Brenda Barrie '02 as Blanche in Streetcar Named Desire at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre.
Jeffrey Barnes '00 in his one man show Remember Who Made You which he has performed extensively at Fringe festivals, conferences, and elsewhere around the country www.rememberwhomadeyou.com/
Jack Wallen '90 as Mrs. Armstrong in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Chandra DeNap '03 at Bijie University in Guizhou Province, China, where she and her husband BJ are teaching in the Peace Corps.
Ron Popp '03 (at left) as Leopold in Never the Sinner at Project 891 Theatre Company
Dr. Richard A. Williams 75, Indianapolis, passed away October 27, 2009. Dr. Williams was the former Chair of the Department of Theatre. During his 30 years of service he directed over 150 theatrical productions, started the annual dinner theatre production, and led many performance tours to the east coast, west coast and Great Britain. Under his leadership the department claims many firsts including the world premiers of You Can't Go Home Again, Airwaves, and One Voice; Indianapolis premier of Grapes of Wrath; first non-professional productions in Indianapolis of 1776 and Children of a Lesser God. He is survived by spouse, Muriel Williams, daughter, Kathryn Ransburg and sons, Richard Williams and Douglas Williams.
Dr. Williams was very proud of his production of Hamlet in 1969 which was acclaimed by Indianapolis News Critic, Charles Staff : "Colleges seldom undertake a production of Hamlet and for Director Williams to have brought it off with such a measure of success is just short of a mystery. Eckert's portrayal of Hamlet was the finest single collegiate performance this writer has seen in roughly 15 years of professional attendance." Doc was teacher, mentor, and friend to hundreds of students.
The Department of Theatre dedicates the 2009-2010 season to Dr. William’s memory.
Theatre Alum? Tell us what you're doing now.
Changed your address? Help us update our records.
The Department of Theatre maintains an email listserv for Theatre alums. Recent grads will find this very familiar--it is the same kind of listserv as the one for Theatre students. We hope that this list will enable the department to communicate with alums about news and upcoming events with greater immediacy than postcards (or word of mouth). This list is also a forum for alumni to reconnect with each other and to announce personal news and upcoming events. We anticipate that the traffic on this list will be very minimal and sporadic. We'll announce our upcoming performances, any special alumni events (such as the Graduates of the Heart Dinner Theatre performance), and so on. I hope that alumni will announce any upcoming productions with which they are involved or any other personal news of interest. Otherwise, we discourage using the list as a forum for selling your used Honda Civic or promoting your pyramid scheme. To be added to the Alumni listserv, email Brad Wright at bwright@uindy.edu .
Pamela Abbey (1972): Pamela lives in Concord, California. In 2004, after 20 years as a UMC pastor, Pamela began a drama ministry, "Acting in Faith." She provides training to churches that are beginning drama ministries, writes scripts, performs in churches, writes a monthly newsletter and leads workshops. You can check it out at www.actinginfaith.com. Since graduation, Pamela has been active in community and educational theatre. She directed Black Comedy and See How They Run at Wabash Community Theatre, and The Peppermint Tent at the University of Minnesota where she also stage managed The Black Crook. She also directed Christ in the Concrete City at the Hennepin Avenue UMC in Minnedapolis. Pamela portrayed Jennet Jourdemaine in The Lady's Not for Burning and the Lion in Androcles and the Lion at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. She played Mrs. Webb in Our Town at the Feather River College, Peggy in As it is in Heaven at Contra Costa Christian Theatre, Marge Murray/Priest in The Laramie Project at Los Medanos College, Abigail in Arsenic and Old Lace at Vagabond Players, and Kate Keller in All My Sons at Pittsburg Community Theatre.
Melissa (Adams) Every (2003): Since leaving UIndy, Melissa has been teaching English and Drama at 'The Brunts School: A
Performing Arts Specialist School' in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire in England. The Brunts School is in the top ten schools in the nation for A-level performing and visual arts. Melissa directed a production of "Bugsy Malone" in the 2006-2007 school year for Years 7 and 8 and accompanied thirty Year 11, 12 and 13 students to Washington DC in February 2007.
Melissa is the publicity officer for the Generally G&S Operatic Society (who "generally" do Gilbert & Sullivan operas/operettas). She performed Mad Margaret in Ruddigore, Fiametta in Gondoliers, and Iolanthe in Iolanthe. Melissa also played the giant's wife in the Christmas pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. Melissa was dialect coach and designed lighting for A View from the Bridge, with the Little Theatre.
Linda Atwell (2009): Linda recently retired from her position at the University of Indianapolis.
Alissa (Reidinger) Baker (2008):
Kyle Baker (2006): While at UIndy, Kyle was Master Carpenter for Pippin and Wait Until Dark Master Electrician for Endgame, Set Designer for Black Comedy, Techincal Director for the 2004-2005 Student Directed Productions, Light Designer for As You Like It and the 2002-2003 Student Directed Productions, Assistant Technical Director for Our Town, and Stage Manager for the musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. From 2001-2004, Kyle was the Scene Shop Student Manager. Kyle currently works at the Indiana Repertory Theatre where he is the Deck Manager for all main stage productions. Kyle is married to Alissa (Reidinger) Baker (2008).
Ben Barhan (2001): While at UIndy, Ben played George Spelvin in The Actor's Nightmare, and worked on the crew for Midsummer Nights Dream. He also did a living history portrayal of Jeddadiah Smith for History Interpretation. Ben is a park ranger at Yellowstone National Park.
Jeffrey Barnes (2000): Jeffrey is a 2000 graduate from the University of Indianapolis. Favorite roles while at UIndy include Claudius in Hamlet, Vershinin in The Three Sisters, Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest, and Axel in The Nerd.
From 2000-January, 2008, he worked as the Production Manager/Technical Director for the Deptartment of Theatre at UIndy. While on staff, he performed in The Laramie Project & Tape, directed Lover’s Ledge, and designed the sets for Coming Home and The Shape of Things. He taught Acting, Introduction to Theatre, and Stage Management as an adjunct professor. He also served as Advisor for UIndy’s gay/straight alliance, The PRIDE. He now works at the Herron School of Art at IUPUI in Marketing and Development.
He has worked as an actor, director and designer with the A.C.T. OUT ensemble, It All Happens Performance Ministry, and Theater Non Nobis. In 2003 he appeared in Equus at Theatre on the Square. Recently, he has been traveling the country with his original one-man show Remember Who Made You. Engagements have included the Indianapolis Fringe Festival 2005 & 2006, Columbus (Ohio) Fringe Festival 2006, Cincinnati Fringe Festival 2006, Minnesota Fringe Festival 2006, numerous conferences, churches and GLBT organizations.
In addition to UIndy, Jeffrey has studied acting at H.B. Studios in New York and has an Associate of Arts degree from Indiana Bible College.
Brenda Barrie (2002): Since graduating in 2002, Brenda served as Assistant Instructor in
Theatre at the Culver Academies, Indiana and was also the Director of
Theatre Arts for the Culver Summer Arts Camp. She taught Acting and
Introduction to Theatre. While at Culver, Brenda was given
opportunities to direct, design both set and lights, and assist the
Technical Director for all theatrical touring venues. The most
rewarding aspects of this position was the many ways in which she was
a mentor for the students, both in residency, in class, and
extracurricularly.
In 2004, Brenda moved to Chicago and immediately accepted the position
as Fly Jack Sub for the Blue Man Group, and became a theatre
instructor with the Emerald City Theatre. She also found her "day
job" right away at the University of Illinois at Chicago, assisting
the research community in the Office of Grants and Contracts. She
continues to develop both her theatre career, performing around
Chicago and working backstage at Blue Man, and her career in the
research community at UIC. She is currently a Contract Negotiator for
Clinical Trial Agreements and Material Transfer Agreements at UIC.
One of her biggest accomplishments in theatre to date was performing
as Blanche in Streetcar Named Desire at the Metropolis
Performing Arts Centre. She also undertook the role of Lil
Bit in How I Learned to Drive with the Backstage Theatre Company. Waiting for Lefty, for which she worked with Backstage, received a Jeff Award Nomination. Brenda has also performed with the Silk Road
Theatre Project, American Theatre Company, Bailiwick Repertory
Theatre, Chopin Theatre, Redmoon, Greyzelda, and Tantalus. She has
worked on various independent films and industrials. Brenda portrayed Lauren Pickering in Beauty on the Vine with the Backstage Theatre Company where she is now an Ensemble Member.
Beauty on the Vine first premiered last year in New York, at the Epic Theatre Center.
Brenda was cast as the title role in Mariette in Ecstasy at Lifeline Theatre. The production received 7 Joseph Jefferson award nominations, including Production, Director, Ensemble,
Scenic Design, Set Design, New Adaptation and Brenda was nominated for Actress in a Principal Role. She was cast as the female understudy in the remount of Steppenwolf's Of Mice and Men for "Steppenwolf for Young Adults." Most recently, Brenda received great reviews for her performance in the Jeff recommended Profiles Theatre production of the new play Graceland, by Ellen Fairey and directed by Matt Miller. The run of Graceland was extended, but Brenda was already cast in Ruby Sunrise by Rinne Groff and directed by John Gawlik at The Gift Theatre. She was recently named one of Chicago Theatre's "Rising Stars" by Chris Jones, theatre critic at the Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/stage/chi-0724-young-hot-talentjul24,0,2242362.column.
Brenda got married to Andy Brower in the Dominican Republic, July 2007.
She met him her first year at the Culver Academies where he was
teaching psychology and counseling students. He joined her in Chicago
in July and is now working with the mental illness community for
Thresholds.
Brenda and Andy have 2 cats named Sam and Nebu.
Caleb Bateman (2007):
Christie Beckmann (1998): After graduation, Christie worked for the Marion Community Theatre and AUL in Indianapolis. In the fall of 1999, she returned to UIndy to take a position as Coordinator of Fine Arts Outreach. In this position, she orchestrated collaborative marketing efforts for the Fine Arts on campus, coordinated year round fine arts educational outreach, managed Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center and Department of Theatre production publicity, and performed audience research and development. In the fall of 2003, Christie was promoted to the position of Director of Conferences and Scheduling/Director of Christel DeHaan Fine Art Center. In addition, Christie is a founding member of It All Happens Productions, the theatre ministry troupe formerly based at UIndy. Her mother, Susie Seacott, is also an alumna of the Department. On April 17, 2001, Christie and her husband Ken (also a UIndy alum) became the proud parents of Marcus Ryan.
Ashley Bergdoll (2005): Ashley currently works at The MEK Group, a business development and PR firm, where she uses her publicity experience from serving as front of house student manager writing press releases, grants, and various other marketing needs. She is a member of Techpoint, the leading change agent for Indiana's technology industry. Ashley is also a member of SharpMinds, a professional association for executives to share experiences, ideas and intellectual capital to advance their Internet strategies.
Courtney Bianchi (2007):
Jason Bostwick (1997):
Kelly Boyd (2003): During her junior and senior years at U of I, Kelly had two plays that she wrote selected to be produced by the Indiana Young Playwright's Festival. The plays are called Carla's Becoming a Woman and Chance Meeting. She was Assistant Director for Blithe Spirit, Stage Manager for How I Learned to Drive, played various roles in The Laramie Project, and Pedestian in Nothing Happened Here.
After graduation, Kelly discovered that her life's passion has become special needs camps, especially camps for children with diabetes. She has been involved with Camp Cure, a diabetes camp in Knoxville, TN, for the past fifteen years. Someday Kelly hopes to be paid to do camp-related administrative duties year round, and eventually start other special needs camps--celiac, asthma, autism, etc. For now, she continues to make her living teaching preschool.
Julie Brown (2007):
Chad Bussell (2001): Chad is currently an Import / Export Trade Specialist in Indianapolis.
Nick Carpenter (2001): Since graduation, Nick has been very busy in theatre in Indianapolis and around the region. He portrayed Bo Decker in Bus Stop at Ganis Productions in Indianapolis, was an ensemble member and co-author of Perfect Little World with "It All Happens, Productions" in North Webster, Indiana. He was also an ensemble member in the A.C.T. Out Ensemble, a social issues troupe in Indianapolis. Nick was also seen at the Lilly Theatre of the Children's Museum of Indianapolis in the Snow Queen and the Goblin. He was seen as Dennis Shepard in The Laramie Project for the University of Indianapolis Pride Organization. For Bridgework Theatre of Goshen, Indiana, Nick played multiple roles and acted as road manager. In 2004, Nick was seen in the highly acclaimed Take Me Out at the Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis as Shane Mungitt. In 2005, he was seen at Theatre on the Square in Indianapolis in Big Bang, an hysterical, 90-minute, 2-man musical that covers the enitre history of civilization. He played Austin in Sam Shepard's True West for Lowbrow Productions. More recently, Nick portrayed Laertes in Hamlet, Sebastian in Twelfth Night, Belle's Husband in A Christmas Carol, and Young Ed in And Then They Came For Me, all at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. At the Phoenix Theatre, Nick portrayed James Hanley in The Lieutenant of Inishmore. He directed Death and the Maiden at Heartland Actors' Repertory Theatre and was producer for Assassins for Lowbrow Productions. Nick and his wife Jen are the proud parents of twin girls, Sophia Quinn Carpenter and Evangeline Gwen Carpenter, born in September, 2008.
Joanna Cate Ganschow (2006): Joanna is married to Jimmy Ganschow (2006).
Jennifer Childers (2002):
Angie (Corn) Rouse (1999): Angie is an elementary music teacher, living in Indianapolis. She is married with two children named Alexis and Ty, born February 28, 2005. Although not a Theatre major, Angie was very involved in productions at UIndy including Merrily We Roll Along, Sex Lives of Superheroes, Twelfth Night, Why Do We Laugh?, Little Shop of Horrors, and Starting Here Starting Now.
Brandon Cosby: Brandon is a Senior Fellow for the Network of Effective Small Schools in Indianapolis (NESSI) and is working directly with Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) on its high school conversions. Brandon joined the University of Indianapolis' Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (http://cell.uindy.edu/) in June 2004 after serving for nine years in the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation, where he worked as a principal, assistant principal and high school teacher. A New Castle, Ind. native, Brandon holds an M.A. in Education Administration from Oakland City University and a B.S. in Speech Communication and Theatre Teaching from the University of Indianapolis.
Jeffrey Dalstrom (2009):Jeffrey is currently employed as Auditorium Manager/Technical Director at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis.
Chandra Jeanette Biehl DeNap (2003): While attending UIndy, Chandra liked to particpate in all aspects of the theatre experience. While acting was her first love, she also stage managed Antigone, co-costume designed How to Succeed, and directed How I Learned to Drive. Her onstage experiences at UIndy included Beth in A Lie of the Mind, Hedy LaRue in How to Succeed, and Elvira in Blithe Spirit. Since graduating in 2003, Chandra has worked onstage and behind the scenes in community, professional, and educational theatre. She has stage managed and designed for numerous productions including Theatre on the Square's The Last Session and Theatre Non Nobis's Tea!. Chandra has been seen onstage in Our Country's Good, Jerry's Girls, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and The House of Yes, for which she won an Indianapolis Encore Award for Best Actress in a Comedy. Professionally, Chandra has spent a year with the ACT Out Ensemble bringing social issues theatre into regional schools, performed the role of Mrs. Gloop in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, and portrayed Peggy Sue in Peggy Sue Got Murdered and Gloria in Field of Screams at The Mystery Cafe. She has also enjoyed working with the students of Decatur Central High School as a substitute teacher and assistant director for their 2004-2005 season. Chandra was the Outreach Coordinator for Theatre Non Nobis and directs its drama ministry, Out of Context.
From July 2006 to July 2008, Chandra and her husband B.J. Whetstine, were TEFL volunteers with the Peace Corps at Bijie University in China. She now attends Seton Hall University pursuing her Masters of Diplomacy and International Relations, Human Rights and Asia.
Julie Dietrich (1992):
Jared Duymovich (2006): While at UIndy, Jared was the Projectionist for The Laramie Project, Electrics Crew for Blithe Spirit, Light Board Operator for Nothing Happened Here, Assistant Master Electrician for Our Town, and Sound Designer for Wait Until Dark.
Jared played J.B. Biggley in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Ron in Someone for Everyone, Le Beau/Corin in
As You Like It, and Carlton Stone, Sr./Gilbert in Stage Blood.
Jared is currently CEO of Just A Thought Entertainment Group. He is married to Rissa Guffey (2005)
Chase Eaton (2006):
Nathan Everett (1972): Nathan currently lives in Bellevue, Washington where he is a program manager for Microsoft, automating the design and layout of documents on screen. While at UIndy, some of Nathan's credits at UIndy included:
Designer/Tech Director of Blithe Spirit
Designer/Tech Director/Percy in The Boyfriend
Designer/Tech Director/Albany in King Lear
Designer/Tech Director of Peter Pan
Designer/Tech Director of The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds
Priest in Romeo and Juliet
Bishop in The Marriage Wheel
Chorus in Antigone
Player King in Hamlet
Nathan was the first recipient of the Kellogg Director's Award in 1970.
Since graduation, Nathan has been very busy in theatre, particularly in Minnesota. His credits include:
Designer/Tech Director Orpheus in the Underworld at University of MN Opera
Designer/Tech Director Xerxes at University of MN Opera
Designer/Tech Director Words Upon the Windowpane at University of MN Opera
Designer/Tech Director Massenet's Manon at University of MN Opera
Designer/Tech Director Mr.& Mrs. Diskabolos at University of MN Opera
Tech Director Magic Flute at Minneapolis Community Opera
Designer/Tech Director Renard the Fox at University of MN Peppermint Tent
Designer/Tech Director The Crucible at MN Theatre Inst of the Deaf
Designer/Tech Director Diary of Anne Frank at MN Theatre Inst of the Deaf
Designer/Tech Director Charlie's Aunt at MN Theatre Inst of the Deaf
About 30 more shows as Designer, Tech Director, Actor, or Playwright.
Currently, Nathan does religious drama at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Bellevue WA. He is now launching a Lenten performance of Christ in the Concrete City.
Nathan wants to encourage other members of the first graduating class of Theatre majors (1972) to come to the June 2 class reunion.
Christine Farber (2005):
Kirk Fields (1990): Kirk and his wife Lucy (Wenning) Fields (1991) continue to perform with the Department: both had major roles in Galileo which opened April 7, 2000. Kirk's credits include:
Baron Von Sweeten in Amadeus
Dr. Van Helsing in Count Dracula
Harry Brewer/Arscott in Our Country's Good
Roland Crabbe in Taking Steps
Trissotin in The Learned Ladies
Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night
Ghost in Hamlet
Informer, Fat Prelate, et al. in Galileo
Charles in Pippin
Narrator/Mysterious Man in Into the Woods
Lucy (Wenning) Fields (1991): Lucy and her husband Kirk Fields (1990) continue to grace the stages at UIndy, and both had major roles in Galileo which opened April 7, 2000. Lucy has had extensive credits since graduation:
Chorus in Baby at Buck Creek
Toinette in Imaginary Invalid at UIndy
Mary in Our Country's Good at UIndy
Mary in Merrily We Roll Along at UIndy
Housekeeper in Man of La Mancha at Theatre on the Square
Maria in Twelfth Night at UIndy
Belise in Learned Ladies at UIndy
Haynes in Stiff Cuffs at First Leap Productions
Martha in Arsenic and Old Lace at UIndy
Witch in Into the Woods at UIndy
Lucy is currently working as Reference Librarian at the Krannert Memorial Library at UIndy after having received her graduate degree in library sciences.
Kristin Fife (2007):
James Ganschow (2006): Jimmy is married to Joanna (Cate) Ganschow (2006)
Dave Geible (1970): Dave is a 1970 graduate of the University of Indianapolis, majoring in German Literature and minoring in Theatre and History. While at UIndy, he appeared in Ah!Wilderness, All My Sons, 110 in the Shade, Hamlet and Antigone. After graduating, he also acted in several other productions there, including Othello, King Lear, The Miser and The Seagull. In 1993 Dave appeared again on the University stage in The Imaginery Invalid. Dave also performed in several productions at the Edyvean Repertory Theatre and other Indianapolis area theatres until leaving to move to Wyoming in 1975.
After arriving in Wyoming, Dave continued acting and directing, and among other efforts, was among the founding members of the Wyoming Shakespeare Festival Theatre company, which just completed its tenth season. Taming of the Shrew, Midsummer Nights Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Cripple of Inishmann, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, Alls Well that Ends Well, Macbeth, and King John are among the productions in which he appeared with this company, which also includes a production of his own script Nothing Matters, a play based on the journalism of Ambrose Bierce.
Since 2003, Dave has also appeared in several productions at the local Community College, including Boys in Autumn, Early One Evening at the Rainbow Bar and Grill, Two by Two, Guys & Dolls, Waiting for Godot, Man of La Mancha, and Carnival.
In all, Dave has appeared in over 80 productions since learning his love of the theatre from the late Dr. Richard Williams at UIndy.
Dawn (Geraghty) Hershberger (1992): Dawn was recently made the Associate Director of the University of Indianapolis Writing Lab. She hasn't had much time for theatre since her graduation in 1992, but she did manage to serve as Master Stage Technician for Airwaves, to write a play titled Just Right of Love performed at UIndy, and to serve as producer/director of Stiff Cuffs performed at the UIndy Studio Theatre and Indy Leap 1997. In 1998 Dawn earned her M.A. in English. And in an even bigger life milestone, Dawn was married on August 18, 2001, to UIndy alum, Dennis Hershberger. Dawn looks forward to one day getting back into theatre--perhaps by writing that play that she and her husband always discuss writing together. :) In the meantime, she supports the arts by attending plays whenever possible.
Emily Gerber (2006):
Matt Gowin (2001): Matt graduated in December, 2001 and was busy working as a freelance lighting designer/electrician. He was master electrician of The Vagina Monologues at Phoenix Theatre, Indianapolis and held crew positions at Dance Kaleidoscope, Phoenix, Edyvean Repertory Theatre, and the Indianapolis Civic Theatre. May-June 2001, Matt was an electrician at The Spoleto Festival, at Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, S.C. and then attended graduate school. While enrolled at Purdue University in the Graduate Theatre Lighting Design and Technology program, he designed the lighting for numerous productions including Sueno (KC/ACTF regional presentation), Our Town, Little Shop of Horrors, King Lear and several Purdue Repertory Dance Company performances. In his assistantship with the Elliott Hall of Music, Matt had the opportunity to work with lighting crews for Umphrey’s McGee, Lonestar, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, John Mayer, and the Kronos Quartet. Matt spent the summers of 2003 and 2004 working as a Project Management Intern with ETC at the corporate headquarters in Middleton, WI. He graduated from Purdue in May of 2004 with a Master of Fine Arts degree. He is currently working for Technilight, Inc. as a lighting manufacturer’s representative assisting customers in the Chicagoland area with products sold by ETC, Color Kinetics, Wybron, Strong Entertainment Lighting, and Stagecraft Industries, among others.
Nikki Grotenhuis (2007): Nikki is the co-host for the QMIX Morning Show at WRZQ Columbus, IN. She is also working at WIBC, Indianapolis as a producer and remote tech.
Rissa Guffey (2005): Rissa is married to Jared Duymovich (2005).
Amanda Gwin (2007): After graduation, Amanda directed a mainstage production of Bye Bye Birdie at The Artists' Studio in Fishers, Indiana. She worked as a stage manager at the Roxy Regional Theatre in Tennessee. In 2008, she was the Assistant Stage Manager for Kaboom at the New York City Fringe Festival. Amanda worked under BT McNicholl, associate director of Spamalot and Billy Elliot, Micheal Small writer of the It Girl and Rolling Stone, and producers of Spring Awakening, and Ray Wills, the original Franz in The Producers. She is now an Equity stage manager, and stage managed Refuge of Lies at The Lion Theatre on Theatre Row in NYC staring Tony Nominee Lorraine Sebarian and Richard Mawe, and for the tour of Madeline and the Bad Hat with Artspower. She currently lives in Astoria, New York, across the East River from Manhattan.
Sonja Hethcote (2004): During the summer of 2004, Sonja was hired as assistant to Laura Glover, coordinating the 2004 FINA World Swimming Championships at Conseco Fieldhouse held in October. This event is the most prestigious and largest international swimming event outside of the Olympic Games in 2004. In 2002, A record 599 athletes from 92 countries took part in the 6th FINA World Swimming Championships in Moscow. In August, 2004, Sonja was hired as the Assistant Production Manager at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. In 2003, then a junior, Sonja competed against undergraduate and graduate theatre students from across the United States and was awarded the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival's top stage management honor: the Stage Management Fellowship. The award took her to the national festival in Washington, D.C April 15-19, 2003, where she stage-managed the eight winners of the student 10-Minute Play Festival. Sonja designed costumes for the 2005-2006 Student Directed Productions.
Lindsey Hill (2006):
Kashun (Howell) Parks (2003):
Nicole Jones (2000): Nicole worked at the Indiana Repertory Theatre as a production assistant on such shows as Crumbs from the Table of Joy, Ghosts, The Importance of Being Earnest, Dinner with Friends, Taming of the Shrew, and Enter the Guardsman. She has also stage managed at the Edyvean Repertory Theatre on Galileo, Talley's Folly, and The Cocktail Hour.
Todd Jones (1993): Following graduation, Todd went to seminary at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. While in seminary, he completed work on the Master of Divinity degree as well as a Masters in Alcohol and Drug Ministries. "Throughout seminary, I had the opportunity to use the skills I had obtained on stage at UIndy: designing retreats that incorporate Christianity and the arts, writing and producing one-man shows on historical figures of the Bible and early church such as Bartholomew and St. John Chrysostom, directing and performing in several reader's theatre productions, directing, designing and acting in mainstage productions, and writing a one-act play titled Death Bed Blues. Following my graduation from seminar in 1997, I completed the steps to ordination in the United Church of Christ and accepted a call to minister in Menno, South Dakota at the Salem Reformed United Church of Christ. Along with my ministerial duties. I also sing in the Upper Room Praise Band, am writing contemporary hymns and praise songs, and am completing work on a commentary for junior highers on "The Heidelberg Catechism." But, my greatest joy since graduation from UIndy came in June of 1999 when I was blessed to marry Kim (Fischer) Jones--a Physical Therapist Assistant from Olivet, S.D. Together, we are enjoying the mysteries of married life and mining the blessings of matrimony." Todd was set and lighting desinger for Quilters and directed and played Dave in Airwaves, both at the MTSO Theatre in Delaware, Ohio.
Kim King (1994): After graduating from UIndy with a degree in Speech and Theatre Education, Kim worked briefly as the Administrative Assistant to the Interim Artistic Director at Indianapolis Civic Theatre and as Ombudsman to Maryland & Washington D.C. for Medicare. After deciding to pursue a career teaching in higher education, she accepted a position as a graduate teaching assistant at Ball State University. Kim received her MA in speech communication in 1996. During the 6 months that followed she taught as an adjunct instructor at BSU, IUPUI, and Ivy Tech State College. In January, 1997, she obtained a full-time teaching position with Ivy Tech State College. In addition to teaching, she is attending Purdue University part-time as a doctoral candidate in interpersonal communication. Most recently, she has applied for a research grant through the Indiana Humanities Council to preserve the oral history of the New London Quaker settlement in western Howard County.
For several years after graduating from UIndy, Kim served as Costume/Entertainment Zone Manager for Indy FanFest at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, working with a wide variety of UIndy students and faculty throughout this annual event. Performing in the classroom as a teacher has replaced performing on stage, but Kim hopes to find time to get involved with the local community theatre within the next few years. While at Ivy Tech, she has directed several student presentations of prose and poetry interpretations. She has also served as an acting consultant for the Kokomo High School Marching Band.
For those of you who remember the 3 & 6-year-old kids that Kim brought with her to UIndy in 1989, you will be amazed to hear that Seth & Sarah are now 14 & 17. Seth is playing percussion in the middle school band and Sarah performs in the color guard and winter guard at her high school. The kids and Kim lead a sit-com life with her 78-year-old dad, who lives with them. All are reasonably happy and healthy, as are their two new cats, Gus (short for asparagus) and Broc (short for broccoli).
Alice Larson (1993): Following a break from the theatre after graduation, Alice has been very busy in local theatre. She played Ensemble/Creighton in Lil Abner and Ensemble in Merrily We Roll Along both at Footlight Musicals in Indianapolis. She has also done extensive Stage Managing including Edward II at Theatre on the Square - Indianapolis, Stiff Cuffs at First Leap Productions-Uof I, and Big, She Loves Me, Grease, Bells Are Ringing, and The King and I all at Footlight Musicals-Indianapolis. Alice also did properties for Children of Eden at Footlight.
"I spent several years away from the theatre right after graduation working far too much and missing the stage every waking moment. But now, I'm happy to say, my friends don't see me for an entirely different reason. So for everyone who's gotten my silly answering machine: I'm not dead, just busy down at the theatre as always, but you can leave a message with my cat Ludwig. If you're talking a card party, I'm there, but I may be a little late. I think I've got a show that night.
And I realize I've never said a proper thank you to Jim Ream. Since most of what I do is backstage, I'd never have had a clue if he hadn't taken the time (and MUCH patience) to show me how."
Bethany Lillis (2006): In 2008, Bethany toured with Bridgework Theatre.
Cameron Manifold (1977): Cameron is a pastor in Waldron, Indiana with three children, Aaron, Alison, and Adriane.
Amber Martin (1997): Since graduation, Amber has pursued a career in Stage Management. Amber was the staff Production Stage Manager at Stage One in Louisville. She returned to UIndy to stage manage Hamlet and A Different Journey for UIndy/The Phoenix Theatre in 1999. In her career as a student here, Amber filled several technical roles including stage managing Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Later, and The Learned Ladies, as well as the production manager for the 1996/97 student directed One-Acts/Senior Project. Since her graduation in 1997, Amber has worked as a stage manager/assistant stage manager in theatres across the country, including Actor's Theatre of Louisville (including the world premiere of Y2K by Arthur Kopit, directed by Bob Balaban; 23rd Humana Festival; Anton in Showbusiness by Jane Martin, directed by Jon Jory; 24th Humana Festival & Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage by Jane Martin, directed by Jon Jory; 25th Humana Festival), Stage One in Louisville, the Portland Stage Company in Maine, New Girl Productions in Louisville, The Walker Theatre in Indianapolis and the Chautuaqua Conservatory Theater in Chautuaqua, New York (Including Iphigenia and Other Daughters, written and directed by Ellen McLaughlin). Amber joined Actors Equity and worked on numerous "light rock" tours including For the past several years has been the Stage Manager for Barry Manilow at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas. She is also a member of the Naptown Rollergirls league in the Women's Flat Track Derby Association.
Barry McFarlane (2004):
Chris McKay (2006): After graduation, Chris moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin where he is an Associate Buyer at Community Health Parntership. At the Chippewa Valley Theater Guild, Chris portrayed Clifford Bradshaw in Cabaret, was the second Assistant Director for Brighton Beach Memoirs, portrayed Mr. Lascalzo in The Awsome 80's Prom, an interactive comedy, was the Assistant Director for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and was the Narrator for The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He was also assistant director and played a supporting role in an independent film titled Big Star due for release in February, 2009.
Mark Michalak (2001): Mark is living in Chicago. Since graduation he has performed in two tours with Bridgework Theater, and stretched his dancing ability to the maximum in Pirates of Penzance with Light Opera Works in Chicago. Mark also co-directed Jekyll & Hyde which earned nine IETF nominations and four awards including best musical. He also directed Side Show. Mark has been out of the theatre for some time, but worked with an independent scene shop. The business specializes in small theatres, but recently worked on sets for ESPN and Ralph Lauren, built the winners' pavilion for the Chicago Marathon, and two sets for a History Channel series focusing on hurricanes. Mark's goals include opening a bar and pursuing real estate development. He is currently employed by KONE, Inc. in Chicago as an elevator constructor.
Susan (Miles) Ellenwood (2000): Susan and her husband, Matt, moved to Seattle, Washington.
Jack Miller (1960): Jack is in the clergy in Carmel, Indiana, where he is the married father of Brent Miller and Courtney Trachtman.
Mary (Millman) McCullough (1996): After graduating in 1996, Mary did two productions working backstage at the Phoenix Theatre. She worked in lighting for Glengarry, Glen Ross, and was a dresser for Whoopdeedoo!!!! Mary was also a dresser for One Thousand and One Nights at IBT. In January 1999, she directed Greater Tuna for the JCCT Dinner Theatre.
Mary curently works for Delta Faucet as Assistant Channel Manager (Marketing) and does judging for a community theatre. On New Year's eve, 1999, she gave birth to Matthew Alexander McCullough.
Collin Moore:
Jeska Morrow (2004): In early August, 2004, Jeska moved back to Atlanta, Georgia where she was hired as a carpenter at the Alliance Theatre. The Alliance Theatre has achieved recognition as one of the country's leading theatres, having premiered such works as Pearl Cleage's Blues for an Alabama Sky, Elton John and Tim Rice's Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida (in partnership with Disney Theatricals), Sandra Deer's So Long on Lonely Street and Alfred Uhry's The Last Night of Ballyhoo.
Delia Neylon (2006):
Ryan O'Shea (2008):
Amy (Pizarek) Crane (1999): Directly after graduation Amy took a teaching position at
Ron Popp (2003): After graduation, Ron worked in Indianapolis, toured with the Bridgework Theatre, and held several readings of his plays in progress. Ron moved to Chicago in 2004, where he is pursuing his playwriting and performing career. He directed the Chicago Premiere of Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead and played Leopold in Never the Sinner at Project 891 Theatre Company.
Ryan Redmon (1996): Ryan graduated from law school at Notre Dame. Ryan was an associate attorney at the law firm of Montgomery, Elsner, & Pardieck in Seymour, Indiana. He is a trial lawyer with the Udall Law Firm in Tucson, Arizona. Prior to joining Udall Law Firm, Ryan was a Deputy Prosecutor in the Major Felony Division of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Brandon Reed (2008):
Jay Risse (1990): Technical Director for The Nerd and Merrily We Roll Along. Jay is a 1990 graduate of the Department of Theatre at the University of Indianapolis. He has worked locally with the Indianapolis Ballet Theatre and has done summer stock in Weston, Vermont. For two years he served on several cruise ships in the capacity of Stage Manger/Technician for all entertainment on board, including a stint on the S.S. Amerikanis touring all parts of Europe.
Virginia Sanders (2003):
Erika Saperstein (2006):
Susie Seacott: Lighting Designer for A Midsummer Night's Dream. Susie is an alum of UIndy, from the days when we were Indiana Central University. She designed the lighting for A Midsummer Night's Dream with her daughter, Christie. Susie worked with Jim Ream in the Epworth Forrest Drama Troup. Susie works at General Motors, and has been active as a volunteer lighting designer and technical co-ordinator for Marion Civic Theatre since 1984. Her daughter, Christie Beckmann, is also an alumna of the department.
Aaron Seelig (2006): Immediately after graduation, Aaron moved to Highland Falls, New York where he was the resident lighting designer for Eisenhower Hall Theatre at the United States Militar Academy at West Point. He designed lights for Clay Aiken and B.B. King. Other lighting design credits include The Wailin' Jennys, New Riders of the Purple Sage, The 5 Browns, The Polyjesters, and America--all at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights, Ohio in August, 2006. He was also Event Master Electrician. Aaron was a draftsman at Verizon Wireless Music Center, Nobelsville, Indiana and an electrician at the Indianapolis Civic Theatre. He is currently Lighting Technician/Programmer for Stage Tech in Fortville, Indiana.
Molly Schommer (1998):
Crystal Vissers (2009):
Joy (Shaffer) Wasserberger:
Shanelle Shrader (2003): Shanelle worked as the assistant master electrician at the Seaside Music Theatre in Daytona Beach, Florida for three consecutive seasons--Summer 2003, Winter 2003-2004 and Summer 2004. She continued to work for Laura Glover at Dance Kaleidoscope between SMT seasons. Shanelle then took an electrics position at the Indiana Repertory Theatre beginning in August, 2004. She also designs the lights for Kenyetta Dance, a new dance company in Indianapolis.
Jaime Smith (2002): Jaime is currently an Administrator of Business & Information Technology at Indiana Youth Institute. In April and May, 2003, she appeared as Lady Montague in the Rough Magic Productions' Romeo and Juliet at the Wheeler Arts Community. In July, 2003, Jaime assistant stage managed, assistant directed, and designed props at Buck Creek Theatre. She appeared as a Spirit in the Loose Cannon Production of The Tempest.
Kristin Sollenberger (2008):
Jon Stahl (2007):
Kara Terrell-Curtis (1999): In 2008, Kara began pursuing her Masters degree in the Graduate Program in Applied Communications at IUPUI.
Tamara Torson (1985): Tamara is a substitute teacher living in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. At Michigan State University, she portrayed Mother in 'night Mother and a dancer in David Rabe's In the Boom Boom Room.
Jessica Umbreit (2006): While at UIndy, Jessica was the Set Designer/Scenic Artist for Speak Truth to Power, Set Designer for Sticks and Bones and Ladies of the Mop/ The Family Continues, Master Carpenter for Trojan Women and Endgame, Master Electrician for Pippen, Scenic Artist for Bedroom Farce and Black Comedy. Jessica returned to UIndy to design the set for Laundry and Bourbon & Lonestar. She was also Master Carpenter for Macbeth at The Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. She is currently Properties Artisan at the Indiana Repertory Theatre.
Outside of UIndy, Jessica was Prop Master for Carmena at The Indianapolis Opera, Properties Artisan for Much Ado About Nothing , Misalliance, and The Merchant of Venice at American Player Theatre, Spring Green, Wisconsin, and was a Board Operator at the Indy Fringe Festival at both Theatre on the Square and the Murat Theatre. She is the Assistant Properties Artisan at the Indiana Repertory Theatre.
Janet Veal-Drummond (2008):
Chris Vicoli (2004):
Crystal Vissers (2008):
Sara Wagoner (2005):
Jack Wallen (1990): After graduation, Jack received his MFA in acting from Purdue University. He currently lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where is an Equity actor. Jack performed in The Great Gilly Hopkins at the New Victory Theatre on Broadway. Regionally, he played Puck in the Colorado Shakespeare Festival production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Amiens in As You Like It at the American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin, and Marchbanks in Candida at the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. In Indianapolis, Jack portrayed Ramone in Love! Valour! Compassion! at the Phoenix Theatre and Madeliene in Vampire Lesbians of Sodom. At the Stage One Theatre in Louisville, Jack has played Alexander in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Ichibod Crane in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Kenny in Something Upstairs. Jack was also seen as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz at the Music Theatre of Louisville. Jack is also an author of fiction, plays, and screenplays.
John Waller (2008): John began pursuing his law degree at Howard University in the fall of 2008.
Tiphanie Wampole (2002):
David West (2009):
Jenni White (1997): Since graduation, Jenni has been quite active in community theatre in
Evansville, Indiana, where she lived from 1997-2004. She has acted,
directed and stage managed for River's Bend Playhouse; acted and stage
managed at Evansville Civic Theatre; and acted for Repertory People of
Evansville and Actors' Playhouse. In the summer of 1997, Jenni was a
member of the Chautauqua Conservatory Theater Company in western New
York. While at UIndy, she was directly involved in every single
production that took place from 1993-1997. Favorite roles include
Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Kitty in Taking Steps, Clytemnestra in Iphigenia and Other Daughters, the mother in Later and directing her senior project, Lonely Planet, starring the incredibly talented Kevin Grow.
Jenni joined the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (www.in.gov/dnr) as a Grants Accountant in February 2009. She is also an independent consultant with Passion Parties (www.passionparties.com) and Discovery Toys (www.discoverytoysinc.com), and works on contract with the Coalition of Equitable Organizations (www.coalitionofequitableorganizations.org).
Immediately prior to joining the DNR, Jenni served as the Associate Director of Resource Development with the Damien Center (www.damien.org) from 2005-2007. From 2003-2005, Jenni was a stay-at-home mom, and will be eternally grateful for the 19 months she got to spend at home with her son. From 2001-2003, Jenni was the Program Facilitator and Office Manager for Leadership Evansville (www.leadershipevansville.org); and from 1999-2001, she was the Executive Producing Director for Tales & Scales, Inc. (www.talesandscales.org), after serving as their Booking Manager from 1997-1999. She was awarded the Governor’s Award for Tomorrow’s Leaders by the Indiana Humanities Council and Gov. Frank O’Bannon in June 2003.
Jenni has served on the boards of several not-for-profit organizations, and her passions include acting and directing, her son Zion, and helping others. She is bout manager for the Naptown Roller Girls (www.naptownrollergirls.com) and has performed in Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues (www.vday.org) every year since 2003. Jenni has been active with the theatre group Theatre Non Nobis, performing in the Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival (www.indyfringe.org) in 2006. She directed and performed in Godspell at Broadway United Methodist Church (www.broadwayumc.org) in 2008 and hopes to stay active in the theatre community here in Indy.
Jennette Wright (2007):
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