Alumni Call board: January 2022

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CALL BOARD – JANUARY 2022

Up next on the VCU Mainstage! INTIMATE APPAREL by Lynn Nottage, Directed by Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates. We’ll be sending out info about an alumni night soon, so keep an eye on your email! Performances February 18th – 27th


A DOLL’S HOUSE: PART 2 is coming to Virginia Rep! Check out all the VCU alums involved (of course including David Bridgewater, one of our spotlights this month!). VA Rep set up a special discount just for VCU alums! Use the code VCUDOLL15 at check out for $15.00 off per ticket* Tickets available here. Shows Feb 3rd – 27th

CREATIVE
Kate Field (MFA ’18) – Scene Design
CAST
David Bridgewater (BFA ’85) – Torvald Helmer
Katrinah Carol Lewis (BFA ’03) – Nora Helmer
Katy Feldhahn (BFA ’19) – Emmy

*Discount details – Use the code VCUDOLL15 for $15 off per ticket – limit 2 per order- you can use online or by calling the box office. Discount is good for any “Doll’s House Part 2” performance, Premium Seats ($56) or Standard seats ($45) -Value seats are NOT included – As always, this offer is based on availability.


VCU News did a great write up on costume designer VANESSA LEUCK (MFA ’03). Check it out here.


Another local write up! Style Weekly talked to actor MICHELLE N. CARTER (BFA ’93) about her career and her recent role in “Mass”. Read the article here.


TIA JAMES (BFA ’04) recently directed As You Like It at PlayMakers Repertory Company. Tia serves as an Assistant Professor of Voice and Acting, as well as an acting company member, resident vocal coach, and director at UNC Chapel Hill, PlayMakers Rep. After her time at VCU, Tia went on to study at NYU’s Graduate Acting Program, and is now in North Carolina, preparing for her direction of August Wilson’s How I Learned What I Learned this Spring, and set to play Hamlet for PlayMakers Rep in the Fall. As You Like it streamedd Jan 8 – 21. Watch a promotional video here.


TATE HANYOK (BFA ’02) is announcing that she has a new Comedy Film Sex Appeal starting on Hulu on January 14, 2022, brought to you by American High, the production company behind films like Plan B.  Tate is the Writer and Executive Producer and appears in the film.  Starring Mika Abdalia, Paris Jackson, Jake Short and Margaret Cho, the story follows a young woman intent becoming excellent at the next level relationship for her long distance boy friend.  This of course leads to awkward situations, innuendos and possibly a romance with a friend.


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TEVIN DAVIS (BFA ’21) just signed a contract with the American Shakespeare Company in Staunton. He will be in two shows upcoming – Romeo and Juliet (dir. José Zayas) playing Prince, Peter, ensemble, and understudy Romeo; and The Comedy of Errors (dir. Jenny Bennett) playing Duke Solinus, ensemble. Make sure to go see him, congrats Tevin!


BOB SMITH (BFA ’79) was honored on January 15, 2022 by the Virginia Thespians.  Bob received their Lifetime Achievement Award.  Bob has been very active in Virginia Thespians for 40 years serving as a participant, Board Member, Treasurer and State Director.  Congratulations for your service to our high school theatre students. Here he is pictured with his wife in Hawaii.


jerold solomon

JEROLD SOLOMON (BFA ‘01) has co-written a new musical GABRIEL with music and lyrics by Ron Klipp about the revolutionary leader of the slave rebellion begun at the Prosser plantation in Richmond, VA in the summer of 1800.  The rebellion estimated the rebel force to be from 500 to 1,000 strong.  When Gabriel was captured and hanged, the governor and assembly exacted rigid laws to suppress and restrict the lives of free and enslaved Black people.  The musical will be presented by Firehouse theatre in Richmond this Fall. Congrats!


T.J. FIX (BFA  ’05) had an art gallery opening at The Gallery in NY on January 8th, 2022 called Boners, Bondage and Butterflies, an art evening with The Queer Fix.  Hope all of you in NY got a chance to see his new work. You can follow their work instagram @the_queer_fix


ROBERT MELLETTE  (BFA  ’85) Robert’s work was just featured in TEEN INK magazine for his article My New Year’s Resolution.  It’s also online so have a good read.  I did. Find it here.


LESLIE ANN ROSS  (BFA ’85) has been cast in an original play created from the famous documentary SHOAH about the holocaust.   Leslie will play Martha Michelsohn, a German woman witness to the horror at a Polish death camp.  It will open on January 20 at Fauquier Community Theatre in Virginia.


ABBEY KINCHELOE  (BFA ‘19) and  SCOUT SMITH (BFA ’20), currently in Atlanta, are working on their latest short film Baby Better Swallow based on their own experiences as Nannies during the pandemic setting up their own agency.  If you are in Atlanta they would love to talk to you about ideas for other works. You can support their IndieGogo campaign here.


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THOMAS SCHALL (BFA ’79)  has been the fight director for more than 60 Broadway shows.  Currently he is the fight Director for the new production of Company at the Jacobs Theatre on 5th.  Thom has a Drama Desk Award for 2019 production of A Soldier’s Play and has also worked extensively at Lincoln Center, the Public Theatre and the NY Theatre Workshop.


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D. TRACY SMITH  (MFA ’95) is currently working as Art Director for DTS DESIGN STUDIOS in LA. His current project is SWAT. Tracy has formerly worked for Casey-Warner TV Production and CBS productions.


CHANTELLE VIGUE  (MFA ’08) has taken a new job as a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual in Richmond, VA. She is hopeful to work with nonprofits to help them maximize the impact of gifts and leveraging long term giving campaigns.  Give her a call if you need help.


ROBERT ROTENBERRY  (BFA ’78) wanted everyone to know that he has retired after 36 years as a theatre educator in a performing arts academy in California. He developed a program for student playwrights and directors and produced 46 festivals of original works. He has moved to the Poconos and has recently been accepted as a member of the Dramatists Guild having written over 25 plays and screenplays.  So all you playwrights get in touch.


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MARLEY GIGGEY  (BFA ’10) is in her last MFA semester at Cincinnati Conservatory and just won an Award for Outstanding Achievement from the Ohio Valley Region USITT conference based on a write up of her experience managing two operas under COVID protocols. Her prize is her registration at USITT 2022, congrats!


THOMAS HILTERBRANT  (MFA) wants everyone from his time to know he is retired getting married for the third time.


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LEO GARCIA  (BFA ’78) wanted everyone to remember that his film festival Film Maudit 2.0 ran in California from January 12-23.  Hope those of you who were near got a chance to see some of it. 


GEORGE BARTLETT (BFA  ’77) will be in the upcoming production of Kiss Me Kate at the Renaissance Theatre in Lynchburg, VA.


stefan sittig

STEFAN SITTIG (MFA ’97) will be directing Xanadu at Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton VA, opening May 7, 2022.  Check their website for info on Auditions coming soon.


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AMY CURLEY GENTRY (BFA ’95) is looking for help at Seattle Theatre Group where she is the Associate Director of Marketing and Communication.  Several jobs are currently available.  Check their website if interested.


VCUarts is hiring an academic advisor for the performing arts! Check out the posting here. This position will be the Advisor for Theatre undergraduates and they are specifically looking for those who have experience working with performing arts students. The posting will close on January 31st and review begins immediately.



Compiled by Liz Hopper (professor emeritus) and Jerry Williams (BFA ’71) for the January 2022 Theatre Alumni newsletter