THE CALLBOARD: THEATER ARTS AND ALUMNI NEWS
Theater Arts News
Alumni News
M.F.A.
In May 2011, the Nora Theater Company in Cambridge, MA (Mimi Hungtinton, M.F.A. '87, Artistic Director) presented the world premiere of "Silver Spoon," by Amy Merrill ('69), music and lyrics by Si Kahn. The musical was directed by Daniel Gidron (M.F.A. '68) and featured Kara Manson ('08).
Debra Messing ('90) stars in the new NBC series "Smash," written by Theresa Rebeck (M.A. '83, M.F.A. '86, PhD '89) and produced by Steven Spielberg.
Loretta Devine ('76) won an Emmy in 2011 for outstanding guest actress in a drama series for her role as Adele Webber on "Grey's Anatomy." She starred in Tyler Perry's 2010 film adaptation "For Colored Girls" and appears in his movie "Madea's Big Happy Family." She was part of the original Broadway cast of "Dreamgirls," the films "Waiting to Exhale," "Crash," and "Dreamgirls" and the TV series "Grey's Anatomy" and "Boston Public." Loretta finished a Los Angeles run of her one-woman stage show, "Pieces of Me."
Benjamin Williams ('11) received a 2011 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Design (lighting) by a Midsize/Small/Fringe Theater, "The Aliens" (Company One).
Jeffrey Bernard Calloway ('00) is on Broadway in "Memphis," winner of the 2010 Tony Award for best musical.
Bonita Hamilton ('04) is on Broadway as Shenzi in "The Lion King."
Marianna Bassham ('02) was nominated for a 2011 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Actress for "The Hotel Nepenthe" (Actors' Shakespeare Project); "In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)" (SpeakEasy Stage Company). She won the 2009 Irne Award for Best Actress in a play in "Reckless" and "Blackbird" (SpeakEasy Stage Company) and "Little Black Dress" (Boston Playwrights' Theatre).
Brian Weaver ('08) along with his wife Nikki and brother Michael founded the Portland Playhouse in Portland, Oregon where Brian serves as Artistic Director. Cristi Miles ('05) has joined them as an Actor and Company Member.
Joshua Davis ('08) started a theater company in Chicago called The Ruckus.
Stacey Cervellino ('00) teaches at Laguardia High School. She was an International Acting Fellow at the Globe Theatre in London during Summer 2011. She has been seen in plays and musicals in New York, Chicago, Toronto, Washington D.C. and Boston. She is the former Artistic Director of Isadora Productions and her work was featured in American Theater Magazine and New York Magazine.
Diomedes Koufteros ('05) c0-produced and starred in "Evelyn Evelyn," based on the album by Jason Webley and Amanda Palmer (of the Dresden Dolls). He has been nominated for Best Performer-Cabaret in the Cyprus National Theatre Awards.
Jesse Kellerman ('03) has a new novel out: "The Executor."
Karen White ('92) has been narrating audio books for more than ten years. She's been an "Audie" nominee as well as the recipient of several AudioFile awards. Her books can be found at most public libraries, at Audible.com, and in bookstores. karenwhiteaudiobooks.com
Kevin Landis ('05) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder.
Chris Faith ('00) is a Barrymore Award winning actor, has performed Off-Broadway, and is gearing up for a Broadway workshop/backers' audition for a new musical, in which he starred with Linda Eder. He is an adjunct professor at Temple University, teaching Acting and Musical Theater. He and his wife own Dance Art Collaborative, a performance studio for children.
Juan Luis Acevedo ('98) guest starred on "Law and Order: Criminal Intent" - Season 10, Episode 5: Trophy Wine. He is working for Actors Connection as a Program Consultant and Conservatory Director. He was recently seen in Toy Box Theatre Company's "Woyzeck." Other credits include "The Arrogant Spaniard" by Lope de Vega at Teatro Circulo in NYC which won him the ACE Best Actor Award in a Period Play for his performance.
Celli Pitt ('03) sang and did vocal scoring for the HBO award-winning short film "PreMature." She works with Blessed Unrest Theatre Company in NYC.
Agnes Tsangaridou (aka Agnes Scott) ('02) starred in the film "OPA!" opposite Matthew Modine.
Jessica Hansen ('05) performed in "The Fisherman and the Golden Fish" with Synetic Family Theater which received the 2010 Helen Hayes award for Best Production of Theater for Young Audiences.
Ramona Lisa Alexander ('08) played Josie Hogan in "A Moon for the Misbegotten" at The Nora Theatre Company, for which she was nominated for a 2011 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Actress.
Lindsay McWhorter ('08) played Elizabeth in the Boston premiere of the Sarah Ruhl play "In the Next Room (or the vibrator play)" by SpeakEasy Stage Company at the Boston Center for the Arts.
Matthew J. Nichols ('04) and Britney Burgess ('04) are Co-Artistic Directors of Zootopia Theatre Company which produces original works for the stage.
Shanessa Sweeney ('05) has worked as an actress in New York and regionally. She is in the beginning stages of starting her own entertainment production company, VeryNessasary Productions, which will focus on creating new, independent theatre, television and film work for the masses. She is the Creative Director of Good Times Entertainment in Atlanta, Ga.
Angie Jepson ('05) was nominated for a 2010 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Actress for her role as Honey in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" at Publick Theatre Boston. She has been working steadily as an actress, fight choreographer, and teacher in Boston. She has performed at SpeakEasy Stage Company, Shakespeare Now!, The Publick Theatre, Boston Playwrights Theatre, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, New Repertory Theatre, Stoneham Theatre, and Wellesley Summer Theatre.
John Benitz ('91) is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Chapman University. He has directed theatre in Boston, Off-Broadway and some of L.A.'s premiere theaters. He has performed in numerous theaters across the country including Ubu Repertory Theater, Odyssey Theatre and Fountain Theatre in L.A., the Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago and Shakespeare Orange County. He is a co-founder of Theatre 88.
Robert Antonelli ('04) has been in numerous productions throughout Boston at Stoneham Theater, New Repertory Theatre and the Lyric Stage Company among others. Currently, he is the Associate Director at Kidstock!, a children's theater education center in Winchester, Mass. He is a member of the band Cahill.
Scott Barrow ('00) was in the ensemble of "33 Variations" on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theater starring Jane Fonda. He played Father Flynn in "Doubt" at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Giles in "The Mousetrap" at the Olney Theatre, and Elyot in "Private Lives" at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.
Natalie Rose Liberace ('93) is a proud member of AEA, SAG, and AFTRA. She regularly performs with the Portland Stage Company. She also teaches Public Speaking at SUNY Rockland where she is an adjunct professor.
Kate Myre ('92) has worked as a professional actress in dozens of theaters across the United States. She is an Associate Professor of Voice and Speech at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Wash.
Christian Brandjes ('98) is a member of AEA. He is currently a Tenured Associate Professor of Theater at Daemen College after being an Assistant Professor of Theater there from 2003-2008.
Dana Leslie Goldstein's ('94) "Cyclone and the Pig-Faced Lady" (book/lyrics) was produced in the NY Musical Theater Festival and "Liberty" (book/lyrics) has been optioned by a commercial producer. "Next Year in Jerusalem," which won the New England New Play Award and was begun at Brandeis, was presented at the WorkShop Theater.
Timothy Carter ('02) played Scar in the national Broadway tour of Disney's "The Lion King." Prior to that, he toured nationally in "The Three Musketeers" and "Macbeth" with the acclaimed classical touring troupe The Acting Company.
Jennifer LaFleur ('04) is the Artistic Producer of The Grid Theatre. She had a small role in the Sundance Film Festival breakout film "Baghead" by the Duplass Brothers and went on to film a leading role in their upcoming film "Do-Deca Pentathlon." She had a recurring role as Nurse Judy on "Guiding Light" and shot the role of Flora in the pilot episode of the TNT series "Bunker Hill."
Abigail Killeen ('05) is a Professor of Acting in the Department of Theater and Dance at Bowdoin College. During 2010, she is creating a show produced through Threads Theater Company in New York.
Izzy Einsidler ('05) is a Professor of Lighting/Sound Design at Fresno State University where he designs all of their Mainstage shows. His designs include "The Lifeblood" at the Connelly Theatre in NYC and "Urinetown" and "Slaughter of the Innocents in California."
Matthew Crider ('08) is a professor of acting, movement, and period performance at Murray State University.
Karla Kash ('99) is the head of Musical Theatre at Drake University where she directed and choreographed "Company" as well as "And the World Goes 'Round." She choreographed "Open Heart" written by and starring Robby Benson at the Stephen Sondheim Center. www.karlakash.com
Andrew Eisenman ('90) starred in "Last Call on Bourbon Street," part of Living Image Arts' festival of one act plays. He made his NY theater debut with Ma-Yi Theater Company and subsequently served as Associate Director of Ma-Yi for five years. andreweisenman.com
Michael Jarett ('07) was awarded the prestigious Gilbert Hemsley internship at Lincoln Center, where he assisted with lighting for the New York City Ballet, New York City Opera and the Lincoln Center Festival.
Debbie Lamedman ('96) had her short play "Mind Control" selected as part of the Samuel French Play Fest taking place in NYC in 2010. She has written and edited multiple acting books including "Laying the Foundation for a Successful Acting Career." debbielamedman.com
Undergraduate
Ethan Prochnik ('86) received an Emmy in 2011 for his work as a series producer for Discovery's "The Deadliest Catch," which won four Emmys: outstanding reality program, outstanding cinematography for reality programming, outstanding picture editing for reality programming and outstanding sound mixing for nonfiction programming.
Lynda Bachman ('10) is the Casting Director at Berkeley Playhouse in Berkeley, California.
Michael Carnow ('07) has worked wtih Tympanic Theatre, Profiles Theatre and Chicago Dramatists in Chicago, IL. He currently holds the position of Literary Manager at Profiles Theatre. He has been working with a variety of playwrights to help develop their new work. Prior to moving to Chicago, Michael was an Artistic Partner of Breathe Art Theatre in Detroit and was nominated for a Wilde Award for Best Production of a New Script.
Robert St. Laurence ('11) starred in "Rent" as Roger with New Repertory Theatre in the fall of 2011.
Justin Becker ('09) is attending Duke Law School, of which he is the president of the student body. He directed and starred as Richard M. Nixon in "Tricky Dick," a musical about the former president, along with a 50-person ensemble of professors, administrators and students. Click here to read the New York Times article.
Michal Zecher ('06) spent several years at CBS Primetime Casting where she cast some of the most popular Primetime television shows such as "CSI," "How I Met Your Mother," "The Good Wife" and many more. She is now an acting coach to many of NYC's successful working actors.
Oded Gross' ('93) adaptation of "The Imaginary Invalid" openend at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland to great acclaim. It runs March through October 2011.
Cassie Seinuk ('09) was selected to participate in the Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival. Her Play "The Muse," directed by Kenny Fuentes ('08), was performed at the Lion Theatre at Theatre Row in NYC in July 2011.
Tony Goldwyn ('82) received an Obie Award in 1991 for his performance in "The Sum of Us." He starred in the movies "The Last Samurai," "The Pelican Brief" and "Ghost," and can be seen in the upcoming "The Mechanic." He directed "The Last Kiss" and "Conviction" starring Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell.
Mary Faber ('01) is currently starring on Broadway as Heather in Green Day's "American Idiot."
Gwen Tulin ('06) is the Artistic Director of Brain Surgeon Theater, a Chicago theater company that creates original rock musicals, among other things. She has directed and co-written "CAVES!," "Zombie Project: The Sad World," "Johnny Ten Bones" and "Post-Christmas Spectacular 1976." Gwen also works with the Meisner-based company The Artistic Home.
Samson Kohanski ('08) is performing in the American Repertory Theater's long running smash hit "The Donkey Show." He has previously performed with Whistler in the Dark in their productions of "The Bacchae" and "Mary's Wedding."
Sheldon Best ('08) most recently played the lead in Tracy Letts' "Superior Donuts" at the Denver Center Theater Company. He received an Audelco nomination for best lead actor in a play for his work in the off-Broadway show "Freed." He previously starred in Red Fern Theatre's "Gentrifusion," SpeakEasy Stage Company's New England premiere of "The History Boys," Boston Playwright Theater's "The Oil Thief" and Actors' Shakespeare Project's "Much Ado About Nothing." He performed off-Broadway in the world premiere of "Soul Samurai" by Qui Nguyen, produced by Ma-Yi Theatre Company and Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company.
Kara Manson ('08) was a contestant on Wheel of Fortune.
Charles Linshaw ('98) has done a number of voiceover jobs for Frontline in the past year. He did a Bruins commercial in January 2010 and has performed in the NY Fringe Festival.
Roberta D'Alois ('75) is an emerging playwright who was featured in the One-Act Fringe Festival at San Francisco State University. Her most recent play, "Rapture Makes Perfect," was awarded honorable mention in Theatre Bay Area's Playwrights Showcase, as well as a development grant from the International Centre for Women Playwrights in Boston.
Rachel Reiner ('97) is co-President of the League of Professional Theatre Women, an international advocacy and networking organization for women in theatre. She co-Produced their New Play Festival in March 2011 at which Dev Bondarin ('01) directed the play "White Dress." Rachel is also the Senior Manager of Membership Services and Education Programs at The Broadway League.
Daniel Sack ('02) is completing his doctorate at Stanford University's Drama Department. His writings on performance have been published in TDR: the Drama Review, Theatre Journal and Yale's Theater, and he is a contributing writer for American Theatre Magazine. While still acting occasionally, most of his practical work consists of directing plays and devised performance work.
Gavi Young ('09) interned with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the Community Partnerships Division during the second half of 2009. She spent spring of 2010 as the Special Events Assistant at Roundabout Theatre Company, one of New York's leading non-profit theatres.
Kerry Israel ('02) is the Audience Development Manager for the American Repertory Theater.
Mitchell Bloom ('84) is the Assistant Resident Costume Designer at the Metropolitan Opera. Previously, he was a freelance Assistant Costume Designer working on Broadway ("Grand Hotel," "The Will Rogers Follies" and "Les Liaisons Dangereuses," all Tony-winning designs), films ("Cold Mountain," "The Good Shepherd" and "The Village") and dance (world premiers by Agnes DeMille, Paul Taylor and Twyla Tharp).
Eric Parness ('98) is the Artistic Director of Resonance Ensemble.
Sarah (Rubin) Sokolic ('93) is an actor and educator and serves as the Associate Executive Director of Storahtelling, Inc., a non-profit arts and education organization whose mission is the advancement of Judaic literacy and social consciousness through the retelling of ancient stories.
Bill Folman ('98) released his first novel "The Scandal Plan." billfolman.com
Miriam Weiner ('93) participated in Soho Repertory Theater's Writer/Director Lab. She worked with Madeleine George on her new play "Precious Little," and directed a reading of Antoinette Nwandu's new play "Breach" at the Public Theatre. She is a Literary Fellow at the Vineyard Theatre and a freelance director in NYC.
Jaime Carrillo ('98) has been a company member of The Classical Theatre of Harlem since 2003. He has performed abroad in Dublin and Winnipeg.
Rachel Peters ('99) scored "Stretch (a fantasia)" which she also conducted and played the typewriter for. She composed the music for Tisch School of the Arts' "Only Children."
*To add information to The Callboard please contact Alyssa Avis.*