to be a part of Tin Drum's inaugural season.  He is a freelance casting director, actor, and producer.  He is a proud graduate of both the Bachelor's and Master's programs at The Theatre School at DePaul University.  He is a founding member of the itinerant theatre company The Arc Theatre.  During his tenure as Casting Director and Producer, he helped curate over 20 productions including their resident outdoor Shakespeare series of Evanston, an annual short play festival of new works, and many contemporary and original plays.  During the pandemic era and at present, Teddy works for the Illinois Housing Development Authority helping to further their mission of creating and preserving affordable housing throughout the State. 

In addition to being Tin Drum Theatre’s Casting Director, Teddy previously played Edwin Booth in Winter Garden.   In 2025 he can be seen in the company’s productions of Incognito and Isaac’s Eye.

Our Mission

At Tin Drum Theatre Company, our mission is to challenge, provoke, and inspire our audiences. Through intelligent storytelling and bold artistic choices, we aim to shift mental perspectives while stirring the soul. By subverting conventional frames of reference, we seek to engage our audience more deeply and encourage a critical and active involvement with the world around them.  

Tin Drum Theatre subscribes to the principles of the Not in Our House Chicago Theatre Standards. We further acknowledge that Chicago is located on land that is and has long been a center for Native peoples. The area is the traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe, or the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations. Many other Nations consider this area their traditional homeland, including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, Kickapoo, and Mascouten.

Acknowledgements