Reagan Ilayna Quynn, professionally known as XENJA, is a Los Angeles based circus artist, director, producer, writer, independent music artist, and podcast host. She has extensive experience working in theatrical production, providing technical support for over 500 theatre related events and serving in numerous roles on production teams as well as in assistant positions for a variety of directors and designers. At age 17, XENJA created and directed her debut circus show for First Night Boston. She went on to create and direct the shows the following two years as well. XENJA recently wrapped filming her debut short film, Running With Wolves, which she created, directed, produced, designed costumes/hair/makeup, created the music for, and performed aerial fabrics in. She is always creating in some capacity and through her art, strives to reach those who feel most alone and in need of hope.
HIGHLIGHTS
CREATOR / DIRECTOR / PERFORMER (FIRST NIGHT BOSTON CIRCUS SHOWS) - DECEMBER 2012, 2013, 2014
Artistic Director for three consecutive circus shows- created the story, ran auditions and cast each show, directed the show, designed and constructed costumes, hair, and makeup for cast sizes between eight and twenty for New Years Eve performances at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA. Performed a ground tumbling act, a partner acrobatics act, and with a group mini-trampoline act in the 2012 show. Performed an aerial cube act in the 2014 show.
THEATRE PRODUCTION STAFF - FEBRUARY 2017 – AUGUST 2019
Set up, run, and strike over five hundred events such as stage plays, musicals, symphonies, artistic performances, magic shows, dance shows, concerts, lectures, panels, book talks, among others, utilizing North Central College campus theatre spaces. Duties included but were not limited to sound and light board operation, running cables, set up and strike handheld, wired, and podium microphones, speakers, and other sound equipment, hang and focus lighting instruments typically in cat walks, on standing and hanging truss, and boom stands, operate follow spot, backstage assistance, set construction, load ins and outs, set up seating risers and chairs, set and strike tables / chairs, sweep and mop stages, assist with venue maintenance such as cleaning light fixtures, maintaining venue cleanliness, and other duties per client and event need. Maintain client satisfaction with excellent communication and attention to event.
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE (ISBA) - SEPTEMBER 2018 – JUNE 2019
Authored four articles, eight case briefs, and five social justice columns for five editions of In the Alternative, an Alternative Dispute Resolution related newsletter with the Illinois State Bar Association. Two articles requested for reprint in other newsletters.
CURRENT PROJECTS
CREATOR / PRODUCER / DIRECTOR / PERFORMER
In pre-production on short films Garden of Eden and Not All Who Wander Are Lost.
WRITER
Working on debut YA sci fi /fantasy novel series & debut children's book.
FILM
CREATOR / PRODUCER / DIRECTOR / PERFORMER - July 2022 - PRESENT
Pre-production for short film Not All Who Wander Are Lost.
CREATOR / PRODUCER / DIRECTOR / PERFORMER - July 2022 - PRESENT
Pre-production for short film Garden of Eden.
CREATOR / PRODUCER / DIRECTOR / PERFORMER - JANUARY 2021 - JULY 2022
Short film Running With Wolves.
CREATOR / PRODUCER / DIRECTOR / PERFORMER - OCTOBER 2021
Music Video for music single Only You.
CREATOR / PRODUCER / DIRECTOR / PERFORMER - JULY 2021
Music Video for music single Chained to Me.
MUSIC
INDEPENDENT ARTIST / PRODUCER - JANUARY 2020 – PRESENT
Creator and producer of electronic music. Three singles, two EPs released. Additional two albums pending release.
PODCAST
CREATOR / PRODUCER / HOST - OCTOBER 2020 – NOVEMBER 2021
Created, Produced, and Hosted season one (Thirty-Four Episodes) of the Chasing Artists with XENJA podcast; scouted and invited potential guests for 45-minute interview, maintain professional communication with guests before, during, and after interview, wrote script outline with questions to guide interview, interviewed guests via zoom, timestamped audio for editing notes, and quality checked final episodes before uploading to SoundCloud for airing on iTunes, Spotify, Audible, GooglePlay, iHeartRadio, and more streaming sites. Social media promotion of podcast and episodes.
THEATRICAL PRODUCTION
ASSISTANT SOUND DESIGNER - JULY 2019
Assistant Sound Designer for stage production of The Little Mermaid with Sound Designer Colin Trevor and Director Brian Lynch.
DRAMATURGE & ASST. DIRECTOR - NOVEMBER 2018 – FEBRUARY 2019
Dramaturge & Assistant Director for North Central College's stage production 0f Opportunities of Extinction with Guest Director Kristin Osborn. Worked with principal cast and oversaw understudy cast.
ASST. DIRECTOR & ASST. MOVEMENT DIRECTOR -SEPTEMBER 2018 – NOVEMBER 2018
Assistant Director and Assistant Movement Director for North Central College's stage production of Peter and the Starcatcher with Guest Director Jacob Harvey and Movement Director Cindy Hartigan.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - FEBRUARY 2018 – APRIL 2018
Assistant Director for North Central College's stage production of The Flick with Director Carin Silkaitis. Worked with principal cast and oversaw understudy cast.
MOVEMENT DIRECTOR & ASST. DIRECTOR - NOVEMBER 2017 – FEBRUARY 2018
Movement Director & Assistant Director for North Central College's stage production of Iphigenia Among The Taurians with Director Laura Lodewyck. Oversaw chorus of six performers, directing chorus scenes and choreographing movement for chorus scenes and ensemble work.
STUNT FALL COORDINATOR & ASST. SOUND DESIGNER - NOVEMBER 2017
Stepped in to choreograph safe stunt fall into orchestra pit for one performer, and worked as Assistant Sound Designer for North Central College's stage production of Sweet Charity with Sound Designer Andrew Butler and Guest Director Jacob Harvey.
PRODUCTION STAFF - FEBRUARY 2017 – AUGUST 2019
Set up, run, and strike over five hundred events such as stage plays, musicals, symphonies, artistic performances, magic shows, dance shows, concerts, lectures, panels, book talks, among others, utilizing North Central College campus theatre spaces. Duties included but were not limited to sound and light board operation, running cables, set up and strike handheld, wired, and podium microphones, speakers, and other sound equipment, hang and focus lighting instruments typically in cat walks, on standing and hanging truss, and boom stands, operate follow spot, backstage assistance, set construction, load ins and outs, set up seating risers and chairs, set and strike tables / chairs, sweep and mop stages, assist with venue maintenance such as cleaning light fixtures, maintaining venue cleanliness, and other duties per client and event need. Maintain client satisfaction with excellent communication and attention to event.
ACTOR - JANUARY 2017 – FEBRUARY 2017
Role of ED in North Central College's student written and directed stage production of Far From Normal,
ACTOR - May 2013
Role of Hecuba in stage production of The Women of Troy
CIRCUS TRAINING
CIRQUE SCHOOL LA - JUNE 2021 - PRESENT
Training aerial and circus arts
SIMPLY CIRCUS / THE CIRCUS COMPLEX - JANUARY 2011 - FEBRUARY 2013
Trained aerial fabrics under former Cirque du Soleil aerialist Danielle Rueda Watts
SIMPLY CIRCUS / THE CIRCUS COMPLEX - SEPTEMBER 2010 - MAY 2015
Trained aerial & circus arts
Coached kids and adults on aerial fabrics and tumbling in weekly classes, private lessons, and summer camps for kids
Solo training with former ENC head coach Dawn Shepherd, former Cirque du Soleil performer Leisha Knight, & professional circus performer Melvin Diggs.
MISC. TRAINING
REIKI ENERGY HEALING / TAI CHI
Studied Reiki Energy & Distance Healing, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Sword Tai Chi under Tai Chi Gold Medalist Dr. Olivia Rosewood, Dean of College of Tao / International Taoist Meditation Institute and former apprentice to Eckhart Tolle.
STUNT FALLS
Learned and trained the basics of stunt falling with professional stunt performer Anthony Hoang.
WORK EXPERIENCE
PERSONAL ASSISTANT (TEMPORARY), RUSKIN PRODUCTIONS - APRIL 2021 - JUNE 2021
Assist with researching and contacting organizations related to Unions, Historical Figures, and Tesla, to inquire about their hosting one of three solo-shows written and performed by Ian Ruskin.
PERSONAL ASSISTANT (TEMPORARY), CRxEATIVITY - FEBRUARY 2021 - NOVEMBER 2021
Assist with facilitation of virtual 12-week Artist’s Way workshop by managing zoom chat, posting writing / reflection prompts into chat, facilitating small break out room sessions with prompts, as well as making sure all participants are able to share. Edited together promotional video with iMovie for business owner. Managed Instagram account. Assist business owner as needed.
FRONT DESK MANAGER, SHYFT - August 2019 - DECEMBER 2019
Worked front desk for boutique Pilates studio. Duties included but were not limited to greeting clients in friendly and professional manner, maintain client satisfaction with studio maintenance and cleanliness, assisting with class registration and billing, manage email account and respond to inquiries in professional and timely manner, manage studio social media pages (Facebook and Instagram).
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE (ISBA) - SEPTEMBER 20189 - JUNE 2019
Authored four articles, eight case briefs, and five social justice columns for five editions of In the Alternative, an ADR-related newsletter with the Illinois State Bar Association. Two articles requested for reprint in other newsletters.
GALLERY STAFF (TEMPORARY), NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE - SEPTEMBER 2018 - NOVEMBER 2018
Worked as temporary staff for the Schoenherr Art Gallery at North Central College. Duties included but were not limited to greeting visitors in friendly and professional manner, answering questions about the artwork on display, assisting with set up and take down of exhibits, maintaining gallery cleanliness, other duties as needed.
THEATRE PRODUCTION STAFF, NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE - FEBRUARY 2017 - AUGUST 2019
Set up, run, and strike over five hundred events such as stage plays, musicals, symphonies, artistic performances, magic shows, dance shows, concerts, lectures, panels, book talks, among others, utilizing North Central College campus theatre spaces. Duties included but were not limited to sound and light board operation, running cables, set up and strike handheld, wired, and podium microphones, speakers, and other sound equipment, hang and focus lighting instruments typically in cat walks, on standing and hanging truss, and boom stands, operate follow spot, backstage assistance, set construction, load ins and outs, set up seating risers and chairs, set and strike tables / chairs, sweep and mop stages, assist with venue maintenance such as cleaning light fixtures, maintaining venue cleanliness, and other duties per client and event need. Maintain client satisfaction with excellent communication and attention to event.
SUMMER CAMP CIRCUS COACH, SIMPLY CIRCUS - JUNE 2013, 2014 - AUGUST 2013, 2014
Summer camp circus coach for eight-week circus camp run by Simply Circus, coaching campers in circus and aerial arts.
SUMMER CAMP COUNSELOR & CIRCUS COACH, CONCORD ACADEMY - JUNE 2012 - AUGUST 2012
Summer camp counselor with Concord Academy- worked solely with the eight-week circus camp run by Simply Circus, coaching campers in circus and aerial arts, and performed counselor duties including but not limited to greeting campers at morning drop off, walking campers to and from the circus gym, lunch, and other activities, prepping snack for campers, waiting with campers during afternoon pick up, attend to camper needs that arose during the day.
CIRCUS ARTS COACH, SIMPLY CIRCUS - JANUARY 2012 - MAY 2015
Coached kids and adults in circus and aerial arts in weekly group classes and private lessons.
EDUCATION
BACHELOR OF ARTS, NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE - JUNE 2019
Major in Psychology, Double Minor in Political Science and Philosophy
GPA: 3.3
Dean’s List Scholar
Student Leadership Award Recipient
·NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
#YOUMATTER CAMPAIGN, CREATOR - JANUARY 2019 - JUNE 2019
Created the #YOUMATTER campaign at North Central College to remind students, staff, and faculty that each of us matters and has value, and to show kindness and respect to ourselves and our community members. Created, wrote, and distributed the #youmatter pledge and #youmatter stickers, which students, faculty, and staff hung up around campus and in their offices. Created the campaign launch video, which involved gathering participants, coordinating with a Director of Photography on filming and editing, creating props used in the video, directing the video, and sharing on social media pages. Baked and prepped chocolate chip cookies, designed promotional poster, and brought to campus hot spot every day for Week of Kindness. Organized the Authenticity Talks, which involved securing three professors (featured political science, philosophy, and English professors), to give a short talk on what authenticity means and the importance of being our true selves, creating promotional posters and distributing around campus and promoting the event through the campus wide happenings email, securing a room with correct media capabilities, and running the event. Created lawn signs, positive vibe cards, and #youmatter bracelets and distributed around campus. Additionally, was the first student ever invited to speak about the campaign at a campus staff meeting run by the dean of students.
CARDINAL SAFE ZONE COMMITTEE, STUDENT AMBASSADOR - SEPTEMBER 2018 - JUNE 2019
Student Ambassador for Cardinal Safe Zone Committee – a committee of faculty, staff, and two student representatives that worked to provide a safe campus experience for LGBTQIA+ community members. Re-did poster board used for events, co-facilitated LGBTQIA+ Ally workshops, attended bi-weekly committee meetings, assisted in editing slides for workshops to ensure maximum inclusivity and accessibility, offered opinions on topics of discussion, and reached out to students to invite them to be featured as an ally of the week on the social media pages. Organized Day of Silence. Set up Pride Flags on campus for Pride Week.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL (NCC CHAPTER), PRESIDENT - AUGUST 2018 - JUNE 2019
Started a chapter of Amnesty International at North Central College and served as executive board President. Reached out to Amnesty International to gather all related information regarding starting a chapter, coordinated with student organization point person at North Central College to facilitate process of becoming an official student organization, which included gathering an executive board of four students, securing a faculty advisor, writing the student organization constitution, among other tasks. Hosted student organization meetings and fundraisers, coordinated executive board meetings, and attended weekly student leadership meetings.
PHAME (Positive.Healthy.Active.Minds.Evolving), SOCIAL MEDIA & BLOG MANAGER - JUNE 2018 - JUNE 2019
Served as social media and blog manager for mental health advocacy student organization PHAME. Created, wrote, and posted daily to Instagram and Facebook pages including but not limited to quote of the day, fact of the day, affirmation of the day, open letters, and advocate of the week. Reached out to students, staff, and faculty to invite them to be featured as advocate of the week. Shared articles, music, art, and other related posts and created art for posts on social media pages. Organized and attended organization-lead events. Attended weekly student leadership and executive board meetings. Reached out to students to invite them to anonymously share their stories related to mental health and posted to blog. Took over as Publicity Manager for second half of the year and created posters for events and other happenings.
SKILLS
Juggling (balls, rings)
Stunt Fall Training
Costume & Prop Construction
Video Editing (self-taught on iMovie & Movavi)
Microsoft & Google Suite
Creative
Intuitive
Focused
Adaptable
Organized
Independent / Self Starter
Team Player
MISC.
Expressing Motherhood – Performer – January 2020
Tail of a Phoenix - Author - November 2019 - 2020
Introduction to Rigging Lyras and Trapeze Bars Textbook - Cover Photo Model
Introduction to Rigging Aerial Fabrics Textbook - Cover Photo Model
Piano - 11+ years