News University of Northern Colorado

Theatre Arts and Dance Alumni, Students, Faculty Garner Roles, Positions, Awards

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Graduates, current students and faculty of the University of Northern Colorado's School of Theatre Arts and Dance have advanced their careers during the first few months of 2013.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on May 17, 2013.

Mike Ruckles has been hired for his first Broadway gig, serving as associate musical director of the new musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. The show will begin previews in October at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York City.

Don Gilmore will be the technical supervisor for the 2013 Broadway remount of Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays. The show begins a limited run in November.

Cynthia Pohlson performed April 27-28 as a guest artist in a production of Tom Stoppard's play, The Real Thing, at Colorado State University-Pueblo.

Jake Elvig has been awarded a literary internship for next year at the Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago.

Beth Malone is appearing in a production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles.

Natalie Sachse has been cast in 3D Theatrical's production of Parade May 10-26 at the Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton, Calif.

Catherine Pilafis has been cast in Duke City Repertory's production of Five Women Wearing the Same Dress in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Malorie Felt shot a TV pilot in Los Angles titled Up in Smoke.

Andi Davis and Ben Burch have been cast in a production of Almost Maine at the Two Roads Theatre in Studio City.

Scott Kruse and Erin (Watkins) Kruse have been cast in an original musical titled ModROCK at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on April 25, 2013

Nastasia Green is performing on the Theatreworks USA national tour of Martha Speaks.

Andi Davis completed a photo shoot and is now an online model for Ourays's Sportsware.

Emma Cohen has accepted a scenic painting internship for next year at the Seattle Repertory Theatre.

Harrison Butler filmed an episode of the television series Twisted.

Jodi Lynn Thomas filmed a commercial for the Albuquerque Film and Media Experience.

Associate Theatre Professor Anne Toewe completed her doctoral work and was awarded a Ph.D. in Theatre from CU Boulder in May.

New Feelings Time, a sketch comedy group based in Los Angeles featuring UNC theatre alumni Scott Kruse, Kurt Quinn, Keir Kirkegaard, and Erin Watkins, just produced and performed in a video parody that went viral, getting nearly 3 million hits in the first four weeks on their YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/newfeelingstime. Also appearing in the video were alumni Abby Ritt and Andi Davis. Un-credited portions of the video have been used by The Today Show and CNN in news stories about the controversial commercial and the inevitable parodies.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on April 16, 2013.

Eric Eidson was accepted into the MFA Playwriting program at Hollins University.

Jason Watson appeared in the Denver Theatre Center's production of the new musical Sense & Sensibility.

Teya Patt was cast in the new musical Sleepless in Seattle at the Pasadena (Calif.) Playhouse.

Jenny Fellner filmed an episode of the television series Blue Bloods after completing a multi-year run in the Broadway production of Wicked and before joining the second national tour of the blockbuster musical.

Rebecca Noland directed a production of The Sailor's Song for the Patio Playhouse Theater in Escondido, Calif.

Selah Grace created and performed in an original cabaret titled #actorproblems in Chicago. She also played Audrey in the production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, Wisc.

Chris Jones filmed an episode of the television show Blood Relatives.

Tom Littman, Lincoln Hayes, Kevin Sims, Zach Shotwell and Maddy Chilese performed Julius Caesar on March 31 for the Seven Day Shakespeare Company in New York City.

Current student Matthew Fischer was accepted into the New York Powerhouse Theater Sound Internship Program.

Malorie Felt appeared in a short film project titled P.A.Glen Moore appeared in the play Closer for Bad Habit Productions in Boston.

The School of Teacher Education faculty chose Theatre Education major Virginia Jimenez as a College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Undergraduate Scholar.

Mark Kolokoff was selected to receive the UNC Graduate School's Century of Scholars Educator Award.

Andrea Dora Smith and the cast of Motown - The Musical appeared on Good Morning America on April 4.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on March 26, 2013.

Andy Kelso was in the studio this week in New York City to record the original cast album of the new Broadway hit Kinky Boots.

Tiffany (Van Cott) Eaton filmed an episode of the TV series Parks and Recreation.

Stephanie Cowan, who works as a creative producer at b. sweibel presents and Playing Pretend Productions in New York City, is producing a new film for HBO starring James Gandolfini

Arielle Yoder has been accepted into the MFA Acting program at the University of North Carolina at Chappell Hill.

Megan Lloyd Jones and Joelle Montoya have been accepted into the MFA Acting program at Theatre 15 in London, England.

James Rogers has been accepted into the MFA in Technical Direction program at Penn State University.

Jason Veasey participated in the staged reading of a new theater piece called Gumbo - The Musical, about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Steve Wasson, the artistic director of Theatre de l'Ange Fou in London, has created a new International School of corporeal mime that will be known as the White Church Project. The new school is located near Spring Green, Wisc.

Kristin Lazzarini is performing in Bleached Blonde Betty at the Workshop Theatre Company this month in New York City.

Kelsey Hull will be appearing this summer in Footloose and The Sound of Music at Leavenworth Summer Theatre in Leavenworth, Wash.

Beth Lake has taken a summer position as the sound supervisor for the New York Stage and Film School in New York City.

Anthony Reimer filmed an episode of Nurse Jackie and will return for another summer at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival to appear in The 39 Steps.

Artie Mae Grisby

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

When Artie Mae Grisby crossed the commencement stage on May 11, she was among the oldest graduates in University of Northern Colorado history at 79.

Although she's proud of earning her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, the completion of her degree is just one step on a lifelong journey that didn't end on graduation day.

"I keep my feet flat on the floor," Grisby said recently at UNC's Center for Urban Education (CUE) in Denver, where she took classes for the past two years. "This is my time, that's all."

She said she never thought she'd go into a career working with children after visiting a friend's childcare center in her home state of Louisiana many years ago.

Nor did she imagine that she'd go on to become a sought-after childcare trainer and first aid instructor for the state of Colorado.

"I was a nurse for a few years before I worked in the insurance business. After 10 years of that, I knew I had to do something else," she said.

But she didn't know what so she turned to her religious faith and prayed for guidance on her next steps. The message was clear.

"'Childcare,' the Lord told me. And I said, ‘No, not me!'" But each time she prayed, the answer was the same. "So I finally decided to listen. I said, ‘Ok, I'll quit my job and I'd better have one child in my care by August 1.'"

On Aug. 1, 1984, Grisby had two children signed up for her in-home daycare.

She went on to run her own childcare for 24 years, experience that served her well in training and mentoring many childcare providers in Colorado, serving on national childcare association boards and developing the Northeast Denver Childcare Network.

But even while caring for those first two children, Grisby "knew there must be something more to it." That curiosity led her back to school where she earned her associate's degree in Early Childhood Education and Management.

"I knew it was more than a custodial job," she said "I wanted to know as much as I could about these little children. I knew the kids were awesome and smart, they just needed guidance and love, so I wanted to give them what I could."

A strong believer in education, Grisby took classes at the University of Colorado at Denver. After her husband died in 2010, she was ready for a new challenge to occupy her mind. Alicia Biggs, a colleague and new instructor at UNC, told Grisby about the CUE. Biggs and CUE Director Irv Moskowitz introduced her to grant and scholarship opportunities available, and helped transfer her credits.

Her bachelor's degree from UNC will be her crowning achievement. "I am being validated. I am learning why I know what I know and I am learning so many new things that will help my training career.

As a childcare trainer, Grisby has focused on guiding childcare providers in social and emotional, nutrition, safety, rules and regulations, and parental involvement. With her degree, she will be able to expand on social, emotional and cognitive development for different age groups.

"If you know why children do certain things, it makes it easier to teach them and care for them," she said."

She plans to continue her career in training after graduation. "I'd really like to continue educating providers who have not had the opportunity of going to school."

When she wasn't taking classes four evenings a week while pursuing her degree, Grisby worked part-time at a private school in Denver and volunteered at her church. She has great-grandchildren in Oklahoma and Denver. She doesn't stop to rest for more than a few hours each night, and even then, her mind keeps going.

"I'm here for a reason," she said. "The children are my reward. When the light goes on in their eyes because they really understand something you're teaching them, that is my reward."

- Amy Dressel-Martin

UNC in Photos: An April Retrospective

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A slideshow of events and activities on campus.

Theatre Arts and Dance Alumni, Students, Faculty Garner Roles, Positions, Awards

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Graduates, current students and faculty of the University of Northern Colorado's School of Theatre Arts and Dance have advanced their careers during the first few months of 2013.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on March 1, 2013.

Kelli Marino is working in Los Angeles as a script supervisor and just completed work on a feature film titled Bullet starring Danny Trejo and Jonathon Banks.

Don Gilmore has completed a number of large projects including serving as production manager for Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty in NewYork City and the UK, the current national tour of Hair and the Laramie Project Cycle at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Tom Litman is appearing in the Cape Fear Theatre/Fayette Symphony Orchestra production of A Midsummer Night's Dream on Feb. 23.

Bergin Michaels appeared in recent episodes of the TV series Fatal Encounters and Deadly Sins. He was also nominated for a New York Innovative Theatre best actor award for his work in the play The Boys Next Door at the Infinity Theatre in NYC.

Liz Porter has taken a new position in the costume shop at The Colorado Opera Company.

Andi Davis just appeared as a featured extra in the film Larry Gaye: Renegade Male Flight Attendant.

Sky Seals is appearing in a production of Flirtation for Marvel Rep Theatre in NYC.

Catherine Pilafas just filmed a regional television commercial for Silver Dollar City Amusement Park.

Jessica Carter Ramsey was featured in a recent episode of Stalked: Someone is Watching Me for the Discovery ID Channel

Stori Heleen is now the lighting designer for the Donald Sewell Ballroom at the Denver Center.

Scott Kruse will be appearing in the new play Complete Feb. 25-March 30 at the Matrix Theatre in LA.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Feb.11, 2013.

Ryan Dinning just filmed a guest star role on an episode of the Carrie Diaries on the CW Network.

Randy Warshaw has been cast in a touring production of Aladin and His Magic Lamp for the Prairie Fire Children's Theatre of Minnesota.

Jamie Mills and Benjamin Burch have been cast in a production of the new musical The Trouble With Words at the Lost Studio Theatre in Los Angeles. The production runs February 28-March 31.

Matt LaFontaine and Mehry Eslaminia have been cast in Ignite Theatre's production of Cabaret. The production will run in Denver from April 12 to May 12.

Jack Wefso appeared in two television ads for Walmart during the 2013 Super Bowl.

Jason Clark has been cast in a production of Why Hannah's Shirt Won't Stay Down at the Acting Ensemble of Sound Bend, Indiana.

Alexander Stine has been cast in the Queens Players production of Much Ado About Nothing at the Secret Theatre in NYC. The production runs Feb.14-March 2.

Adam Fontana has been cast in the TheatreWorks USA national tour of The Civil War.

Benjamin Klingemann's latest 10-minute play, Model Behavior, has been published by Heuer Publishing.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Feb.1, 2013.

Greg Germann has completed a number of film projects including Someone Marry Barry, The Little Rascals and Get a Job. He also appeared as a guest star on recent episodes of NCIS, Drop Dead Diva and Wedding Band.Heather Doris has been cast in a production of the Church Basement Ladies running Feb. 22-May 12 at the Boulder Dinner Theatre.

Jason Watson was just featured in a recent episode of How I Met Your Mother.

Billy Marshall Jr. just filmed an episode for the True Crime Bio Channel.

Amanda Spraycar has accepted a props internship with the Denver Theatre Center Company.

Kyle Kastner has been hired as the production stage manager at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret in Denver.

Ashley Betton is appearing with three others singers in a cabaret review titled Echoes of Etta Feb. 23 at Joe's Pub in New York City and continues to appear in the off-Broadway production of Forever Dusty.

Macleish Day has been cast in the comedy Boeing Boeing at the Repertory East Playhouse in Los Angeles March 15-April 21.

STAD Theatre professor Gillian McNally contributed an essay titled "Creative Spaces: Arts Integration with a Social Justice Focus," and School Director David Grapes contributed photographs for the recently published book Signs of Change: New Directions in Theatre Education (Revised and Amplified Edition) by Joan Lazarus.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Jan. 22, 2013.

Joshua Buscher has been cast in the ensemble of the new Broadway musical Big Fish, which will preview in Chicago and open early October in New York City at the Neil Simon Theatre. Big Fish will be his third Broadway show since graduating from UNC in 2008. He also appeared in the 2009 revival of West Side Story and was in the original cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Jake Mendes has been cast in the Off-Broadway production of a new musical version of Bunnicula. The musical will begin its open-ended run at the DR2 Theatre in New York City on Feb. 10.

STAD faculty member Ken Womble just signed a contract to have his new book, Inside Act: How Twelve Actors Made It--And How You Can Too, published by Hansen Publishing Group. Publication date is 2014.

Chris Tromboli will be performing the leading role in a staged reading of a new rock opera called The Giver of Dreams in March in New York City

Eva LaPorte is appearing in the January production of Ubu Roi at the Classical Theatre Company of Houston.

Tiffany (Van Cott) Eaton has been cast in The World Goes Round at Downey Civic Light Opera in Downey, Calif.

Rachel Graham has been cast in the February production of No Dogs Allowed in the Children's Theatre Company at the Arvada Center and in the upcoming production of Doubt at the Cherry Creek Theatre in Denver.
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Randy Culpepper has been hired as an audio engineer (A2) for the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof.

Lincoln Hayes appeared in a recent episode of 30 Rock.

Nick Izzo recently completed work on a film project titled Gingerbread House for the New York Film Academy.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Jan. 9, 2013.

Andrea Dora Smith has been cast in the ensemble of the new Broadway musical Motown, opening March 11 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City. Smith last appeared on Broadway in Disney's Tarzan.

Joshua Buscher will return to the UNC campus in January and February to choreograph Legally Blonde for the School of Theatre Arts and Dance. He recently provided choreography for the national tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Geoff Kent has been cast as Paris in the Jan. 15-Feb. 24 production of Romeo and Juliet at the Denver Theatre Center's Stage Theatre.

Teya Patt has been cast as Ado Annie in Oklahoma! at the Theatre West in Los Angeles.

Mark Peterson just completed background work on two television shows: CSI-NY and Vegas.

Nate Axtell will appear in the Spark Theatre's production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? opening Jan. 18 in Denver.

Andy Jaramillo has been hired as the drama teacher at Mesa Middle School in Castle Rock, Colo.

Jennifer So has taken a new position in Fort Morgan where she will be reporting the news for Media Logic Radio: KATR 98.3FM; KSRX 97.5FM; KFTM 1400AM; KRDZ 1440AM. She will also broadcast her own Saturday show.

Jennifer Inderlee has been cast in the Minnesota Musical Theatre Company's production of Sunset Boulevard, which plays May 31-June 23 at the New Century Theatre in Minneapolis and August 6-11 at the Theatre L'Homme Dieu in Alexandria, Minn.

STAD faculty members Gillian McNally, Brian Hapcic, Anne Toewe, John Leonard, Matthew Herrick, Monte Black and Tom McNally presented workshops at the Colorado Thespian Conference in December. Anne Toewe, Monte Black, Shelly Gaza and J. David Blatt served as adjudicators. More than 4,000 Colorado high school students attended the conference.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Jan. 4, 2013.

Jamie Ann Romero has been cast in the ensemble and as the Juliet understudy in the Denver Theatre Center's production of Romeo and Juliet at the Stage Theatre Jan. 25-Feb. 24.

Davey Rosenberg and Brian Crawford Scott can be seen in the national tour of Hair, which will play at the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland Jan. 17.

Kevin Rigall left the national tour of A Fiddler on the Roof in December to serve as a stage technician for the new national tour of the musical Flashdance.

Trysten Cain shot another national TV commercial for Cottonelle Tissue.

School Director David Grapes had one of his photographs from UNC's production of You Can't Take It With You selected for the cover of the December issue of Dramatics Magazine. He also premiered his new adaptation of Queen Lear on campus in December.

Greyson Lewis has been cast in the FreeFall Theatre Company's production of An Empty Plate at the Café du Grand Boeuf in Los Angeles. The production is set to run Jan. 25-Feb. 17.

Christopher Jones and Crew Reinstra, two working actors who also front a band called Bones Muhroni in Los Angeles, have released their first CD called Savvy.

Anne Margaret Redding just released her second CD, Trust. She also continues to share her work touring the nation's high schools delivering the motivational message "Live Your Passion." Visit her website at http://raisethevibration.com/.

Erin Sheckler served as assistant to the scenic designer for recent Broadway productions of Edwin Drood and The Performers, and will serve in same capacity for the upcoming Broadway production of Cinderella, Good News at the Goodspeed Opera House, and And Away We Go and King For A Day at Glimmerglass Opera Company in upstate New York. His latest project is a staged reading of the new musical Lost Boy in New York City in February.

In Pictures: Connie Willis Speaks at UNC Writers' Conference

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A standing-room only crowd attends a presentation by notable author Connie Willis during the 2013 Rosenberry Writers' Conference.

Photo of the Week: Hot Ticket

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A university concert featuring the artists of the chart-topping song "Thrift Shop" sold out it's original allocation of more than 4,000 tickets in 84 hours last week, but organizers received permission to sell a limited number of additional tickets so there's still a chance to attend if you missed out getting tickets last week.

You can still purchase tickets for the March 3 performance by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis in person at the information desk or ticket office at the University Center.

UNC students can buy one ticket for themselves for $8 and additional tickets for friends for $25 each.

Expected to draw the largest audience for a UNC concert, the performance also is part of an MTV tour.

Grad's Group Nominated for Two Grammys

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

University of Northern Colorado alumna Neyla Pekarek and the band she joined after graduating, the Denver-based indie group The Lumineers, were nominated for two 2013 Grammy Awards.

The group, which performed during the live TV broadcast of the awards on Feb. 10, received nominations in the Best New Artist and Best American Album categories, but came up short in voting.

The Lumineers are touring in front of sell-out crowds and have enjoyed multiple television appearances over the past two months including a recent performance on Saturday Night Live.

Pekarek earned her bachelor's degree in Music Education in 2010.

Read more about Pekarek in a story on the Greeley Tribune's website.

Theatre Arts and Dance Alumni, Students, Faculty Garner Roles, Positions, Awards

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Graduates, current students and faculty of the University of Northern Colorado's School of Theatre Arts and Dance have advanced their careers during the past few months.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Nov. 30, 2012.

Kytt McLaughlin has been cast in Theatreworks USA's National tour of Charlotte's Web. The tour will be out from January to June of 2013.

Brian Crawford Scott has been cast as Berger in the national tour of Hair. He joins fellow UNC alum Davey Rosenberg in the cast.

Chris Bergoff has been cast as Ferdinand in The Tempest at Chicago's Accidental Theatre Company. The show plays at the Heartland Studio Theatre in February and March 2013.

Leah Keith Ochoa was awarded the Stage Director and Choreographers Society Hauptmann Internship Award.

Ashley Betton opened in her first off-Broadway musical Forever Dusty at New World Stages in New York City on Nov. 18.

Mike Ruckles has been hired as the music director/arranger for a brand-new play titled Breath and Imagination by Jubilant Sykes, premiering at Hartford Stage Company in early 2013.

Randi Jo Spragg has been accepted into the MBA program at Columbia College.

School Director David Grapes premiered his new adaptation of Queen Lear at the Langworthy Theatre from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2. The production featured famed Canadian actress Lucy Peacock in the title role.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Nov. 13, 2012.

Katie Owsley completed modeling for a lookbook photo shoot for Benjamin Eyeware in Hollywood, Calif.

Karli Kaiser appeared in the web series Crime Stoppers Unit.

Michelle Renee Goldberg completed a fall season at Elitch Gardens doing make-up designs for the haunted houses.

Leah Nikula completed a run as Janet in a production of Rocky Horror Show at the Henry Strater Theatre in Durango, Colo.

Jack Wefso will appear in his play Constantine Aboard the Constantine at The Aurora Fox in Denver November 16-25.

Susan Fisette Keller designed lighting for a production of Mame at Candlelight Dinner Theatre in northern Colorado.

Hannah Marie Hines completed filming a television commercial for Whiskas Cat Food. The spot will air in the UK and the EU.

Tom Littman completed a run of Around the World in 80 Days at The Cape Fear Theatre in Fayetteville, N.C.

Catherine Pilafas was cast as a nurse in the NBC television pilot After Hours.

Mary Schuttler and Gillian McNally have been selected to serve with a team of educators on Colorado's District Sample Curriculum Project and will participate in the creation of sample curricula based on the new Colorado Academic Standards for Drama and Theatre Arts.

Erin Schaut has been cast in the new musical College Bound in Chicago.

Kyle Steffen and Cynthia Paulson have both been cast in the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center's production of Prelude to a Kiss. The show runs Jan. 31-Feb. 17, 2013.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Oct.28, 2012.

Andy Kelso has been cast in the Broadway production of Kinky Boots, a musical opening April 4 at the Al Hirschfield Theatre in New York City.

Anthony Reimer just filmed an episode of Deadly Sins for LA Discovery television.

Danielle Lombardo has been hired as the dramaturge for the play Straight Sitting at the Edge Theatre Company of Denver.

Justin Lujan is directing a production of Our Town Nov. 8-17 for the Blurred Vision Theatre Company in Culver City, Calif.

Joseph Serrano and Ryan Heidenrich have been cast in Omaha Theatre Company's national touring production of How I Became a Pirate, which will tour through 15 states from December to March.

Joe Donohoe just completed a run of the musical review Jersey Nights at the Fallswiew Casino in Niagara Falls, Canada

Tysten Cain is currently featured in a national television commercial for Red Lobster Restaurants.

Brandon Bill has accepted a new position as the music teacher at Meadow Point Elementary School in Aurora, Colo.

Beth Malone has been cast in the December production of Christmas My Way at the El Portal Theatre in Hollywood. The production is being staged by STAD Director David Grapes, who is also the co-creator of the musical revue.

Mandi Moore Forehand just filmed a speaking role on CSI NY.

UNC Alumni Karli Kaiser, Katie Owsley, Keir Kirkegaard, Jodie Grundin, Tom Littman, Michael Chapin, Kimberly Kral will all appear in the Seven Day Shakespeare's Nov. 18 production of The Tempest in Los Angeles.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Oct.1, 2012.

Davey Rosenberg has been cast in the national tour of the musical Hair, which will tour the U.S. from January-May and then travel to Japan for two weeks of performances.

Heather Washburn has been cast in the off-Broadway production of the Theatre for Young Audiences musical Honestly Abe at the Actors Temple Theatre in New York City.

Teya Patt has been nominated for a 2012 Ovation Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in 3 D Theatricals' recent production of Avenue Q. The Ovation Awards honors stage productions in the Los Angeles area.

Lynnsey Ooten has been cast in The Last Night of Ballyhoo at the Festival Stage in North Carolina.

Brandon Garegnani will be appearing in the December production of Wonderful Life: A Radio Play at Playmakers Rep in North Carolina.

Angela Pettigrew performed in an educational film project for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy.

Jason Watson is appearing in a production of Next to Normal at the Irish Classical Theatre of Buffalo, New York.

Mark Drum is appearing in a production of Woyzeck at The Project Theatre in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Duncan Northern just finished up a gig as an associate production manager for the New York Musical Theatre Festival and is currently working as a production assistant on die Fledermaus at the Knoxville (Tenn.) Opera Company.

Royce Wood is appearing in the current production of boom at the Edge Theatre Company of Denver.

Mark Rubald and Brian Jackson just appeared alongside the previously announced alumni Heather Doris, Hayden Stanes and Matt LaFontaine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which closed its run last week at the Arvada Center.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Sept. 25, 2012.

Davey Rosenberg just signed with the Price Group Talent Agency in New York City.

Justin Michael Terry is appearing as Angelo in Measure for Measure at the Porters of Hellgate Theatre in LA.

Josh Buscher has been hired as the associate choreographer for the national tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. He appeared in the Broadway production and also served as the dance captain.

Tyler Ledon has been cast in the world premiere production of Justin Love at the Celebration Theatre in Hollywood, Calif.

Scott Foster will be featured on the original Broadway cast recording of Forbidden Broadway: Alive and Kicking.

Jack Wefso and Talia Liccardello appeared in the Aurora Fox production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile in Denver.

Justin Hamblen has been hired as a stage management intern at the Julliard School in NYC.

Katie Schmidt Feder appeared in Longing, Leaving & Loving - half a cabaret as part of EMBARKPeekskill's second Performing & Literary Arts Festival in Peekskill, New York.

Rebekah Stevens appeared in Death of a Salesman Sept. 28-Oct. 28 at the Alley Theatre of Houston, Texas.

Autumn (Hurlbert) Norman played the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at for the North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh Oct. 9-14. Also, she was awarded the Alumni Spirit Award at the 2012 UNC Homecoming.

Derek Hanson is appearing with Dee Hoty in a production of the Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5 at the North Shore Musical Theatre in Boston, Mass.

The following information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Sept. 18, 2012.

Yumarie Morales just filmed a Girl Scout commercial for the Univision Television Channel.

Karli Kaiser just completed filming on the feature film First Period.

Kristen Skye Hoffmann was awarded the Overall Excellence Award in Direction at the NYC 2012 Fringe Festival for her work on the play Animals by Sam Byron.

Annika Merkel just appeared in two episodes of the TV series Person of Interest.

Pearl Thomas recently performed her standup comedy act at the Beauty Bar in NYC.

Amber Horvath has been hired as director of programming for Our Time Theatre, a NYC-based theater company that uses theater activities to assist kids who stutter.

STAD faculty scene design professor J. David Blatt has been nominated for the 2012 Suzi Bass Award for Excellence in Scenic Design of a Musical for his design of Illyria for the Georgia Shakespeare Festival.

Lincoln Hayes has been hired to provide core background for four episodes of the NBC show Next Caller. He also just appeared on his third episode of Smash.

Lee Rayment is currently appearing in a production of Journey to the West at the Rouge Theatre in Tucson, Ariz.

STAD School Director David Grapes had his photograph from last year's production of Jungalbook published as the cover of the 2012-13 Theatre For Young Audiences Directory. The photo features UNC Musical Theatre major Jessica Kinkaid.

Daniel Dawson has been hired by Disney Cruise Lines as a performer in Magical Swing.

Kurt (Larson) Quinn is currently playing the lead in The Fourth Graders Present: An Unnamed Love Suicide at Courage Theatre Company in LA.

Jeff Zicker began rehearsals in NYC this week for the national tour of Shrek.

Theatre Arts and Dance Alumni Garner Roles, Positions, Awards

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Graduates, current students and faculty of the University of Northern Colorado's School of Theatre Arts and Dance have advanced their careers during the first few months of 2012.

Scott Richard Foster opened on Broadway in Forbidden Broadway - Alive and Kicking at the 47th Street Theatre.

Jennifer So has accepted a position as an on air personality for KVAY in Lamar, Colo.

Professor Tom McNally will be a presenter at the National EDTA Conference in San Diego in September.

Actor Greg Germann has completed principle photography on four upcoming films - The Unprofessional, Someone Marry Barry, Get a Job and Here Comes the Broom.

Heather Doris has been cast in the upcoming production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Arvada Center.

Brandon Bill purchased the Union Colony Dinner Theatre in Greeley and has begun to produce his first season.

Drew Martin is appearing in New York City in a new work titled A is for Adultery through Sept.14. After that, he'll be playing the rabbi in A Fiddler on the Roof at the Westchester (New York) Broadway Theatre.

Alena Watters, who just completed three years on Broadway in The Addams Family Musical and Sister Act, will be on the UNC campus on Sept. 6 to conduct master classes for the School of Theatre Arts and Dance.

The above information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Sept. 3, 2012.

Professor Andrea Moon had a busy summer, conducting an intensive workshop in master teacher training in approaches to physical acting for the Pacific Project Studio in Seattle, presenting her paper titled "Pre-expressive Virtuosity: Significant Intent in the Margins of Aerial" at the Performance Studies International Conference in Leeds, England, and giving a presentation titled called "Kids in Crisis and Flight: Frequent Flyers Productions' Kids Who Fly Program as Artistic Intervention" at the CrisisArt Festival in Arezzo, Italy.

Jessica Rosenlieb has been hired as the properties artisan at the Cleveland Playhouse in Ohio.

Amy Pierce-Sims has been working as a movie extra in New York City and appeared in recent episodes of Royal Pains and Boardwalk Empire.

Lincoln Hayes can be seen in the upcoming television episodes of The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, Girls, Zero Hour and The Good Wife.

Chrissy Bakken-Basham is currently appearing in Murder on the Nile with the Spotlight Theatre Company at the John Hand Theatre in Denver.

Kristin Hoffman just directed the play The Animals for Wide Eyed Productions in New York City. The show featured fellow alum Sky Seals.

Matt La Fontaine has been cast in the upcoming production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Arvada Center.

Ciara D'Anella has been cast in Beauty and the Beast at the Santa Monica Little Theatre.

Julia Tobey just performed in Transcendence Theatre's production of Broadway Under the Stars at Jack London State Park in Sonoma, Calif.

The above information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Aug. 20, 2012.

Josh Buscher and Lincoln Hayes both recently appeared on episodes of the NBC TV series Smash.

Hayden Stanes has been cast in the upcoming production of the musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Arvada Center.

McKayla Marso has rejoined the national touring company of Spamalot.

Andy Kelso has left the national tour of Wicked to work on the pre-Broadway production of the new Cindi Lauper musical Kinky Boots.

Zack Keller has taken a new position as a senior project manager/designer with Atomic Designs Inc. in Pennsylvania.

Joe Donohoe is appearing in the new musical Are You There God, It's Me Karen Carpenter at the Cavern Club Theatre in LA.

Taya Patt appears as a nurse who has a conversation with Mary Louise Parker, on episode #8 of Weeds on Showtime.

Alesha Nicole Palmer has been accepted into the Graduate Education Program at the University of Southern California.

David Grapes, director of the School of Theatre Arts and Dance, produced and staged a short play in August for the 30th Annual National Flute Convention in Las Vegas. The presentation was titled A Journey to Syrinx: Staging a Scene from Mourey's Psyche. The play also featured current musical theatre major and Las Vegas native Rachel Richards.

Theatre Professor Mary Schuttler just returned from The Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, after recruiting international students for the Masters in Theatre Education/Theatre Educator Intensive Program. Not only did she speak with potential students from around the globe, but attended 10 productions and met Cheers star George Wendt, who performed at the festival in Re-Animator The Musical.

Mike Ruckles has been hired to work on the world premiere of the musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder at Hartford Stage.

Joey Nicole Thomas and Jason Thomas appear in the short film Crossed Lines, which premieres at the El Cid theatre in LA on September 5.

The above information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Aug. 20, 2012.

Jeff Zicker, a current Musical Theatre major, will leave UNC in September for one year to perform on the national tour of Shrek - The Musical. He will perform in the ensemble and cover the leading roles of Shrek and Lord Farquaad.

Allison Vasquez, who recently completed her MFA at Ohio State University, has been offered a full-time teaching position at San Antonio College for next year.

Tamara Hayden just performed in a benefit concert of the musical Chess in support of the Actor's Fund of New York City.

Molly Fahey just filmed a Monday Night Football commercial for NBC Television.

Ashley Betton is performing in a workshop production in NYC of a new musical titled Born Blue.

Justin Michael Terry just completed a run of Romeo and Juliet at the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company in LA.

Michael Campbell appears in the new indie film The Rental.

Anthony Paolillo's short film just won an award at the annual Vail Film Festival.

Chris Ciccarelli just filmed a television PSA for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Lincoln Hayes has a small role in the upcoming feature film The Golden Boy.

John Bray and Spencer Townsend Hughes have started a band called Avenues and Reservoirs and are playing gigs in the metro-Denver area.

Aisha Jackson will be appearing in an August production in the new musical Tyler Perry Presents Mark E. Swinton's U Don't Know Me at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta.

The above information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on Aug. 7, 2012.

UNC Theatre Arts professor Tom McNally was honored with the Colorado Theatre Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Theatre Guild at the annual Henry Awards, held July 17 in Denver. Alumna Megan Van De Hey received the Henry Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Mother in the Arvada Center's production of Ragtime.

Scott Foster has joined the off-Broadway cast of Forbidden Broadway: Alive and Kicking opening Sept. 6 at the 47th Street Theatre.

Molly Fahey-Matonti has been hired to be the new video host of mypodstudios.com, a website with over one million unique visitors.

Christopher Sergeeff just celebrated his 600th performance in the national touring production of Mama Mia.

Josh Buscher appeared as a featured dancer on the July 17 episode of the hit TV show America's Got Talent.

Jennifer Inderlee recently appeared in the production of A Cappella Love at the Minnesota Fringe Festival.

Elizabeth J. Mihelich just completed work on a short film project called Project Loveseat.

Mike Martinkus and Broderick Ballantyne have been cast in Machiavelli's The Love Potion, running July 27-Aug. 25 at the Spark Theatre in Denver.

The above information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on July 19, 2012.

Billy Marshall Jr., who's currently appearing in 9 to 5 at the Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, New York, took second place in a national theatre competition sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing in Orlando, Fla., on June 29.

Tamara Hayden just appeared as a vocal soloist with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra and also released a new single with August Moons titled "God is a Dream."

Derek Hansen completed his run of the Broadway revival of Anything Goes. The production closed on July 8 after playing more than 500 performances.

Michelle Shupe has been contracted to direct a production of Twelfth Night for the Taffety Puny Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. in February 2013.

Heather Doris is currently appearing in the Boulder Dinner Theatre's production of Cinderella.

Macleish Day appears in the recently released independent film titled Zombie Wedding - Till Death Do Us Part.

Sierra Reynolds is playing Sarah Brown in a production of the musical Guys and Dolls July 14-19 at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center in Pueblo, Colo.

Jason Thomas has been cast in a production of Shakespeare's King Phycus, An Historical-Pastoral-Tragical Comedy in Five Acts at The Antaeus Company in Los Angeles July 17-26.

Christa Johnson Whittaker is the Fine Arts Chair and Theatre Director at Fort Walton Beach (Fla.) High School and is adjunct theatre faculty at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Fla. She currently serves as president of the Florida Association of Theatre Educators, serves on the board of directors for Florida Thespians and was recognized as for her contributions to high school theatre in the state of Florida at the 2011 Florida Theatre Conference.

Rebekah Stevens just opened in a production of the musical revue Life Is A Dream at Stages Repertory Theatre in Houston, Texas, and has also been cast in the Alley Theatre's fall productions of Death of a Salesman and A Christmas Carol.

The above information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on July 13, 2012.

Andy Kelso will be in the cast of Kinky Boots, a musical written by Harvey Fierstein with music by Cyndi Lauper. The show is going to Chicago Oct. 2 for its try out before heading to Broadway.

Greg LaVoi just finished a multi-year run as the costume designer for the hit TV series The Closer. Nominated for two Emmy costume designing awards, LaVoi attended film school by designing over 40 low-budget B movies for film master Roger Corman. He's also writing the biography of famed costume designer Irene Lentz Gibbons.

Erica Sweeney just completed filming a television commercial for Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Brandon Gregory Keller will be Carlson in Of Mice and Men and Leon Czolgosz in Assassins for Denver's Equinox Theatre Company.

Marquee Magazine, the official publication of TYA/USA, has selected a production photograph by UNC School of Theatre Arts and Dance Director David Grapes for its 2012-2013 cover. The photo of Jessica Henderson is from the School of Theatre Arts and Dance spring production of Junglebook. TYA/USA is the United States Center for the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People and a national membership organization that strengthens the artistic and cultural impact of theatre for young audiences by empowering, connecting and inspiring our members - thereby fostering a global appreciation of the field's excellence.

Beth Malone recently appeared as Marty in a production of Grease at Sacramento Music Circus.

MacLeish Day has been cast in the Sierra (Calif.) Repertory Theatre's production of Carousel.

Elyse (Porterfield) Anderson filmed an episode of Shameless this week.

Lauren Parsons sang the national anthem at the Sporting KC/Chicago Fire game last week in Kansas City.

David Lefkowitz will present his one man production of "Shalom Dammit! An Evening with Rabbi Sol Solomon" at the Roy Arias Theater Center in New York City July 31-Aug. 12.

Chris Tromboli is currently working in Fort Worth Texas for Texas Family Musicals.

The above information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on July 3, 2012.

Sky Seals will be appearing as Royce in Wide Eyed Productions' Animals as part of the New York Fringe festival in August.

Anthony Reimer is appearing this summer in the Pennsylvania Shakespeare productions of Much Ado About Nothing and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Elizabeth Mihelich just performed in an industrial presentation for the Braveheart Women website.

Ryan Grassmeyer just booked a national television commercial for Xfinity.

Selah Grace is performing in Xanadu and Kiss of the Spiderwoman for Lake Dillon Theatre Company this summer.

Andi Davis filmed a national television commercial last week for Starz on Demand.

Keir Kirkegaard will be singing at the Hollywood Bar and Grill in L.A. during June and July.

Teya Patt has been cast in the 3D Theatre production of Avenue Q in L.A.

Lauren Parson just finished performing an eight-month gig for Stiletto Entertainment aboard the cruise ship Zuiderdam.

Katie Schmidt Feder will complete her MA in Arts Administration this summer at Goucher College (MD).

Jim Edmundson, a-30 year veteran of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival acting company, is directing King Lear this summer for Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival.

Amber Marshall is performing in The Taming of the Shrew July 7-29 at the Longmont Theatre Company.

Kurt (Larson) Quinn has been nominated for Best Actor in a Leading role at the Mid-Atlantic Chinese Film Festival for his performance in Ouroboros, directed by Larry Zhu. The film is making the rounds in film festivals throughout China.

Chelsea Ringer and Josh Kwasnewski (current students) are appearing this summer in the Lakewood Cultural Center's production of Footloose.

Jamie Ann Romero and Geoffrey Kent will be opening a production of Noises Off (Brooke Ashton) next week at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. The production runs June 29-Aug. 5.

Josh Buscher closes a two-year run on Broadway this week in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

Jodie Grundin, Greyson Lewis, Khelsey Raymond, Kimberly Kral, Joe Slack, Andy Lacerte and Karli Kaiser are featured in "Girls on Bikes," the first music video from the sketch comedy group SecondHand Smog. The video can be viewed on YouTube or purchased on iTunes.

Venessa Whitney performed with the Miskreant Puppets in Henson Alternative's Stuffed & Unstrung show at the Coronet Theatre in Las Angeles.

David Bryant Johnson is appearing in a production of My Fair Lady at the Gateway Theatre in New York.

Duncan Northern has been hired as the production stage manager for the 2012 Arkansas Shakespeare Festival season.

Amanda Spraycar has accepted an internship position with the Denver Theatre Center.

Heathe Steclein has been named the new theater teacher at Vista Peak High School in Aurora, Colo.

The above information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on June 13, 2012

Ryan Grassmeyer booked a national TV commercial for Alltel Communications.

Katie Pierce is starting a costume internship with the Disney Corporation.

David Bryant Johnson and Billy Marshall are two of six semi-finalists in the National Musical Theatre Vocal competition to be held in Orlando, Fla. Both study with UNC alum/voice teacher Mike Ruckles in NYC. Billy will also be appearing this summer in a co-production of the musical 9 to 5 at the Gateway Playhouse and the Ogunquit Playhouse.

T.J. Dawson is co-directing a production of Avenue Q during July and August at the Redondo Beach (Calif.) Performing Arts Center.

Aaron Young has been cast in the upcoming production of Carousel July 13-Sept. 23 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn.

Freelance writer John Moore's online Denver Post feature - "Honor Roll: Coloradans on National Stages" -features many UNC School of Theatre Arts and Dance alumni. http://www.denverpost.com/theater/ci_15109780

Jack Wefso appeared in a staged reading of Constantine Aboard The Constantine by Charles Wefso in the Studio Theatre at the Aura Fox in Denver.

Lisa Lagasse Keaveny continues to work as a Variety Television Script Supervisor/ Production Supervisor for hundreds of television shows including American Idol, MAdtv, The Iron Chef, Family Feud, The Real Housewives of Orange County and The Academy Awards. Her current project is the Guy's Choice Awards 2012.

Ian McCauley, Madison Ritter and Jessica Kincaid have been cast in Spring Awakening at the Ignite Theatre in Denver.

Heather Brad will appear in Spamalot at the Phoenix Theatre in Phoenix.

The above information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on June 1, 2012

Aléna Watters new film The Standbys will have its West Coast premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival June 2 and 4. Watters continues to perform on Broadway in Sister Act.

Autumn Hurlbert has been cast in Boston's Huntington Theatre Company's production of Private Lives May 25-June 24.

Jason Thomas completed a production of To Kill a Mockingbird at the El Segundo Playhouse in Los Angeles.

Eric Eidson was hired as the new drama teacher at Overland High School in Aurora, Colo.

Kyle Mohse was hired to teach drama at Heath Middle School in Greeley, Colo.

Justin Hamblen was awarded a stage management internship at Julliard in New York City.

Andy Lacerte acquired a new commercial agent at Howard Talent West.

Steve Eastin was a guest star in the final two season episodes of the TV series In Plain Sight.

Elyse Porterfield appeared in two episodes of the TV series Parks and Recreation.

Tiffany Eaton will appear in an upcoming episode of the TV series Bunheads.

Marissa Holland has been hired as a teacher for Community Connections in Loveland, Colo.

Kurt (Larson) Quin has been cast as Tybalt in a summer production of Romeo and Juliet at the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival in Los Angeles.

Eric Ritter and Jason Thomas have been cast in the upcoming production of Macbeth at Antaeus Theatre Company in Los Angeles.

Amanda Short was hired as a summer stage manager at Bristol Valley Theatre in Naples, New York.

Jodi Lynn Thomas has been cast in a recurring role in the TV series Longmire. Her other film credits include Zombie Apocalypse and Sisyphean: A Short Western.

Amada Earls and Rikki James have been added to the cast of the Arvada Center's production of Legally Blonde, which already includes UNC alumni Hayden Stanes, Aisha Jackson, Andrew Russell, Heather Marie Doris, Matt La Fontaine and Julia. The production is being directed by UNC alumnus Gavin Mayer, who recently completed his master's degree in directing at the University of Florida. The show runs June 12-July 1 in the Main Stage Theater.

Tyler Ledon has been cast in the Hollywood Bowl July 27-29 production of The Producers.

Chris Ciccarelli just completed a three-month run as a singer/dancer aboard the cruise ship the Disney Magic.

Rebekah Stevens is appearing in a production of the musical Next to Normal, which runs through June 24 at Stages Repertory Theatre in Houston, Texas.

Kendra Kaufman has been hired to be the new drama teacher at Castle Rock (Colo.) Middle School.

Andre Rodriguez has been hired as the new drama teacher at Westminster (Colo.) High School.

Kody Maynard has been hired as the graduate assistant for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allies Resource Office at the University of Northern Colorado.

Anthony Reimer joined with a cast of stars that included Valerie Harper for the May 14 industry reading of Sherri Heller's new comedy My Mother, My Sister & Me by Peccadillo Theater Company at the DR2 Theatre in New York City.

The above information courtesy of STAD Director David Grapes on May 17, 2012

Theatre Arts and Dance Alumni, Students, Faculty Garner Roles, Positions, Awards

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Graduates, current students and faculty of the University of Northern Colorado's School of Theatre Arts and Dance have advanced their careers during the first few months of 2012.

Eric Ritter is currently performing in a production of Chekhov's Ivanov at the Odyssey Theatre in LA.
Hayden Stanes, Aisha Jackson, Andrew Russell, Heather Marie Doris, Matt La Fontaine and Julia Perotta have all been cast in the Arvada Center's June 2012 production of Legally Blonde.
Derek Hanson performed as Billy Crocker for a week in the Broadway revival of Anything Goes.
Hannah (Middleton) Hines just signed with talent agent Lynne Gray at BMG Talent in Las Angeles.
Lauren Bahlman is currently appearing in a production of The Three Sisters at the Spark Theatre in Denver.
Kelly Cole will be attending Law School at Baylor University in the fall.
Katie Gruenhagen has been awarded the Eugene O'Neill Center Lighting Fellowship for 212 and will be heading to Connecticut for June and July.
The film Standbys featuring Aléna Watters will receive its world premiere in New York City on May 12.
Brenna Shewbert Rouse just performed in the reading of a new play about Cornelia Wallace, the wife of former Alabama Gov. George Wallace, at the Clackamas Repertory Theatre.
Jamie Ann Romero and Geoffrey Kent are both cast in the Colorado Shakespeare/Arvada Center co-production of Twelfth Night, which runs May 1-21 in Denver and then gets remounted as part of the Shakespeare Festival's 2012 season in Boulder.
The UNC School of Theatre Arts and Dance will hold its sixth annual L.A. Showcase at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank, Calif., Tuesday May 1, at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, May 2, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sixteen graduating seniors will be showcasing their talents for nearly 50 agents, casting directors, mangers, directors, playwrights and industry professionals.
Seventeen seniors from the Musical Theatre and Acting programs presented during the 12th annual UNC New York Showcase March 15 at the Jerry Orbach Theatre in New York City. The two performances were attended by agents, casting directors, producers, directors, managers and alumni.
Elyse Porterfield has upcoming appearances on Mad Men and Harry's Law.
Catherine Jones (nee Pilafas) was just cast in an episode of A&E's new show Longmire and will appear in the April 30 episode of the new Discovery Channel crime show Fatal Encounters.
Andy Kelso will be appearing as Fiyero in the national tour of Wicked at the Buell Theatre in Denver for in April and May.
Jason Vesey returned to the Broadway production of The Lion King for three weeks in April.
Kevin Wood, a Los Angeles recording artist and songwriter, is about to release his third CD.
Kimberly Kral was cast in the feature film Healing the Stupid.
Rachel Graham is performing in the Lakewood (Colo.) Theatre production of Camelot.
Hannah Brooks has returned to Lawrence, Kan., for her third year as production stage manager for the annual William Inge Festival.
Daniel Dawson is currently appearing in a high-profile production of Miss Siagon at LaMirada Theatre in LA.
Greyson Lewis will play Oberon/Theseus in A Midsummer Night's Dream for UNC alumnus Tom Littman's Seven Day Shakespeare Company June 3-11 in New York City, then travel to St. Petersburg, Fla., where this summer he will appear as Ellard in The Foreigner at the American Stage.
Kurt (Larson) Quinn just appeared in two indie films in Las Angeles - Dip for My Chips and Smell My Feet.
Kyle Steffan has been cast in the Theatre Aspen summer production of How I Became a Pirate.
Matt LaFontainne is currently starring as Cousin Kevin in the musical Tommy now playing at the Town Hall Arts Center in Denver
Ken Scar is a journalist with the U.S. Army and is currently deployed at Bagram, Afghanistan.
Karli Kaiser has a national commercial running for AT&T Mobile.
Beth Malone performed her one-woman show Beth Malone So Far in March at the 45th Street Theatre in NYC.
Jason Thomas is currently performing in the Nina Variations at the Antaeus Theatre Company in LA.
Lindsay Cook has been cast in the production of Scheme of the Superbullies at The New York Children's Theatre Festival.
James May was in Denver at the Buell Theatre appearing as Cogsworth in the national tour of Beauty and the Beast.
Graduating Musical Theatre major Adam Fontana has been cast as Henry in Next to Normal at the Hanger Theatre in upstate New York this summer.
Graduating Design/Technology major Katie Gruenhagen accepted a full-ride assistantship to attend the MFA lighting Design Program at the University of Indiana in fall 2012.
Annika Merkel just filmed an Allstate Insurance commercial
Jake Mendes and Rhianna Pfannensteil performed their cabaret act March 10-11 at Don't Tell Mama in New York City.
Teya Patt was cast in a new musical called Hello, My Baby that's playing at the RubiconTheatre in Ventura County, Calif.
Aaron Young has been cast in the Goodspeed summer production of Carousel.
Ben Burch has been cast in the new Rugrats - The Musical in Los Angeles.
William Martinez has been performing in an ABBA tribute show that recently played a number of casinos in Las Vegas.
Robert Mills has accepted a new position as an internal communications specialist with Caesars Entertainment in Las Vegas and continues to serve as a patron sales representative for the new Smith Performing Arts Center.
Duncan Northern has returned to Colorado to serve as the stage manager for The Violet Hour at Denver's The Active Theatre Company.
Ryan Grassmeyer booked a new commercial for the Discovery Channel.

Continue reading at http://www.unco.edu/news/releases.aspx?id=3514.

UNC Student Publishes Novel

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

University of Northern Colorado senior Josh Divine, a mathematics major with a minor in writing, recently published his first novel.

The Revival is a science fiction, dystopian work about a boy who is thrust into governmental conflict at a time when one organization has developed weaponry that dwarfs everything else. In a nod to his longtime interest in mathematics, Divine's 17-year-old protagonist, Enevid Zoice, is unable to ignore the frequent appearances of a number string that nobody else can see.

Devine began writing the novel as a junior in high school in Colorado Springs and expanded it over the next five years. The novel was published in February.

SES Director Recognized at National Conference

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

David Stotlar, director of the School of Sport and Exercise Science, recently was honored at the Sport Marketing Association's national conference in Houston. Stotlar's article, "Sponsorship Evaluation: Moving from Theory to Practice," was recognized as one of the Top 20 articles from the first 20 years of the association's trade publication, Sport Marketing Quarterly.

The articles were chosen by current SMQ editor Nancy Lough, inaugural SMQ editor Dallas Branch, former SMQ editor and past-president of SMA Bill Sutton and the staff of Fitness Information Technology. Selection was based on a combination of contribution to the field and citation index scores.

Stotlar was recognized at the SMA Conference Luncheon at the Annual Conference Oct. 28 in Houston.

Theatre Arts and Dance Alumni, Students Garner Roles, Positions, Awards

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Graduates and current students of the University of Northern Colorado's School of Theatre Arts and Dance have advanced their careers during the past few months of 2011.

Brian Scott, ringmaster for the Barnum and Bailey Circus, signed a one-year extension to his contract.
Michael Chapin was hired as a casting agent for Metal Flowers Media in Los Angeles.
Michael Covert was cast as Smudge in the Los Angeles production of Forever Plaid.
Nate Axtell is appearing in a national commercial for Blackjack Pizza.
Thomas Bradfield is appearing in the Gallery Players of New York City production of Little Shop of Horrors.
Stand-up comic Mike Black opened for comedian Ben Kriescher at the Denver Improv.
Vanessa Ramirez was hired as a teaching artist in New York City for Enact and Hip Hop for Life.
James Kaiser was hired as the technical theatre director at Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio.
Stephanie Huck completed the Scenic Artist certification program at Boston University and was hired as the staff scenic artist at the Village Theatre in Seattle.
Andi Davis (graduates in May 2012) is interning as an assistant to Penny Marshall for her new film, Section Eight. Andi will also have a small speaking role in the film.
Laura (Parish) Enstall was accepted to the MFA Musical Theatre Program at Lindwood University in St. Louis.
Alyse Jamieson began graduate studies in the School of Music and Dance at the University of Oregon.
Aaron Young has been cast in the Asian tour of Disney on Classic.
Molly Fahey-Mantoni completed filming a television pilot for Bravo called The Sip and is currently in Cleveland, Ohio, filming an Indie move titled What Would Bear Do? She has also been hired as the national spokes model for Vivite', a line of high-end skin care products.
Tyler Ledon was cast as Big Harp in the International Center Theatre of Long Beach production of The Robber Bridegroom.
Lia Keith Ochoa was accepted to the MFA Theatre Management Program at Brooklyn College and is working as a development assistant for the Brooklyn College of Performing Arts.
Bill Hahn was cast as Boo Radley in the Denver Center Theatre Company's upcoming production of To Kill a Mockingbird.
Jodie Grundin appeared as a guest star in an episode of the television series I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant.
Robert Mills was hired as a patron services representative at the Smith Performing Arts Center in Las Vegas.
Elyse Porterfield was cast as a regular on CSI-NY as a lab technician in the CSI crime laboratory.
Erin Watkins was cast as Penny in the musical Hairspray at Musical Theatre West in Long Beach.
Joey Thomas was cast as Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway in the west coast revival of A Few Good Men at Studio Stage in Los Angeles.
More
The Downstairs Cabaret Theatre of Rochester, N.Y. will stage an open-ended run of David Grapes' new musical One More For My Baby. The production is set to open October 20.
Drew Keat was hired to lead the theatre program at Fairview High School in Boulder.
Jeremy Goldson, theatre teacher at Mountain Vista High School, has been named the High School Theatre Educator of the Year by Alliance for Colorado Theatre.
Lynnsey Ooten is playing Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Witch Number One in Macbeth in North Carolina's Shakespeare to Go, a touring company that performs in North Carolina schools.
Ryan Grassmeyer booked another national video game commercial for Cabela's Big Game Hunter.
Samantha Provenzano and Angela Pettigrew have been cast in the Avenue Theatre Production of String of Pearls. The production, which opens January 20, 2012, is being directed by UNC Theatre Professor Gillian McNally.

Faculty, Staff Share Expertise Off Campus as Well as On

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

University of Northern Colorado faculty and staff contribute their knowledge, expertise and time to a variety of professional and community organizations when they're not in the classroom, the office or otherwise engaged in bringing education to life. Some examples include:

Associate Professor of Music Marian Hesse, a Grammy award-winning hornist, traveled to El Salvador for a week in April for a tour with the Chestnut Brass Company of Philadelphia. In addition to performing concerts in six venues, the group also did interviews for local TV, radio and print media. Hesse gave a masterclass to the hornists from the El Salvador Youth Orchestra and the Chestnut Brass worked with all of the brass students on how to form a chamber music group.

Gillian McNally, associate professor of Theatre Education and head of the School of Theatre Arts and Dance's Community Engagement and Programs for Youth, received the Higher Theatre Education Educator of the Year Award from the Alliance for Colorado Theatre.

Brian Hapcic, professor of lighting, traveled to the Czech Republic in June to participate in the 11th Prague Quadrille Competitive Exhibition of Scenography and Theatre Architecture. Hapcic helped coordinate and construct the exhibits coming from the United States.

David Grapes, director of the School of Theater Arts and Dance, premiered his new musical One More For My Baby - A Sinatra Songbook in June to open the 77th season of the Little Theatre of the Rockies, and the show was produced in July and August at the MusicalFare Theatre in Buffalo, New York. Grapes also directed a production of his musical I Left My Heart - A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett in July for the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, Calif., and traveled to London in August to coordinate an international exchange program between with Middlesex University.

Read more examples of how UNC faculty and staff share their expertise.

Theatre Arts and Dance Alumni, Students Garner Roles, Positions, Awards

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The following graduates of the School of Theatre Arts and Dance advanced their careers by being cast in productions, hired for technical positions or earning awards during the past few months of 2011.

Jason Veasey transitioned from recent national tours of The Lion King to the Broadway production of the popular play.
James May was cast as Cogsworth in the upcoming national tour of Beauty and the Beast.
Rebekah Stevens was cast in a new play titled Ether Dome at the Alley Theatre in Houston.
Ryan Grassmeyer was cast in a co-starring role in episode 12 of the new Cinemax series Chemistry and was signed to appear in a new national television commercial for EA Sports.
Alena Watters, who is currently appearing on Broadway in The Sister Act, is featured in the new documentary film, The Understudy, was booked on a national television commercial for Old Spice and performed on the 2011 Tony Awards telecast.
Josh Buscher also performed on the 2011 Tony Awards telecast.
Greyson Lewis was booked for a national television commercial for Old Spice and was in a commercial for Phillips 66 that ran nationally.
Nikki Tomlinson was cast in the Los Angeles premiere of a new musical titled Real Love.
Catherine Philafas appeared in an episode of the TV series In Plain Sight in August.
Elia Brovarone was hired as an acting ensemble member of The Climb Theatre Company of Minneapolis for the fall season.
Heidi Cheek has been accepted into the Second City Theatre Conservatory in Chicago.
Jake Mendes, who was nominated in July for a New York Innovative Theatre Award for his role in The Drowsy Chaperone, has been cast in another production for The Gallery Players - The Little Dog Laughed.
Anna Kraft appeared in a national television infomercial for LightDims.com.
Stephen Charles Turner has been cast in Troika's fall 2011 national tour of Fiddler on the Roof.
Matt Lang and Jodi Lynn Thomas toured Colorado with a production of Hansel and Gretel for Theatre-Hikes Colorado.
Beth Malone played the title role of Annie Oakley in the musical Annie Get Your Gun at the California Music Theatre in Sacramento.
Matt Braver appeared in a production of The Little Mermaid at the MUNY in St. Louis.
Scott Kruse appeared in the new musical South Street at the Pasadena Playhouse in California.
Samantha Provenzano was selected for an internship with the Minneapolis Children's Theatre for March 2012. She will serve as the assistant director for Pippi Longstockings and also work in the theater's Neighborhood Bridges project.
Ryan Dinning has been cast in the off -Broadway production of Awesome 80s Prom at Webster Hall in New York City.
Anthony Reimer has been cast in White Christmas at Papermill Playhouse for November and December.
Neil Fennell has written and produced eight episodes of a new online TV series called White Liars.
Michael Grebe had four different national TV commercials for KFC running concurrently.

UNC Faculty, Staff Share Expertise Off Campus as Well as On

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Michelle Behr, associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, was elected to the Committee on Associate/Assistant Deans of the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences.

Kim Black, director of Assessment, was elected to the board of governors of Greeley's University Schools.

Sharon Clinebell, assistant dean of Undergraduate Programs in the Monfort College of Business, has been named to the editorial board of the Academy of Management Learning and Education journal.

Jenna Finley, director of Housing and Residential Education, was appointed chair-elect of the Credentialing Board for the Association of College and University Housing Officers, International.

Jeff Houser, associate professor of Sociology, was elected chair of the American Sociological Association's Disability and Society section.

Bill Hoyt, professor of Oceanography, was elected secretary of the Board of the Poudre Learning Center and vice-chair of Union Colony School Friends. He was also named associate editor of Science Activities Journal.

Kelly Jacobson, assistant director of Community Standards and Conflict Resolution in the Office of Student Engagement and Dean of Students, received the New Professional of the Year award from the Association of Student Conduct Administration. The award recognizes a new professional currently assigned primary responsibilities in student conduct administration.

Jeri Kraver, professor of English, was one of just 18 teacher educators selected from universities across the United States to participate in a two-week seminar at the International School for Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, Israel.

Brian Clay Luedloff, associate professor/director of Opera Theatre, was named artistic director of Opera Fort Collins.

Nancy Matchett, assistant professor of Philosophy and director of the Institute of Professional Ethics at UNC, was named director of the Academic Management Institute by the Colorado Network of Women Leaders, the local affiliate of the American Council of Education Office of Women in Higher Education.

Gillian McNally, head of Community Engagement and Programs for Youth and assistant professor of Theatre Education at UNC, directed The Courage to Stand, a play for families and young people that toured several local schools and was presented for over 2,000 local elementary, middle and high school students. McNally also was elected chair of the Ann Shaw Fellowship with Theatre for Young Audiences USA, and was nominated for a Higher Education Theatre Educator Award from the Alliance for Colorado Theatre.

Sherri Moser, assistant to the associate vice president for Student Engagement and Dean of Students, was appointed to the city of Greeley's Judicial Review Board.

Jennifer Murdock, assistant professor in the Counselor Education and Supervision, and Professional Counseling programs, was elected secretary of the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision and will serve as a member of the Executive Council of the national organization.

Francie Murry, professor of Special Education, was appointed by the Weld County Commissioners to the Juvenile Planning Committee of Colorado Senate Bill 94.

Jerry Overmyer, mathematics and science outreach coordinator for the Math and Science Teaching, created a social network site for teachers using vodcasting and the flipped classroom that has grown to over 800 members with over 3,000 unique visitors per month from 74 countries. He served as a "train the trainer" and presented on the conceptual frameworks of vodcasting at the annual Flipped Classroom Conference in June.

Mark Riddle, associate professor of Sociology at UNC, co-authored two articles that were published in a recent edition of The SAGE Handbook of Social Network Analysis. "A Brief Introduction to Analyzing Social Network Data" and "Concepts and Measures for Basic Network Analysis" were both written with Robert A. Hanneman.

Anne M. Toewe, associate professor of Theatre Arts, was elected president of UNC's chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

Sharon Wilson, professor of English and Women's Studies, served as session and group chair of the Modern Language Association's discussion group on Folklore and Literature at its annual convention in January.

UNC to Host Special Olympics Summer Games

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The University of Northern Colorado will host more than 1,100 athletes for the Special Olympics Colorado Summer Games on Saturday, June 4, with the lawn between Candelaria and McKee Halls serving as “Olympic Town” for the event.

Members of the campus community, including UNC Police Chief Mikel Longman, who will conduct Opening Ceremonies at 8 a.m., and his staff will be among the volunteers during the event.

This year, law enforcement from across the state will display Law Enforcement vehicles as an agency presence at Olympic Town from 3-6 p.m. and the UNCPD Honor Guard will present flags at the closing ceremony at about 5 p.m.

The athletes will participate in five sports: aquatics, athletics (track & field), soccer, powerlifting, and gymnastics. Admission is open to the public and is free of charge.

Please note that parking lots L and M, west of Candelaria Hall, Michener Library, and the Campus Recreation Center have been reserved for Special Olympics parking on Saturday, June 4. The campus community is encouraged to park in other lots during this time.

For more information regarding Special Olympics Colorado, visit www.specialolympicsco.org

UNC Football Tickets on Sale

Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

2011-12 Faculty Promotions, Tenure Announced

Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The following faculty at the University of Northern Colorado have recently been awarded tenure:

Assistant Professor to Associate Professor

Erik Applegate, Performing & Visual Arts
Kenneth Chan, Humanities & Social Sciences
Anton Dzhamay, Natural & Health Sciences
Dale Edwards, Humanities & Social Sciences
Paul Elwood, Performing & Visual Arts
Jim Erekson, Education & Behavioral Studies
Donald Finan, Natural & Health Sciences
Scott Franklin, Natural & Health Sciences
Jennifer Harding-Dekam, Education & Behavioral Studies
Sieger Hartgers, Performing & Visual Arts
Jeffrey Houser, Humanities & Social Sciences
Milan Larson, Monfort College of Business
Jody Lawrence, Education & Behavioral Studies
Mike Lemke, Performing & Visual Arts
Robin Macaluso, Natural & Health Sciences
Christiane Olivo, Humanities & Social Sciences
Kristina Phillips, Education & Behavioral Studies
Katrina Rodriguez, Education & Behavioral Studies
Deborah Romero, Humanities & Social Sciences
Mark Thomas, Natural & Health Sciences
Mia Williams, Education & Behavioral Studies
Ken Womble, Performing & Visual Arts

Associate Professor to Professor

Cris de la Torre, Monfort College of Business
David Diggs, Humanities & Social Sciences
Heng-Yu Ku, Education & Behavioral Studies
Kelfala Kallon, Humanities & Social Sciences
Maria Lahman, Education & Behavioral Studies
Janice Payan, Monfort College of Business
Christina Sinclair, Natural & Health Sciences

Also Earning Tenure

Joe Elkins, Natural & Health Sciences
Mark Eiswerth, Humanities & Social Sciences
Mark Montemayor, Performing & Visual Arts
Anne Toewe, Performing & Visual Arts
William Wilson, Performing & Visual Arts
Ken Womble, Performing & Visual Arts

Alumna Connie Willis Earns Seventh Nebula Award

Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT