Faculty

BA Drama Majors Alumni News

This attempt at gathering news from BA Drama alums started fairly small, but has grown to a listing of over 200 former students. For high school students looking at the major, and for the naturally curious as well, this round-up will shed light on the amazingly varied career paths (in the performing arts and out) that our alums in the BA Drama degree have discovered.

For this round-up, I rely mostly on e-mails from former students. I don't always get to updating as often as I should, but I try to make some efforts at least once a semester. So if you're not in here and want to be, drop a line! And if you're not doing theatre, that's more than fine!

By the way, since I got on to Facebook (thanks to alum BA Lawrence) I have found out about a lot more of my favorite former students! ASo a few years back alum Britney Smallwood and I started a facebook group: "To Be or Not To Be a BA - What a Question!" Check it out, and if you're a BA alum, join us! 

-- Dr Jack - last update: 12 June 2011

First I want to list the activities of our just graduated BAs from the class of 2011, as a number have already made some interesting choices:

Jess Askew (’11) will be a North American Culture and Language Assistant teaching English in a public school in the south of Spain, in Andalucia. The program is run by Spain's Ministerio de Educacion, so basically through the government!

Tara Baron (’11) will be working for City Year, a group that unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world. As a tutor, mentor and role model, Tara will help children stay in school and on track!

Kelsey Burston (’11) was chosen to be a directing intern at the Wolftrap Opera Company!

Logan Ellis ’11 has accepted the Artistic Direction Apprenticeship at the prestigious Magic Theatre in San Francisco!

Jasmine Francois (’11) has been accepted into the JET program, and will be an assistant teacher of English in Japan!

Jenna Grossman (’11) will be a Teaching Artist this summer with Cal Shakes in Berkeley California, teaching acting and Shakespeare and assisting in workshops and rehearsals at the their Conservatory for teens. She’ll also take classes on the business of being a teaching artist. Next, from late August 2011 to July 2012, she will be the Education/ Theatre for Kids intern with Portland Stage in Maine, developing and implementing programming for that program, teaching, writing study guides, working in the office and crewing for their mainstage shows.

Stephanie Jayko (’11) will be working for Opera Saratoga this summer as an ASM on Cosi Fan Tutte. Then she moves to Santa Maria, CA to work at PCPA as an ASM/Intern for their next season (from August 2011 to May 2012).

Andres Ordorica (’11) has been accepted to the MA Writing for the Stage and Broadcast Media and The Central School of Speech and Drama at the University of London!

Anna Reetz (’11) will be working at Seagle Music Colony from June 13-August 13!

Nia Sciarretta (’11) will be the Kiddstuff stage manager at the Hangar Theatre this summer. It’s her third summer working at the Hangar. Then from September through December, she will be an SM intern and educational tour manager at Asolo Rep in Florida. Immediately after that, she will be a member of the stage staff on a Royal Caribbean cruise!

Emily Viterise (’11) will be working with the Summer Sun program at the Strong National Museum of Play, in Rochester NY!

And now to the rest!

Whitney Adams (‘03) formed a company called DAVAI, where she has produced several productions with fellow alums Christina Pickard (‘03) and Logan Tracey (‘03).  One of their efforts was Going Home, written by Christina and featuring Whitney, at the Tank Theatre in New York City. Whitney was also featured in Julianne Caesar at Teatro La Tea in New York City. In August 2004 Whitney was featured in The Slant Theatre Project's  NUEVA CANCION, a tapestry of highly charged vignettes exploring the political and social climate of Chile in the 1970's, at The Phil Bosakowski Theater in NYC. In 2006 Whitney was back at Slant Theatre Projects’ Couchworks where she appeared as the "Trumpet Expert" in Mat Smart's piece, Music for High Ceilings. Whitney made the big move to LA ‘a bit on a whim’ in November 2006 and has found it a better fit for her than NYC. She is taking class, doing casting workshops, trying to get her ‘proverbial foot in the door.’ She is also exploring one of her other passions....food and all that encompasses.  She is working at Cut in Beverly Hills and geting to know a lot of people in the restaurant business!

Zia Anger ('08) After moving to LA in September Zia very promptly decided to move back East "to make some art with her friends." Oh, also, her senior thesis film "Lover Boy" won Grand Prize at the Rhode Island International Film Festival this summer (Brava Zia!) and is slowly making the rounds on the festival circuit. Those interested can check out the life of the film at http://loverboythefilm.blogspot.com.   In Spring 2009 Zia is directing the spring musical at Boynton Middle School in Ithaca! In early June, she received a 2009 National Board of Review Student grant for her film Lover Boy! Zia begins her MFA in film at the prestigious Chicago Art Institute in Fall 2010!

Brantley Aufill ('99) has been producing commercials with advertising agency Publicis NY for almost 7 years, shooting spots for Vicks, TBS and Maytag in places such as Vancouver, Sydney, and New Zealand. In 2008 he won "Agency Producer of the Year" from Boards Magazine. He recently produced and directed the world premiere reading of the musical he co-wrote with fellow alum Tony Mayes, UBU: A Patamusical, at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. His feature screenplay, Doing Paris, was recently placed in the Top Ten as part of Coppola's American Zoetrope contest. He is currently working on a feature script, a stage play, an opera libretto, and shooting many short films with Brian Maillard, with whom he has formed Tall & Skinny Films. He and Brian were guest artists here at the very beginning of the Fall 2009 semester, doing workshops on commercials and inspiring BAs!

Meryl Ballew (’08) was the ASM for the Aspen Music Festival in Aspen, CO, in summer 2008, a job she got through David Lefkowich. The wise young Meryl comments that this “just goes to prove what I always believed, it pays to make friends.” She contacted me in late June to say that she was working on La Cenerentola and was loving the festival and the beautiful countryside! As of spring 2009 she is working at Juilliard!

Allison Barber (‘04), after working and backpacking in Scotland, and living in London, is now specializing as a Celtic singer, and one with a really beautiful voice! Allison celebrated the release of her debut album, Traveling Home, at Ulysses in downtown Manhattan on 12 May 2007. I have my own copy of the CD, so I know you can all purchase it now, and I highly recommend it! Allison tells me she has a second cd on the way, due in 2009.

Matt Barber (’95) is living in Buffalo, working day jobs to pay the bills, but doing what he loves by night – drumming in bands!

Emoke Bebiak ('10) is in graduate school in journalism at the distinguished Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia, MO!

Beth Beecher (Winsor) (’92) is teaching kindergarten at Hendy Avenue Elementary School in Elmira NY and as she says is ‘loving it.’ She has two boys, aged 6 and 4.  

Cecelia Behar-Bush ('95), after appearing in several plays and TV shows in NYC (including: All My Children, As the World Turns, Ed, & Will and Grace), decided that she wanted to try something new (and wanted to be able to eat solid foods & carbs again) and applied to Hunter College Grad School. She completed her degree in Counseling, with a specialty in School Counseling. As of January 2005 she became a licensed therapist. Cecelia was also the co-director of the NYC cat rescue group "NYC Siamese Rescue". Cecelia is happily married to fellow Ithaca College Graduate Jesse Bush (also '95, but a BFA...no relation to George). The two of them used to live in Washington Heights with their two, you guessed it, Siamese cats. In Fall 2005 they moved to Ithaca and Cecelia became a new mom in Fall 2006 – she and Jesse produced a beautiful baby named Harper June!

Andrew Bodd (‘02), after working in a number of tech theatre jobs, was accepted for a Master’s Program at the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts! He began in Fall 2008.

Jay Bogdanowitsch (’95) is living and working in Los Angeles, specifically at Santa Monica College’s Work Force Development Center. Jay shoots, edits, and produces in-house videos for the school. He is acting as well. A member of SAG, he has a commercials agent and is a member of a theatre company called Sacred Fools Theatre. He has also kept up with writing and filmmaking by writing, directing, and producing his own 35mm short film that screened at over 34 international and national film festivals and garnered 4 awards! About his personal life, Jay says, “I have been dating, but still not ‘the’ perfect girl but ‘a’ perfect girl still eludes me.”

Pete Boisvert (’99) founded Nosedive Productions five years ago and it’s still going strong.     For Nosedive's 5th anniversary season, Pete produced two full length plays:For Nosedive's 5th anniversary season, Pete is producing two full length plays:The Dying Goldfish, about the effects of a stroke on an English professor and the way in which it effects his very literary extended family when they gather for his daughter's wedding, and McTeague, adapted from the turn of the century Frank Norris novel, about a dentist driven to madness by his miserly wife. A Very Nosedive Christmas Carol opened in December 2004 at UNDER St. Marks. This new, loose adaptation of Dicken's story is told from the perspective of Marley and the Ghosts, who are actors trapped in a neverending cycle -- they must perform for Scrooge every Christmas to open his eyes yet again!  A number of other alumni were involved in this (as in all) Nosedive Production: Patrick Shearer (’99) played Scrooge (and is involved in the artistic direction of the company); alum Melanie Adelman played a number of smaller roles, including the Cratchit's daughter Martha. Ali Golden and Chris Daly designed sets and lights respectively and Maggie Coleman (‘03) helped out on the production/management end.   In June 2006 their play The Adventures of Nervous Boy (A Penny Dreadful) opened at the Gene Frankel Underground, and as of spring 2011 Nosedive is still going strong!

Nick Bombicino (’10) is directing at the New England Youth Theatre, where he teaches an intensive course there called "Shakespeare's Greatest Scenes." At NEYT Nick has also directed many two-week programs -- for kids from ages 9 to 14.

Janine Brancale (‘93) jumped right into the New York Theatre scene when she left Ithaca College, which she credits for preparing her very well. She quickly got into costuming and ultimately became a star dresser, for among others Audra McDonald in Ragtime! As fascinating as this was, she tired of the scene and is living in Connecticut. When I caught up with Janine at Mahogany Grill in summer 2008, she told me that she is now looking to become a nutritionist, or maybe to open her own healthy foods shop or café!

Kiera Brown (’03) has been a full time mom since August 2008, living in Amsterdam NY. She worked a series of ‘horrifying’ jobs after graduation with a great trip to Ireland stuck in between.  One of the jobs was at the ‘wretched’ Ticketmaster, but there was a bonus -- as a top agent she was sent to see Broadway shows for free. She’s thinking of having one of her plays published. She has also casually started to write and illustrate a few children's books, but  most of her time is playing mommy and being an impromptu secretary for her boyfriend's remodeling company.  My favorite quote from Kiera’s note to me: “People often tell me I made a huge mistake in what I chose to study.  I disagree, for how can you ever make a mistake in studying character, emotion and the extremes of the human condition?”

Joe Brucie (‘94) is assistant principal at Hendy Avenue Elementary School, in Elmira NY.

Jillian Buck ('05) early in 2007 ended a three year run with Carnival Cruise Lines, sailing all over the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and along the Mexican Riviera. She was promoted to Senior Entertainment Tech while there, specializing in automation tech, dealing with cutting edge equipment! This world traveler (Cannes, Dubrovnik, Capri and Florence among a few recent visits) also lived in Toronto and is now out in Colorado -- where to next?!

Heather Budman (December 06) immediately landed a job at Sony Pictures in Los Angeles and began work there in January 2007. In August 2007 she was hired by another IC BA Drama alum, Lesley Anne Stone, as her assistant at the prestigious Marketing Group. Heather is now an assistant with AKA Talent Agency, working on commercials with actors and casting directors!

Sam Byron (’08) spent his summer at the prestigious Atlantic Theater Company doing a literary management internship! He is back in Ithaca now, where he had a very successful reading of his thesis play! In spring 2009 he worked at the Hangar Theatre, and I last caught up with him in March 2010 at the Public Theatre, NYC, where he was reading scripts!!

Kerry Campbell (‘01) studied law at McGeorge Law School in Sacramento, CA, where she made Law Review, and put her acting training to use as a finalist in the first-year Mock Trial competition. She attended Oral Argument at the Supreme Court and met with Justice Kennedy to talk about The Law. Kerry had planned to go to Austria in summer 2005 to study international law with Justice Kennedy, but in making Law Review she was forced to stay in Sacramento, writing reviews of upcoming California legislation. Kerry has graduated from law school and passed the bars in CA and NV.  She works as a law clerk for a justice on the Nevada Supreme Court and will go onto to clerk for a judge on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in August.  Kerry is also looking at law firms in San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles, but may stay in Northern Nevada, about which she says, “I love the mountains and the weather, but could use fewer cowboys and conservatives.”

Ian Carnathan ('95) has for the last several years been trading bonds for a pension fund manager - as he says, "It's a pretty good gig!" He spent a vacation at the 2006 Edinburgh International Festival, and tells me he really wants to return.

Kevin Carr (’96) moved to Boston after graduation where he worked at the Huntington Theatre Company as House Manager and at the Boston Ballet as Operations Coordinator, but is currently in Grad school. He took courses in English Lit at UMass Boston, and is now working on p Ph.D. in English at Florida State! He has also done shows with a theatre group at Lesley University in Cambridge, both as an actor and director – he played Dr Faustus and directed The Laramie Project and The Glass Menagerie. In fall 2005 he took on Orton’s savage farce, What the Butler Saw.

Kristin Carter ('03) lived in San Jose, California, where in fall 2006 she started the second half of massage therapy school at the National Holistic Institute. She also had an internship at Tranquility Dental. In spring 2009 Kirsten returned to Ithaca, and we're trying to find time to meet!

Kate Chell Milford (’98) has, as of summer 2008, been married for a year and a half, has two small dogs, and is living in Brooklyn. She is also till writing. Her agent is showing a young adult book of mine around the publishing world, and she is also working on a website for an invented city (Nagspeake) and a short-story collection set there, and a feature screenplay that, as Kate says, “is taking way too long.”

Rosie Chevalier ('08) spent summer '09 at the Actors Theatre of Louiville as a literary intern, and interned at Second City in fall 09! 

Danny Clemens (‘09) is working on his Master’s Degree in Education at UNC Chapel Hill! This summer he wrote: “I have become somewhat known as the "theatre guy" in my program here at UNC. I also thought it would make you happy to know that many of the instructors here are encouraging me to pursue teaching theatre as well. Apparently there are a lot of incentives in North Carolina to become a theatre teacher and, let's face it, it will probably be a lot more fun that social studies...” Go, Danny!

Ashley Clements ('07) was accepted at her two top choices for grad school -- ART/Harvard Advanced Institute and UC San Diego/Old Globe -- and chose the latter! She began in fall 2007, and at the very beginning of her term she auditioned for a mainstage show at the prestigious Old Globe -- and got a role! Ashley played Kat, the 16 year old runaway, in a production of Howard Korder's Sea of Tranquility, directed by Michael Bloom. It ran at the Old Globe in January and February 2008. Ashley's latest west coast coup: understudying Laura in The Glass Menagerie at the old Globe – alum Michelle Federer played Laura, alum Brian Huynh was also an understudy, and alum Joe Calarco directed! The Ithaca Mafia at work!

Jay Cohen (‘05) was accepted into the prestigious Lincoln Center Directors’ Lab for the summer of 2006. In spring 2007 he directed a reading of fellow BA alum Janine Nabers' latest play. Jay continues to direct around NYC. On December 1st (9PM) and 2nd (7PM), 2007 his work was showcased at The Monarch Theater Company’s THE ONE MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL at The Brick Theater in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This is an informal festival of incredibly short plays. Each must be under 60 seconds from lights up to lights down. Jay was one of 11 directors chosen to work on this project, and in his ensemble were BFA acting alums Alyssa Duerksen and Dan Lawrence (Wiseman). Jay is artistic apprentice at Hartford Stage for the 2008-09 season! 

Jessica Cohen (’99) has, as of summer 2008, finished her fourth year teaching English at Riverhead High School while singing in a cover band and performing in local theatre. In fact, She was just cast as Eva Peron in Evita for a fall production! 

Maggie Coleman (‘03) worked for a documentary film organization in Manhattan, and volunteered her time at a number of theatres, including New Dramatists. She was involved in management with Pete Boisvert’s Nosedive Productions. In spring 2005 she attended the National Theatre Institute. We went to the theatre in London during fall semester 2005, and in Fall 2006 she began an MFA degree at NYU's prestigious grad program which focuses on writing for the musical theatre -- she began there in Fall 2006, had her first 10-minute musical, Memento Mori, produced at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in the West Bank Cafe in April 2007, and in early May 2008 just completed a double thesis -- book and lyrics for two short musicals! As of early September 2008, Maggie is working at The Pearl Theatre Company in development, while her musicals are beginning to circulate/percolate.  Her Rilke musical will be done at Montclair State with other one acts in Spring 2009, and her Warhol musical (POP!) is really moving along - An NYU group did it in November, and Penn State workshopped it in December 2008. POP! was one of three musicals to be presented at the inaugural Yale Institute for Music Theatre! The prestigious Mark Brokaw, artistic director of the Institute, directed, and it was so well liked that in November 2009 POP! was produced at the Yale Repertory theatre! A production is planned at the Studio Theatre in Washington DC in its 2010-11 season!

Elaina Cope (Elaina Cope ('02) has taken some time off from music direction in the theatre to pursue a Master's Degree in Music Education at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois (graduation date, 7/11).  By night, you can find her performing at Howl at the Moon in downtown Chicago, a rock'n'roll dueling piano bar where all the performers play piano, drums, bass, and sing in an all-request show.  Elaina will be married to Mark Krakauer, M.D. on August 28, 2011 in Pennsylvania.

Ricky Cortez (’97) has been very busy in the last ten years, acting in two National Tours (West Side Story and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) and performing at several New York City theatres (including the Promenade, the Samuel Beckett and the Judith Anderson) as well as regional venues (including Paper Mill Playhouse, Allenberry Playhouse, Flatrock Playhouse and Tennessee Rep). He and his partner live in Park Slope and are in the process of adopting a child!

Jen Cox (Canole) (’99), English major by day, honorary BA dramaturgical wonder by night! Jen went from a dramaturgical internship at Actors Theatre of Louisville to Trinity Repertory Company (in Providence, RI), where she is the Associate Director of Development.  Her duties include overseeing all of the grants writing and annual fund activities, organizing and motivating volunteer solicitors, and managing day-to-day departmental antics. Jen got married in May 2005 to a wonderful guy who is in no way involved in theater, but who appreciates it very much. As of summer 2008, Jen is going into her tenth season with Trinity Rep. Her title is now Associate Director of Institutional Giving!

Jennifer Crabb (Egner) (‘94) worked for a small theatre company during the world famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival. About Edinburgh Jen says, “It's my favorite place on earth.” I can’t help but agree! She worked for the Seattle Times as a media specialist for a few years, and now lives in Everett, WA, about 25 miles north of Seattle. She is married with a dog and a cat and works, as she says, “in marketing, which I love. Perfect blend of creative and the persuasive arts.” In November 2007 she began work for a library system, which in her words again, “is fantastic. I get paid to promote library usage!”

Alexandra Creighton (’02) has been actively working on new play development (as an actor & co-collaborator) in the San Francisco Bay Area, as a company member of San-Francisco-based Crowded Fire Theatre Company (www.crowdedfire.org). Other members include I.C. alums Linda Jones and BFA designer Mellie Katakalos. In summer 2005 Alex performed in David Edgar's adaptation of Dickens' The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby at Cal Shakes, and in spring 2006 she appeared in Crowded Fire Theatre Co’s world premiere production of Juan Gelion Dances for the Sun, a play by Dominic Orlando. In May 2007 Alex received a great review in the West Coast premiere of I Have Loved Strangers by Anne Washburn, at Just Theatre in Berkeley. In December 2007, Alex was in Lovers & Executioners, at Marin Theatre Company, running through December 16. The official blurb reads: "Swashbuckling adventure, a few mistaken identities, and a romance to cheer for are at the heart of this adaptation of a 17th century Montfleury masterpiece." Alex says she plays "a mischievous ingenue with three different suitors, who pits them against one another, ultimately getting herself into trouble.  What's more fun than that?” In spring 2008 she played in Mamet's Boston Marriage, to excellent reviews, and in summer 2008 Alex was in Evil Dead: The Musical, directed by Jon Tracy at the Willows Theatre.

Ryan Crimmins ('08) is acting as an extra for The Guthrie Theatre's production of The Government Inspector which, he says “of course I remember from Theatre History.” Ryan was also offered an opportunity to assistant direct for a show called Whatever Happened To Baby Jane and will, depending on his ability to juggle time with his work at the Guthrie.

Karla Crowley (’04) was awarded a full scholarship to work on a Master’s degree in Education (with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy) at the University of San Francisco in Fall 2004.

Mandy Cucher ('00) is doing quite a bit of theatre. As of summer 2008 she is living in Atlanta, where she has plenty of opportunities to work with very strong performers. She just closed in two strong plays that were running in rep together in Midtown Atlanta which got some great reviews. Mandy, cleverly, has allied herself with an intelligent young, local playwright and as she says “I've tricked him into writing all sorts of great parts for me.” She does paralegal work during the day at a lawfirm with the amusing name of Slappey & Sadd. In her own words Mandy says, “how could I not work here?”

Andre Cuda ('02) is working on his MSW in Maine. He writes, "I've developed a strange desire to be poor and helpful with benefits."

Erin (Cunningham) Manzanares (’96) worked in NYC at many small theatre jobs shortly after graduation. She was hired by Signature Theatre Company as their Company Manager/Business Assistant, which she describes as a  “great job!”  After 3 years in the city Erin moved to New Mexico, and that move literally changed her life. She "stumbled" upon teaching and discovered her true calling!  She recently earned her Masters in Education; M.S. - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment -- and is now a dynamic educator! More importantly, she met her husband and has been married 7 years. And MOST importantly she gave birth to her third child!  She now has 2 sons Rio and Aiden, and a daughter, Anya. In 2009 Erin founded and is the proud director of her own school, La Puerta School for the Arts, Sciences and Agriculture, in Abiqulu NM!

Amanda Curry (’01) just asked her boyfriend to marry her and he said YES, so as of the end of June 2008 she is officially engaged.  She is still in NYC, directing & choreographing at City Lights Youth Theatre in Times Square on the weekends and managing arts programs in the public schools for The Leadership Program.  As she says she is “Lovin' both.”  Amanda is thinking of moving to Connecticut and is looking at some theatres out there for Ed work, including Goodspeed and Westport Country Playhouse!

Andrew Daly (‘93) is alive and well and iving in Los Angeles, acting and writing.  He is married and has a daughter! As of September 2009 he can be seen in "a couple of scenes" of the Steven Soderbergh directed film The Informant. He has been informed by friends who have seen the film that his scenes are actually funny! I can believe it -- check it out!

Kevin Deiboldt (’99) Upon moving to NYC after graduating from Ithaca, Kevin worked at both the York Theatre Company and the Tribeca Performing Arts Center.  In 2001, he got a job as the Writers' PA on the NBC television show "Ed".  After moving up to work as a writers' assistant for seasons three and four of "Ed", Kevin got a position at The Levinson/Fontana Company – working for Emmy-award winning writer/producer Tom Fontana.  They are currently in production on a pilot for NBC entitled "M-O-N-Y", with Spike Lee directing.  In his spare time, Kevin also does web & graphic design work – which can be seen at IthacaMafia.com & ElevationalComputing.com. Kevin and I caught up at the Ithaca Ale House in summer 2007 -- still with Fontana, there is one important new person in his life -- his lovely wife Amy!

Morgan Dentch (‘03) was a production coordinator at Wolf Trap Amphitheater for their 2003 summer concert season just after grqaduation, and also stage managed a two Equity showcases in NYC. She then spent several years on tour with VEE Corporation, starting as an Assistant Company Manager, then promoted to Company Manager.  She worked on Bear in the Big Blue House LIVE, which played the West coast and the UK, and Sesame Street LIVE's Out of this World, which ran through May of 2006.  As of spring 2008 Morgan has finally separated herself from Sesame Street. She spent fall 2007 buying an apartment with Ryan Tilke in Queens, as well as buying furniture and painting! She got the Great American Trailer Park Musical tour ready for the road, but as of summer 2008 she has become a rock 'n' roll 'roadie' with Sheryl Crow and her Detour 08 tour!

Grace Dingledine ('02) was a BA for three years at IC (and one of my favorites!), then graduated from Smith College, lived abroad for a while, got her MA in art history from the Institute of Fine Arts at NYU in May 2008 and is now a PhD candidate there. She plans to write about John Singer Sargent. Grace has been working at a gallery on the Lower East Side in the summer 2008            

Kali DiPippo ('07) after spending a year working in stage management at Ithaca’s own Kitchen Theatre, finished her MA in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities at NYU, and is now in education at the innovative New Victory Theatre on 42nd Street in NYC!

Adele Dodds (’03) finished an MA at Northwestern University with concentrations in Children's Theatre and Literary Adaptation for the Stage.  She took classes with Mary Zimmerman, Frank Galati, Rick Snyder from Steppenwolf, and Rives Collins, a leading scholar and practitioner in Theatre for Youth. Recently Adele co-created, directed, designed the set and built puppets for "The Fable Company," which opened to great write ups in Phoenix Arizona in mid-January, 2005. As of Spring 2008, Adele has been living well in Los Angeles, just finishing a gig as Assistant Stage Manager at American Girl Place Theatre. She runs into alums occasionally, including Katie Wiegers and fellow BA Chris Mollica. Adele is also trying her hand at writing for film and television She says, “Right now I am simply doing exercises, but who knows? Maybe one day I will take one of my crazy ideas to some rich producers and create a masterpiece!”

Hannah Dorfman ('10) was a p.a. on Kneehigh Theatre's Brief Encounter in NYC, then at Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and is currently working on Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark!

Eileen Duffy (’93) worked as a casting director for Harriet Bass Casting (formerly Bass-Vsigilio). Her latest major effort was August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean, seeing it through two years of regional productions to its Broadway run in Fall 2004. For a time, Eileen traded the world of theatrical casting for casting executives, same principle, but much more lucrative! But the lure of the theatre brought her back into casting as an associate at Harriet Bass in 2006.  As she says, “I am casting away here in NYC!" She is regularly a part of one of our best panels at Field Studies, the casting panel, and in April 2009 she is coming to Ithaca as a guest artist to talk to students about the world of casting. Eileen got engaged when she and her beau went on a trip to Ireland in April 08, and she is now Eileen Duffy McCabe and has a lovely little baby! Eileen visited us in April 2009 as a guest artist, much appreciated!

Dave Edson ('95) after a stint in Chicago, has been living in New York City. In August 2006 Dave performed in How 2 Men Got On in the World at the New York International Fringe Festival. In early 2007 he performed in Measure for Measure in New York City, and in fall 2007 Dave performed for the company Blessed Unrest: Theatre for the Adventurous (love that title!) in Burn Crave Hold: The James Wilde Project, about that journalist's 32 year career with Time Magazine.

Aaron Epstein (’00) has become a successful photographer in New York City, His work has appeared in the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, and he has shot photos for Samsung Electronics and Liz Claiborne, but he keeps his hand in the theatre scene as well. His images have been used to market major theatrical productions in the U.S. and the U.K.  Clients include The Public Theatre and Manhattan Ensemble Theatre, but he has also remained loyal to Ithaca, and shoots for Nosedive Productions and The Starving Artists’ Collective, both of which organizations are run by fellow BA alums. Aaron has also begun to write screenplays!

Logan Ernstthal ('92) got grad school offers from WVU, CSU Long Beach, and UKC. It was a tough choice but he's decided on University of Missouri, Kansas City. Logan graduated from UMKC with an MFA in Acting in 2008.  He was prepared to stay in KC, but his NYC showcase went better than he expected, so he’s headed back in NYC in September.  He has performed regularly at Creede Repertory Theatre in Colorado. This summer he’s playing Doalty in Translations at the Actors Theatre of KC. Logan is signed with Don Buchwald and Assoc. (commercials and voice over). I caught up with Logan at the spring 09 Field Studies cocktail hour!

Stephanie Federico ('00) graduated from Law School and clerked for the Rhode Island Supreme Court for one year. Then she headed to the City of Providence Law Dept where she spent two years actively pursuing the litigation track. She successfully tried around 3 dozen cases in 2 years - a very large number for a young litigator. In summer 2006, however, Stephanie was offered the position of Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Providence, in which capacity she oversees the operation of 15 departments and 6,000 employees! On the political trail in spring of 2007, Stephanie is acting as coordinator for Hillary Clinton’s Campaign in Rhode Island and is starting up the mayor’s campaign for governer in 2010! 

Emily Fischer (’06) has been working on the soap As the World Turns, first in casting, and since June 2007, she has been production coordinator!

Katie Fleury (Eldridge) ('01) got married, and finished her Masters in Social Foundations of Education, an interdisciplinary degree in Educational Policy and Leadership combined with an outside field, at University of Iowa. For Katie, that outside field is theatre arts. Katie and her husband Andy returned to the Ithaca area, and in August 2006 she gave birth to a handsome boy named Liam Markham! Katie gave birth to her second child, a daughter, in August 2008. Since her return to New York she’s been primarily a stay-at-home mom. She did a long-term substitute position (7th grade English) and has been busy trying to write. Katie completed her application for professional Theatre Arts certification in NYS, and in Fall/Winter 2007 she did a freelance contracting gig with the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, helping with the training of the youth tour actors in preparing them for the classroom experience. She also helped rewrite the third and fourth grade workshops which are presented to thousands of students all over Upstate New York. She and Ed Sayles (artistic director of the Merry Go Round anticipate that this contracting relationship will carry on to some degree into the future.

Liz Fox ('05) was personal assistant to Mark Subias at the Mark Christian Subias Agency in NYC after she graduated and then landed a fine job with New York Stage and Film, where she had two interns in her charge, and spent two months each year at the Powerhouse Theatre in Poughkeepsie. She is currently living up the Hudson, which she describes as much nicer than Queens, and freelancing for Mark Subias. In Fall 2010 Liz begins a Ph.D. program in Dramatic Literature at UMASS Amherst!

Logan (Tracey) Frankel (‘03) has been working constantly since May 2004, first in Granola! the Musical (NYC FRINGE) featured on ABC News, and then in Hair at the Gallery Players.  Logan played Sheila Franklin and fellow alum Ben Tostado was a member of the Tribe.   Logan worked on a short play in a festival produced by Vital Theatre Company, written/directed by two former classmates from NTI. In May 2005 she was featured in a production at The Gallery Players. In November 2007 Logan did a piece for the Upright Citizens Brigade, and flew out to LA where she danced in a concert and taught a class at former BA alum Jen (Sophie) Pierce's new dance studio! Logan to be VERY busy – in March 2008 she performed in a reading of a new play-in-transition, The Bath Opera, at Mabou Mines in residence at PS: 122, and in two Upright Citizens Brigade class shows in April. She celebrated Easter by shooting a teaser short for Nailing Jello, a feature film by Holly Lynn Ellis! She hopes to work with the sketch group Turn Left, working more with Organic Funny, shooting a new CollegeHumor.com Sketch, and shooting the feature film Hotel Utopia. Last but not least Logan will be working on the new Scott Rudin production of Nora Ephron's Julie and Julia, a new feature film starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.

Emily Franzosa (’96), after editing at Applause Books, doing dramaturgy at the Working Theatre, and and arranging partnerships at Arts and Business Together, in Fall 2004 began work on a Master's degree in American Studies at The City University of New York.

Erin Frederick (’01) immediately after graduating went to work with Moises Kaufman as his assistant, working on the HBO version of The Laramie Project.  She then moved to the prestigious New York Theatre Workshop, where she became an artistic associate, responsible among many other things for organizing readings of new plays. After leaving NYTW in August 2004 she worked Fashion Week in midtown Manhattan, and on the first Tribeca Theatre Festival. Before the election she spent lots of time in Ohio and PA working with various Political Action Committees to get out the progressive youth vote for Kerry/Edwards. In 2005 Erin went to LA to work for HBO films, and in September 2007 she headed to the Sundance Institute, but not in their film division -- she is working in the theatre division of this exciting organization! In summer 2008 Erin attended Sundance's film AND theatre fests!

Lindsay Friedman (‘03) worked as a legal assistant in Philadelphia and is took classes part-time to get a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. She has shifted her focus recently and starts at the Pratt Institute in fall 2008, heading for a Master's in Library Science!

Richard Furlong (’96) spent 10 months in 2003 as part of the Actor's Theatre of Louisville Apprentice Company.  There he played the role of the firefighter in Omnium Gatherum, by Theresa Rebeck and Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros during the 2003 Humana Festival at the Actors Theatre of Louisville.  He’s been cast in a Law & Order Criminal Intent episode and in an independent film.Rich was back at the Humana Festival in 2007, in the new Craig Wright play called The Unseen. As of summer 2007 he is a married man, and has recently been working on his writing He hopes to workshop a one-man show he’s been developing.  He has been working with a new professional company in Toledo Ohio.

Nick Gandiello ('08) is in the MFA Playwriting Program at the New School in New York City. In summer 2010 Nick is a dramaturg for the Urban Retreat at Young Playwrights, Inc. and was he invited to The Blue Mountain Center for a writer's residency!

Sheila Garg (’00), after spending several productive years in the Philadelphia Theatre scene, interning at the Arden Theatre, performing throughout the city, as well as working in management at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, has been very active in Chicago, where in February 2006 she was cast in The Moving Dock company’s world premiere adapted from Jeff Brumbeau’s books The Quiltmaker’s Gift and The Quiltmaker’s Journey. She remains associated with Moving Dock, training in the Michael Chekhov technique. As of Spring 2007 she is understudying for the premiere of Cynical Weathers by Douglas Post at the highly reputed Victory Gardens Theater. Sheila was also hired by the Chicago Office of Tourism for one year as the manager of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Oasis while it is in residency in Chicago. Sheila also narrated a downloadable audio tour for the City of Chicago!

Tara Geraghty (McLaughlin) (’98) worked in NJ for a while doing a lot of corporate theater. Then about a year after she got married she moved to Denver where she did a lot of improv and local theater. But Tara has stopped but has stopped all that since the birth of her daughter! Steve Gergely ('00) is performing in Los Angeles. He is a member of Gangbusters Theatre, where in December 2008 he completed a production of Woyzeck. Before that the company did Hamlet in a mental institution. As Steve writes, "It was quite kick ass and the previews we made are on youtube." Steve recently got engaged as well!

Rachel Gold ('04), after doing all sorts of work in LA, including red carpet interviews and spots on the Tyra Banks Show, in spring 2007 applied to a grad program in decorative arts at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in NYC!

Scott Goldman ('04) stayed on and got his master's degree at Ithaca, and headed for immediate employment, to the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick NJ, where he was Company Manager. As of August 2007 Scott was to have begun work at the prestigious Roundabout Theatre in New York as a Marketing Assistant, but the Artistic Director of the George Street made him an offer he could not refuse: a promotion to Executive Assistant to the Artistic Director! So Scott now continues in the well-known NJ theatre company.

Seth Goldstein (’99) is busy producing and general managing in NYC. His company, The Splinter Group, opened an office in Times Square in 2004 and was general manager for a host of commercial productions including The Riot Group's Pugilist Specialist (The Culture Project, San Francisco's Magic Theatre) and A Tale of a Tiger  (59E59 Theaters). Other projects include Fascinating Aida in Absolutely Fascinating  and Confessions of a Mormon Boy which were scheduled for Off-Broadway runs respectively in the Spring and Fall of 2005. Seth was managing director of the Manhattan Ensemble Theatre and produced fellow alum Joe Calarco’s Shakespeare’s R&J for a tour of Britain and a successful run in London. Splinter Group commissioned King MacBush II: A Shakespearean Tragedy of War, Greed & Strategerie from playwright Randall David Cook. In February 2005 this busy young man was asked to be on the committee that lobbied for the Olympics to be held in New York City! In summer 2005 Seth produced a play at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe called Christine Jorgensen Reveals. In spring 2007 he produced Gutenberg: the Musical! in NYC, and came to Ithaca on 5 Fridays to teach our TAMs about producing in NYC! In fall 2007 he produced Masked, a play about three Palestinian brothers, which is playing at the DR2 Theatre and which got great reviews! He hired alum Carly DiFulvio to be company manager. He married former IC-student and Juilliard grad Molly Stuart on September 19th of 2004. I last caught up with Seth and Molly in March 2009. He is producing Toxic Avenger: the Musical, which opened to great reviews! Seth joined us in Ithaca as guest artist at the end of spring semesters 2009 and 2010, to talk about producing with our students.

Lindsay Gonzales (’02) lived in England and Ireland for over a year after graduation. She’s in Boston now and has been performing improv and theatre (and stand-up) regularly. Lindsay is a performer at Improv Boston and she formed a theatre company with some friends. In summer 2007 she wrote, “I feel like I have finally found my niche.”

Melissa Gordon ('09) did a show at Manhattan Children's Theatre in August 2009, and since then has been working around, but this fall she furthers her education, beginning an MFA in writing for musicals at NYU's prestigious Tisch School!

Neil Gordon (’99) left the world of theater for the world of books! He got an editing job at Penguin Group (USA) and at just about the same time he discovered yoga. He left Penguin to begin freelance editing and teaching yoga. He figured out through his yoga practice that he wanted to serve, and traveled to Africa to work with a child sponsorship charity. In addition to his editing he began to write as well. He tried out LA for a few months, but returned to NYC, having secured an abundant list of writing and editing clients. Neil recently accepted a fundraising challenge from his yoga teacher to raise $20,000 by the end of 2008 for children in Cambodia!

Teresa Gozzo (‘04) was at work since graduation at Hartford Stage, where she spent the entire 2004-05 production season as dramaturgical intern, as well as doing several other tasks at the theatre.  She is now living in Boston, where she did administrative work for Chamber Theatre Productions, which does runs of short stories for student groups, doing dramaturgical work for small theatres such as Zeitgeist Stage Company. In late August 2006 Teresa landed a job as Assistant to the Managing Director of the prestigious Huntington Theatre in Boston and in less than a year was promoted to Company Manager there! She is now in New York City, working in management at the well-known Atlantic Theatre Company!

Jennifer Graham (’01) is living in San Francisco and doing paid professional long-term gigs...of which there are very few in the Bay! She’s loving her gig, currently rehearsing a musical called Insignificant Others, which opens in January 2008 at Pier 39 on the Wharf – check out the website: http://isomusical.com/ During the day she fills her free time with Studio classes at American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) and local theatre fundraisers and benefits; she also works for a non-profit home for boys. Jennifer, in her own words, “is planning a fall wedding to an amazing man and hoping to start a family shortly after!”

Sivan Grunfeld (05) has been stage managing since graduation, but has also discovered an interest in academic theatre studies. She was accepted in the Ph.D. program in Theatre at City University of New York and begins classes in Fall 2010!

Jarred Haas (‘05) is a married man, and still finds time to have received a Master’s degree in Education from Simmons College, to be teaching Social Studies to 7th graders at Peabody Public Schools, AND to be studying in the Professional Licensure Program in History at Salem State!

Natalie Habalou (‘99) left the Geva Theatre in Rochester for a job as Audience Services Manager at the Weston Playhouse in southern Vermont.

Heather Haney ('01) has been dancing and acting regularly in the Washington DC area since graduation.Heather has participated in the 48-Hour Film Festival in DC the last two and has been working with a lot of young indie filmmakers in the DC area.  She did the voiceover work for the Panim el Panim website, a Jewish civics group for high schoolers, a training film for the Air Force, she’s working on an Internet TV series with g14 productions (my second this year); and on her first feature-length film, "Festivale", a mockumentary about small-town film festivals. And in summer 2007 Heather played one of the witches in the Washington Shakespeare Company production of Macbeth! She worked on the Capitol Fringe Festival piece, "Nutshell" based on Eliot's "The Waste Land" in which she plays a disfunctional elephant. As she wrote me, "Only an actor can say that!" In spring 2008 I had brunch with Heather in Ithaca -- she just finished playing the title role in Hedda Gabler for Washington Shakespeare, and in summer 08 is doing Peter Nichols' Red Noses for the same troupe.

Brian Hashimoto ('07) headed back to the prestigious Eugene O'Neill Center, one of the top workshoppers of new plays in the U.S. In August 2007 he was hired as Executive Assistant for the O'Neill Center for a full year!  In addition to his duties at the O'Neill, he assistant directed former NTI chief David Jaffe's production of La Boheme in New London! Brian landed the position of Office Manager at the prestigious Lincoln Center Theater in December 2008. He hopes to get involved with their new space, as it's geared toward new play development. In addition, Brian just finished working for Shen Wei Dance Arts as a production and box offce coordinator for a show they did at Judson Memorial Church, and is heavily involved in Fullstop Collective (http://www.fullstopcollective.org/), a company he and colleagues from the O'Neill Center founded. As of summer 2010, Brian is also engaged to be married!

Bob Hatton ('02) is happily residing in Portland, OR with five housemates and two cats. He graduates in spring 2009 from Portland State University, as part of the LECL (Leadership in Ecology, Culture, and Learning) program in the Graduate School of Education. He works at the Learning Gardens Laboratory as a "farm hand" through Oregon State University and is starting his culminating project by developing a crop rotation plan that will maximize year-round harvests and provide living educational tools for all site visitors and students.

Marla Haut (’01) is working at Innovative Artists in the on-camera commercial department. She’s been an agent there since 2002, and as she wrote me recently she has "a very nice group of IC alums!"

Billy Heh ('03), AKA Oztier the magician, has booked a slew of upcoming performances, including TV appearances!  Be sure to visit his website www.oztier.com to find out more!

Molly Hennighausen ('08) began working in stage management at the prestigious Shakespeare and Co in Lenox Mass for the summer 2008 season. She was asked to continue on and as of Spring 2009 is still stage managing there!

Kevin Higgins ('93) is a Social Worker at Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly, NJ, with a little private practice on the side. He's produced a few dramas here and was the AD on Noises Off! recently. Kevin completed his Masters in Social Work at Penn, and developed a touring improv group at another New Jersey high school whose focus was drug prevention, child safety, etc.as part of his fieldwork. He says he just can't shake that theatre bug!

Allison Higham (Larkin) is married and living in Rochester. Check out her ‘green’ website -- AlliesAnswers.com. She also wrote a book, Stay, which her agent just sold to Dutton! It will be published in 2010 - look for it! Allie wrote something rather neat that I think applies to many BAs at IC: “I've taken a bunch of creative writing classes, but I have to say that acting classes are the best training for writing fiction. There is no better background for character development, and I don't know of any writing programs who approach it that way. So, it's kind of roundabout, but my theatre background is put to good use on a daily basis.”

Heather Holahan ('00) has been a dancer/dance teacher/choreographer based in upstate NY, but is getting more and more dance gigs in the City, and is moving back!!

Jeff Horton ('04) has lived in Japan since graduating, working for the first two years as an English conversation instructor in a company called NOVA. He is now an educator of the English language, teaching junior high schoolers in the Yokahama area of Japan! Jeff has also kept at the performance game and has done extra work in a film called Sushi Oji. He has also had a role on TV, in Galileo! Jeff has offered to take me to some Kabuki theatre when I visit, and I plan to take him up on his offer!

Diana Iliescu (visiting BA drama student from Romania, 2003-04) celebrated the premiere of her latest directing job in Paris in Fall 2008, an opera Le Negre des Lumieres – about the Chevalier de Saint-George, aka Le Mozart Noir, a favorite of Marie-Antoinette! 

Elizabeth Ingram (’04) is working on her Master’s Degree at Idaho State University.  She was cast there as a prisoner and a Moor in Man of La Mancha, and in December 2005 Liz directed a production of The Worthy Master Pierre Patelin.

Nicole Intravia ('09) played Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew with Arena Players in Long Island in summer 09!

Tara Jonas (‘97) has been acting in L.A., but has taken a break from that life. She married a partially retired actor and had a little girl in November 2007. As Tara says, "Her name is Everette, and she is the love of our lives!"

Cathy Jones ('94) is, as she says “still slogging away in corporate America here at Staples.”  She still teaches dance classes on the side, and does shows when she can.  In summer 2008 she is doing a production of Once on This Island!

Hilary Judis ('04) has been working for the past 3 1/2 years a law firm in Bethesda, MD, doing staff recruiting and event planning. She also hosts birthday parties for children at the National Zoo on the weekends and has started wedding planning on the side.  In June 2008 Hilary spent 2 1/2 weeks backpacking through China and as she writes “I consider myself infected by the travel disease. At this point I'm thinking that I might want to be a professional tour leader in China or the Middle East.”

Tyson Jurgens ('08) after 5 weeks in Tempe/Phoenix teaching underprivileged 1st graders has moved to Kansas City, where he is teaching 2nd grade (an unexpected change of plans based on district needs) at Troost Elementary, a historically segregated and racially-charged school in Kansas City, Missouri. He'll be getting his masters while I'm at it, so his next two years are booked solid. But as Tyson writes “hey, that's the price you pay for salary, health care, and doing your part to change the world!”

Jonathan Kanter (‘06) worked in business sales with Best Buy Inc. in Boca Raton FL, then moved to Orlando to start working on Business School applications. In fact his work paid off as in fall 2008 Jonathan is headed to William and Mary, where he begins work on his MBA! His future seems to lie in Business so that's where he’s headed, but he’s not forgetting theater roots. Jonathan is tracking down some community theater positions in Orlando and is also thinking about taking a theater teaching job of some sort too.  

Danielle Kasen ('04) has been in a whirl of activity since graduation, acting, singing and dancing on stage and in front of the camera! In April 2008 Danielle performed in a showcase at Weist-Barron Studios, and in March acted in the Vagina Monologues at the Annicchiarico Theatre in New Hampshire. She has also acted at the York Theatre, and has done several plays with Innovative Theatre. She has been seen and/or heard in commercials for Johnson & Johnson, Robitussin, and Bounty Paper Towels, and is choreographer and producer for a number of projects, including the Elle GlamFitness Series, the Buff Series, and Tru2Form Dance Series! For more on this very active alum, go to http://www.daniellekasen.com/!

Hope Kelly ('00) has been stage-managing during the past year at Maine's Public Theatre in Lewiston/Auburn (the L/A of the east). The theatre is an SPT. It seats 315 and is located in an old movie theatre that used to be called The Ritz. In March 2005 they are performing an Irish play titled Moonshine by Jim Nolan. Hope was asked back for the 2005-06 season. During the summers, she has been at the prestigious Shakespeare & Company acting first as Assistant Box Office Manager, then for summer 2007 as a stage manager. She was back in that capacity in summer 2008, along with 07 alum Molly Hennighausen, and continues in summer 2009!

Resa Kipp ('03) got married in January 2007, then moved back to Israel, where she has been working for BWC since 2004! In summer 2008 Resa let me know that she's going to have a baby!

Laura Knowles ('04) has been given an Equity contract with Ivoryton Playhouse as Assistant Stage Manager starting in July 2008 with Evita. As Laura says, “I'll be getting my AEA card and finally taking a big step in my career towards becoming a professional stage manager.” Laura Knowles has been given an Equity contract with Ivoryton Playhouse as Assistant Stage Manager starting in July 2008 with Evita. As Laura says, “I'll be getting my AEA card and finally taking a big step in my career towards becoming a professional stage manager.” 

Rachel Kobrin (‘96) is in her third year of rabbinical school at the University of Judasim in LA.  She describes it as a TON of work, and she has three more years to go, but she loves it.  However, the brightest part of her life is her daughter, Noa.

Jay Koepke (’07) has been been living in New York City since graduation in 2007, making the rounds in stage management Off-Broadway and in the downtown scene. In fall 2008 he goes to work at the prestigious Long Wharf for a year as a season-long PA.

Amanda LaForge (08)  is doing belly dance performances and working occasionally with Imaginary Beasts in Lynn, MA. She recently assistant stage managed Pain and the Itch with Company One. In June 2009, Amanda moved back to Florida soon to do a theatre for social change project on marriage equality!

Camille Lannan (‘03) received her Masters of Philosophy degree in Popular Literature at Trinity College, Dublin in Spring 2008. Camille recently moved to New York City, where she was the Program Manager for The Manhattan Youth Ballet, a not-for-profit pre-professional ballet program. In May 2009 Camille was accepted at the Pratt Institute’s Library Science program, and received a partial scholarship for academic merit! She started classes in Fall 2009.

Don LaPlant (’91) is busy teaching at Emory & Henry College, a small liberal arts school in Virginia affiliated with the Barter Theatre, the State Theatre of Virginia. He teaches Script Analysis, Directing, Theater History, Intro to Theatre and occasional Special Topics courses in Theory and Criticism. He also directs two or three shows a year, and in 2005-06 he did Stop Kiss, Picnic, and Much Ado About Nothing.

Rachael Laumann (’02) is on her way to an MPA in Health Policy and Management at NYU, scheduled to graduate in 2009!

Katie Leeman ('00) has been a cast member at improv comedy theatre ImprovBoston for the past four years, performing weekly with the Family Show and Mainstage casts, as well as in several special showcase shows. She has also played Mistress Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Lizzie in the original musical French Kiss Me, Kate and as she says, “I took a very rare turn” as ingenue Alice Sycamore in You Can't Take it With You in Boston. Katie trained for six years and earned a Black Belt in the martial art of Tae Kwon Do. She is as of summer 2008 halfway to her second Dan black belt. She plays the flute regularly with the Newton Symphony Orchestra, located just outside Boston. Her most recent concerts have featured Holst's The Planets and Humperdinck's opera Hansel and Gretel. In addition to all this, Katie has spent the past eight years in marketing in both non-profit and for-profit organizations. She is currently an account manager at a strategic marketing/custom publishing firm, working with clients in industries as diverse as high-tech, banking and media. She has just been accepted to business school, beginning an MBA at Boston University in Fall 2008!

Margot Leitman ('00) has become a very successful comedienne. Recently she contributed was a contributing author to a new book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Jokes, now available on line and in stores, and The Party Project, a film she was in, was screened at Village East Cinemas in Manhattan. She was featured in a hilarious spread in the November issue of Glamour, and a bit she did on the Conan O’Brien Show about rejected X-men characters is a hit on YouTube! Margot will perform at the IC Homecoming weekend in fall 2007. She is in search of a “back to college” fix and may even observe my history class! She offered a one time only four session class in in NYC that focuses on storytelling and solo work called "Four Weeks to Tell the Story of a Lifetime." To find out more, visit Margot’s website (www.margotleitman.com). In April 2009 and 2010 she visited Ithaca as a guest artist, to speak to our students about comedy, and to do a sstorytelling workshop!

Amanda LePain (’03) is an Audience Services Assistant at the prestigious Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis, MN!

Jeremy Levy (‘03) took Atlantic City by storm after graduation, working for Harrah casinos, giving away such gifts as free shopping at Macy's for life, a BMW a year for life, and $100,00 a year for life to 3 “very undeserving” people. He presented these gifts at huge corporate events simulcast in every Harrah's owned casino in the U.S.  But Jeremy bid Atlantic City adieu, and as of fall 2006 he was performing and writing in New York City.

Erin Loomis (’03) is performing, often in student films, in Los Angeles. She supplements this by working as a production assistant on reality television and assisting a special effects make-up artist. In addition Erin somehow finds time to wait tables in a bar, and holds down a retail management position with Urban Outfitters.  She has also been developing a clothing line that may actually get off the ground. In spring 2007 she was applying to MFA writing programs.

Kristin Loughry ('10) was a PA at Primary Stages in NYC, at 59E59! for a new acapella musical called In Transit, which was workshopped at the O'Neill last year. Alum Joe Calarco directed and alum Jennifer Caprio designed the costumes. And alum Zach Laks works as assistant to the director of 59E59. The Ithaca Mafia at work once again! Kristin was also a literary intern for Primary Stages, and is currently working at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca!

Katie Maguire ('07) headed to South Africa in August for a month of theatre in fall 07, with among others BA alum Jeremy Pickard. Katie is also investigating studying theatre in Russia! In spring 2008 Katie was cast in Measure for Measure at the Venus Theatre in Washington DC!

Brian (“Duck”) Maillard (’99) has appeared in over 40 commercials in the last ten years, most notably as the singing spokesman for Applebee's Restaurants. In addition, he has been seen in commercials for Burger King, Verizon, Ford, Bud Lite, Wendy's, Playstation, Amp Energy and more. He has worked in almost every facet of the acting industry: stage, television, feature films, voice over and print, as well as writing, producing, directing and starring in short films with Brantley Aufill. He can currently be seen as a recurring character on ABC Family's "Greek." He also did a few voice-overs for commercials Brantley produced, proving it's not what you know, but who you know. Brian currently lives in sunny Los Angeles, CA. In addition to all this he plays bass and sings in a band with fellow IC Theater alum Jared Zeus. They've recorded their first album. You can see it at www.zeustunes.com!

Jenn Mancini ('96) has been in internet advertising since 2000 and is currently (as of September 2007) working for MySpace, building up interactive sales for entertainment clients. She works with all the major film studios and TV networks! Jenn planned to study law and did for a time after graduation, but she discovered that "Performing every day as a salesperson is much more fun!" She lives ("in sin" as she wittily puts it) with IC theatre design alum Breck Armstrong in Brooklyn, where they are the proud parents of two cats, one 16 pounds, the other five pounds!

Michael Mandel (‘00) lived in Tucson AZ working for the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault, beginning as a community educator (where his theatre skills came in handy!) and rising to the job of Communications Director. He was the youngest person to receive a Tucson Business Edge 40 Under 40 Edgie Award, which recognized young business and community leaders. Michael also found time to continue his theatrical activity, playing Bosie in Moises Kaufman’s Gross Indecency, teaching an adult acting workshop, and directing David Hare’s Blue Room at the Wilde Playhouse. He was the first person to stage manage a live performance in the newly restored Vaudeville-era Fox Tucson Theatre. He organized V-Day productions of The Vagina Monologues and received the newly created Vagina Spirit Award to recognize his work as a man to end violence against women. He has also started his own consulting/coaching firm! For more on that, visit his website, www.m2powered.com. In summer 2008 Michael headed back to the east coast to begin another phase of his fascinating life!

Abby Marcus (’99) worked with Nosedive Productions in production/ management for several years. In 2004 Abby left Nosedive to work with another Off Off Broadway company, Vampire Cowboys Theatre, Which has become very "HOT!" She was also company Manager for the LAByrinth Theatre Co. The busy young Abby is also manager of the Dramatists Guild, married to the writer/fight director of Vampire Cowboys, and as of spring 2009 pregnant!

Jamibeth Margolis (‘95) has been very busy in New York City, as a casting director with the prestigious Johnson-Liff Casting Agency until it closed its doors, then forming her own casting agency with another former Johnson-Liff director.  In addition she has been building her directing resume, workshopping several new musicals as well as evenings featuring young singers and young composers.  In Spring 2005 she returned to Ithaca College as guest director of a new musical, Owl Creek, composed by Ben Cohn, an alumnus from the school of music. As of September 2007 Jamibeth remains in casting, but continues to direct as well. Her latest effort was produced by the prestigious New York Musical Theatre Festival in early October 2007. It's called Warsaw, and deals with a young Jewish man trapped in the Warsaw ghetto and separated from his Catholic fiance. Fellow IC theatre alum John Bell was music director.

Amanda Mahr ('08) has been in Edinburgh for a little over a week now – classes for her Master's degree at the University of Edinburgh start next week. She has been getting involved with their theatre department, run mainly by undergrads. So this graduate student is in the "fresher's play" even though she’s not technically a "fresher." Amanda is thinking of getting more involved with the prestigious Traverse Theatre and their writing workshops and is really excited that she might make it into the Edinburgh Festival Fringe!

Demetra Markis (’98) wrote me such a wonderful note that I am merely going to reproduce it here, as I could not say it nearly so well: “I have meandered far from the traditional theatre path and found myself navigating the personal dramas of traditional Chinese medical practice, at which I am much more suited (though music remains my avocation and the focus of much of my free time). However, my theatre background has proved versatile enough to be something I regularly draw upon in my interactions with patients and in experiencing my life in general; I feel very lucky that I had that time through college to focus on the many aspects of human relationships. Theatre history remains one of my favorite subjects and I credit it with helping me realize that my desire to effect positive change in society (as theatre has so often done) would be best served on a more individual basis, as I've discovered in medicine. I live in San Francisco with my restauranteur husband and our lovely four-year-old daughter Lily.”

Jessica Martenson (’01) attended the Drama Studio London immediately after graduating, and as soon as she finished there she was cast in a five month English-language tour of Italy in a children’s play, Aladdin, geared to teach young Italian students English.  She then went almost immediately into rehearsals for a play based on Steven King’s Misery, performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in summer 2004. Jessica, a native of Finland, lives in London, where in Spring 2005 she played Helen of Troy and Aphrodite in a new play about that famous Trojan war. Jessica headed back to the Edinburgh Festival in summer 2005, producing as well as acting in an original piece titled Eve & Lilith. She also landed a role in an international animation, which will be recorded in Finland. In it, she plays a little girl, Isabella, who speaks English! In February 2006 Jess was cast in the world premiere a play in London called Strangers. She played a Danish woman who has traveled the world in quest for something she doesn’t find until she settles down. In addition to this major role Jess also plays, in her own words “a Brazilian beautician, a Venezuelan beggar, a drug addict and a slut from London!”  In August 2006 Jessica traveled to Brazil with a friend from NTI Moscow, and spent a full month. In spring 2007 she and the same friend traveled even farther - to Nepal!  Jessica, Tim Kidd and I dined and went to the theatre together in August 2007. In summer 2008 Jessica was in a show called The Magdalene Diaries which has played in England and also at the Roma Teatro Festival. She returned to Italy in August to teach and tour. In spring 2009 world traveler Jessica left London again, for South Africa, where she spent six months working in an orphanage!

Jason Martinez ('07) has been cast as one of the Lost Boys in the national tour of Peter Pan!

Casey Matteson (’08) is working full time at the Salem Witch Museum and doing fight choreography on a freelance basis! 

Samantha Matthews ('10) is in the graduate program at the prestigious CAP 21!

Tim Maynes (’08) is directing "Bat Boy: The Musical" for Stowe Theater Guild in Stowe, VT this summer. In the fall he starts work on a masters in theater education at Saint Michael's College in Colchester Vermont.

Shelly Mazzanoble (’94) lives in Seattle now, and has been there since shortly after graduation and as she says “I couldn't be happier.”  For the past 9 years she’s been working at a company called Wizards of the Coast. They publish Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, and they used to publish Pokemon cards back in its heyday. Shelly works in marketing for our children's book imprint, Mirrorstone. She has also published short stories, essays, worked as a columnist for some now defunct websites and has written some plays. Two were produced in Seattle and one made its way to off-off broadway! Shelly also wrote a book! As she says, “A real one. It's in bookstores. About Dungeons and Dragons! Wizards of the Coast published it in September. It's called Confessions of a Part-Time Sorceress: A Girl's Guide to the Dungeons & Dragons Game. Check out her website: www.shellymazzanoble.com. Other than that, Shelly says, “things are good. No kids, no husband (much to mom's dismay), and various foster dogs. I volunteer at an animal shelter on weekends -- I'm very, very happy.” AND she’s starting a new book!

Jason McAllister (’06) is working for The Man at MTV, and scheduling stuff for air on MTV2. He says, “Hopefully I'll get some shows up and running off off broadway one of these days and become rich and famous...one of these days..."

Megan McCoy ('02) did a program at Stella Adler after graduating. In NYC she worked at Bloomingdale's and began auditioning, getting roles in student and indie films. She was in a workshop called the Menstrual Show and had a great internship at the Looking Glass Theatre - which included some great classes - and an "itty bitty" show there. Megan did three plays in summer 2005. She hosts an ongoing children's series as well as playing Grandma in "Little Red Girl from the Hood" - the hiphop version of little red riding hood  She works in a Scottish bar/restaurant where she is forced to learn about and therefore taste all the Scotch! Megan is also compiling a list of all the women run/owned businesses in NYC and will start a website listing them. She goes regularly to the gym so she can keep up this hectic schedule!

Kayla McCumber (’10) got a job even before she graduated, at the Merry Go Round Playhouse, as a costuming PA – se returns to the Merry Go Round in summer 2011, and in August heads across the pond, as she has been accepted in the Masters in Arts of Europe program at Christie's/Uni of Glasgow!

Allen McRae (’03) is a comic, doing stand up and sketch comedy. He is beginning to be considered a professional comic which he defines as “getting paid, though not all that much yet. But let me tell you that a sandwich tastes much sweeter when bought with funny money!” He has a working relationship with ImprovBoston in Cambridge MA. Allen still occasionally writes and directs for theatre, but comedy and film is really more his focus these days.

Seth Meier ('96) has been working steadily in LA since his graduation, and has most recently been cast as yet another cop, this time in an episode of Without a Trace on CBS! His cop-name has been changed from Jim Sheridan to Jim Pokawsky, to protect the innocent! Seth's rather meaty role aired on 25 October 2007. He is also in the 7th episode of Criminal Minds in its 2007 season! Seth is now a home-owner, and is taking great delight in puttering about the house!

Juli Menassian ('10) spent the summer in San Antonio, TX stage managing at Seaworld San Antonio for Shamu Stadium, currently stage managing Believe and Shamu Rocks! She is now in Washington DC working in stage management!

Rebecca Merritt ('07) was accepted at both Emerson's and The New School's graduate programs in Creative Writing! She chose The New School! In her first year Rebecca lived in Astoria and worked as Assistant to the Manager at The Yoga Room and at Martha's Country Bakery! As of summer 2008 she finished her first year at the New School. The head of her program has been pushing her to try and publish some of her work. She describes this encouragement as “Very exciting haha and scary.” She was working as the Assistant Manager to a chain of yoga studios, but in summer 2008 she got a job as front desk/receptionist at Dramatists Play Service!

Heather Meyer (Milam ('95) has a lovely little girl Caitlin just turned two. She lives with husband Joel  and Caitlin on Long Island. She is working in the writing program at Stony Brook as Assistant to the Director, and is also in the MA theatre program there. As Heather says, “I get one free class per semester - so I'm slowly working toward FINALLY finishing a masters degree!” 

Blythe Miller (‘04) is living happily in Brooklyn, and has a day job which she loves at Planned Parenthood, working with teens and writing newsblurbs for them on their website. Blythe is taking a scene study class at HB studio in the village as well as working with her class from the National Theatre Institute to produce a play one of them wrote. Late in 2006 Blythe did an off-off Broadway show at a little theatre on the lower east side and has been doing showcases in midtown. She has connected with a commercial agent from talentworks and is investigating that potentially lucrative market.

Duncan Miller (’08) worked at the NYSSSA (New York State Summer School of the Arts) Theatre program this summer. Lanford Wilson and Michael Warren-Powell founded Circle Rep in NYC, as well as NYSSSA. Duncan met, and also transported, chauffeured, and waited on Lanford Wilson. He was even invited to Wilson’s house in the Hamptons, and stayed the night. Duncan writes, “We had a blast, I mean I enjoy most of his work, then to meet him, and really get along with him was wild.” The next stops for Duncan are Chicago (where he’ll ‘scope the scene’ with alums Teeny Lamothe & Dan Stermer), and from there to Philadelphia!

Colin Miyamoto (’03) is back home in Hawaii, where in December 2004 he played The Cat in the Hat in Seussical at Diamond Head Theatre, to rave reviews.

Chris Mollica (‘03) founded the Poor Artists Collective just after graduation.  Some successful productions: Static, a night of one acts; Tiger in the Park, a performance at the fountain in Central Park; and Couch, a full length play written by Chris. He had a one act performed in the Silver Spring play festival in Washington DC and appeared in a spot for Court TV as well as extra work on Guiding Light. In March 2005 his Poor Artists' Collective produced fellow BA alum Brian Silliman's play, The Colonel's Holiday. Chris has been in LA since 2006. He is on his second agent, ‘a 110% better experience’ than his first. He became a member of SAG in 2007, his first gig an episode of Passions. He takes acting classes at Playhouse West, and has put together a pilot spec with a friend, a full 20 minute show. As of summer 2008, Chris tells me that he has been studying for the past year and a half at Playhouse West, and recently booked a few independent short films. Chris comments, “Not life changing but a great big step. My talent and life is finally catching up to my ambition.”

Amy Monroe ('03) has been doing just what she set out to do, working in stage management since graduation! Amy has worked primarily at two very prestigious theatres: She started at The Pittsburgh Public theatre. where she spent three seasons. It was there that Amy got her Equity card and met her fiance, who was working as a dramaturg at the time! More recently she's been at the preeminent Guthrie in Minneapolis, where her current show is Jane Eyre, running until 10 November 2007. Amy is getting married in the summer of 2008, and was accepted to an MA in Counseling & Psychological Services at Saint Mary's University in Minneapolis MN. She begins in September 2008. This summer she is working on her last show at the Guthrie. A time of transition! Exciting!

Jenn Montigny (Yuenger) (’99) lives in New Hampshire, is married to Jeremy Yuenger), received her Master's Degree in Education at the University of New Hampshire, and started teaching social studies at Nashua High School North. Jenn is in her third year as Drama Club advisor/director there. In 2004 she presented All in the Timing by David Ives, and this spring 2005 she’ll do Christopher Durang's 'Dentity Crisis, which will be taken to the New Hampshire Educational Theatre Guild Festival in March. Jen has a son, Ethan, born on November 6, 2003. Recently, Jenn moved to Las Vegas, where she is doing corporate training at the Bellagio!

Patti Moore ('07) headed to HOLLYWOOD! after graduation where she signed with a boutique agency and got her zed card pics taken for modeling. AND she's reading all the plays she didn’t get to in theatre history (SUCH a  fine student!). Patti was on an episode of How I Met Your Mother that aired on 26 November 2007, and was on Brothers and Sisters that December! She headed back East in 2009, and is now an acress in the Philadelphia area!

Zhana Morris (’94) left Ithaca to work as a stage manager for Seacoast Rep in Portsmouth NH, and for nearly ten years she has bee Production Manager for The Music Hall, an important and historic venue in Portsmouth. She is also the archivist for that organization, and in that capacity co-authored a book called The Music Hall, Portsmouth. During that time she’s moonlighted as costume designer for the New Hampshire Theatre Project’s Youth Repertory Company, and when time permits, she stage manages for other local theatres.

Larry Mudge (‘05) submitted a play Deviled Sausage to a festival performed in Brooklyn, for the Gallery Players and it was accepted! Directed by Autumn Clark, it got a positive review on nytheatre.com. In Fall 2007 he took on a literary internship at Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota. Larry and fellow BA alum and partner 'Phie Randolph left their gigs Florida Studio Theatre and together they made a rather long jump to Long Beach, CA in February 2008. Larry’s hobby of video editing landed him a job at a small production house in long beach, www.storytellerhdproductions.com, where he has become the #2 man in the company! Larry has joined a small student theatre company called the Alive Theatre www.alivetheatre.org where he’s helping to build a set for a new production, and has submitted a play to their theatre festival! Larry has also started his own theatre company and have been posting for play submissions on backstagejobs.com. He would love for students to send their work his way. For more information, e-mail Larry at blank.theatre@gmail.com.

Kim Mueller ('05) has been very busy in 2006.  In the summer she attended Stanislavsky Summer School where she played Varvara in Ostrovsky’s The Storm. This fall she is in Happy Hour at the Michael Chekhov Theatre in NYC, and also Biloxi Blues in New Haven CT. She has recently played the title role in Cinderella Wore Combat Boots, an interactive children’s play. She wants to study in Russia and is also taking a Russian language course!

Jeremiah Mullane ('05) spent two seasons at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA, after graduating from IC. During that time he also did 2 shows at the Shubert Theatre in downtown Boston while the theatre underwent renovations from a fire in 2005, and was the first to operate the new automation system after the renovations were complete. In 2007, he moved to Chicago. There, he stage managed Barenaked Lads at the Bailiwick Repertory, and also managed a successful week-long engagement of the show at the Dublin International Gay Theatre Festival. He went on to SM Machiavelli's Mandragola and readings of 2 new musicals, So Happy I Could Scream! and Tomorrow Morning, at Theatre Building Chicago, as well as ASM Fiction by Stephen Dietz at Remy Bumppo Theatre Company. In 2008 he moved to Washington, DC, where he was a PA on Major Barbara at the Shakespeare Theatre Company, in its new Sidney Harman Hall in downtown DC, and after that the Roman Rep productions - Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra. In summer 2009 Jeremiah worked the run crew for King Lear at the Shakespeare Theatre, and in Fall 2009 he worked there on The Alchemist and As You Like It!

Kate Michaela Mullen (’03) has worked with Kidspeace, as a childcare counselor with girls aged 13-17.  She’s pulled long, tiring shifts there since January, and has been a tremendous help to these kids, who have, in her own words, “strayed from the norm.”  More recently she has acted as program supervisor at the Charles River Association for Mentally Retarded Citizens. Kate is now enrolled in a graduate program at Lesley University, focusing on Special Education, pre-K to 8th grade.

Jackie Munoz ('08) has landed a paid internship at the Helen Hayes Theatre in NYC! She’ll be working with the General Manager involving information about tickets and the show as well as other duties. In addition she plans to usher at that theatre, to make a little more cash!

Ian Murphy (05) is selling sports packages for Arena Media, a digital media network in sports and entertainment venues all over the country. We caught up at Apple Fest 07, where we had a beer together!

Eileen Myers ('93) works at HBO, where she serves as chief script editor for the popular series Big Love!

Janine Nabers ('05) just finished graduate school for playwriting at the New School in NYC. In fall 2006 she entered her second year and a ten minute play that she wrote was produced in midtown in September! The ten minute play was a part of a series of plays titled  "...In Bed.." done by The Crowne Theater at the PRODUCERS CLUB! In spring 2007 a reading of one of her plays was produced, and a full production of another one-act was also presented. Janine had one of her plays read in April 2008 in Chicago at a series called: Powerful Playwrights under 30: A Rare Collection of American Voices. Janine was chosen to give the commencement speech in May 2008 at her graduation from the New School! A one act play of Janine's was presented in mid-July at the Sam French New Play Festival. In summer 2008 Janine was nominated for a Princess Grace playwriting grant and in early 2009 a play of hers, Juniper Jubilee, was performed (with alum Ben Schnickel in the cast) and published! In summer 2009, another play by Janine will be produced, again at the Sam French Festival!

Chrysta Naron ('08) directed a play for the Shotgun Theatre Festival in NYC and in spring 2009 interned with the prestigious, trans-Atlantic Bridge Project AT BAM, for their production of A Winter’s Tale.

Richard Nathan (’99) went to Los Angeles after graduation and began doing some extra work.  He got involved associate producing a project that was going to star Jack Nicholson, Woody Harrelson, John Goodman, and others, but it fell through after a year of pre-planning. After that Richard worked for IFC Films, in its distribution and marketing department. He worked on the marketing of "Memento", "Donnie Darko", "Y Tu Mama Tambien", and other films. Since then Richard has been involved in acting, standup, writing, and production. As of December 2004 he is working in post-production as a P.A. for Last Comic Standing 2 on NBC while taking acting classes. As he says, he is "following the dream in Los Angeles, and paying the bills by whoring my self out to post production in reality television."

Kate Nipko (’03) got one of four spots in the MFA Youth Theater/ Directing program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and began classes there in August 2005.

Marianne Nonna ('05) did an internship at the Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York, which specializes in new plays. moved to Brooklyn in February 2008. She has catering and subsitute teaching and still pursuing acting. She has been doing showcases with the Actor's Project NYC for the past 3 seasons. Her main goal in acting is to find a commercial agent, but she also is thinking about a “real job,” possibly in politics or teaching.

Jen Noterman (’02) graduated early, in December 2001, and worked through the spring of 2002 in stage management at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. Since then she has been stage managing in New York City, notably Mrs. Farnsworth at the Flea Theatre, which starred Sigourney Weaver and John Lithgow. In March 2005 she was production stage manager for T.A.C.T.'s concert reading of Home, by David Storey, and in November 2005 Jen was ASM on Hilda at 59 E 59th Street Theatre A. She refers to it as an "absurd noir." In fall 2006 she was back at the Flea, stage managing the revival of The Guys, and then the premiere of A.R. Gurney's new play, Postmortem. In an all too short chat at Field Studies 2007 I caught up with Jen, who was about to begin a job as a PA on the new Disney musical The Little Mermaid! In June 2008 Jen joined the stage management team with that show! In February 2009 Jen made a big move to Las Vegas, where she is assistant stage managing The Lion King!

Tom O’Brien ('04) lived in New York for about year after graduating, then booked a tour with Chamber Theatre Productions. He spent a year on tour performing adaptations of literature for 6-12 grade students around the country. Tom now resides in Washington, DC where he works at The Old Ebbitt Grill. Most recently he performed the role of "Rimmon" in the DC premier production of "A Replacement for Mister Lucifer" with The Starving Artist Theatre.

Brian O'Connell ('05) works in Binghamton NY for the Mental Health Association, where among his duties he is charged with creating a musical on themes related to the work of this worthy group. He wrote one in 2006 and in summer 2007 he produced his second, from 25 to 2 June, at Tri-Cities Opera!

Jennifer O’Connor ('10) began working at Disney in August 2010, as an "attractions cast member," working rides, shows and parades!

Matt Omasta (‘02) enrolled a graduate program at Emerson College. He was offered an adjunct faculty position, and in Spring 2005 he taught an undergrad course on Writing as Performance, a performance-centric way for students to fulfill their research writing requirement.  In summer 2009 Mr. Matt became DOCTOR Matt, having finished his  PhD program, Theatre for Youth, at Arizona State University! And in fall 2010 he begins work as a tenure-track Asst. Professor at Utah State University, where in addition to teaching and research he will lead the BFA Theatre Education program! Bravo!

Nicole Orne (’04) lives in Brooklyn with her very large dog.  She worked in the fashion industry for an accessories company in Manhattan.  Her firm has the license for Playboy Handbags as Nicole says, "...yes, they make handbags." When I saw her in spring 2007 Nicole told me that she had been traveling a good bit, including to China. And as of summer 2008 she has been accepted to culinary school at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia PA!

Matt Osmun (’94) moved to Bethlehem, PA in 1996 where he did a lot of community and regional theatre in the Lehigh Valley area, as well as became very active in the murder mystery dinner theatre scene. In fact he and a good friend formed a murder mystery dinner theatre company, White Rose Productions in 2001. He was the Director of the company, and also performed in almost every show up until late 2006. In February 2007 he moved to Denver, CO, found a great day job – in his own words: “8-4:30, M-F for the first time in 18 years!” and bought his first house in February 2008. Matt started another dinner theatre, at which he has produced Columbo's Crazy Caper, The Hillbillies from Hell, and Shop Till You Drop...Dead! Check out www.moproductions.net.

Sylvia Pabon (’00) has led an exciting and varied life after college. She trained at the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre in California and performed with Mum Puppettheatre in Philadelphia and touring, including a stint at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2001. She moved to Los Angeles, where she trained to become a prenatal yoga instructor. Skilled in Kundalini Yoga, she began training as an RN in 2007 and plans to apply her many abilities as a healer. In summer 2008 I got a note from Sylvia -- she became an RN on the 8th of july. As of spring 2009 Sylvia has re-located to Tampa FL, where she is working as a nurse.

Shayna Petit ('09) was the ASM for Macbeth at First Folio Theatre in Oak Brook, IL in summer 2009! She is loving Chicago and has been working to find a day job to pay the bills. In August, Shayna got a job at Next Theatre Company in Evanston, one that does provocative, edgy work,  as an ASM for End Days, Return to Haifa, and the all-new War with the Newts!! Here's the website for the theatre company: http://www.nexttheatre.org/

Christina Pickard (‘03) spent some time since she graduated in New York City, where she worked with the DAVAI Ensemble, and in London, where she acted in a production of Company, where in Fall 2005 she began classes in London for musical theatre. As of Fall 2006, Christina is engaged to a mountain climbing Aussie!  They will be married in Italy in the summer of 2008. Christina recently finished her program at the London School of Musical Theatre.  She had three weeks of private agent auditions and has had two agent offers! In spring 2007 she was cast in a tour of Italy, doing abridged versions of Macbeth, Dorian Gray and Jekyll and Hyde, geared to help young Italians hone their English language skills. In June 2007 Christina and I met for dinner in London, and a show at the Gate Theatre after! We JUST missed each other in London and in Edinburgh in August 2007! In summer 2008, she wasmarried in a palazzo in Santa Margherita Ligure, on the Italian Riviera! I had a four-hour lunch with Christina in August 2008, and she has been very busy in fall 2008. She finished a cabaret at the Battersea Barge, signed with a top London voiceover agency, and is teaching a musical theatre class to kids as well! She writes, “Things are happening...slowly but surely!” As of spring 2009, Christina is just returned from a belated honeymoon, to the Alps and South Africa!

Jeremy Pickard ('04) produced a workshop of URANUS in Ithaca in January 2007. This project is about the things we get rid of It’s an experiment in storytelling and a launching pad for what he likes to call "green theatre", in which every production element is recycled, found, or donated. One of Jeremy’s collaborators is Danny Gardner, an IC '05 alum. Jeremy has also been cast in Susan Lori Parks’ 365 Plays in 365 Days, taking part in spring 2007 at Boulder Colorado. In fall 2007 he spent a month doing theatre in South Africa, along with, among others, VERY recent alums BA Katie Maguire ('07), and BFA actor Teeny Lamothe ('07)! Jeremy returned to NYC following The Savannah Theatre Project. He’s been training extensively in Suzuki and Viewpoints with SITI Company (Anne Bogart's), and acting a lot for Columbia U.'s MFA directing program (also Anne Bogart's). Other projects include a 4-month European collaboration with people he worked with in africa. In spring 2008 Jeremy directed for a company called Upright Egg in Minneapolis. And he’s a nanny, babysitting as he says “some fantastic 6-9 year-olds, which serves the dual purpose of income and inspiration (for what is theatre but kids' play?).” I saw him in Sarah Ruhl's Dead Man's Cell Phone in March 2008! 

Jen (Sophie) Pierce ('03 has been in LA for three years, doing commercials and small films, but most recently she has bravely ventured into her own artistic business. She started her own studio of dance for children! Check out the website: www.sophiedance.com  Among the proud parents of Jen/Sophie's tiny dancers are Courtney Cox & David Arquette! While she has constant concerns in the difficult area of small business owners, she loves her children & their parents, and of course we know how she loves to dance! She will conduct an end of the year recital with her students at The Freud Theatre, UCLA! 

Katie Plummer (Adams) ('95) is owner of 360 Neuro Muscular Therapy in Needham MA, a highly specialized massage therapy clinic that works privately with clients to resolve long standing pain of soft-tissue origin. She also treats athletes of all levels to reduce injury risk and ensure optimal muscle performance!

Mike Poe ('10), a budding playwright, landed a job at the Alleyway Theatre in Buffalo, a theatre that specializes in new plays -- as a stage manager! He's under contract thru May 2011, so who knows? He might end up stage managing one of his own plays!

Cat Power (’10) was Wardrobe Supervisor at Lake George Opera in Saratoga Springs last summer, and is looking towards more of the same kind of work in Toronto for the fall!

Daniel Prince (‘04) fled the country after graduation, got a teacher certification in Poland, and found his way to Vietnam and, currently, Taiwan, where he helps schoolchildren to learn English. He's also proofreading dissertations and scientific research, selling online English learning software, and taking care of his dog - a handsome yellow lab. He returned to the US in summer 2007 - he's got a new job getting people new jobs - as a headhunter; he's getting married, and he started law school at the University of Oregon in Fall 08!

Lexy Randolph ('07) headed to Russia in fall 2007, to study at the National Theatre Institute Moscow Art Theatre Program -- she loved NTI AND the city of Moscow! Lexie is, as of summer 2008 a citizen of the 'flat state of Illinois – Wicker Park in Chicago to be specific' in Spring 2008. She moved into a garden apartment there and is starting to settle into the place. On the job front she is working 2 jobs, one as a receptionist ("patient care coordinator") at a chiropractic office and the other is a barista at Argo Tea which is a new chain in Chicago. Lexy is taking a Bikram Yoga and a masters acting scene class with Steve Scott who works at the Goodman and is a freelance director. In early September Lexy produced a new play festival in Chicago!

'Phie Randolph ('05) spent fall 2007 at the fine Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota, where she was a costume intern. She is now in Long Beach CA with fellow BA alum & partner Larry Mudge, where they explore work in dance and theatre, respectively! 'Phie has a job at a bakery that only makes cupcakes. www.frostedcupcakery.com. She's looking into trainning as a pilates or yoga instructor, and is of course in constant search for dance opportunities!

Hayley Raphael ('02) taught for a while after graduating IC, but is now performing again. She has worked for Disney and Nickelodeon, has performed on cruise ships, and in summer 2008 she was part of the national tour of Go Diego Go Live! Hayley is headed next to Pensylvania to do a Christmas show. She notes that it "Should be santa-rific!"

Corey Reed is a staff writer on the popular NBC TV series Medium, on which he works with fellow IC alum Larry Teng! in April 2009, Corey did me MUCH honor by putting me 'on' an episode he wrote! I was able to catch up with him in person briefly, as he visited Ithaca in spring 2010.

Allie Reinman ('07) spent the summer at the prestigious Eugene O'Neill Center, one of the top workshoppers of new plays in the U.S, where she had worked in summer 2006 as well.

Dassance Resler (‘98) got her equity card in 2007 after 9 years of freelancing! She interned and then was hired as an ASM for The Pearl Theatre Company, on St Mark’s Place in the East Village. She has been hired by The Pearl again, this time as principal SM on their first show of the 2008-09 season, The Oedipus Cycle!

Ian Richetti (graduated December '00, but is spiritually a grad of 01) began law school at the Brandeis School of Law, University of Louisville in fall 2007. in summer 2008 Ian is working as a clerk at a small law firm in Louisville, Congratulations to Ian for making the University of Louisville Law Review!

Robert Reader ('85) is Education program Manager at Hartford Stage. Robert attended IC a bit before my time, but he was brought to my attention by Jay Cohen, who is currently interning at that prestigious theatre!

Joey Riela ('05) is a manager at Kenneth Cole, which consumes much of his time, but he still tries to find time for theatre. Last I heard, in Fall 2005, he was looking at a random acts of kindness/goodwill tour sponsored by Volkswagon.

Alison Riley (‘98) is teaching Theatre Design and Stagecraft as well as English Literature at Notre Dame High School by day, and by night getting her Master's in Education at Arcadia University, just outside Philadelphia.

Sarah Rolleston ('07), performed in Beauty and the Beast just after graduation at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, and is investigating (along with fellow alum Katie Maguire) further theatre training in Russia! In fall 2007 Sarah was cast in Jack of Tarts, a musical at the famed La Mama ETC (which she reminded me she learned about in Contemporary Developments -- SUCH a good student!). The show is about the magical land of Tartania, where everyone eats tarts. It opened January 2008!

Jamie Romito ('05) is taking classes at Dowling College in Oakdale NY, working on her masters’ degree in English Education. In March 2007 she treated me to a play at CSC in NYC -- this is a lesson in kindness and generosity that ALL my alums should take to heart!

Sarah Rosenbloom (‘04) began working in an early childhood program at a day school shortly after she graduated, and fell in love with it. After that she took a job as a production assistant on the Jerry Springer Show! Sarah is now in Manhattan, working in the models division of Abrams Artist Agency!

Christian Rosselli (’04) spent the summer he graduated from IC in Ithaca and worked as an Artistic Intern at the Hangar Theater.  From August 2004 to February 2005, he worked as a casting assistant at Bernie Telsey Casting in NYC on the "Rent" Movie.  Since August of 2005, Christian has been an Executive Assistant at The Weinstein Company where he works for two executives; the SVP of Casting and Production and the VP of Business and Legal Affairs.  He wrote me in summer of 2007, “I basically do everything.” Christian is currently living in Astoria and hopes to stay for a while!

Julie Rossnagle (‘04) spent some time in her hometown, Allentown PA, working at the Crowded Kitchen Theatre after graduation, but she is now in Philadelphia, in a job at the prestigious Wilma Theatre, about which she is very excited. In fact in summer 2007 Julie received a promotion. She is now Group Sales and Special Events Manager! In case you want to check it out, the theatre's website is wilmatheater.org. Her most recent official function was quite exciting for her. Blanka Ziska, the artistic director, asked Julie to create a birthday card for Tom Stoppard, who happens to be a personal friend of Ms Ziska! Julie did so, and is now prepared to also become a personal Stoppard pal! 

Giulia Rozzi ('00) has worked in LA and NYC at the Comedy Store as co-producer of Mortified NYC. Her comedic act centers around positive body image and self-esteem. Together with BA alum Margot Leitman she wrote  Namedroppers, a show which ran for three months at the Upright Citizens' Brigade! Giulia participated in the March 2008 V-Day event in NYC: Eve Ensler’s A Memory, A monologue, A Rant and A Prayer.

Brian Salkin (‘03) is in Washington DC, enjoying it immensely. He worked for a time in membership at the National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association. Brian got a new job in spring 2008! He is Operations Director for Mark Warner for Senate in VA and the VA Democratic Coordinated Campaign. I am convinced that Brian was a key figure in getting both Warner and Obama elected in Virginia!

Adrienne Salopek (‘08) is Assistant Technical Director at Washington & Jefferson College, Washington PA!

Melissa Savage (Charych) (’00) was married July 3 2004 to Erik Charych, pronounced "Cherish"!  They live in Morristown, NJ where Melissa is a tenured faculty member, teaching Drama and English at West Morris Central High School, and directing the big spring musical. She teaches a theatre history unit in Dramatics I and always tells her students the OG story.  In summer 2006 Melissa taught English as a Second Language. In the fall she began teaching IB (International Baccalaureate) theatre courses at her school. Her husband Erik is on a postdoctoral fellowship at Rutgers, and they have recently had a beautiful baby! Melissa says “Domestic life is very happy!” 

Kendra Scaletta (’03) moved out to Arizona after graduation and began teaching Freshman English and Drama class. She was also in charge of directing the theatre productions and the school's drama club. She was named Department Chair of English in her last year there, was also named to Who's Who of American Teachers all three years that she taught! Kendra is now moving towards counseling, and was accepted for a Fall 2007 in a grad program in that field.

Danielle Scarpa (Norris) ('05) just after graduating did a stint at the Public Theatre where she worked with director Mark Lamos, She worked with the New Jersey Opera in Princeton during summer 2005. After exploring international opportunities, Danielle chose the U.S. instead, and is now a married lady! She is currently working at the fine Two Rivers Theatre in New Jersey as Development and Special Events Coordinator!

R.B. Schlather (’08) – okay he dropped down to a minor, but he’s an honorary BA in my book!) is assistant directing an early Wagner opera, Das Liebesverbot, based on Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, at Glimmerglass Opera this summer. He will also direct a production of A Chorus Line in Oneonta in September 2008, and after a sojourn in London he heads to Charlottesville to direct another one-act opera there!

Michael Schmidt (’05) was hired as Audience Services Manager at Ithaca’s own Hangar Theatre for the summer of 2006. In summer 2008 Mike is looking at grad programs in education!

Alex Seal ('03) was at the Humana Festival at Actors Theatre of Lousiville, where she met Chuck Mee. Alex also did a stint at the Colorado Festival of World Theatre, where among other things she met Peter Shaffer there and got him to sign and write a nice note in a copy of Equus – all for me! As of Spring 2007, Alex has founded a company in New York City -- Prevail Theatre -- check out the website, www.prevailtheater.org. Alex was in the first play Prevail presented, Hanging Women by Donna Spector. Alex has also directed a reading of one of four short plays written in response to Spector's play, and the company is conducting improvs nightly after the show. In fall 2007 Prevail produced Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Alex got cast in a new show called Chekhov's Chicks, which ran for three weeks in December 2007. It's a retelling of Chekhov's short story "A Woman's Kingdom" with excerpts from Ivanov, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters, The Seagull and The Bear. Alex played the lovely Yelena (from Vanya). It was produced by Inner Circle Theater in association with Manhattan Theatre Source. In November 2008 Alex played Masha in Three Sisters at the Schapiro Theatre - she's getting to be a Chekhov specialist!

Elizabeth Seldin ('07) remained in Ithaca just after graduation as part of the excellent Tin Can Fantasy Factory! In November 2007 she stage managed for a London fringe theater by the name of Brockley Jack. The play was Great Expectations, their holiday show! She spent that entire fall in London, also working in a pub! 

Dara Serber (‘00) is in New York City, where she directed at a play P.S 122 that went up as part of their season Feb. 24th  to March 6th 2005. It’s a musical of sorts, a new innovative play with music. Dara directed a piece of this play last February for APAP with theatre department professor Greg Bostwick in it.  Dara was at BA alum Michelle Lanou's ('00) wedding in September 2005, and got some IC alums to help out with a benefit she produced in December 2004. Dara has shifted focus somewhat, and began a master's degree program at NYU in film, in fall 2007. In summer 2008 Dara did an independent study for that degree, and was also production manager for a commercial being shot in California!

Danielle Sertz ('96) and Ken Wyman ('96) married in the fall of 2003 and moved back to Ken's old Vermont stomping grounds.  Ken is utilizing his fine carpentry skills building homes and manages additional gigs as a scenic designer, actor, and member of an improv troupe.  Danielle is utilizing her directing degree (MFA UMass, Amherst '03) freelancing as a director, choreographer, and teacher.  They also spend a significant portion of their time brushing snow off their cars. I got a great picture from Danielle in summer 2008 of their beautiful baby!

Michelle Sertz ('02) finished a gig in spring 2008 as Theater Manager (corporate jargon for Managing Director)/Casting Coordinator (Casting Director) of the retail Mecca "American Girl Place" on Fifth avenue across from Rockefeller Center. She's come a long way since her first appearance in NYC as "Princess Pretty of FAO Schwartz"... but she's managed to maintain a presence in the toy business. In fact she just got promoted! Michelle also taught drama and directed young thespians at the PolyPrep Performing Arts Summer Camp each July, and volunteering at CampExclamationPoint each August in Vermont with her sister, Danielle, and brother-in-law, Ken Wyman ( see just above!) My sources tell me that Michelle is now engaged and heading back to Ithaca!

Amanda Setton (’07) quickly found an agent after graduation. She has appeared in the films Sex and the City and What Happens in Vegas, and as of September 2008 is playing Penelope, a recurring character in Gossip Girl on TV!

Patrick Shearer ('99) is Artistic Associate with Nosedive Productions (see also Pete Boisvert) as an actor/director/producer/sound designer. He has also been doing a ton of sound design work throughout Off-Off-Broadway, along with my acting and directing gigs. Patrick is in Brian Silliman's new play, The Magic of Mrs. Crowling, which opened on July 24th 2007 (visit the website www.mrscrowling.com) & featuring a number of Ithaca alums. He has also been working with the New York Innovative Theater Awards, which recognize the outstanding accomplishments each year in Off Off. (www.nyitawards.com). He’s an office assistant at The Dramatists Guild (thanks to Abby Marcus, who's their General Manager). And on top of all of that, he is writing the libretto to a musical adaptation of a novel (which he can't name right now, but will in the future) as well as a stage version of a Philip K. Dick novel that he hopes to put up in 2008!

Tori Sheehan ('09) stage managed the Performance Intern Program at the prestigious Shakespeare & Company, in Lenox MA through Labor Day 2009. Next she headed to California to work for the Palm Springs Follies as a PA, and in fall 2010 she will be working in stage management at the prestigious Juilliard School in NYC! 

Jason Sherry (’95) has been teaching at Wyoming Seminary, although it's neither in Wyoming nor a religious seminary.  Instead it’s a college prep school in Pennsylvania. Jason has sent several of his students in the direction of IC, including recent grads Christine Kovach and Aimee Radics! 

Jonathan Shuey ('07) spent his first summer after graduation at Utah at Robert Redford's Sundance Institute, working in its theatre program! In fall 2007 he headed south to the New Stage Theatre in Jackson Mississippi, where he was engaged in an acting internship. As of summer 2010 Jonathan is in his third season for a company which tours nationally with children's theatre shows. As he notes, “Not the frighteningly hokey sorts of shows about Sparky the Spark Plug, but works of classical literature--right now we're putting up Treasure Island and Alice in Wonderland.”

Brian Silliman (’01) has been writing plays since graduation and getting some of them produced at, among other places, the largely IC alum organization Poor Artists’ Collective.  In summer 2004 Brian’s and fellow alum Larry Lees’ piece, Jonestown the Musical, played the NY Fringe Festival, and it featured musical theatre alum Matt Cavenaugh. In March 2005 Poor Artists' Collective produced his play, The Colonel's Holiday, to excellent notices! In 2006 Brian wrote a musical called 16 Days, about that mysterious time period in which Katie Holmes disappeared, then resurfaced as a loyal scientologist and all ready to marry Tom Cruise. His partner in crime, Larry Lees, is also an IC theatre alum.  The piece was given a workshop at Ithaca College in December 2006. In summer 2007 his play The Magic of Mrs. Crowling opened in NYC with Patrick Shearer (see just above) and a number of other IC alums! I had lunch with Brian (and larry, also alums Amanda Morton and Q.Smith in April 2008. He is gearing up for adapting a two man show (of this great Jonathan Lethem story) for the promiscuous play project, doing some other acting work, getting 16 Days ready for recording! In summer 2008 Brian is playing Sir Toby Belch in Twelth Night in Connecticut!

Rich Simon (‘97) has been running his own theatre, The Mosaic, in South Florida since soon after he graduated. He continues to keep it alive and well. He has been nominated frequently for Carbonells, the local theatre awards, and won for his production of Art. In May 2006 he opened a production of Oleanna at the Mosaic, in Spring 2007 his theatre was up for yet another Carbonell! In spring 2008 the Mosaic was nominated for 12 Carbonell Awards, including himself for best director twice (Glengarry Glen Ross and Talk Radio, both up for Best Play as well). Rich’s theatre won in three of the categories! And he did even better at the Carbonnels in spring 2009! Check out the website: www.mosaictheatre.com.

Britney Smallwood (’08) stage managed at the Northshore Music Theatre Summer Academy, and was the Resident Stage Manager and Registrar for the Boston Children's Theatre.She is now working in stage management on the other coast, in Seattle!

Alexander Smith (Wemyss) ('07) played Caliban in The Tempest at Virginia Shakespeare in Fredericksburg VA just after graduating, and in fall 2007 became a literary intern at the fine Florida Studio Theatre (FST) in Sarasota. Still at FST, in summer 2009 Alex was running the largest educational outreach program in the Southeast U.S, reaching over 60,000 students. He head ups FST’s new group sales program. Last but not least, Alex is engaged to be married!

Marcie Soriano (Demassa) (‘92) is living in Fairfield, CT with her husband and 6 year old daughter Zoe. She works at Greenwood Press as a director of project management for all of their online products and ebooks!

Carrie Spillane (’01) was in school all summer 2008 taking prerequisites for beginning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Carrie writes: “I have taken a 180 in my career path but I am really excited about it.”

Julie Starr (’08) rworked at the Westport Country Playhouse until December 2008. She ran into many IC alums at their annual gala, including, Joe Calarco, Kerry Butler, Q Smith, & Jen Waldman. And she works there with fellow grads Dierdre Callahan and Jen Cambras. She is the P.A. for Of Mice & Men with Michael Yeargan on scenic design, Jane Greenwood on the costumes and Mark Lamos directing.  Julie writes, “I can't believe that I'm working with these people!” As of Spring 2009, Julie finished working as a PA on Becky Shaw at 2nd Stage. The play got great reviews and was extended until mid-March! We saw it for Field Studies, and Julie even took me backstage! In a slight career shift, she spent several months in the spring of 2010 at Hugh Hysell Communications, working in marketing.  She work for such exciting clients as the Tony Nominated FELA! and the upcoming Lombardi.  At HHC, she forged cross-promotional partnerships with national brands, non-profit and arts organizations, colleges & universities, etc. in order to promote awareness and drive ticket sales for various Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.   

Christopher Staub ('05) has been working nearly non-stop as a stage manager and asm since graduation at places like Glimmerglass Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, New England Conservatory, Florentine Opera, Long Wharf Theatre, and New Repertory Theatre. In fall 2007 he will worked at the prestigious Boston Lyric Opera's production of La Boheme! I caught up with him in Spring 2008, when he was back in Ithaca stage managing at Cornell U! The production was Alice in Wonderland, directed by IC professor Norm Johnson!

Dan Stermer ('07) headed off to Chicago immediately after graduating to work with Northwestern U's famed summer high school theatre institute, "The Cherubs."   In September he began to work for Chicago's well-known About Face Theatre, in Membership, Subscriptions, Event Planning for Development and Marketing. Dan is taking classes at the Second City Training Center, and is teaching 8-10 year olds improv at the Northlight Theatre Academy. He also took master classes with some famous dance companies recently. Dan is living happily in his parents' basement! I caught up with Dan in spring 2008. He is leaving About Face, going back to Cherubs this summer, and has too many things on his plate to even note here!

Lesley Anne Stone (’02) worked at SpotCo, a major advertising agency for Broadway, since graduation in May 2002. In addition, she found time to run her own production company, Pie Stone Productions, L.L.C. After months of negotiations, Lesley Anne recently sold her Broadway Intern Group to the American Theatre Wing.  She was also hired to continue to run the group under the American Theatre Wing as consultants.  The group will be re-named the American Theatre Wing's Theatre Intern Group. Furthermore, she was hired as a consultant at a brand new talent management company based in Hackensack, New Jersey called T3 Entertainment. Lesley Anne was also accepted into the League of Professional Theatre Women, their youngest member. In summer 2005, she moved from New York to LA in summer 2005 to work for LaPlaca Cohen, a cultural advertising/ marketing/branding agency that handles non profit theatres, arts organizations and museums. Their west coast clients include the Getty Museum, the LA Philharmonic, the Mark Taper Forum and more! Lesley Anne left LaPlaca Cohen to become Los Angeles Account Executive for Universal Pictures at Allied Advertising & Publicity, and in Fall 2006 made another onward and upward move to TMG -- The Marketing Group -- as a Senior Account Executive! As of early 2009 Lesley-Anne has been promoted to Vice President, West Coast Marketing & Business Development with Allied Live, a partnership between TMG –and Allied Advertising. She is the youngest Vice President in the company's history! Check out the article in Playbill: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/125685.html

Rachel Strayer (‘04) is working at the Lauren Green Modeling Agency as Laura Green’s assistant.

Becky Sumsky ('02) worked as an A.S.M. for Birdy's Bachelorette Party for a year, then decided to be a theatre goer for awhile, instead of a theatre professional. She is now working as a church secretary and is applying for a graduate degree in Library Science program which would begin in Spring 09. She’s torn between being a Children's/Young Adult Librarian and being an Archivist.

Kate Swaim (‘07) lives in Chicago, Illinois and works for Kaplan University as a Prior Learning Assessment Center evaluator, examining student's transcripts for transfer credit and helping them prepare for their education at Kaplan. She lives with boyfriend Travis Rosch, IC B.F.A. Technical Theatre graduate 2007. They have two kittens, Fred and George, named for the Weasley twins in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books. Kate hopes to go back to graduate school soon!

Mohammed Tantawi (’02) was the production manager for the Arabic dubbed version of Disney's Brother Bear and the Executive Producer of the Arabic dubbed version of Disney's The Three Musketeers.  After that he joined Sesame Street Egypt as its dubbing producer and the Associate Producer, as well as a member of the scripts and content department. He got married in summer 2007 and is living in Cairo!

Monica Tandon (‘98) was on the stage management staff at the prestigious Hartford Stage from1998 to December 2006, after which she began work as an assistant stage manager for Blue Man Group Boston, which job she still has as of summer 2008.

Kim Tierney ('01) did a directing internship at the prestigious Wilma Theatre in Philadelphia after graduation, and was asked back for a second year! She then worked at Blue Sky (aka First Person Arts) as the Program Associate in charge of Development & Special Events, Grantwriting, Production & Company Management, and Performing Arts & Music Programming. As of Fall 2007 Kim is married and living in Tokyo, where she is an English teacher & dialogue coach and for Japanese actors, artists, and executives at the Model Language Studio founded by Yoko Narahashi. They help actors cast in English language films with their English dialogue. Kim’s office has worked with many top Japanese actors like Ken Watanabe, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Kohji Yakusho, Miki Nakatani, and Rinko Kikuchi on such films as The Last Samurai, Letters from Iwo Jima, Silk, and Sukiyaki Western Django!

Aubrey Tighe (‘04) was hired immediately after graduating as an "actor/educator" for a company called Children's Stage Adventures. In 2004-05, Aubrey and BFA acting major (‘04) Mike Cyr were on the road for the next 9 months casting (children ages 5-18), directing, and acting (along with several other fun duties) in a children's version of Midsummer Night's Dream. After some struggles with that company about issues of pay, Aubrey won a lawsuit against them!  In Fall 2006 Aubrey was in a play at Albany’s Curtain Call Theatre, The Foreigner by Larry Shue. She has since saturated the Albany area commercial market, with more than 12 commercials! As of October 2007 she has relocated to Austin Texas where she is in her words, ‘rocking out Austin, TX style.’ She did a featured extra role in an upcoming teen movie tentatively titled Rock On, as well as a group scene for the "Dead Zone" Verizon commercial, and the Bank of America "Let's Save" commercial. By the way, blonde Aubrey is now Aubrey the brunette!

Dave Titus (’01) lives in Philadelphia area. His daughter Cordelia turns 4 in August 2008, and his wife of five years, Phoebe, is expecting their second daughter. Dave notes, “No, Goneril or Regan will not be the name for the next daughter. Ek. Goneril Titus.” He is working in post-production, and plans to open up a movie theater in a Philadelphia suburb.

Michael Toscano ('04) has, as of mid-April 2007, been accepted into Columbia University's graduate program in film as well as Boston U.'s! He chose Columbia and began there in fall 2007. We caught up at Apple Fest 07 at the Ithaca Ale House. In spring 2008 Mike finished producing a 12 minute short film that he wrote. He comments, “THE most exhausting project I have ever done, but totally worth it.”

Liz Ulmer (’03) started out applying for dramaturgy internships in NYC, working at Ernst & Young, and doing a couple of readings here and there in Manhattan. She spent the summer of 2005 in Poughkeepsie, NY, workshopping a musical with New York Stage and Film (and getting her Equity card!)  The musical is Dangerous Beauty, based on the 1998 movie. As of fall 2007 she was working at the Joyce Theater in Audience Services, and has been writing occasional pieces for nytheatre.com and Astoria Performing Arts Center. She also helped with some general administrative stuff for New York Musical Theatre Festival!

Sara Valentine ('97) spent time in Minneapolis after her graduation from IC, where she worked regularly in the theatre. She moved to Delaware where she received her MFA from the Professional Theatre Training Program at U Delaware. She has worked at many theatres throughout the country, particularly Shakespeare Festivals: Colorado, Philadelphia, Maine, North Carolina among them! Sara I graduated in May 07 with my MFA in Acting from the University of Delaware Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP). She is also running a fledgling children's theater company with her husband, Michael. They were married in 2005. The theatre is in 2007-08 in its fourth season. Check out the website: www.fsctheater.com. In December 2007 the company produced its 4th annual live radio broadcast of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. And in summer 2008 she will be back at North Carolina Shakespeare Festival for her second season, playing Goneril in King Lear!

Gaelyn Walker ('04) was accepted at SUNY Brockport’s grad program in Dance – but she has so many contracts with dance studios in Atlanta that they agreed to defer her until Fall 2007. I spoke to Gaelyn at Apple Fest 07, and she is having a great time at Brockport! In summer 2008 Gaelyn took a dream trip to Australia, with her beau, and is now engaged to be married to him. In fall 2010 she begins teaching drama at Central Gwinnett High School in the Atlanta GA area! 

Leah Walton (‘02) is alive and well and working as an actress/free lance acting teacher in what she calls “the great theatre community” in and around Philadelphia PA. Upcoming projects as of summer 2008 include The Giant Squid for the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Talk Radio for New City Stage, and Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes with InterAct!

Alana J. Webster (’09) got a job as a field manager from Barack Obama's Grassroots Campaign almost immediately upon graduating. As she wrote, “I’m stoked!” In October she did a voice over session for a tv show called "Party Down" on Starz in which she played a 35 year old black woman. She also worked as a featured extra on a new Nickelodeon show called "Victorious". In November of 2009 Alana booked a music video! is for a rock band called Arrest My Sister. It’s for the first single on their new album, and the video is set for a national release. Shefilmed the video on the Venice Beach boardwalk.

Katie Weinberg (’04) is living in Albany with her boyfriend.  She’s been getting some great roles; most recently Libby in I Ought to be in Pictures, and Biondello in Taming of the Shrew both at local Albany community theaters.  Katie serves on the Board of Directors at the Albany Civic Theater and has been heavily involved in each production for several seasons,  running the box office and stage managing! Katie's day job is working with domestic violence victims in a non-profit law firm! In November 2008 Katie made her directing debut at the Albany Civic, with a production of Keely and Du!

Stephen Weitz ('95) is still working with Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Summer 2009 marked his 5th season there. He played Hamlet there in summer 2009 and is currently playing the SM in Our Town (which he was also in at IC!). He has been picking up gigs at the Denver Center occasionally. Between that and teaching acting and stage combat, he has been keeping busy. Steve is focused on teaching performance and directing and has always seen IC as a model of the type of school he would want to work at.  Stephen happy to be in Colorado in fact as he puts it, is “loving it.” He got married about a year ago; “loving that too!” He also runs a small company in Boulder. Check it out!  http://www.facebook.com/l/6b869;www.BoulderEnsembleTheatre.org

Erika West ('09) is working as an assistant in the business and operations department for ShineReveille International in LA, assisting in improving efficiency between the legal/business department and the international distribution and sales department. The company produces The Office, Ugly Betty, American Gladiator, The Tudors, etc! 

Maureen White ('05) was the Intern to the Artistic Director at City Theatre Company in Pittsburgh during 2006-07. The company provides an artistic home for new plays of substance and idea that engage a diverse audience... mostly new plays that deal with different social issues. In fall 2007 Maureen was asked by City's Marketing Director to return there and work in the box office, which she is now doing. Check out that theatre's website: www.citytheatrecompany.org. She also works at Joseph Beth Bookstore in Pittsburgh. She and a friend are planning to start their own theatre company, and on a personal note, Maureen has moved to Bloomfield, which she describes as "a really fantastic neighborhood, very young and bohemian (it's Pittsburgh's own Little Italy!!)"

Corey Whitesell ('99) worked in Pennsylvania at Penn State's International Student Services as the Program Coordinator. To use theatre terminology, she was a company manager and cruise director for about 4000 international students and their families. She advised student-run nationality clubs, organized and funded their events and activities throughout the year, created cultural adjustment programs, and developed city visits throughout their stay at PSU. Corey finished her Ed.M. in International Educational Development at Boston U. in spring 2008. She is in Philadelphia looking for jobs in theatre/education development.

Krista Woltersdorf ('04) worked for a Marketing/Public Relations firm in NYC called Vincent Partners where she was a Senior Account Executive. As of 2009, however, she is headed to Victorinox Swiss Army where she will be the Events and Sponsorship Manager. This is a brand new position that the company created in celebration of their 125th Anniversary this year! Krista lives in White Plains with her boyfriend of two years, Rick Ammirato. He is now the Executive Director of the Business Improvement District in White Plains. 

Heather Nicole Woodcock (’99) started in Los Angeles after graduation, but, as she writes, “I ended up working more in extras casting than acting. So when I fell in love with a French-Canadian, it wasn't hard to move with him back to Montreal.” There Heather started making homemade ice cream. In fact in 2009 Heather and her husband are moving to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands to open their own ice cream shop!

Ken Wyman ('96) -- see Danielle Sertz!

Galeit (Yeshayek) Sehayek (’02) joined Actors Equity in February 2005. She is also a member of SAG. She has done some work for independent films, Law and Order, and most recently, she played Ruth in Michael Weller's Moonchildren, at the Kraine Theatre. She worked free lance with the Ann Wright agency. Galeit is living in Los Angeles, as she puts it, “doin the Acting thang,” performing in improv shows and working with some writers. She shot a small role in a film with Darrell Hammond in summer 2007!

Rachel Zack (‘03) has been working since February 2004 as a production assistant at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. She did The Chosen w/ Theodore Bikel, Baby w/ Norm Lewis, Carolee Carmello, LaChanze, Michael Rupert, & Chad Kimball, Guys and Dolls w/ Karen Ziemba, and Robert Cuccioli, Of Thee I Sing, directed by Tina Landau, and She Loves Me. In December 2004 she moved to New Haven, CT at the Long Wharf working as a production assistant on a new play, Singing Forest by Craig Lucas. Later in the spring she took over for an ailing stage manager on another project, was given her Equity card, and took the production to Playwrights Horizons in NYC, in May 2005. In early 2007 Rachel was part of the stage management team of The Drowsy Chaperone, and in spring 2008 she is stage managing the hit revival of Sunday in the Park with George!

Shara Zeiger (‘05) has been VERY busy in New York since her graduation. She has performed in plays at PS 122, Cube City Productions La Mama Etc, the American Globe Theatre Festival and Theatre Flamboyan. In film and TV she has been featured as Elizabetta in The Hunters, directed by Paul Williams, played a party girl in M Night Shyamalan’s The Lady in the Water, and an ice skater in Episode 11 of The Sopranos 2006! Shara studied with Paul Michael Valley from Julliard as well as doing on camera audition techniques with Jonathan Strauss (head casting director of Law & Order SVU) She went to Los Angeles where she completed the National Actors Intensive, got a good deal of interest from Progressive Artists Agency and shot two short films. In Spring 2007 she toured with the National Theatre for Arts and Education, playing Toinette in The Imaginary Invalid. In May 2007 Shara was submitted by Claro and AMA Talent Agencies on projects in NY and Philly. She played a small part in a big budget SAG feature called "Our Lady of Victory" in Malvern, PA and later in the summer shot a bigger role in a currently untitled SAG Low Budget Short Film. In September 2007 Shara performed in a sketch comedy show called WaWaPalooza! with IdRatherBeHere Productions at The Society Hill Playhouse as part of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. I dined with Shara during Field Studies 2008 and her life remains a whirl of activity in both NYC and Philly. She is doing a lot of stand up comedy, and has a webseries -- check it out: mfsuperdeal.com. She did a sitcom pilot in April called "Checked-In" with Anthology Media LLC that's being shopped and will be in the NY Television Festival in the fall. She also did an Industrial for PA Welfare and a regional commercial for Empire Wine. In summer she was in 2008 for a sketch comedy show called Wawapalooza: II, Get Shorti, that played in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival in August at The Adrienne Theatre in Philly.