Creative Team
Marlene Necheles
Marlene Necheles grew up on the West Side of Chicago. She received an A.B. in English from Roosevelt University and went on to complete two master's degrees at The University of Chicago, in Education and Social Service Administration.
A passionate writer, Marlene authored a book about her mother, titled Clara Peller, An American Icon. Soon after its publication, she became a member of Midwest New Musicals, collaborating with fellow students to write Maxwell, a short play about love and loss in a small town in Ohio.
Marlene was the author and lyricist of Clara and The Beef.
Geoff Shell
Described by the Chicago Tribune as "thoughtful and talented," Geoff Shell is a multifaceted artist, entrepreneur, and visionary creator who seamlessly blends his passions for music, media, and technology. He is the founder of Modal Media Group, a branding, web design, and video production firm, and Geoff Shell Music, a one-stop shop for film scoring, concert music, multi-instrumental performance, and music education. Geoff also operates Rad Universe, a retro 80s/90s-inspired brand where he works as a creative director, synthwave music producer, remix artist, and video editor.
Geoff is the co-author and composer of Clara and the Beef, adding his musical expertise to Marlene Necheles' book. He serves as the creative director, head of archiving, and director/producer/editor of the accompanying video web series.
