News: Transformations Alumni Newsletter
(For more news from the Department of Dramatic Art, visit our DDA News page.)
Transformations
A newsletter devoted to students, faculty, and alumni of the UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Dramatic Art
Late Summer, 2009
Dear Alumni and Friends,
We are nearing the end of our summer and enjoying both a sense of accomplishment for the past year and excitement for the fall.
First, let me pass on the exciting news that McKay Coble, after leading us as Chair so well for the past 4 years, has been elected the new Chair of the Faculty. We are quite proud of all her accomplishments here in the DDA and look forward to her excellent leadership for the university. McKay will continue to teach in the department and design for PlayMakers. In fact, she has been quite busy this summer finishing her design for PlayMakers’ fall production of Nicholas Nickleby, a major, 6-hour, two-part extravaganza that will anchor our new season. As Associate Chair, I will be taking on most of her duties for this year as McKay transitions to her new role. In January, Dean Bill Andrews will begin the process of identifying a new, permanent Chair for the department.
As before, Transformations will be a place for us to share what we’ve learned from you, and for you to stay connected to your Carolina home. Let us hear from you at DDANewsletter@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Blair Cornell ‘98
Associate Chair
Actor, PlayMakers Repertory Company
Alumni, Friends and Supporters , please contact DDANewsletter@gmail.com to update and share your information.
Headliners
PLAYMAKERS' JOE HAJ HONORED BY AMERICAN THEATRE
AMERICAN THEATRE Magazine has named PRC Producing Artistic Director Joseph Haj as one of twenty five theatre artists across the country "whom we believe will have a significant impact on the American theatre over the course of the next quarter-century".
Dear Joseph,
For its 25th anniversary issue, coming out in April ’09, AMERICAN THEATRE magazine has formulated a list of 25 theatre artists from across the country whom we believe will have a significant impact on the American theatre over the course of the next quarter-century. You are one of these people....We would like to invite you to contribute a personal statement to this special April issue. The topic is “An Eye on the Future: What Will the Next 25 Years Bring to American Theatre?” ........
...We think the conversation that results from your contribution and those of your colleagues will be dynamic and insightful---maybe even prophetic about the future course of the art form we share..........
BEKAH BRUNSTETTER - OFF-BROADWAY DEBUT
Bekah Brunstetter ‘04 will see her new play, “Oorah!” premiere Off-Broadway Sept. 1-27 at The Atlantic Theatre, alongside plays by David Mamet and Sam Shepard.
See: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/130526-Plays_by_Mamet_Shepard_and_Brunstetter_Will_Spike_Atlantic_Theater%27s_Season
KATE MIDDLETON AND MAC ROGERS NOMINATED FOR NEW YORK INNOVATIVE THEATRE AWARDS
The nominees for the 2009 New York Innovative Theatre (IT) Awards have been announced at a fifth anniversary celebration.
Among the nominees: actresses Jan Maxwell (for Scenes From An Execution) and Kate Middleton (for Avow), choreographer Austin McCormick (for The Judgment of Paris), playwright Mac Rogers (whose Universal Robots received multiple nominations), and composer Dave Malloy (for Beowulf - A Thousand Years of Baggage).
For further information on the IT Awards, visit www.nyitawards.com.
ALUMNUS MISSY EGAN NOMINATED FOR EMMY AWARD
Mellissa Egan has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her work on "All My Children" on which she has been a regular for the last three years.
2009 CAROLINA ARTS BRUNCH YOUNG ALUMNUS SPOTLIGHT JOSH EVANS '07
Josh Evans earned his BA from the Department of Dramatic Art in 2007. Born and bred in New York City to two Southern Jewish parents, Josh was raised with a great love of the South, and the arts. He is a third generation Tar Heel but the first in his family to go into the theatre. Josh’s father Eli Evans is the recent recipient of an honorary degree in Doctorate of Laws from UNC. Some of Josh’s UNC credits include Sam Shepard’s La Turista with LAB!, Dr. Leon Katz’s The Son of Arlecchino, and Alfred Urhy’s The Last Night of Ballyhoo, which was the inaugural production of UNC’s Jewish Theatre Company. While at UNC, Josh spent his senior year studying acting with Joan Darling. He considers Joan one of his greatest influences.
After moving back to New York in 2007, Josh found his ongoing artistic home at Michael Howard Studios in New York City. After completing their Summer and One-Year Conservatories (having studied with such luminaries as Olympia Dukakis, Polina Klimovitskaya, and others) Josh was asked back to become a member of their Premiere Second-Year Program. Through Michael Howard Studios Josh has connected and worked with some of New York’s best up-and-coming talent in the industry. In fact, Michael Howard Studios has become home to many UNC Dramatic Arts Graduates. He has even continued his studies with Joan Darling as a part of the MHS Conservatory Programs.
While attending Michael Howard, Josh has been studying and working professionally. His work has included over a dozen stage productions, and six film projects including published material like Richard Greenburg’s The Maderati as well as numerous original pieces. He recently starred in a reading of an original play as a part of The Emerging Artist Theatre’s Illuminating Artist’s Series. He opens in a new dark comedy on May 19th, Ted’s Head by Charles Evered, about a south Boston alcoholic who has returned to his hometown to bury the frozen head of Ted Williams in Fenway Park. He portrayed a tortured Frank Sinatra in the throes of divorce and career turmoil in-- In Private: An Evening with Hollywood Icons. Josh’s films can be seen in festivals this summer and on youtube. A highlight of his camera work in New York was booking the job of First Assistant Director on Patsy Rodenburg’s documentary series “Shakespeare in the Present” featuring (Joe Fiennes, Lynn Cohen, Wallace Shawn). He not only worked behind the camera but is also a featured performer on the project portraying the illegitimate yet strikingly funny (and handsome) Edmund in King Lear.
ALUMNUS DAVID CHAPMAN NAMED DRAMA LEAGUE FELLOW
David Chapman '03 has been named a Fall Directing Fellow of the Drama League. Four Fall Fellows are chosen every year from a large applicant pool; program alumni include Tony-, Obie- and Drama Desk-winning directors, artistic directors, and professors around the country.
David writes: In other news, I will be directing a revival of the coming-of-age musical Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? this month in NYC and Wisconsin, then I will be attending the TCG Conference as part of my internship in International Programs at TCG/ITI, and later this summer I will return to Cherubs to direct Chuck Mee's Fire Island. If any of you will be in NYC, Lake Geneva (WI), Chicago, or Baltimore this summer, please let me know!
SENIOR CARINA CORTESE WINS BEST UNDERGRADUATE PRESENTATION, GILL AWARD and is INDUCTED INTO THE ORDER OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE
Carina Cortese who presented the research for her Honors Project yesterday at the 2009 University Research Day and won the award for Best Undergraduate Presentation in the Humanities. There will be an awards ceremony on April 20th through the Graduate School.Fall 2008: Department of Dramatic Art Major Carina Cortese has received a 2007 SURF grant for her project " Family, Memory, and Political Violence in Argentina: the Lizaso Family through its Members". Carina will document the knowledge of Jorge and Miguel Lizaso s only surviving nieces, Laura and Alejandra Voglino (her mother and aunt, respectively), with regards to her family 's involvement with the Montoneros faction in Argentina through a series of extensive interviews that will shed light on these events for use in academic exploration of the period.
The transcripts from the interviews will be integrated into the History department s curriculum at La Universidad Nacional de La Plata where Carina is studying abroad to further understanding of the Dirty War in Argentina. She also looks forward to exploring the stories she collects through a creative means upon her return to UNC." DDA professor Julie Fishell will serve as UNC faculty sponsor for this project.
Carina Cortese has been selected to receive the 2009 Federico G. Gil Award in recognition of her honors thesis, “Afterimages of the Disappeared: Creating a Space for Memory through the Lizaso Family” under the direction of Professor Adam Versényi. The Institute for the Study of the Americas presents this award each year to the undergraduate student who writes the best honors thesis on a Latin American topic.
On March 31, 2008 Carina Cortese was inducted into the UNC Honorary Society of the Order of the Golden Fleece for her outstanding contributions to the Department and the University.
RAY DOOLEY ELECTED TO URTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Dramatic art professor Ray Dooley of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been elected to the board of directors of the nation’s oldest and largest association of graduate theater training programs.
He will serve a three-year term on the board of the University/Resident Theatre Association, which consists of 35 of the most influential schools in theater training in the country and 14 partner theater companies.
Dooley is head of the professional actor training program in the dramatic art department in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences. He chaired the department from 1999 to 2005. He has taught undergraduate and graduate acting classes and courses in dramatic literature.
Dooley has 30 years of professional acting experience that has spanned film, television and stages across the United States and abroad. He is the recipient of a Village Voice OBIE Award for Distinguished Performance at CSC Repertory in New York. In 2006, he played Father Flynn in the European premiere of “Doubt: A Parable” at Vienna’s English Theatre.
With PlayMakers Repertory Company, the professional theater in residence at UNC, Dooley has acted in nearly 50 productions since 1989. Among them, he portrayed Salieri in “Amadeus” and played the title role in “Cyrano de Bergerac.”
University/Resident Theatre Association Web site: http://www.urta.com
DAVID WHALEN WINS KEVIN KLINE AWARD
Padraic (David Whalen) and Mairead (Amy Ward) in the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre production of "The Lieutenant of Inishmore."
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and its production of Douglas Carter Beane's The Little Dog Laughed were the top winners at the fourth annual Kevin Kline Awards in St. Louis March 30.
Broadway veteran Lee Roy Reams hosted the 7 PM awards gala that honored the work of theatre companies in the greater St. Louis area (nine were recognized with awards). The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis earned ten Kline Awards, including Outstanding Production of a Play for The Little Dog Laughed, and director Rob Ruggiero was awarded for his work on the Rep stagings of Little Dog and Ella.
The Black Rep earned three Kline Awards for its production of Sarafina!, which took the prize for Outstanding Production of a Musical.
Highlights of the Kevin Kline nominations (with winners in bold and marked by an asterisk) follow:
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
J. Samuel Davis (Blood Knot, Upstream Theater)
Keith Jochim (Frost/Nixon, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis)
Ben Nordstrom (Mary's Wedding, Echo Theatre Company)
Cody Proctor (The Comedy of Errors, St. Louis Shakespeare)
*David Whalen (The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis)
JUNIOR ERIN STONEKING AWARDED THE PHILLIPS SCHOLARSHIP
Erin Stoneking was awarded the Phillips Ambassadors Scholarship to study abroad in India this summer. Erin intends to use the information she gathers for a Senior Honors Thesis. http://www.phillipsambassadors.org/
2009 MARIAN A SMITH AWARD PRESENTED TO MFA STUDENT AMY PAGE
The 2009 Marian A. Smith Award was presented to MFA Costume Technology student Amy Page. This annual award is presented by the Southeastern Theatre Conference to an outstanding student pursuing a degree in costume design and/or technology.
Former winners of the Marian Smith Award are Jacki Blakeney (2008) and Spencer Henderson (2007) both also students of our MFA Costume Technology Program.
For MFA Alumni updates please see: Acting | Costume Production | Technical Production
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Dayna Adelman
- Junior
- Dramatic Art/Journalism (PR)
- Plainview, NY (Long Island)
- I will be interning at the Mint Theater in NYC and will get the opportunity to work on a variety of arts administration tasks.
Emily Anderson
Dramatic Art and Cultural Studies
Chapel Hill, NC
This summer I will be traveling throughout India and Southeast Asia. I received the Travel Fellowship from the Division of Student Affairs to study performance art and cultural tourism in Kerala and Bali, with a month of traveling in between. I will be conducting and ethnographic research project that will culminate in a thesis performance and a written ethnography.
Ashley Avera
Year: Sophomore, rising Junior
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
What I'm doing this summer: Williamstown Theatre Festival Apprenticeship Program
Aurelia Belfield
Major/Minor: Dramatic Arts/Writing for the Screen and Stage
Hometown: Charlotte
Summer plans: Sound Design Intern for "Jon and Kate Plus Eight"
Bryan Burton
Freshman
Dramatic Art Major
Greensboro, NC
I'll be attening ACTeen, the nation's first film acting program for teens, in New York City for 4 weeks in July. I'm getting the wonderful opportunity to take part in classes such as "film acting technique", "commercial technique", and "audition technique" among other exciting film and theatre classes!
Chris Chirdon
Rising Senior performing in the Lost Colony in Manteo, NC from May 29th through August 20th - six nights a week with workshops and acting classes during the day.
Alex Daly
Freshman
Dramatic Art Major/music minor
Chapel Hill, NC
I will be working at the College Light Opera Company (CLOC) in Falmouth, Massachusetts as a member of their 32 person vocal ensemble. We will do 9 musicals in 10 weeks, including among others, Carousel, Yeomen of the Guard, and Brigadoon.
Chris Dorman
DRAM/COMM
Chapel Hill, NC
I plan to move to LA and work at an internship through the COMM dept. with a casting agency.
Skylar Gudas
2009
Dramatic Art/Creative Writing
Ashland, VA
Studying in Rome to write a collection of poems based on Ovid's Metamorphoses and the theme of change. Traveling to Sulmona, Florence and Romania to trace his life as a free man and his exile.
Erin M. Hanehan
Major/Minor - Dramatic Arts and Journalism with a concentration in PR
Hometown - Apex, NC
Summer plans - I will be returning to Carolina Performing Arts, and will be working with Reed Colver, Campus and Community Engagement Coordinator.
Paul Harrell
Major/Minor Dramatic Arts
Hometown Laurinburg, NC
Summer plans Director of the Drama Major at Camp Chestnut Ridge / Counselor
Doug Harris
Sophomore
Major: Political Science/Dramatic Arts Minor: Religious Studies
Charlotte, NC
I will be spending this summer in Tanzania, Rwanda, and The Netherlands. I will be studying the effects of the Rwandan Genocide in the local context (living in Rwanda) and at an international context (working at the international criminal court in The Hague Netherlands).
Diana Iglesias
Year: Sophomore
Majors: Dramatic Art and Journalism & Mass Communication (Multimedia)
Hometown: Miami, FL
Summer Plans: In partnership with Nourish International, I will be leading a team of students to rural Honduras, where we will be interning with the Foundation for Participatory Research with Honduran Farmers (FIPAH), an NGO operating in three regions. Building on my work from the previous summer, I will be teaching computer skills, English, theatre, and other workshops for the various communities in FIPAH's network.
Addyson Elise Johnson
Major/Minor: Majors in Dramatic Arts and Psychology, Minor in Creative Writing
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Summer plans: I will be interning at Northlight Theatre in Chicago, Illinois in the casting and arts administration department.
Daleelah Johnson
Year: 2009
Major: Dramatic Arts, Communications (Media & Production)
Minor: Writing for the Screen
Originally from: Charlotte, NC via Lincoln, Nebraska
Summer Internship: Universal Studios (Talent Development Department), and Weed Road Pictures/ Warner Bros Studios (Script Coverage)
Fall Plans: attending Chapman University in Orange County, Ca in fall for Producing.
Kelly Leonhardt
Dramatic Arts/ Economics Double Major
Huntersville, NC
Finance Internship with the American Dance Festival located in Durham, NC
Carter Lynch
Dramatic Arts
Leading actor with the College Light Opera Company in Falmouth, MA on Cape Cod. Performing 9 musicals and operettas in 10 weeks (“one week stock”), Carter is playing leading roles throughout the season in such shows as Me and My Girl, Brigadoon, Yeoman of the Guard, Lady Be Good and Titanic.
Evan Mitchell
Major: Dramatic Arts
Hometown: Celo, NC
Summer Plans: Working and Performing at Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre. I'll be acting in all five of the summer shows.
Katie Paxton
Year: Junior, Rising Senior(yikes)
Major: Dramatic Arts; Minors: music, religious studies
Hometown: Centennial, Colorado
Internship: I'll be interning at Abrams Artists Agency in NY in the theatrical department for two months. I'll be filing and sorting clients' headshots/resumes/audition tapes, contacting clients for auditions (if necessary) and reading with actors during auditions.
Amelia Sciandra
Double-major in Spanish and Drama with a minor in Journalism
I will be working at an overnight camp called Camp Hanes in King, NC for 11 weeks. I'll work with kids from age 7 to 16, running, jumping, learning, loving and living! It's an excellent job that I love and am really excited about. My hometown is Winston-Salem, NC!
Melanie Simpson
Dramatic Art/Creative Writing
Carthage, NC
I'll be working as a Residence Hall Leader for the Duke Talent Identification Program at Davidson College. I'll supervise 12-14 year olds and teach activities such as drama, poetry, and social dance. A
fun filled summer is in store!
Carly Justine Swain
Major/Minor Journalism and Mass Communications and Drama (double)
Hometown Charlotte, NC
Summer plans Entering the "real" world.
Katy Werlin
Year: Sophomore
Major(s)/Minor(s): Dramatic Arts major, Music minor
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
I have an internship at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Museum in Los Angeles, California, and I have also been awarded a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship from the Office for Undergraduate Research to fund my research project studying the portrayal of 18th century standards of beauty (costumes, hair, make up, body type) in period films from throughout the 20th century.
Adam Wright
Year: Senior
Majors: Journalism, Dramatic Art
Minor: Creative Writing
Hometown: Asheville, NC
Future: This summer I will be teaching creative writing and directing at the Appel Farm summer camp in New Jersey. Afterward my best friend and I will spend 4 months farming on the West Coast.
Comprehensive Calendar
We have developed a comprehensive calendar for all events scheduled in the CDA. This will include PRC, PRC², DDA Mainstage, LAB!, DDA Playwriting Studio, DDA Advanced Showcase, PATP productions, outside events.
You can access this calendar at http://www.google.com/calendar/render
Username: playmakercalendar@gmail.com
Password: calendarp@55
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Alumni News
B.A./ B.F.A
Michael Stewart Allen michaelstewartallen@verizon.net
Annie Alvarez(’02) anniealvarez17@yahoo.com
Amy Amerson (B. A. '97) lives in Los Angeles and works consistently in film, television, and theatre. Her most recent credits include "Drake and Josh" and "My Name Is Earl". She is also very proud of her work in the Alchemy Theatre Company's production of Neil Labute's "Autobahn". She continues her studies with Gary Imhoff, Richard Lawson, and Milton Katselas at The Beverly Hills Playhouse.
Mark Ariail (’95) MarkAriail@Alumni.unc.edu
Amanda Axelrod amanda.j.axelrod@gmail.com
Marshal Ballew marshallballew@charter.net
Laura Blake (Drama and Psychology ’99) lauramblake@hotmail.com
Kyle Beaulieu was accepted for graduate study in the highly competitive Trans-Atlantic Master's program at Chapel Hill and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin!
Lisa (Bowers) Bohn (BA '96) lisabohn@mac.com
Bekah Brunstetter ‘04 will see her new play, Oorah!, premiere Off-Broadway Sept. 1-27 at The Atlantic Theatre, alongside plays by David Mamet and Sam Shepard.
Bekah Brunstetter was accepted into the NYC 2008 Ars Nova Play Group http://arsnovanyc.com/.
Travis Chamberlain and Perry Silver continue to perform with The Fabulous Entourage. http://www.fabulousentourage.com/
David Chapman (BA Highest Honors '03, davidfchapman@gmail.com) has been named a Fall Directing Fellow of the Drama League. Four Fall Fellows are chosen every year from a large applicant pool; program alumni include Tony-, Obie- and Drama Desk-winning directors, artistic directors, and professors around the country.
Jessica Coleman(’99) ajessicac@earthlink.net
Kelen Coleman has booked a leading role in a CBS pilot called "Big D"
Erin Cottrell('97) Erin lives in Hollywood with her boyfriend, Dan, and their black cat, Sanchez.
Kimball Crossley (’81 – Dramatic Art and Broadcast Journalism) is a scout for the Toronto Blue Jays, lives with his wife and daughter in Phoenix, Arizona.
Holly Derr recently directed “The Front Page” theA.R.T./MXAT Institute for Advanced Theatre Training Program.
Dana Dobreva (’06) danadobreva@yahoo.com or dana@thefourthworldlab.org
Meg Dyer Dombro (formerly Meg Dyer) (‘Dramatic Art and Political Science ’94) MegDombro@verizon.net
Sonya Dowhaluk (BA '03) married Roger Bridges on August 4th, 2007 in Cary, NC. Attendants included Courtney Temple and Erin Binkley (both class of '01). Rick Young (also a DDA alum) officiated. Roger and Sonya live in Takoma Park, MD while Sonya finishes her masters degree in lighting design at the University of Maryland.
Mellissa Egan has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her work on "All My Children" on which she has been a regular for the last three years.
Serena Ebhardt (’88) sebhardt@earthlink.net (see David zum Brunnen) Serena Ebhardt/David zum Brunnnen www.EbzB.org
Lori Evans (Union name: Lori Evans Taylor '97)
Adam Farabee recently appeared as Davey in "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, directed by Les Waters. This fall, Adam will begin the actor training program at The Juilliard School.
Rhiannon Fisher (Drama and English ’03) rararox33@hotmail.com
Justin Flexen ('07) jflexen@gmail.com
Adam Gerdts (‘00) works for Kenan-Flagler Business School as Regional Director of Development.
Jonathan Grant(’95) jgrant@wmace.com
Charles Greer (’81) cgreer@triad.rr.com
Jennifer Guerra (BA '04) “For anyone who might be interested in what my fantastic UNC DDA degree has done for me, i've moved on to a slightly different acting venue. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in May of 2007 and will be now appearing in many a courtroom in Atlanta, Georgia.” JG Megan Ketch has been admitted into the NYU MFA acting class of 2011 meganketch@yahoo.com
Jess (Kehler) Grove (’02) JessK0203@verizon.net Randy & Jess Grove, 10109 Nightingale Street, Gaithersburg, MD 20882, home 301-253-8906, Jess cell 717-487-0979 JessK0203@verizon.net Production Manager at Round House Theatre. Please keep in touch! Love to all, Jess
Cameran Hebb - Recent graduate, Cameran Hebb is completing dual internships on Los Angeles with the Casting Agency Aquilawood and the Talent Agency Herveygrimes. Cameran plans to locate in NYC this fall.
Olivia Henderson (’05) olivia.henderson@gmail.com
Jennifer Horowitz jen.horowitz@gmail.com.
Julie George Howard (Dramatic Art and Women’s Studies ’02) swimcapt@hotmail.com teaches high school theatre in Greeneville, NC and loves it!
Jan (Fent) Johnston (Also known as Mary Jeanine Fent in those days - MA '77) janjwog@gmail.com “Where are my long lost buds??? Write ME!!!
Megan Ketch is working with Kate Middleton (Guy Olivieri, Dann Wheeless, Amy Heidt) and Ground Up Productions.
Natasha Pancholi Khatod (‘01)
Thomas Kingsley is working for Disney Theatrical Productions, as part of their International Production Department assisting in the mounting of overseas productions of the Disney shows.
Dan Kois (Dramatic Art and Creative Wrtiting '96) dankois@hotmail.com
Whitney LaPlante will enter the Harvard School of Education for the Masters in Arts Education program this fall
Patrick Link 's ('07)
Chris Locklear ('05) is currently living in Los Angeles, CA and working for Abrams Artists training to be an agent.
Jonathan Luby chariots75@msn.com
Julia McManus Love (83) julialove99@aol.com
Fred Lloyd (’76) “I would love to know the hereabouts of any of the graduates from my time in the DDA.”
Amanda (Pringle) Malo (’94) apringle311@hotmail.com
Tim Matson (’05) tjmatson@gmail.com
John McGrew('03) is currently playing music and acting in short films and musicals in NYC. Music can be found here: www.johnmcgrewmusic.com
Tracie Merrill(’95) traciemerrill@gmail.com
Kate Middleton was nominated for a New York Innovative Theatre Award for her performance in Avow. "For those who don't know... Ground UP Productions a Non-Profit that is based in the West Village. Our mission is to revive old works in unique ways and bring new works to life, all the while embracing our Southern roots and representing the true South in NYC!" -Kate Middleton
Sophie Cathro Mitchell (formerly Sophie Cathro 2000) sjmitchell@gmail.com
Gregory Porter Miller ('92 or so, really '04, but who's counting?) recently played Stephen in Patrick Marber's "Dealer's Choice" at the American Theatre for Actors
Michelle Muscatello “I am a meteorologist and reporter for WPRI/WNAC-TV (the CBS and Fox affiliates) in Providence, RI. I recently completed a 3-year distance learning program through Mississippi State University to earn a Certificate in Broadcast Meteorology. have forecasted and reported on hurricanes, blizzards, tornados and everything in between and have appeared on the CBS Early Show and CBS4 News in Boston. My husband, WPRI Sportscaster Pete Lucas, and I recently celebrated our 2nd Anniversary. You can get more information, including my bio and clips of my broadcasts by going to our station's website at www.wpri.com
Sarah Spencer Northey has been accepted into the exclusive Couples and Marriage Therapy program for graduate studies at the University of Maryland.
Guy Olivieri (’99) guy_olivieri@hotmail.com www.GuyOlivieri.com
Natasha Pancholi http://www.rangeviewproductions.com/photos_stories.html
Mac Rogers was nominated for a New York Innovative Theatre Award for his play, Universal Robots.
Maureen Rottschaefer (’94) mrottschaefer@hotmail.com
Lauren Shepard (’05) lmshep@gmail.com
Amy Stewart (BA '98)alstew7@yahoo.com Amy Stewart (Amy Lynn Stewart, professional name) completed the Journeymen Program @ the Warehouse Theatre w/ Jack Young through SETC; graduated from UCSD in 2004 with a MFA in Acting; played the lead in Hazard County @ Actor's Express; played Mrs. Van Buren in a co-production of Intimate Apparel @ Indiana Rep. and Syracuse Stage. She worked at Florida Studio Theatre playing Abby Drake in Fiction.
Kate Stratton has been accepted on full scholarship to Yale Divinity School, in addition to her acceptance from Manhattan's Union Theological Seminary
Carey Sveen BA '03: Carey Sveen is re-entering school in August 08 for Invasive Cardiovascular Technology and she continues to sew constantly. carey@careysveen.com
Haley Swindal (BA '08) is currently featured in the National Tour of Ted Neeley's "Jesus Christ Superstar" and will be performing at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) March 6-8!
John Tasker Double-Major Sociology/Drama, BA '65. Probably would have to count my UNC Drama as a Minor for the newsletter category. Was in the Graduate program, Drama for the '65-'66 year, but had to go to work and did not finish. “For my message, I want to publicly thank Dr. Russell Graves as being the Professor who most influenced me positively during my years at Carolina. This would include technical theatre, my teaching experience at NC Central University Drama Dept. ('66-'67), writing in his Thesis Course, and life in general. While I did not stay in theatre as a career, the lesson of "attitude" and creative curiosity encouraged and taught by Dr. Graves has served me well and I have thought of him quite often over the years. His teaching proved to be applicable in any field. I consider myself lucky to have been exposed to the man and I am grateful.” John Tasker
Jenny Teachey (’99) bikinigirl99@hotmail.com
Ed Thomas (’74) ethomas2@triad.rr.com
Charlie Todd http://www.improveverywhere.com/ I appeared on the "Today Show" on 2/19. He lives in Manhattan where he teaches and performs improv comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Charlie recently made a pilot for NBC based on the work of his website ImprovEverywhere.com. He was recently profiled in the pilot episode of Showtime's This American Life series. And his Improv Everywhere site has gone global http://www.improveverywhere.com/2008/01/24/improv-everywhere-global/. Charlie was featured in a video for The Onion News Network: http://www.theonion.com/content/video/controversial_tell_all_book He can be reached via his website: http://www.improveverywhere.com/contact/ PS: You might enjoy this prank video Charlie Todd directed for Yahoo!
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/3472742. Charlie Todd’s latest Improv Everywhere mission: 50 Improv Everywhere agents created an art gallery opening on the 23rd Street subway platform in Manhattan. Check it out:
http://improveverywhere.com/2009/03/18/subway-art-gallery-opening/
Improv Everywhere’s book, CAUSING A SCENE, comes out on May 19.
David zum Brunnen (’86) dzbjr@earthlink.net EbzB Productions signs with Alkahest Artists and Attractions: EbzB Productions, based in Apex, NC has signed with Alkahest Artists and Attractions, U.S.A.'s first lecture concert and booking management agency founded in 1896.
Hollis Wansley (’06) is studying this fall at Michael Howard Studio as a One-Year Conservatory student Josh Evans ('07) is also at the Studio.
David Whalen "Just finished THE WINTER'S TALE at The Folger W/Blake Robison directing. Wanted to let you know I'm filming a pilot for CBS/PARAMOUNT Television for next 2 weeks. Next week I start rehearsals for the World Premiere of SPEAK AMERICAN at City Theatre written & directed by Academy Award Winner Eric Simonson (www.citytheatrecompany.org) for details. Then I play Fr. Flynn in DOUBT, followed by Rochester in JANE EYRE (www.picttheatre.org), and Oberon/Theseus in A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT DREAM at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre (www.ppt.org).
Currently, I'm teaching Acting at Carnegie Mellon's School of Drama along side these performances."
Michele White- Lawler (‘90) 704-499-8900 annegg@aol.com
Brandon Wilson (B.A.) - This June, author/adventurer Brandon Wilson (UNC-CH '73) and his wife Cheryl will set off to trek the recently formed Via Alpina (red route) 1200+ miles from Trieste, Italy to Monaco. The 161-stage hut-to-hut trail combines existing long-distance routes through eight countries. Their high-altitude trans-Alpine expedition is expected to last four months. Upon completion of the trek, Wilson will write a new book, his fourth, to help preserve and promote the discovery of mountain cultures and peace thru trekking.
This is Wilson's tenth long-distance ultralight world trek, the longest since his 2600-mile peace walk from France to Jerusalem in 2006. His book chronicling that adventure, Along the Templar Trail, was recently named a Book of the Year Finalist by ForeWord Magazine, a leading literary reviewer.Wilson is an official partner of the Via Alpina organization. Current gear sponsors include GoLite and Gossamer Gear. For more details, visit http://www.pilgrimstales.com/upcomingadventures.html
