A little bit about a big personality. . .

Anna Rachel Troy is a dynamic theatre artist based in Chicago, where she works as a director, designer, and producer with an energetic and inclusive approach. Her extensive directing portfolio spans Iowa, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Chicago. Known for fostering trust and creativity in rehearsal rooms, Anna empowers artists to discover their best selves. With a career defined by innovation, leadership, and a passion for storytelling, she is dedicated to enriching Chicago's theatre scene and inspiring future generations.

As the founding Artistic Director of Theatre EVOLVE, Anna has built a company that champions inclusivity and artistic growth. Each production features at least 50% new artists, creating opportunities and fostering diversity while ensuring artists have the support to thrive. With Theatre EVOLVE Anna has developed The Practicum, a one-of-a-kind monthly workshop in Chicago where directors refine their craft through real-time feedback in a supportive environment. Under her leadership, Theatre EVOLVE has become a hub for bold ideas and artistic exploration.

Beyond Theatre EVOLVE, Anna co-founded Chicago Artist Atlas, a resource connecting local artists with opportunities and support. This initiative reflects her commitment to amplifying Chicago’s vibrant arts community and making creativity more accessible. Outside the theater, her costume work has appeared on Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire, Empire, Shameless, and HBO’s Somebody Somewhere. Her multifaceted experience, including extras casting for NBC’s Chicago P.D., underscores her versatility and dedication to storytelling in all its forms.

PRESS & REVIEWS

"a wild, energetic production that mixes performance styles, tone, and mood with the wild, carefree abandon of someone changing stations every few seconds on a car radio. Yet somehow, director Anna Rachel Troy and her cast keep it together, mixing strictly naturalistic scenes, with ones with a more Brechtian tinge."  - Jack Helbig, The Chicago Reader (RECOMMENDED) | Krugozor!

"the infectious energy of everyone involved ensures that the clever script never fails to engage throughout its length. I might not want to go back to the U.S.S.R., but I would recommend to anyone a look back at Krugozor." - Noel Schecter, NewCity Stage (RECOMMENDED) | Krugozor!

“The show was entirely driven by the characters - by their interactions and motivations. The director did a fine job of justifying all the absurd lengths that characters go to. There wasn’t much in the plot that felt wildly contrived – and for a Shakespeare comedy, that’s a minor miracle.” - The Hanslick Girls | Twelfth Night