Alum Call Board: December 2020
During the late 1970’s/early 80’s it became common to produce a Cabaret in Shafer Street in the upstairs rooms following a performance. This was a chance for the cast and crew to cut loose, perform and occasionally mock their shows and professors. Bobby Rotenberry (BFA 1979) recently found the Cabaret program from the after show of Marat/Sade – 1977. The participants are cast and crew members and department students.
Have other memories of renegade shows you’d like to share?! We may do a special piece down the line. Reach out to Jerry or Liz!
Congratulations to Brittany Diliberto (BFA ‘07) for being Nominated for Inspiration Photographer in International Photographer of the Year. She is the only United States photographer in this group. See all the nominees here.
T.J. Fix (BFA ‘05) was asked to participate in an Art Installation called UnderHill Walls in Brooklyn near the Brooklyn Museum. Follow UnderHill Walls on instagram here.
Blair Russell (BFA ‘12) has started a new business, Resounding, LLC, producing immersive radio (audio) plays. The first out was Treasure Island starring Rob McClure and Maggie Lakis on November 27 in time for the family at Thanksgiving. Look for what may follow on their site.
Leslie M. Scott-Jones (BFA ’95) announced that the Charlottesville Players Guild is producing an entire season of original works. They began with a virtual presentation of Vinegar Hill by Teresa Dowell-Vest on November 17. Anyone in the Virginia area should look for their new play season.
The Dirtwoman Documentary that Jerry Williams (BFA, 71) produced is now available on most major streaming services and cable on demand. Visit DirtwomanDoc.com for details.
Jean Desiree Rowe (BFA ’85) has taken a new position in the Amazon Global Business Resiliency Team as a Corporate Resiliency Manager.
Tia James (BFA ’04) is offering her time and knowledge in free classes online. She has currently set up classes in Writing and the Miller Voice Method. Tia wants to give back and those who know her are delighted to take her classes.
Matthew Shifflet (BFA ’03, MFA ‘08) has developed a program to produce original radio plays at the University of Mississippi Department of Film and Television. The plays were developed in his playwriting class using the theme of “the shadow” in homage to the classic radio drama. They were completed with Foley sounds to add to the radio experience.
Vanessa Leuck (MFA ‘03 ) and her husband Ethan Popp produced a socially distanced one-man adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol for their production company Broadway on the North Fork. It ran from December 9 through December 20 with dinner performances. It starred Scott H. Severance who had played Scrooge in the National Tour for six years. The production was partnered to collect toys, clothing and other donations for North Fork families. Read more about the piece here.
Leo Garcia (BFA ’78) is producing his second Video Virtual Film Festival of outré cinema in an online version featuring more films, visual art, music and commissioned work. The festival will be January 12-24, 2021. There will be an interactive website soon.
Come on, people! We know there’s stuff going on out there!
An award?
A new job?
A casting?
A new baby?
Retirement?
Share your news with fellow alumni. Email Jerry Williams (jerry@tvjerry.com) or Liz Hopper (elizhopper12@gmail.com).
Compiled by Liz Hopper (Emeritus Faculty) and Jerry Williams (BFA ’71) for the November 2020 Theatre Alumni Newsletter