North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie
9501 Skokie Boulevard
Skokie, IL 60077
Administrative Office: 847-679-9501
Box Office: 847-673-6300
General Inquiries: customerservice@northshorecenter(dot)org
Facility Contacts
| Lynn Cannon | Executive Director | lcannon@northshorecenter(dot)org |
| Carolyn Adams | Office Manager | cadams@northshorecenter(dot)org |
| Paul Adams | Assistant Box Office Manager | padams@northshorecenter(dot)org |
| Joseph Alaimo | Director of Marketing & Communications | jalaimo@northshorecenter(dot)org |
| Christopher J. Fitzgerald |
Manager of Facility Operations | cfitzgerald@northshorecenter(dot)org |
| Merrill Miller | Manager of Concerts/Marketing Assistant | mmiller@northshorecenter(dot)org |
| Christopher Pepsnik | Sales & Event Manager | cpepsnik@northshorecenter(dot)org |
| Jake Reich | Technical Director | jreich@northshorecenter(dot)org |
| Steph Shryock | Business Manager | sshryock@northshorecenter(dot)org |
| Anna Zbilut | Box Office Manager | azbilut@northshorecenter(dot)org |
| Tracy Fernandez | Fernandez Design | FernandezDesign.net |
Lynn Cannon
Executive Director
Ms. Cannon joined the staff at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie in February, 2023. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism at Northern Illinois University. While in college, she was a part-time security staff member at Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates. This turned into a full-time position a few years later and thus began her career in venue management. Ms. Cannon has held management positions at some of the areas most iconic venues including Alpine Valley Music Theater, the United Center, Arlington Park Racecourse and at Navy Pier. In 2006, she joined the VenuWorks team at their 8,000 seat arena in Bloomington, IL and most recently opened a new 3,000 seat outdoor amphitheater in Jefferson City, Missouri. She has 4 children, adult boy/girl twins, a daughter attending University of Missouri and a son in high school who is currently involved in club volleyball and she looks forward to spending more time with them and her family in the Chicago area.
Carolyn Adams
Office Manager
Ms. Adams has been with the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie since August 1997. Carolyn assists the executive director in the day-to-day operations of the building as well as working with the various entities residing in the building. She is a member of the Niles North Fine Arts Parents and Patrons and most recently served on their board for 9 years. She enjoys spending time with her daughter.
Paul Adams
Assistant Box Office Manager
Paul Adams joined the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie in 2002 as a box office associate and worked as a supervisor until 2016 when he moved to Las Vegas. After returning to the Chicagoland area, he stepped back into the role of supervisor in the summer of 2021. His many years of experience was integral during the transition to the new ticketing software and he continues to be invaluable in his current role.
Joseph Alaimo
Director of Marketing & Communications
Mr. Alaimo joined the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie in August 2002 and has held many positions within his employment at the Center. Joe earned his Bachelor of Arts in English & Theatre from Northeastern Illinois University. Before joining the Center he spent a year serving as Literary/Marketing intern for Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Since Mr. Alaimo’s appointment to full-time employment in August 2003, his position has taken on a variety of duties including the coordination of event details, working closely with rental clients for their marketing needs, internal and external communications via website, marquee and other advertising outlets, and implementing the concessions operation of the facility. As the Director of Marketing & Communications, Joe is responsible for the overall marketing of the facility including the Feature Series and additional programming at the Center. When not at the North Shore Center, Joe enjoys spending time with family & friends, seeking out new and exciting activities and hidden gems around the city and suburbs. He is happiest in a full house experiencing live theater or at home with a colorful puzzle.
Christopher J. Fitzgerald
Manager of Facility Operations
Mr. Fitzgerald joined the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie in June 2018. Chris spent some time in the mid ’80s at DePaul University until the allure of working full time in the theatre industry took over. He has worked at many different venues, from Victory Gardens to the Goodman Theatre, and spent most of the ’90s at the Royal George Theatre as Technical Director/Production Manager/Facilities Manager. Chris knows the North Shore Center very well as he was the Production Manager for resident company Northlight Theatre from 2002 to 2016. From 2016 to 2018, Chris was the Rigging and Draperies Project Manager for Grand Stage Lighting. He spends much of his free time with his wife and two daughters.
Merrill Miller
Manager of Concerts/Marketing Assistant
Merrill Miller joined the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie team in June 2021 and became the Manager of Concerts/Marketing Assistant in July 2022. Almost by accident, he joined his college’s Student Activities Committee after being recruited to run sound during a freshman orientation jam session. Over his collegiate career, he rose through the ranks from Artist Booking Chair to Technical Director. After college, he moved to Nashville, TN to further pursue writing and performing music, however once again found himself behind the scenes at various bars and venues around Middle Tennessee. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, Merrill returned to the Chicagoland area. In his current role, Merrill is proud to book artists that are audience favorites, up-and comers, and well-known names who have yet to play the Center Theatre stage. In his spare time, he enjoys designing cities in Cities: Skylines II, iRacing Motorsport Simulations, racing go-karts in the Kart Circuit Autobahn league, going to concerts, attending NASCAR races, collecting model cars, and playing with bands around the city. He hopes to travel to Europe someday….likely for a NASCAR race.
Christopher Pepsnik
Sales & Event Manager
Mr. Pepsnik joined the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie in July 2023. The majority of his career has been spent in a wide range of management positions, most notably at American Classic Voyages and Arlington International Racecourse. His experience includes roles in Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, and Revenue Management. In his free time he enjoys reading, walking, sports and spending time with family. He enjoys the excitement of live performances and is very happy to be part of the team as the North Shore Center continues to grow.
Jake Reich
Technical Director
Mr. Reich has been part of the North Shore Center for Performing Arts in Skokie technical staff since 2001 and became the Technical Director in July 2021. Much like the legendary Athena, Jake sprung fully-formed from the forehead of Dionysus, the Greek god of theater. When not in Skokie he lends his considerable talent around the country and even the world to countless Dance, Theatrical, and Corporate events. Voted “Best Jake” 3 years running by “Jake Aficionado” Magazine.
Steph Shryock
Business Manager
Steph Shryock joined the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie as the Business Manager in September 2022. They previously managed the Northern California Territory of iPermit. Steph has an extensive background in accounting and bookkeeping, which will help them in this role, to utilize all their experience in handling the day-to-day finances of The Center. During Covid, they moved back to Chicago to be closer to their son and grandson. And in their spare time, Steph enjoys reexploring Chicago and spending time with their family.
Anna Zbilut
Box Office Manager
Ms. Zbilut ended her fifteen year hiatus from the North Shore Center Box Office in 2016, after having previously been the supervisor during her college years. A 2000 graduate of DePaul University, Anna joined the corporate world, using skills learned during her life-long love of show production to manage events while living in South Carolina. Missing live theatre, she was thrilled to return to the North Shore Center and is still enjoying her work. In her spare time, Anna works as a writer and tour guide for Weird Chicago Tours, dishing on the spooky and strange history of the city.
Tracy Fernandez
Fernandez Design
Tracy Fernandez has been working with the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie since 2006. This award-winning graphic designer has spent more than 20 years gaining extensive graphic design experience, conceiving ideas as well as producing design for printed communications and the web. Tracy founded Fernández Design with a primary focus on educational publishing, the arts, and non-profit organizations.
