Artistic Co-Director, Co-Founder - Martin French is from Ireland originally, and has worked in theatre for many years, covering a wide variety of roles. Martin has worked professionally in theatre for over 20 years in Dublin, London, and Louisville, combining his creative work as designer and director with positions as theatre technician, theatre instructor, and more recently producer. In Ireland, he had been an artistic director with Ourclann and Dublin Shakespeare, as well as a key member of IMP Productions. In Louisville, Martin has served on the boards of The Alley Theatre and Louisville Repertory Company. In 2015, he and Polina Shafran founded The Chamber Theatre with a view to produce early modern classics not being seen on local stages. For The Chamber Theatre, Martin has directed Chek-Mate (two one act plays by Anton Chekhov); Creditors by Strindberg; A Doll’s House by Ibsen; Yeats’ Deirdre; ELIZA: A Play on Pygmalion, adapted from the George Bernard Shaw play; Around the World of 80 Days, loosely based on the similarly titled novel by Jules Verne; It’s Earnest Y’All, adapted from the play by Oscar Wilde; Clash of the Woyzecks; a deconstruction and adaptation of the original play by German poet and playwright Georg Büchner; The Stronger Project - an actor development project; and The People and The Enemy based on a play by Henrik Ibsen, and bringing it to contemporary focus.

Artistic Co-Director - Michelle Lori joined the artistic directorate in 2022 after performing in Around the World of 80 Days, and assistant directing, devising, and writing for The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Holmes with The Chamber Theatre.She has performed with theatres in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio, and was recently seen in Do You Feel Anger? (Untitled Louisville Theatre Company) and Kinky Boots (Pandora Productions & Redline Performing Arts). She co-wrote The Harlan Women with James Thompson, directed her play adaptation Hyacinth Halvey of Irish Hill for The Chamber Theatre, and will direct Decision Height for Little Colonel Players in 2026. Her short play Every Little Thing appeared in the Louisville Fringe Festival (Shotz! This Bridge Theatre) and First Impression was featured in Highview Arts Center’s inaugural New Play Festival. Educated at Butler University in arts administration and theatre, Michelle’s early work as a theatre professional began at Actors Theatre of Louisville in the roles of public relations intern, development associate, Humana Festival coordinator, script reader for ATL’s ten-minute play contest, telemarketer, and stage manager for the apprentice/intern showcase. Later in Louisville, she was submissions coordinator at Anchorage Press Plays, a publisher of plays for young audiences. While living in New Albany, Indiana, she created Dragonfly Theatre with Dana Hope, where she served as co-artistic director, taught theatre classes and camps for children ages 4 – 17, performed in a touring production, and directed children’s theatre productions. She has a preference for collaborative and physical theatre for all ages and looks forward to devising opportunities that may emerge. 

Artistic Co-Director - Jay Marie Padilla-Hayter has worked in the Louisville theater scene since attaining her Theater Arts degree from University of Louisville. Before that she worked with the Hardin County Theater and the Toy Box Theater in her hometown. She currently works with several theater companies in the area as a director, stage manager, and actor. She has worked with The Chamber Theatre since its beginning as a stage manager, assistant director, and actor. Acting credits with The Chamber Theatre include Detective Fix in Around the World of 80 Days, and Maria in A Doll’s House (for which she also assistant directed and stage managed). Jay is the Artistic Director for Teatro Tercera Llamada, where directing credits include Confesiones, Silueta, and Ogros en el Closet. She directed and acted in ‘G’ is for Gato and Henny Penny, and was a featured actor in Algo de un Tal Shakespeare. Other theatre credits for companies around town include Commonwealth Theatre Center: Francisco in The Boy Who Cried Wolf and Old Woman in A Streetcar Named Desire. She was a teaching artist for their outreach programs as well. For The Liminal Playhouse: Gale in The Houseguest, and for Looking for Lilith Theatre Company: Lidia in Strangers/Extranos, and Cie in Carefully Taught. Jay is also the newest company member for Company OutCast where she acted in Holiday Cabaret, and directed A Few Good Women, A Tuna Christmas, and Agatha Christie’s The Unexpected Guest.

Artistic Associate - Bailey Preston joined The Chamber Theatre as an artistic associate in 2024. With The Chamber Theatre, she was seen playing various roles in Clash of the Woyzecks and as Gwendolen in It’s Earnest Y’All! adapted from The Importance of Being Earnest. She was most recently seen as Eva in Do You Feel Anger? (Untitled Louisville Theatre Company) and Karen in the world premiere of Yeti for Love (Pandora Productions). Some other recent credits include: Matt Damon in Matt & Ben (Untitled Louisville Theatre Company), various roles in A Tuna Christmas (Company OutCast), and as a director for the Highview Arts Center's ten-minute play festival. In Louisville, she has also worked with Mind's Eye Theatre Company, Wayward Actors' Company, The Bard's Town, Bunbury Theatre, This Bridge Theatre, and several improv groups. She is a co-founder of the Untitled Louisville Theatre Company. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts (acting) from Beloit College and studied theatre performance at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland. When she's not involved in theatre, she works as a communications professional and graphic designer. You can see many of her recent designs with The Chamber Theatre and other local theatre organizations.