Celeste M. Cooper is an actor, solo performer, casting associate, educator, producer, community builder, and mentor. She received her BA in Speech Communications and Theatre from Tennessee State University and her MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. She was invited into Steppenwolf Theatre’s prestigious ensemble in 2018. She has also performed at the following theatres: Court Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Windy City Playhouse, Eclipse Theatre, The House Theatre, Adrienne Arsht Center, Kansas City Repertory, South Coast Repertory, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Curious Theatre, The Denver Center, Citadel Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, and more. Some TV/Film credits include: Chicago PD (15 episodes/ recurring), 4400 (guest star), Sense8, Spike Lee’s Chiraq, and led indie feature Range Runners. She was awarded Most Promising Actress by the Black Theater Alliance in 2014, Best Actress for Range Runners from Twister Alley Film Festival in 2019, and NewCity Stage magazine listed her as “people who really perform for Chicago” in 2020 and in 2023. In 2022, Becca McCracken hired her to work as a casting associate at Court Theatre. Together, they’ve also cast projects at The Lyric Opera, The Repertory of St. Louis, film, and commercial jobs. Celeste is also extremely grateful for every teaching opportunity she’s had with the University of Chicago, The Theatre School at DePaul University, Northwestern University, Columbia College, Actor’s Training Center, Harper High School, Green Shirt Studio, and more. Service is a central component to Celeste’s professional and personal values. She is deeply committed to community building, producing, ministry, and volunteering in any capacity that allows her to support others. Celeste is passionate about empowering others and sharing love and light wherever she goes.