The department is celebrating an almost completely sold out run of this year’s last mainstage, RENT! Congrats to our students and faculty who worked so, so hard on this!
Congratulations to Tyler Fauntleroy (BFA ’17) who is performing in one of the National Tours of Hamilton as John Laurens and Phillip Hamilton! In late April his company performed in Richmond at the Altria Theater where Tyler had his graduation. Tyler visited campus while the tour was in town, and brought other company members for a Q+A with students! His fellow 2017 graduate Mikayla Bartholomew (BFA ’17) hosted, and other alumni were in from out of town to support – it was incredible to see their love and support!
Speaking of, Mikayla Bartholomew (BFA ’17) starred in the Short Film Dear Mama… which received a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)! Congrats Mikayla! We were lucky to have Mikayla as a guest artist in two of Dr. T’s classes this Spring – read “Blending Art and Advocacy: A conversation with award-winning actress Mikayla Bartholomew” here.
Congrats to Sophia Choi (BFA ’15) on her work as co-costume designer on the Broadway premiere of KPOP! The Costume Design has been nominated for both a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award!
Vanessa Leuck (MFA ’03) is currently designing costumes for GATSBY which will be opening for ART at the Mansion at Park Central Hotel on May 23, 2023. This can be an immersive weekend, stay at the hotel and join in the party.
Otis Banks (BFA ’89) has opened a new wine bar and restaurant with partners called The Purple Tongue in Hell’s Kitchen, New York. If you are in the area, drop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner with Happy Hour from 4-7. The food has global flavors because the owners have worked and traveled overseas. The reviews are tremendous and other alums give it a thumbs up. Congratulations, Otis.
Frank Alfano’s (BFA ’08) current stunt reel is running. It’s a trip. See it here!!
Paula Woolfolk Cohen (BFA ’00) was selected as Teacher of the Year at Newark High School, New Jersey. Paula says “the theatre teacher as teacher of the year is unheard of.” We don’t think so.
Connie Manson (BFA ’83) will be teaching in the Annual Puppet Conference in Myotonic, Colorado in July 2023, if any puppeteers are in the area.
Beth Hylton (BFA ’92) recently starred in The Sound Inside at Everyman Theatre in Baltimore in March and will be in Harvey at the same theatre through May.
Olisa Enrico AKA Spyc-E (BFA ’07, MFA ’10) has been awarded a CityArtist grant by the City of Seattle.
Kris Rau (MFA ’01) has been elected as Vice-President of Administration at SETC.
Dave Gueriera (BFA ’99) is in the short film Slingshot which was named a semi-finalist in the Hollywood International Golden Age Festival – March 2023
Emily Townley (BFA ’92) starred in Unseen at Mosaic Theatre in DC, performances ended in April.
Tasha Miller Parte (BFA 99) was in Uncle Vanya at the Hudson Guild Theatre Community which played in April.
Mary Anne Moorman (BFA ’69) has opened a new event space in her barn where performers can perform and stay overnight. The space born during the pandemic is called Auntmama’s Stage 3 and is located near the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe reservation in Washington State. The space is for music, storytelling, dance, theatre and all the ensemble for performances, workshops and retreats. If you are in the area, give it a try. Follow Auntmama’s Stage 3 on Facebook.
The Mark Lindsey Duncan Legacy Endowment Fund for the Arts has been started at Nova Southeastern University after Mark’s death in 2021, the purpose of which is to further the art programs that Mark (MFA ’99) started at the University. Read more and donate here.
Katrinah Lewis (BFA ’03) will star in The Light at Firehouse Theatre in Richmond. May 12-27
Jennie Daffron Brown (MFA ’78) ’s short play Patience First was performed at the Fringe Festival at Virginia Beach in April.
Chris Beach (BFA ’77) has directed his last play after 30 years as a Professor of Theatre at the University of the Redlands in CA. The show also featured Terry Donavan Smith (BFA ’75) as a cast member. The show was Waiting for Godot. Congratulations on retirement Chris !!
Our intrepid editor, Jerry Williams, is at it again with a podcast featuring another theatre alum–Andy Umberger (1979), who’s been in dozens of movies & TV shows from Friends to HBO’s new Perry Mason. Here’s a link to the interview.
J.J. Johnson (BFA ’97) will be performing Brucie in Lynn Nottage’s Sweat at the Santa Fe Playhouse in New Mexico in May.
Dave Watkins (BFA ’07) was featured in the James River Film Festival with his video Good Day RVA, featuring his music. The video is currently available on YouTube.
Justin Scribner (BFA ’02) recently served as stage manager for the concert after the recent White House State Dinner for the President of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeo. The entertainment featured Lea Solange.
Billie Roe (BFA ’73) will be having a reading of her new play The Nineteenth Floor at 7PM, June 5, 2023 at The Pete@ the Flea Theatre on 20 Thomas Street, NY. Tickets are free but registration is required.
Chris Lillja (MFA ’88) has a current featured article on The Penguin Project at Moorestown Theatre Company in JerseyArtsfeatures.com
MEMORIUM
Toby St. Clair – passed away on March 13, 2022 in Bedford, VA surrounded by family. Toby served in the US Coast Guard before going to VCU. He then went on to become a fireman at Salem Fire and EMS. Condolences to Toby’s friends and family. You can read his obituary here.
Bill Davis (MFA ’02) passed away on March 26, 2023 after a lingering illness at his residence in Richmond, VA. Bill was a member of AEA and the Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond where he was a member if the music ministry and directed several plays and pageants. We are sorry for the loss of Bill’s friends and family. You can read his obituary here.
Steve Cozzi (BFA ’03), lawyer, friend, kind and funny man, was tragically taken from his friends, family and husband, Michael Steven Montgomery, on March 21, 2023. Our hearts are with his friends and family. You can share photos and memories in the In Memory of Steve Cozzi facebook group.
Here is a GoFundMe set up by the St. Petersburg Bar Association for Steve’s family.
Compiled by Liz Hopper (professor emeritus) and Jerry Williams (BFA ’71) for the May 2023 Theatre Alumni newsletter.