Meet the Team

Peter Atkinson is an entrepreneur, actor, and Canadian immigrant. He studied Classics at Ave Maria University and Ave Maria University’s most prestigious award, The President’s Award. Peter founded a study abroad program in Rome and a Shakespearean acting program in Florida. After training in Massachusetts and London, Peter went on to Columbia University’s graduate school for an MFA in Acting. While in graduate school, he starred Off Broadway and founded The Merry Beggars, an entertainment production company. In 2021, The Merry Beggars was acquired by Relevant Radio. Peter moved to Chicago to develop original entertainment programming for the national network.

Kiley Hatch is a playwright and theatre director from Arlington, Virginia. Kiley began work with The Merry Beggars in 2020 with The Quarantine Plays when she wrote “I Do Like the Rain.” Kiley is the founder and producer of Embers Theatre, a playground for young creatives. There she directs children’s theatre and develops new plays. She is currently studying at Hillsdale College for a Bachelors of Arts in Theatre.

Buzz McLaughlin is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter, producer, script consultant, and teacher. His plays have been produced in NYC and regionally in the U.S. and Canada. He founded the Writers Theatre of New Jersey and has published a book on playwriting: The Playwright’s Process (Back Stage Books). Buzz has taught at Drew University, the University of Virginia, New Hampshire Institute of Art, and New England College. He holds a doctorate in theatre and dramatic literature from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and Writers Guild of America.