May 2024
Pete Townsend (BFA ‘01) is in the Mint Production of Becomes A Woman by Betty Smith. It streamed on their website during February and March 2024.
Alana Wilson Yeargin (BFA ‘04) was featured in Hattheatres production of From Here Up in Richmond in March. Production was designed by Frank Foster (MFA ‘93) and had lighting by Westin Corey (BFA ‘16)
John De Vore (BFA ‘96) has written a new book entitled Theatre Kids: A True Tale of Off OffBroadway. It will be in Bookstores June 18, 2024
JJ Johnson’s (BFA ’97) new script Wannabe has been chosen by the Capital Fringe Festival as one of their summer offerings . Look for it when you are in DC.
James Vincent Ogden (BFA ‘06) has accepted a new position as Assistant Professor of Theatre in Scenic Design at James Madison University in the fall. Welcome back to Virginia!
Janet Rodgers’ One woman show Gut has been selected as one of ten Whiteface Solofest Productions making it one of the best of 2024. Janet both wrote and acted in the show which was also directed by Dan Ruth (BFA ‘90)
Rick St. Peter (MFA ‘98) has been recommended by the Peer Review Panel for placement on the Fulbright Specialist Roster for a period of three years starting April 2024. Congratulations! The busy man is also taking a group of students from Virginia Union to Romania next year andalso directing Twelfth Night at our alma mater VCU.
Tiza Garland (MFA ‘00) has been appointed the new Director of the School of Theatre and Dance at the University of Florida
James Manno (BFA ‘06) has been Performing at Zeiders American Dream Theatre in VirginiaBeach in Rathskeller: An American Elixir.
Michelle Carter (BFA ‘93) was recently in Young Sheldon in the episode A Little Snip and Teaching Old Dogs.
Emily Townley (BFA ‘92) recently played Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe for Flint Repertory Theatre in Michigan.
Jerold Solomon (BFA ‘01) was Sachmo in Virginia Repertory’s one-man production in March
Bill Jenkins (MFA ‘91) has moved back to Richmond in retirement after many years as a Professor of Theatre at Dominion University in Chicago. Bill is the author of What To Do When The Police Leave: A guide to the first days of traumatic loss.
Maura Cravey (MFA ‘02) is retiring again for the third time from VCU; so many years. Let’s see if it sticks this time. Maura taught at VCU for over 20 years.
Tia James (BFA ‘04) is back for her fourth year mentoring and teaching the students at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in DC. Lucky students to have her.
Jeff Meisner (BFA ‘92) is in Run For Your Life at Swift Creek Mill Theatre in Richmond
Frederica Jepson Johnson (MFA ‘92) costume designer and actress Beth Hilton Delehanty (BFA ‘92) finally remembered where they knew each other from – VCU. – while working at the Public Theatre of Maine. They were both involved in The Beaux Stratagem when Freddie designed and Beth was an actress in the show in the 1990-91 season.
Stefan Sittig (MFA ‘97) recently directed Ken Ludwig’s adaption of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express and also choreographed The Drowsy Chaperone for Workhouse Arts center in Lorton, VA
Jennie Daffron Brown’s (MFA ‘78) play The Lessons was one of four new works selected for a staged reading at Zeider’s American Dream Proteus Festival last fall in Virginia Beach.
Jason Butler Harner (BFA ‘92) is currently starring in Colin Farrell’s Sugar on Apple+. Jason is also announcing that his independent films The Edge of Everything and The Big Bend areshowing trailers. The will be available for digital release on June 7, 2024.
Compiled by Liz Hopper (professor emeritus), Jerry Williams (BFA ’71), and VCUarts Theatre for the May 2024 Theatre Alumni newsletter