WALID CHAYA (BFA ’11)
Walid was featured in Vents Magazine in LA discussing how he got started in entertainment, finding his voice, and what’s next. Congrats Walid!
BRIAN RUGGABER (BFA ’02)
Congratulations to Brian for winning another Ostrander Award for Scenic Design in the Memphis Theatre Community, this time for his work on Jelly’s Last Jam (Hattiloo Theatre). Photo by Bill Simmers.
JAIKE FOLEY-SCHULTZ (BFA ‘07)
Jaike started his first day teaching EVER entirely on Zoom in an all-virtual format from his fifth grade classroom at Waynesboro Public School. He has 23 students; 22 showed up for his first day. Sending love to all the teachers out there as you start this truly unique school year.
Artsies Awards!
Our own newsletter editor Jerry Williams (BFA ’71) just edited the 2020 virtual Artsies awards!
Congratulations to our theatre alums!
Outstanding Achievement in Set Design, Musical
Chris Raintree (BFA ’12) “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design, Play
Nicholas Seaver, “Fences”
Best Play
“Fences,” Virginia Rep
Congrats to all the VCU folks on the team!
Director: Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates (current professor)
Costume Design: Nia Safarr Banks (BFA 19)
Assistant Costume Design: Skyler Glaser (BFA ’20)
Sound Design: Nicholas Seaver (BFA)
Fight Direction: Melissa Freilich (MFA ’20)
“Old Dog Blue” Music and Choreography: Tevin Davis (BFA ’21)
Understudy (Lyons): Tevin Davis
ED SALA (MFA ’73)
Ed’s playscript, BLOODY MURDER, had a zoom reading on August 29th. The distinguished cast was from Broadway, Television and Regional Theatre and performed from both coasts and Virginia.
MARLEY GIGGEY (BFA ‘10)
Marley is a graduate assistant at University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music teaching the Assistant Stage Manager course, while completing her MFA degree. Marley was formerly the Production Stage Manager at Synetic Theatre in Arlington, VA for several years.
JASE SMITH SULLIVAN (MFA ’08)
Congratulations to Jase on his new position as Executive Artistic Director of La Crosse Community Theatre in Wisconsin!
JUSTIN SCRIBNER (BFA ‘02)
Justin’s first book, a collection of short stories and poetry , every grain of sand, will be available for purchase late September 2020.
Karl Green (MFA ’10)
Congrats to Karl Green for receiving an Equity Jeff Award nomination for Costume Design for “An American in Paris” (Drury Lane Productions). The virtual ceremony will be November 9th.
Karl and his husband Chris were also just featured in the Richmond Times-Dispatch for a cause outside their careers in the performing arts—their devotion to the Monarch butterfly.
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 September 2020 Theatre Alumni Newsletter