SYLVIA HERNANDEZ-DISTASI

Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi

Ensemble Member

Since 1999


Circus Consultant

Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi (She/Her) has been creating her unique brand of circus-inspired theatre choreography since leaving her career as a circus acrobat .She is a co-founder and Artistic Director of The Actors Gymnasium in Evanston, IL. At AG she serves as master teacher, choreographer and the director of the Proffessional CircusTraining Program.

Sylvia has been a company member of Lookingglass Theatre Company since 1999. She has worked on over 15 productions with the company including the acclaimed BARON IN THE TREES (Joseph Jefferson Award, Choreography) –HARD TIMES ( Joseph Jefferson Award, Choreography) LOOKINGGLASS ALICE ( Joseph Jefferson Award, Special Achievement in Circus Choreography, ICARUS (Joseph Jefferson Nominee, Choreography ) MOBY DICK ( Joseph Jefferson Award, Best Production ).

Other theater credits include, Goodman Theater, Steppenwolf Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theater, Lyric Opera of Chicago and Marriott Theatre (Joseph Jefferson Award, Choreography)

Sylvia received The 3Arts Award for Design (2014), and the Award of Honor for Outstanding Contributions by The Illinois Theater Association (2014).

Sylvia is thrilled to be back in the castle and to have worked along with her son Griffin.

Bio as of 2025

Artist Media

Credits And Awards

Theatre Credits

Chicago

  • Steppenwolf Theatre Company
  • Goodman Theatre
  • Chicago Shakespeare Theater
  • Chicago Children’s Theater
  • Lyric Opera of Chicago

Awards

  • Jeff Award for Choreography (The Baron in the Trees, Hard Times, and Lookingglass Alice at Lookingglass Theatre; The All Night Strutat Marriott Theatre)
  • 3Arts Award for Choreography (2014)
  • Illinois Theater Associations Award of Honor for Outstanding Contributions (2015).