EZRI CLAIRE KILLEEN is a music director, performer, and journalist currently based in Evanston, IL. Attending her final year at Northwestern University, Ezri will be graduating in the fall of 2021 with degrees in Voice & Opera and Journalism, a certificate in music theatre, and a concentration in music direction. Ezri is passionate about music in the theatre -- in her time at Northwestern, she has worked on the music teams of over twenty productions, including THE WAA-MU SHOW, THE DOLPHIN SHOW, Wirtz Center's FUN HOME, and many more. 

 

Named after the Star Trek character Ezri Dax, Ezri was born and raised in Lenexa, KS by her parents Rich and Lynn Killeen. Ezri took both dances classes and horseback riding lessons growing up. At 7, she was in her first show: Suessical. From there, her fate was sealed. Ezri threw herself into her acting, singing, and dance lessons at her studio of 10 years, Legacy School of the Arts.

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Ezri's vocal training has always held a classical foundation while still being heavily influenced by her theatrical passions. As an opera major, Ezri has appeared in MOMENTS OF MORTALITY (Opera Chorus) as well as over a dozen concerts with the Northwestern University Chorale. In the School of Communication, Ezri has appeared in THE WOMAN IN QUESTION with the American Music Theatre Project, as well as The Dolphin Show's HELLO DOLLY, and many more.

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Along with her passion for performing, Ezri realized her love for music in the theatre. From her first production as music director her freshman year (Disney's CAMP ROCK), she was able to start incorporating her leadership abilities with classroom knowledge. From there, Ezri music directed and piano conducted CHILDREN OF EDEN in the winter of 2019, music directed BRIGHT STAR in spring 2019, and worked on team music for the 88th Annual Waa-Mu Show: FOR THE RECORD. Following that year, she was the associate music director for FUN HOME, and then on the original creative team for JONI: BUSY BEING FREE. There, Ezri co-music directed, arranged, and orchestrated over twenty of Mitchell's work. In the winter of 2020, she music directed and piano conducted the Jewish Theatre Ensemble's production of SHE LOVES ME. In the spring of 2020, Ezri was busy music coordinating Waa-Mu: STATE OF THE ART when COVID-19 hit. 

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In June 2020, Ezri created and produced a short documentary film: THE [REMOTE] MAKING OF A MUSICAL. The film, which follows the virtual rehearsals and performance of STATE OF THE ART, was nominated for a Chicago College Emmy in the fall of 2020.

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In her free time, Ezri sings and hangs out with her a cappella group, the Northwestern Undertones, where she also arranges for their upcoming album and competitions. All three of her arrangements featured at the 2020 Great Lakes Quarter Finals of the ICCAs were considered for Best Arrangement. She is also passionate about spending as much time as possible with her two poodles, Jean-Luc and Bear. 

 

In the fall of 2021, Ezri will be completing her degree with her Journalism Residency for Medill. Afterwards, she is excited to throw herself into the real world.

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