Ricki Romano (they/them) is a Chicago-based actor, writer, director, and filmmaker with a passion for telling stories that push boundaries, engage and reflect community, and hit you in the VISCERA! As a queer, non-binary artist, they also want to uplift fellow LGBTQ+ creators and make space for traditionally underrepresented stories on stages and screens. Ricki has worked in theatre across the globe, acted in feature and short films, and even created a cartoon once. They hold an MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University and are represented by Actors Talent Group.

Originally from a sleepy suburb of Philadelphia, Ricki has been performing since the age of 8, when they took their star turn as Lucky the Leprechaun (typecast!) in their small Catholic school’s St. Patrick’s Day play. Ricki continued to hone their craft on school stages in the ensuing years, doing everything from Sweeney Todd to Molière. Upon entering the University of Pennsylvania to study international relations and Spanish (with the intention of becoming an ambassador to #MakeWorldPeace), Ricki joined the Mask and Wig Club, one of the nation’s oldest musical comedy troupes. With Mask and Wig, Ricki found a new passion for writing and creating their own work.

After graduating from UPenn, their diplomatic dreams turned to creative ones, as they decided to stay in Philly and become a professional actor. After working in theatres across the metro area, Ricki’s Philly years culminated in co-writing and starring in their original satire “Two-Man, One-Man,” which they eventually toured to Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. At the Fringe, their show received four stars from The Scotsman (and five stars from their mom!)

Hungry for formal training, Ricki then earned their MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. While at The Theatre School, they trained in techniques such as Meisner, Stanislavski, and Rolling Around on the Floor. Since graduating, Ricki has begun to establish themselves as an actor in Chicago.

Recent highlights include understudying Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s production of “No Man’s Land” and performing in “Director's Haven 7” with Haven Chicago. In Summer 2024, they will produce and star in UNALIVED, a horror-comedy short film they co-wrote that follows a murder mystery in a TikTok house.

When they are not working, Ricki can be found biking along Lake Michigan, practicing mutual aid in abolitionist circles, and feeding lettuce to their cutie pie guinea pigs, Sookie and Penny.