Theatre School News v.5 #2

CHARLES ABBOTT (BFA, Acting, ‘61) is directing Elegy, produced by DENNIS GRIMALDI (BFA, Acting, ’68) this coming January at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. The play was written by RON HIRSEN (Staff).

NANETTE ACOSTA (BFA, Costume Design, ’90) is the costume head at the 5 th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, WA.

NARDA ALCORN (BFA, Production Management, '92) is the assistant stage manager for The Lion King on Broadway, New Amsterdam theatre, 214 West 42nd Street, 212/307-4747 or 800/755-4000 (outside NY, NJ, CT), orhttp://www.ticketmaster.com. Open run.

TOM ALDREDGE (Acting, GSD) has a recurring role as Hugh DeAngelis (Carmella’s father) on The Sopranos, Sundays, HBO, 8PM.

KAREN ALDRIDGE (MFA, Acting, ’01) is in Paris at the moment and will be playing Matilde, the female lead, in LeCostume, an adaptation of the short story written by Can Thimbe, directed by Peter Brook. The show will tour next month through February 2002 in Ireland, England and Spain.

ELISE ALIBERTI (BFA, Theatre Studies, ’98) directs the Midwest premiere of Red Herring, Breakdown Theatre, Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 773/935-6860, through 9/16/01. (SEE NOTES )

GILLIAN ANDERSON (BFA, Acting, '90) plays FBI Agent Dana Scully on The X-Files, Sundays, FOX, 8PM. This coming season will be her 9th. Gillian also recently made a generous donation to the Spolin-Sills Endowed Scholarship created by fellow alum AMY PIETZ (BFA, Acting, ’90) and her husband Kenny Williams.

KEVIN ANDERSON (Cert, Acting, ’81) will play Frank Gifford in the TNT film Monday Night Mayhem, air date not yet set. Co-stars include John Turturo as Howard Cosell, Patti LuPone as Emmy Cosell, Brad Beyer as Don Meredith, Eli Wallach as Leonard Goldenson and ZAK ORTH (BFA, Acting, ’92) as Don Ohlmeyer.

MARTIN ANDREW (MFA, Scene Design, ’01) designed the scenery for Boom Town, Pywacket Theatre Company at Angel Island Theatre, 731 W. Sheridan, 773/275-2201, through 10/13/01. JEREMY GETZ (BFA, Light Design, ’99) designed the lighting.

LARRY BATES (BFA, Acting, ’99) plays Petie Samples in FOX’s Boston Public, 7PM, Mondays.

MIKE BAUDER (BFA Production Management program ‘90-’91) designed the lighting for a new national tour of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, teching in Alaska this month, then heads to California and beyond. This past summer, Mike did design work for Carousel and The Man of LaMancha at the Shawnee Playhouse in the Poconos.

ANNE MARIE BEAULIEU (BFA, Theatre Studies, ‘01) stage managed and designed the lighting for Show and Tell, Circle Theatre, 7300 W. Madison, Forest Park, IL, closed 9/9/01.

JASON BECK (BFA, Acting, ’98 & Staff) had 13 production photos he’s taken for Theatre at the Center in Munster, IN, featured in a full page ad in the 9/9/01 Chicago Tribune Arts & Entertainment section for the Theatre at the Center’s 2001-02 season. MICHAEL WEBER (BFA, Acting, ’90) is the Artistic Director of the theatre. Jason is the Vice President of the Alumni Board.

MARY JANE BERNARDY-WELLS- SANDER (GSD, ’56) produces and directs The Brini Maxwell Show, which appears on the Time Warner channel 35 in Manhattan (NY), Friday nights, 9:30PM uptown, 8:30PM downtown. More info is at http://www.brinimaxwell.com/

SAL (ECKERT) BERSTEIN (BFA, Costume Design, ’92) is the Resident Costume Designer/Lecturer in the Theatre, Film and Dance department of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. She is currently teaching Costume History and a team taught (with other scenic, lighting and sound design faculty) course called Fundamentals of Design. Sal got married this past October.

DAVID BERON (BFA, Acting, ’89) recently recorded the voice of Wilbur and will be singing some of the songs for Charlotte’s Web 2, a feature length sequel co-produced by Paramount, Universal and Nickelodeon. David also did the lead (voice) character for Kesssen 2, a Sony Playstation game.

THOM BOWERS (MFA, Directing, ’01) has been hired as a FT faculty member at the Latin School here in Chicago. He starts teaching Acting and Speech Making, and directing one production a year this month.

KATE BRIERE (MFA, Directing, ’01) has moved to Syracuse, NY.

JEFF BRUCKERHOFF (BFA, Lighting Design, ’94) has just finished his second season as the lighting director for the Santa Fe Opera and is currently in Washington, D.C. to be the lighting director for a small ballet tour with The Suzanne Farrell Ballet Company, produced by the Kennedy Center. Then Jeff will return to the Santa Fe Opera to design the lighting for H. M. S. Pinafore, opening 11/23/01.

NICOLE ANNE BRYANT (BFA, Scene Design, ’92) was the lead scenic artist for the entire Soaring area and Pacific Wharf on Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim, CA. Nicole also designed the pilot Ask Rita starring Rita Rudner, and Cooking with the Greats Las Vegas Style which will star famous guest chefs.

JULIANNE BUESCHER (BFA, Acting, '89) plays Tennessee in the new Disney feature film The Country Bears, currently in production. She also plays Bree, Frances, and Marjorum on Disney's Weekenders, 7:30AM Saturdays on ABC, Nicole on Cousin Skeeter, Sundays at 5:30PM on Nickelodeon, and Monica on Jim Henson's Dinosaurs on the Disney channel.

DEXTER BULLARD (Faculty) directs Bug, A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells, 312/943-8722, through 9/30/01, and was featured in an 8/31/01 PerformInk newspaper article about the production. Dexter is also teaching at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts. (See NOTES )

THOM BUMBLAUKAS (BFA, Scene Design, ’92) is the Art Director for the new PBS series Christina Cooks, which airs this summer.

E. FAYE BUTLER (BFA Acting program, ‘79-‘80) is in Could It Be Magic? The Barry Manilow Songbook, Mercury Theatre, 3745 N. Southport, 773/325-1700, extended again, through 9/30/01.

JOEL BUTLER (BFA, Production Management, ’97) is the stage manager for Blue Man Group, Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted, 773/348-4000, open run.

P.J. BYRNE (MFA, Acting, '99) will appear in the Disney movie Max Keeble's Big Move, scheduled for release 10/5/01.

PAULA (KOROLOGOS) CALE (BFA, Acting, ‘93) plays Joanie on Providence, Fridays, NBC, 7PM. Also starring on the show is CONCETTA TOMEI (BFA, Acting, ’75).

LESLIE CHARIPAR (MFA, Acting, ’01) is in the Oblivion Theatre production of The Helen Project, The Studio Theatre at The Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, 312/744-6630, through 9/23/01. (See NOTES )

MARY CHASEN (BFA, Dramaturgy/Criticism, ‘99 ) is stage managing The Crucible, TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington, 312/409-8463, previews 10/9/01 through 10/12/01, opens 10/13/01 and runs through 11/25/01. (See NOTES )

CYNTHIA CHILDS (BFA, Production Management, '99) is an office production assistant on Showtime’s Resurrection Boulevard, Tuesdays, 9PM. She is also the Assistant Stage Manager for The Queen of Spades, with Placido Domingo, Los Angeles Opera, Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County, 135 N. Grand Ave, LA, 213/972-8001, through 9/25/01.

NAN CIBULA-JENKINS (Faculty) will be designing the costumes for Glengarry Glen Ross, Steppenwolf Theatre Mainstage, 1650 N. Halsted, 312/335-1650, and theatre@steppenwolf.org, opening 11/23/01 and running through 1/19/02; ROB MILBURN (Faculty) will be designing the sound for Glengarry Glen Ross. For The Theatre School, Nan will be designing costumes for our 2nd Chicago Playworks production, Selkie. Nan will then take a Leave of Absence from DePaul during the Winter Quarter 01-02 to design the costumes for The Tempest, Chicago Shakespeare theatre, Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand, 312/595-5600, http://www.chicagoshakes.com, opening 3/29/02 and running through 5/8/02. She will also be designing costumes for My Fair Lady, Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis, 773/753-4472, http://www.courttheatre.org opening 4/18/02 and running through 5/26/02.

MARTIN CLARK (TIPPENS) (Directing program, ‘55-’56) plays Dr. George Junkin (father of Stonewall Jackson and once president of Washington University) in the TNT production of Gods and Generals, the second of a three part trilogy (Gettysburgh, G&G, and The Last Full Measure), which will be a feature film to be released in 2002. Filming was in Lexington, VA. While there, Martin did a Q&A master class with the graduating class at James Madison University. Martin also just completed filming an episode of Unsolved Mysteries, scheduled to air on 10/5/01. Back home, he continues his activities with the Los Angeles Classical Theatre Lab.

KELLY COFFIELD (MFA, Acting, ’87) can be seen in the recurring role of Naomi on Once and Again with Sela Ward, Tuesdays, ABC, 9PM.

BENJAMIN COHEN (BFA, Theatre Technology, '98) will be getting married on 10/27/01 in Chicago.

MEGAN COLLINS (BFA, Scene Design, ’03) designed the scenery for Lights of the World this past summer as part of the Yollocalli/Goodman Theatre Youth Drama Workshop. JEREMY GETZ (BFA, Lighting Design, ’99) designed the lighting and HENRY GODINEZ (Faculty) directed. Megan also designed the scenery for The Gin Game for the Oak Park Village Players which runs through this month.

STEVEN CONWAY (MFA, Light Design, ’00) recently joined United Scenic Artists. Congratulations, Steve!

SCOTT COOPER (MFA, Scene Design, ’95) is the head of theatre at St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, FL. Scott is designing both sets and costumes for the shows this Fall, and will be directing later in the year.

DEAN CORRIN (Faculty) had a developmental reading of his play Battle of the Bands at the Victory Gardens Theatre recently. The reading included BETH LACKE (BFA, Acting, ’98) and KATIE POWERS (BFA, Acting, ’01). The play is scheduled for production next Spring.

WHITNEY (SNEED) COULSON (BFA, Acting, ’99) and her husband Scott plan to move to Chicago (from Kansas) next Spring where they will perform with their band Iris, and Whitney will pursue acting.

KELLY CRAVEN (BFA, Stage Management, ’97) is marrying Nash Foster in Charlotte, NC, this month.

JOHN CULBERT (Dean) was featured in the DePaul Academic Affairs Quarterly magazine highlighting his being appointed dean of The Theatre School.

AMMAR DARAISEH (MFA, Acting, ’96) has booked a national 7-Up commercial and a role on a new ABC-TV show called Alias.

JASON DENUSZEK (BFA, Acting, ’99) is in Richard II, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand, 312/935-5600, opens 9/16/01 and runs through 11/11/01.

PAUL DILLON (BFA, Acting, '86) can be seen in the recurring role of Angelo on The Pretender, now in syndication on TNT, Mondays through Fridays, 6PM.

ANNE DOWD (MFA, Acting, ’82) is in Immaculate Misconceptions, Primary Stages, 354 W. 45th St, 212/333-4052, NYC, opens this month.

M’EL DOWD (GSD) will be in A Little Night Music, Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, CT, 860/873-8668 orhttp://www.goodspeed.org/goh/night.htm opens 9/28/01 and runs through 12/16/01.

TRACEY DOWNS (BFA, Acting, ’95) has her film F-STOPS out in the festival circuit. Tracey is also the an assistant to the General Contractor of Volunteers of America, an organization that builds schools and homeless shelters and assists youths in need.

KATHLEEN DOYLE (BFA, Acting, ’68) recently completed costarring in a series of one act plays for The Ensemble Studio Theatre in NYC.

ROHANNA DOYLIDA (BFA, Acting, '91) will be in The Substance of Fire with RYAN KITLEY (MFA, Acting, '98), The Theatre, 1420 Maple Avenue, Evanston IL, 847/475-2800, 2/02 through 3/02. Substance will be directed by INA MARLOWE (MFA, Directing, '81).

TOM DWIGHT (BFA, Acting, ’91) lives in Hawaii and recently performed in The Ride, an independent film. He is currently in an original murder mystery show on Waikiki, also in the cast is BRIDGET KELLY (BFA, Acting, ’86). Check out Tom’s website athttp://www.geocities.com/onetonstudio

SCOTT ELLIS (BFA, Acting, '78) will be directing The Boys From Syracuse at the Roundabout’s new space, the American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St (between 7th & 8th), NYC, in the Spring of 2002.

SCOTT FALBE (BFA, Lighting Design, ’96) is the CEO of Intelligent Lighting Creations which he founded in 1994. It is a full service lighting company supplying lighting and effects equipment nationwide. They also install lighting systems, fabricate custom power distribution systems, give production support to a myriad of events, service new and old equipment and sell a full line of equipment and consumable supplies. Contact the company at 847/875-5973 or by email atinfo@intelligentlighting.com Scott is married to SAMANTHA (ZIMMER) FALBE (BFA, Lighting Design, ’98).

AMIE FARRELL (BFA, Acting, ’95) has moved from LA to NYC.

JOEL FINK (BFA, Acting, ’71) is the Associate Dean and director of The Theatre Conservatory at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University. He will be directing their 2001-02 season opening production of Romeo and Juliet, O’Malley Theatre, 431 S. Wabash, 312/341-3719, runs 10/19/01 through 10/21/01. Joel was featured in an article titled Mastering the Fine Art of Directing in the 8/17/01 edition of the PerformInk newspaper.

JAMES FINNERTY (Former Staff) is in Nine, Circle Theatre, 7300 W. Madison, Forest Park, IL, 708/771-0700, previews 9/14, 9/15 & 9/18/01, opens 9/19/01 and runs through 10/28/01.

SUZANNE FRIEDLINE (MFA Acting program, ‘91-’92) just shot a independent film in LA titled Murderous Camouflage.

SCOTT GALBRAITH (BFA, Acting, ’88) plays Ross in Macbeth - The Comedy, being screened tonight, 9/10/01, 8PM, Clearview Cinemas, 239 E. 59th St, NYC. Scott’s wife Florence plays the doctor. More info is athttp://www.tristanfilms.net/home/home.htm

JOHN GEGENHUBER (BFA, Acting, ’84) plays the doctor in Earth 2, now in syndication on the SciFi cable channel, 9AM, Sundays.

CHRIS GENEBACH (BFA, Acting, ‘99) is in The Archarnians, Tripaway Theatre Company at the Bailiwick Theatre, 1229 W. Belmont, 773/878-7785, through 10/7/01.

JEREMY GETZ (BFA, Lighting Design, ’99) designed the lighting for Boom Town, Pywacket Theatre Company at Angel Island Theatre, 731 W. Sheridan, 773/275-2201, through 10/13/01. MARTIN ANDREW (MFA, Scene Design, ’01) designed the scenery.

MIERKA GIRTEN (MFA Acting program, ’92-’93) was diagnosed with MS nine years ago and created a theatre collective called Mookie Jam, which raises funds to help benefit artists with MS and produced her one-woman show With or Without Wings, a crafting of Mierka’s journals into a humorous and unsentimental story of coping with MS in the middle or pursuing an acting career. The show ran for a month to sold out houses earlier this year at Victory Gardens Theatre. It has been remounted at Victory Gardens, 2257 N. Lincoln, 773/871-3000, and runs through 9/30/01.

LARA GOETSCH (Staff) is producing The Crucible, TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington, 312/409-8463, previews 10/9/01 through 10/12/01, opens 10/13/01 and runs through 11/25/01. (See NOTES )

JEN GOODE (MFA, Directing, '99) is a company member of the Oblivion Theatre which hosts weekly play readings and discussions, Sundays, 7PM, The Bourgeois Pig, 738 W. Fullerton. All are welcome!

KRISTIN GOODMAN (MFA, Acting, ’98) directs the Freshman Showcase at Roosevelt University here in Chicago, O’Malley Theatre, 431 S. Wabash, 312/341-3719, 9/26/01 through 9/30/01.

SHARON GOPFERT (MFA, Acting, ’94) is teaching at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts. (See NOTES )

JULIE GRANATA (BFA, Acting, ’99) is in the Midwest premiere of Red Herring, Breakdown Theatre, Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 773/935-6860, through 9/16/01. Julie is also the Marketing Associate for The Crucible, TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington, 312/409-8463, previews 10/9/01 through 10/12/01, opens 10/13/01 and runs through 11/25/01. (See NOTES )

JUDY (EVANS) GREER (BFA, Acting, ’97) will next be seen as Vicky in the yet to be released Adam Rifkin film Without Charlie. She will also be seen as Judy in the film In Memory of My Father, and as Alice in the Spike Jonze directed film Adaptation, along with Nicholas Cage and Meryl Streep.

TIM GREGORY (MFA, Acting, ’97) is teaching a six week Shakespeare Audition Workshop, 9/17/01 through 10/22/01, 773/388-1722.

DENNIS GRIMALDI (BFA, Acting, ’68) is developing and producing a new Broadway musical comedy for Tony Award winner Chita Rivera. Dennis is producing the play, Elegy, written by RON HIRSEN (Staff) in January at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. CHARLES ABBOTT (BFA, Acting, ’61) will direct.

CHET GRISSOM (BFA, Acting, '87) is in Central Avenue, Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave, LA, CA, 323/663-1525. The production has been extended through 12/16/01.

OSCAR GROVES (BFA, Theatre Studies, '93) is the Cultural Arts Coordinator for the city of Evanston, IL.

SEAN GUNN (BFA, Acting, ’96) has a recurring role on WB’s Gilmore Girls, Thursdays, 7PM.

JULIET HART (MFA, Acting, ’95) is the Marketing Director for The Crucible, TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington, 312/409-8463, previews 10/9/01 through 10/12/01, opens 10/13/01 and runs through 11/25/01. (See NOTES )

NOELLE HATHAWAY (BFA, Scene Design, ’99) is working on both the scenery and costumes for Six Degrees of Separation at Northwestern University, where she is enrolled in the MFA Design program.

ZACH HELM (BFA, Acting, ’96) worked on the script of Raised by Ghosts for MGM which will begin filming in the Fall, directed by Ralph Zondag; finished the re-write of Harvey for Miramax; and adapted a Caldecott Prize winning children’s book, The Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups, for Nickelodeon. He is currently working on adapting another Caldecott Prize winning children’s book, Sector 7, for Paramount Pictures, and finishing up his latest play Semasiology. Zach’s script, heT associateDis, is being produced by Lindsay Doran, who produced Spinal Tap and Emma, and used to run MGM.

CRISS HENDERSON (BFA, Production Management, ’86) is the Executive Director of Chicago Shakespeare theatre at Navy Pier.

RACHEL HENNEBERRY (BFA, Production Management, '95) is the resident Assistant Stage Manager for the San Francisco Opera Company, 301 Van Ness, San Francisco CA, 415/861-4008. Seehttp://www.sfopera.org for more information.

(BEN) BOLEN HIGH (BFA, Acting, ’68) is filming a docudrama television movie for BBC. It will be broadcast in the U.S.

RON HIRSEN (Staff) will have his play, Elegy, produced by this coming January at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, directed by CHARLES ABBOTT (BFA, Acting, ‘61). The play is being produced by DENNIS GRIMALDI (BFA, Acting, ’68).

CAROLYN HOERDEMANN (BFA, Acting, ’92) is at the American Players Theatre in Spring Green, WI, through 10/6/01, for the 22nd season, appearing in Alls Well That Ends Well, As You Like It and Ring Round The Moon. More info at 608/588-2361 andhttp://www.Americanplayers.org Carolyn is adapting some Oscar Wilde children’s stories for us which will be directed by RIC MURPHY (Faculty) as our 3rd production in this year’s Chicago Playworks shows at the Merle Reskin Theatre.

CHRIS HOFMANN (Staff) is the Technical Director for The Crucible, TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington, 312/409-8463, previews 10/9/01 through 10/12/01, opens 10/13/01 and runs through 11/25/01. (See NOTES )

PAUL HOLMQUIST (BFA, Acting, ’98) is in the Midwest premiere of Red Herring, Breakdown Theatre, Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 773/935-6860, through 9/16/01. (See NOTES )

JOHN HOOGENAKKER (BFA, Acting, ’99) will join the cast of The Bomb-itty of Errors, Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, 312/988-9000 on 9/19/01, runs through 10/31/01. This is a hip hop version of The Comedy of Errors with four actors playing all the roles.

JASON HORGAN (BFA, Acting program, ‘91-‘93) is collaborating on a book and is currently in the middle of a 2 month research trip for it traveling to some isolated towns and villages throughout Asia, Eastern Europe and North Africa. He’ll end the trip on a different note by spending 2 weeks in Monte Carlo.

JAMES HOUTON (BFA, Acting, ’99) is in Pygmalion, Apple Tree Theatre, 595 Elm Place, Highland Park, IL, 847/432-4335 andhttp://www.appletreetheatre.com previews 9/25/01 through 9/30/.01, opens on 10/1/01 and runs through 10/28/01.

TRACY HULTGREN (BFA, Acting, ’85) is the lead singer for the Chicago-based society orchestra The Rob Fund Orchestra. Check out Tracy’s website athttp://www.tracehultgren.com

JOE TECH HUPPERT (BFA, Theatre Studies, '04) is designing the sound for Northlight Repertory's Over the Tavern, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL, 847/673-6300, runs 10/3/01 through 11/11/01; and Organic Theatre's Painting Churches, The Theatre, 1420 Maple Avenue, Evanston IL, 847/475-2800, runs 11/01/01 through 12/01/01. Churches is directed by INA MARLOWE (MFA, Directing, '81).

CHARLIE HUTCHINSON (MFA, Acting, ’91) lives in LA with his wife and year and a half old daughter. Charlie is taking a break from acting and is now working full time as a financial consultant, focusing on individuals in the entertainment business, with Salomon Smith Barney. He’d be happy to work with any of his fellow alums on their finances.

SCOTT ILLINGWORTH (BFA, Acting, '98 & Staff) has been named the Assistant Children’s Theatre Director at Theatre of Western Springs and Advisor for the High School Repertory Company. He will be directing Jungalbook at Theatre of Western Springs in November.

GRANT JAMES (BFA, Acting, ’62) will be a regular voice for the cartoon series Soul Hunter which is still in production.

GENE JANSON (BFA, Acting, ’58) serves on the Artistic Board for the Apple Tree theatre in Highland Park, IL.

DORCAS JOHNSON (MFA, Acting, ’94) is on the East Coast Committee of the Alumni Board and produces the East Coast Alumni E*Letter. If you want to start getting it, contact her at tshego@hotmail.com

GEORGE KEATING (BFA, Acting, ’90) is in Miss Saigon, Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Rt. 21 (Milwaukee Ave), Lincolnshire, 847/634-0200, through 11/4/01. George will then be in Everything’s Ducky, Northlight Theatre, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL, 847/673-6300, opens 12/5/01 and runs through 1/6/02. He will also be performing in a cabaret show called Yadda Yadda Yadda; The Lyrics of Cheri Coons, at Davenport’s, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave, 10/22/01 & 10/29/01. George is also now a homeowner, moved into his new place in a Chicago suburb last month.

DARIN KEESING (BFA, Lighting Design, ‘96) designed the lighting for John Bull’s Other Island, Irish Repertory of Chicago, Victory Gardens Theatre, 2257 N. Lincoln, 773/871-3000, through 9/30/01. He will also be designing the lighting for A Lie of the Mind, American theatre Company; Undone, About Face Theatre Company; and 42nd Street (11/8/01 - 12/23/01) and Sleeping Beauty (11/27/01 - 12/14/01),Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN, 219/836-3255 andhttp://www.theatreatthecenter.com MICHAEL WEBER (BFA, Acting, ’90) is the Artistic Director of Theatre at the Center.

NAMBI KELLEY (BFA, Playwriting, '95) shot a pilot called Close to Home. She has also just been published in an anthology of African-American writers titled The Alibi Transcripts, which includes several excerpts from some of Nambi’s produced plays. Currently, she is performing in Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf in LA, and is in the midst of producing an evening of her work titled The First Woman at the Greenway Court Theatre, 544 N. Fairfax, in LA. Nambi has also been invited to be one of five writers for a new teen talk show, details TBA.

BRIDGET KELLY (BFA, Acting, ’86) lives in Hawaii and is currently performing in an original murder mystery show on Waikiki. Also in the cast is TOM DWIGHT (BFA, Acting, ’91).

LISA KELLY (BFA, Acting, ’92) plays Laura Forman in That 70’s Show, Tuesdays, FOX-TV, 7PM.

DEBORAH KING (BFA, Acting, ’92) is in Drowning of Thirst, Great Beast Theatre Company (as part of the Rhinoceros Festival), Pulaski Park, 1419 W. Blackhawk, Fridays, 7PM, opens 9/14/01 and runs through 10/5/01. Also in the cast is RYAN LAFLEUR (BFA Playwriting program, ‘89-’92). Deborah is also in The Baby Show, also part of the Rhinoceros Festival, Lunar Cabaret, 2827 N. Lincoln Ave, 7PM, 10/7/01.

RYAN KITLEY (MFA, Acting, '98) is in The Substance of Fire, The Theatre, 1420 Maple Avenue, Evanston IL, 847/475-2800, 2/02 through 3/02, with ROHANNA DOYLIDA (BFA, Acting, '91), and Romeo and Juliet, Pickwick Theatre, 5 S. Prospect, Park Ridge IL, 847/692-6590, 2/02. Both shows are directed by INA MARLOWE (MFA, Directing, '81).

LAUREN KLEIN (BFA, Theatre Management, ’02) is doing an Internship at Broadway in Chicago.

RACHEL KLEM (MFA, Acting, ’96) has moved from Chicago to Durham, NC.

HEIDI KLING (MFA, Acting, ‘90) recently shot an educational video titled Mommy and Me: The Slumber Party, with her year and half old son, Lalo (already getting him in the business!). Heidi is married to DAVID BERON (BFA, Acting, ’89).

PAUL KONRAD (BFA, Acting, ‘87) can be seen Monday through Friday mornings as the weatherman on WGN-TV’s morning news show.

HARVEY KORMAN (BFA, Acting, ’50) recently completed a two-week engagement with Tim Conway entertaining visitors at a Reno, NV hotel. Harvey’s last appearance at the school was on the stage of the old Goodman Theatre as Hamlet with JOE SLOWIK (MFA, Directing, ’51 & Professor Emeritus) playing the Second Gravedigger.

JIM KRAG (BFA, Acting, ’84) was in Bob Almighty, Peninsula Players, Fish Creek, WI, closed 9/2/01. Also in the cast was HOWARD WITT (Certificate, Acting, ‘67). TODD SCHMIDT (MFA, Directing, ’86) is the general manager of Peninsula Players.

BETH LACKE (BFA, Acting, '98) will appear in the film Joshua, starring F. Murray Abraham, directed by Jon Purdy, currently in post-production. Also in the cast are LINSEY MORTON (BFA, Acting, ’01) and MATT ZIEGLER (BFA, Acting, ’02). Beth was also part of a developmental reading of the play Battle of the Bands at the Victory Gardens Theatre recently. KATIE POWERS (BFA, Acting, ’01) also did the reading. The play was written by DEAN CORRIN (Faculty) and is scheduled for production next Spring.

CAROLYN LADD (MFA, Acting, ’99) is teaching at both the Cooperative Arts and Humanities Magnet High School (Music Theory & Creative Writing) and at the Educational Center for the Arts (Voice & Speech, in the Acting program) in New Haven, CT.

RYAN LAFLEUR (BFA Playwriting program, ‘89-’92) is in Drowning of Thirst, Great Beast Theatre Company (as part of the Rhinoceros Festival), Pulaski Park, 1419 W. Blackhawk, Fridays, 7PM, opens 9/14/01 and runs through 10/5/01. Also in the cast is DEBORAH KING (BFA, Acting, ’92).

MATT LAMBERT (BFA, Theatre Studies, ‘94) is working in the Bahamas for the next few months (must be rough!) stage managing the new Jimmy Buffet musical Don’t Stop the Carnival at the Atlantic Resort on Paradise Island.

JOHNNY LANCASTER (MFA, Acting, '97) will be narrating 13 episodes of the new VH1 documentary show What's My 20?, scheduled to premier in March 2002.

KRISTIN LARSEN (BFA, Production Management, ’87) is the Director of Programs at the Arts & Business Council in Chicago,http://www.artsbiz.chicago.org Kristen recently completed a Masters Degree at DePaul focusing on organizational effectiveness in the arts. Congratulations, Kristen!

LIZZ LEISER (BFA, Playwriting, ’01) is teaching theatre full time for Mayor Daley’s Gallery 37 program, at the Live Bait Theatre, 3914 N. Clark, 773/871-1212, where she has also just been hired as a permanent staff member.

JOSH LEVINE (BFA, Playwriting, ’02) is working as a personal assistant to Terrence McNally who is in Chicago for the rehearsal and premiere of his new musical, The Visit, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, 312/443-3800, opens 9/23/01 and runs through 10/23/01. Director is Frank Galati, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, and Choreography by Ann Reinking.

DANA LEWENTHAL (MFA, Acting, ’97) will be appearing in 'Tis the Season, Oregon Cabaret Theatre, 241 Hargadine, Ashland OR, 541/488-2902, runs 11/14/01 through 12/31/01.

JANET LOUER (Faculty) is teaching at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts. (See NOTES )

ANGEL MACLEAN (MFA, Acting, 98) directs House of Yes this month at the Meadow Brook Theatre, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 248/377-3300 or www3.oakland.edu for more information.

TIM MACULAN (BFA Scene Design program, ’81-‘83) has the recurring role of Fr. Jack in HBO’s Six Feet Under.

STACY MAGERKURTH (BFA, Acting, ’00) is in the Oblivion Theatre production of The Helen Project, The Studio Theatre at The Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, 312/744-6630, through 9/23/01. ( See NOTES )

JOE MANTEGNA (GSD, Acting, '67-'69) was a guest on Politically Incorrect on 8/14/01.

INA MARLOWE (MFA, Directing, '81) is the Producing Artistic Director of the Organic Theatre Company, which recently announced its 2001-2002 season. This season Ina will be directing Painting Churches, The Substance of Fire, and Organic's co-production of Romeo and Juliet with Pickwick Theatre. (See NOTES )

TIM MAZUREK (BFA, Costume Design, ’98) is the dramaturg for the Midwest premiere of Red Herring, Breakdown Theatre, Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 773/935-6860, through 9/16/01. (SEE NOTES )

GINA MAZZA (BFA, Acting, ’93) is teaching at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts. (See NOTES )

JIMMY McDERMOTT (MFA, Directing, ’99) is in the Oblivion Theatre production of The Helen Project, The Studio Theatre at The Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, 312/744-6630, through 9/23/01. ( See NOTES )

BOB McGARVIE (BFA, Lighting Design, ’85) is the technical director for Steppenwolf Theatre.

JONATHAN MEIER (MFA, Acting, ‘85) is a Vice President - Business Banking Officer for Charter One Bank.

MELISSA MELTZER (Staff) did a workshop at Gallery 37 here in Chicago last month on the topic of applying to colleges. Students who participated in the workshop are from all over the city. The group of 50 was about evenly split between playwrights and actors.

ROB MILBURN (Faculty) was featured in the 8/17/01 PerformInk newspaper article titled Where Did They Go To School? Rob is designing the sound for Terrence McNally’s new musical, The Visit, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, 312/443-3800, opens 9/23/01 and runs through 10/23/01. Director is Frank Galati, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, and Choreography by Ann Reinking. He will also design the sound for Glengarry Glen Ross, Steppenwolf Theatre Mainstage, 1650 N. Halsted, 312/335-1650, andtheatre@steppenwolf.org, opening 11/23/01 and running through 1/19/02; NAN CIBULA-JENKINS (Faculty) will be designing the costumes for Glengarry Glen Ross.

PAUL MILLER (BFA, Lighting Design, ’87) is the First Assistant Light Designer for The Producers, starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, St. James Theatre, West 44th between Broadway and 8th, 212/239-6200, NYC, open run. The show won a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards, including one for Lighting Design, and has also won the Best Musical Award from the Outer Critics Circle, the New York Drama Critics Circle, and a record-breaking 11 Drama Desk Awards. Paul will be designing the lighting for Lizzie Borden, Goodspeed Opera House, Route 82, East Haddam, CT, 860/873-8668, and athttp://www.goodspeed.org opening 11/1/01 and running through 11/25/01.

DAVID MINK (Certificate, Acting, ’62) will direct Funny Valentines, Drury Lane Evergreen Park, 2500 W. 95th, Evergreen Park, IL, 708/422-0404, http://www.drurylane.com this coming January. David’s company, Redmink Productions,http://pw1.netcom.com/~redmink/default.php3 provides entertainment for over 600 corporate events, meetings and trade shows annually.

LINSEY MORTON (BFA, Acting, ’01) will appear in the film Joshua, starring F. Murray Abraham, directed by Jon Purdy, currently in post-production. Also in the cast are BETH LACKE (BFA, Acting, '98) and MATT ZIEGLER (BFA, Acting, ’02). Linsey will also be playing Mary Warren in The Crucible, TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington, 312/409-8463, previews 10/9/01 through 10/12/01, opens 10/13/01 and runs through 11/25/01. (See NOTES )

KATE MURA (BFA, Acting, ’01) is designing original make-up for Scary Godmother, Runamuck Productions, Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 773/935-6860, opening 9/21/01 and running through 11/11/01. Kate is also in rehearsal for a new vaudeville show called The Palace Theatre, and just finished an original art film titled Fans.

MATT NELSON (Former Staff) is the Reservations/House Manager for The Crucible, TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington, 312/409-8463, previews 10/9/01 through 10/12/01, opens 10/13/01 and runs through 11/25/01. (See NOTES )

DAVID NEW (BFA, Acting, ’87) is in Thou Shalt Not, directed & choreographed by Susan Strohman, music & lyrics by Harry Connick, Jr, Plymouth Theatre, 236 W. 45th Street, NYC, 212/239-6200, opens 9/20/01 for a limited engagement.

RUTH ANN (WEYNA) NIGHTENGALE (BFA, Acting, ‘86) is in As It Is In Heaven, a story about 9 Shaker women, 78th Street Theatre Lab (where Ruth Ann serves as General Manager), NYC, 212/873-9050. The show had it’s premiere last month at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland.

TIM NORDWIND (BFA, Playwriting, ’98) and his band, Ok Go, signed with Capitol Records this past April. The band is currently in LA working on a record they hope to finish by the end of October. Prior to the move to LA, the band toured a lot with They Might be Giants, and did a small tour playing live shows with the PRI program This American Life, hosted by Ira Glass, including a performance on Broadway in NYC.

MARY O’DOWD (MFA Acting program, ’93-’95) will be playing Mrs. Putnam in The Crucible, TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington, 312/409-8463, previews 10/9/01 through 10/12/01, opens 10/13/01 and runs through 11/25/01. (See NOTES )

ERIN O’LEARY (BFA, Acting, ’94) performed in an improvisational piece titled Awaiting Repair In The Eternal Hootenanny, at the New York International Fringe Festival in August.

ZAK ORTH (BFA, Acting, '92) is in Wet Hot American Summer in which he plays J.J. and co-stars with Janeane Garafolo, David Hyde Pierce, Christopher Meloni and Molly Shannon was released nationally by USA Films on 7/1/01. Zak plays Don Ohlmeyer in the TNT film Monday Night Mayhem, air date not yet set. Co-stars include John Turturo as Howard Cosell, Patti LuPone as Emmy Cosell, Brad Beyer as Don Meredith, Eli Wallach as Leonard Goldenson and KEVIN ANDERSON (Cert, Acting, ’81) as Frank Gifford. Zak and his wife Heidi are also expecting their first child in November.

MICHAEL PACAS (MFA, Directing, ’90) is Bartholomew in Corpus Christi as part of Bailiwick Repertory Theatre’s 2001 Pride Series, Bailiwick Theatre Complex, 1226 W. Belmont, 773/883-1090. The production has been extended again through 10/14/01. The show had the honor of performing for its playwright, Terrence McNally, and has been Jeff Recommended & will also receive two After Dark Awards - Outstanding Ensemble and Outstanding Direction. Michael will also be Bolitho in Charlie Sexboots, Boxer Rebellion theatre, 1257 W. Loyola, 773/465-7325, opens 9/19/01 and runs through 10/20/01. Check Michael’s website athttp://www.pacas.ws for more information.

LYNNE PALMER (BFA, Costume Design, ’89) and her husband Joel Goodsell are proud to announce the arrival of their first child, a son, Ellery Sheridan Palmer Goodsell, on 9/1/01, 6 lbs 14oz, 19.8”, 6:33AM. Mom, dad and Ellery the star are doing fine.

TOM PARDOE (Certificate, Acting, ’89) is in the one hour CBS pilot The Education of Max Bickford, starring Richard Dreyfuss and Marcia Gay Harden. The show will premiere on Sunday, 9/23/01, 7PM.

MICHELLE PERRY (BFA, Stage Management, ’01) stage manages the Midwest premiere of Red Herring, Breakdown Theatre, Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 773/935-6860, through 9/16/01. Michelle was recently hired as the part time Production Coordinator at The Theatre School. (See NOTES )

CAREY PETERS (BFA, Acting ‘97) has moved from Chicago to NYC.

ANGELO PETRATOS (BFA, Lighting Design, '95) teaches Lighting Design at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University, here in Chicago.

AMY PIETZ (BFA, Acting, ’90) was in NBC’s The Weber Show, with Stephen Weber and Chris Elliott, last season. You can also see her as Amy Spedaro in Caroline in the City, now in syndication, WGN, daily at 12:30PM and 2PM.

RON PIRETTI (MFA, Acting, ’75) is touring in Northern Ireland in a production of Hughie.

LISA PORTES (Faculty) directed Welcome to Westchester at the Cape Cod Theatre Project this past summer. She will direct it again in December at the Rattlestick Theatre in NYC. Also in December, Lisa will direct a reading of Silent Concerto at New Dramatists in NYC, and will be directing a workshop of a new adaptation of Theodore Dreiser’s Sister Carrie at Lookingglass Theatre next Spring. RACHEL SHTEIR (Faculty) will collaborate with Lisa on the Sister Carrie production. Lisa secured funding for a symposium titled Creating New Mythologies: Incorporating Ancient Myth into Contemporary and Diverse American Theatre, on Saturday, 11/3/01. It will be open to students, faculty and staff of The Theatre School, Goodman/Theatre School alumni, and the greater DePaul community. The symposium is organized around the school’s Showcase production of Polaroid Stories by Naomi Iizuka, directed by Lisa, which collides the stories of streetkids with Ovid’s Metamorphosis. The goal of the symposium is to open up a discussion about the ways contemporary theatre artists make the ancient mythologies that form our collective consciousness our own. It will include a series of interviews and discussions between pairs of theatre artists working in this vein, including CHERYL LYNN BRUCE (Faculty), HENRY GODINEZ (Faculty), NAOMI IIZUKA (Polaroid Stories playwright), CELISE KALKE (dramaturg at Court Theatre), LISA PORTES (Faculty) and RACHEL SHTEIR (Faculty). For more information, contact Lisa’s student assistant Suzanne atslang205@hotmail.com

KATIE POWERS (BFA, Acting, ’01) was part of a developmental reading of the play Battle of the Bands at the Victory Gardens Theatre recently. BETH LACKE (BFA, Acting, ’98) also did the reading. The play was written by DEAN CORRIN (Faculty) and is scheduled for production next Spring.

PJ POWERS (BFA, Acting, ’95 & Staff) will be playing Reverend Hale in The Crucible, TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington, 312/409-8463, previews 10/9/01 through 10/12/01, opens 10/13/01 and runs through 11/25/01. PJ is a member of the Alumni Board. (See NOTES )

NIC PULLIN (SANDYS) (Faculty) directed a critically acclaimed production of Hamlet for Shakespeare in the Park, Fort Worth, TX, this past July. He then played Prospero in the company’s production of The Tempest. Nick is choreographing the fights for the season of the Lyric Opera of Chicago (where he has been resident fight director since 1996). The season opens with Otello, directed by Sir Peter Hall, starring Ben Heppner and Renee Fleming. Nick will then be in No Man’s Land, Remy-Bumppo Theatre Company at Victory Gardens Theatre, 2257 N. Lincoln, 773/871-300, opening next month. Nic is also the fight choreographer for our New Directors production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

BILL PULLINSI (GSD) is an associate Artistic Director of Organic Theatre Company. INA MARLOWE (MFA, Directing, '81) is the Producing Artistic Director.

OLGA RAVASI (BFA, Acting, ’00) is a Model Scout for eModel.com, a company that helps models to be seen by agents all over the world. Olga leaves for Italy and Serbia on 8/15/01. She also shot an Open Road Productions pilot for a TV series called Four Corners, and played Aphrodite in Sappho on Fire, a film that us currently in post production.

PHYLLIS RAVEL (FOX) (BFA, Acting, ’74) is the Artistic Director at Marquette University.

JOHN C. REILLY (BFA, Acting, '87) plays Happy Jack in the Martin Scorcese film Gangs of New York, scheduled to be released on 12/21/01. Co-stars include Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz and Daniel Day-Lewis. He will also appear in the film The Hours, with Nicole Kidman, Julieanne Moore, Meryl Streep and Ed Harris; and in the film The Good Girl with Jennifer Aniston.

CONNIE RODERICK (GSD) will be in Stuart Little 2 with Michael J. Fox, Geena Davis, Nathan Lane and Melanie Griffith scheduled to be released in 2002.

MICHAEL ROOKER (BFA Acting, '81) will be in the Walter Hill directed film Undisputed with Wesley Snipes, Ving Rhames and Peter Falk. Michael also plays Special Agent Nicholas Roberts in the TV show HRT.

NANCI CAROL RUBY (MFA, Acting, ’95 & Faculty) is teaching at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts. (See NOTES )

LINDY RUSSELL (BFA, Costume Design, '00) has been hired as a permanent supervisor for the wardrobe and costume department for Signature theatre, 3806 S. Four Mile Run Dr, Arlington VA, 703/218-6500, and will be designing the costumes for their production of Zander’s Boat, opens 11/6/01 and runs through 12/16/01.

DAVID SAPERSTEIN (BFA, Acting, ‘87) has passed the bar exam in Wisconsin.

TODD SCHMIDT (MFA, Directing, ’86) will be directing the regional premiere of Conor McPherson’s St. Nicholas, Victory Gardens Theatre, sometime this Fall. Todd is the general manager of Peninsula Players in Fish Creek, WI.

NED SCHMIDTKE (GSD) was in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, closed 8/5/01.

LIZ SCHUCH (BFA, Scene Design, ‘02) runs the light board for Blue Man Group, Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted, 773/348-4000, open run.

GENE SCHULDT (Cert, Acting, '76) will be the fight choreographer for The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, Waukesha Civic Theatre, 264 W. Main St, Waukesha WI, 262/547-4911, runs 11/2/01 through 11/18/01.

TERRY SELUCKY (BFA, Playwriting, ’01) is the dramaturg for the Oblivion Theatre production of The Helen Project, The Studio Theatre at The Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, 312/744-6630, through 9/23/01. ( See NOTES )

LILY SHAW (BFA, Acting, ’95) is doing public relations for a film titled Night Light, and for Nake Eye Theatre Company’s Waving Goodbye. She is also co-teaching a Voice & Movement class at The Audition Studio, 312/527-527-4566, classes begin the week of 9/17/01.

KAREN SHERIDAN (MFA, Acting, ’86) heads the Theatre area at Oakland University’s Department of Music, Theatre and Dance in Michigan. She will be directing Romeo and Juliet there, opens 11/1/01 and runs through 11/11/01.

LESLIE SHOOK (Staff & Faculty) was featured in an 8/17/01 PerformInk newspaper article titled Pursuing a Degree in Arts Management.

RACHEL SHTEIR (Faculty) is dramaturging the Target Margin Theatre’s production of The Marriage of Figaro, in NYC, 212/358-3657, opening 10/14/01 and giving a talk on Salome and other Stripteasers at the Gotham City Conference in NYC on 10/7/01. She will be collaborating with LISA PORTES (Faculty) on a workshop of a new adaptation of Theodore Dreiser’s Sister Carrie at Lookingglass Theatre next Spring.

JAY PAUL SKELTON (MFA, Directing, ’93) directs The Martyr, part of the Rhinoceros Theatre Festival, Pulaski Park, 1419 W. Blackhawk, Saturdays, opening 9/15/01 and runs through 10/6/01.

JAYMI SMITH (BFA, Lighting Design, ‘96) recently became a member of United Scenic Artists. Jamie designed the lighting for Mary Stuart, directed by JoAnne Akalaitis, Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis, 773/753-4472, currently in previews, opens 9/15/01 and runs through 10/14/01; and the lighting for The Blue Room, Katharisis Theatre Company at the Athenaeum Theatre, third-floor studio theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 312/902-1500, through 10/7/01. She is also lighting two shows at the Steppenwolf Theatre: Absolution, directed by Martha Plimpton, the Garage at Steppenwolf, opens 10/11/01 and runs through 11/11/01, and Wishes, Suspicions and Secret Ambitions: The Stories of Carl Sandburg, conceived and directed by Anne Boyd, the Steppenwolf Arts Exchange program, opens 10/2/01 and runs through 11/3/01, both at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted, 312/335-1650, and http://www.steppenwolf.org And she is lighting The Laramie Project, Next Theatre Company, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes, Evanston, IL, 847/475-1875, opens 11/9/01 and runs through 12/16/01. Later this Fall, she will light Waving Goodbye for her own theatre company, Naked Eye, which will be performed at the Steppenwolf Studio. Jamie was featured in an 8/17/01 PerformInk newspaper article titled Where Did They Go To School? She also produced the annual League of Chicago Theatres community conference earlier this summer.

JENNIFER SMITH (BFA, Production Management, ‘91) is the Production Manager at Chicago Shakespeare theatre. Jennifer is a member of the Alumni Board.

TAIT SMITH (BFA, Acting, ’97) plays Hansie in the MGM/United Artists feature film Pumpkin, scheduled for release Fall 2001. Co-stars include Christina Ricci and Brenda Blevin.

BEN SPICER (BFA, Light Design, ’01) traveled to Europe soon after graduation. Ben spent all of July and half of August as the lighting designer and technical tour advisor for a touring production in The Netherlands of Dubaten Koorts (translates to Gold Fever) with the De Smederij (The Foundry) Theatre Company. When Ben returns to the states, he’ll be designing the lighting for La Luna Muda with Lookingglass Theatre Company, opening in February 2002; Ben will also be teaching the design class at the Lookingglass Studio beginning in January of 2002.

JOEL STEADMAN (BFA, Acting, ’69) is writing an epic television move with TOM RACINA (BFA, Acting, ’69).

CHRISTINA STEVENS (BFA, Theatre Studies, ’02) is the Assistant Marketing Director/Intern for The Crucible, TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington, 312/409-8463, previews 10/9/01 through 10/12/01, opens 10/13/01 and runs through 11/25/01. (See NOTES )

JEFF STILL (MFA, Acting, ’89) is in Mother Courage, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted, 312/335-1650, previews begin 9/13/01, opens on 9/24/01 and runs through 11/4/01; also in the cast is LARRY YANDO (Faculty & MFA, Acting, ’88). In January 2002, Jeff will be in The Price, Writers’ Theatre Chicago, Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon, Glencoe, IL; also in that cast will be HOWARD WITT (Certificate, Acting, ‘67).

PAUL STOVALL (BFA, Acting, ’91) is directing an Introduction to Performance at The Theatre School this Fall Quarter. Paul will be in Undone, a world premiere musical, About Face Theatre (where Paul has just been named an Artistic Associate), Jane Addams Center Hull House, 3212 N. Broadway, 773/549-3290. After that, Paul leaves for NYC to film Hearsay, directed by Ilo Orleans, executive produced by John Schlessinger, starring Julie Christie.

CHUCK STUBBINGS (BFA, Acting, ‘94) is co-teaching classes in Gymnastics and in Circus Arts at The Actors Gymnasium, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes, Evanston, IL, 847/328-2795, through 11/6/01.

DEAN TAUCHER (BFA, Scene Design, ’76) is the Production Designer for The Sopranos, Sundays, HBO, 8PM. Dean also designed the scenery for Free Market, The Working Theatre at Urban Stages, NYC, closed 6/30/01.

JASON TERESI (BFA Acting program, ‘91-’93) shot a 20th Century Fox/FX pilot called Straight White Male. Jason also recently booked a role in the independent film A Time Of Fear.

KRISTINE THATCHER (Faculty) is in the world premiere of Jeffrey Sweet’s Immoral Imperatives, Victory Gardens theatre, 2257 N. Lincoln, 773/871-3000, opens 9/14/01 and runs through 10/28/01. DENNIS ZACEK (GSD) will also be in the cast.

DON TIERI (MFA, Acting, '88) will be appearing in an episode of Dead Last, a new series on the WB Network. Don will be in Chagrin Falls, Stage Left Theatre, 3408 N. Sheffield, 773/883-8830, opens 9/25/01 and runs through 11/3/01. This is part of Stage Left Theatre’s 20th Anniversary Season - Stage Left Theatre was started by a group of Theatre School alums.

CONCETTA TOMEI (BFA, Acting, ’75) plays Lynda on Providence, Fridays, NBC, 7PM. Also starring on the show is PAULA (KOROLOGOS) CALE (BFA, Acting, ’93).

STEPHANIE TOWNER (JAEKY) (BFA, Theatre Technology, ’96) has started her position as an associate at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal doing intellectual property law. She and her husband plan to travel (again) to Ireland for a few weeks soon.

MONICA TROMBETTA (BFA, Acting, ’91) has a recurring role on Third Watch, Mondays, NBC, 9PM.

MARY TRUMBOUR (BFA, Costume Design, ’01) designs the costumes for the Midwest premiere of Red Herring, Breakdown Theatre, Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 773/935-6860, through 9/16/01. (See NOTES )

STEPHAN TURNER (BFA, Acting, ‘87) directs The Gin Game, Stage Actors Ensemble at The Performance Loft, 656 W. Wellington, 773/529-8337, through 10/14/01.

SARAH UNDERWOOD (Certificate, Acting, ’91) is currently in The Vagina Monologues, Apollo Theatre Center, 2540 N. Lincoln, 773/935-6100. JACQUELINE WILLIAMS (BFA, Acting, ’87) is also in the cast.

LISA VELTEN (BFA, Acting, '98) is in the independent film The Misanthrope, currently being filmed.

COLLEEN WALSH (BFA, Acting, ’88) is working an advertising job at Saatchi & Saatchi in LA.

JACK WARNER (MFA, Directing, ’78) and his troup, teatro la fragua, will be touring the Midwest this month and September. The schedule is posted athttp://www.fragua.org/actual/USTOUR.ORG

JOSH WATERS (BFA, Acting, ’01) was cast in the Miramax film Carolina, starring Shirley MacLaine and Julia Styles.

MICHAEL WEBER (BFA, Acting, ’90) directs I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN, 219/836-3255, and http://www.theatreatthecenter.com opens 9/13/01 and runs through 10/21/01. Michael is the Artistic Director at Theatre at the Center.

COLLEEN WELSH (BFA, Stage Management, ’02) is interning at the Goodman Theatre on a new musical, The Visit, opening 9/21/01 and running through 10/28/01, directed by Frank Galati.

KIM WETHEREL (BFA, Production Management, ’94) stage managed for a variety of opera companies over the last several years including Santa Fe Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Seattle Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Opera Festival of New Jersey, Sarasota Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, San Diego Opera, and she just finished a tour of Taiwan. Kim switched to directing a couple of years ago and has been the Assistant Director for Boston Lyric Opera, Santa Fe Opera, The Grand Theatre of Geneva and Houston Grand Opera. This coming season, Kim will be an AD with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, The Virginia Opera and Opera Pacific. Last year, Kim moved to NYC and is starting a theatre company in Jersey City, NJ, the Emergence Theatre Company. Their ambitious plans include a five-show season: three established plays, one chamber-opera and one new play, to be auditioned and selected by the Jersey City community. They’re also planning to have a dance studio and forming an “actor’s gym” where artists can get together and try out new material, be critiqued, work on scenes, coach a song, etc. Kim and her company are currently working on acquiring the building and funding.

JACQUELINE WILLIAMS (BFA, Acting, ’87) is currently in The Vagina Monologues, Apollo Theatre Center, 2540 N. Lincoln, 773/935-6100. SARAH UNDERWOOD (Certificate, Acting, ’91) is also in the cast.

SHANE' (DAVIS) WILLIAMS (BFA, Acting, ‘89) plays Marissa in Early Edition, now in syndication, 6PM and 9PM Mondays through Fridays, and Saturdays at 5PM and 6PM, Fox Family Channel.

DAN WINKLER (MFA, Directing, ’00) directs the Oblivion Theatre production of The Helen Project, The Studio Theatre at The Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, 312/744-6630, through 9/23/01. (See NOTES )

HOWARD WITT (Certificate, Acting, ‘67) was in Bob Almighty, Peninsula Players, Fish Creek, WI, closed 9/2/01. Also in the cast was JIM KRAG (BFA, Acting, ’84). TODD SCHMIDT (MFA, Directing, ’86) is the general manager of Peninsula Players. In January 2002, Howard will be in The Price, Writers’ Theatre Chicago, Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon, Glencoe, IL; also in that cast will be JEFF STILL (MFA, Acting, ’89). Howard is a member of the Alumni Board.

ANDRIA (FIEGEL) WOLFE (BFA, Lighting Design, ’90) has moved to the high desert mountains of northern New Mexico and has begun work on her first documentary.

LARRY YANDO (MFA, Acting, '88 & Faculty) is in Mother Courage, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted, 312/335-1650, previews begin 9/13/01, opens on 9/24/01 and runs through 11/4/01. Also in the cast is JEFF STILL (MFA, Acting, ’89).

MARTY YUREK (BFA, Acting, ’96) is in I Hate Hamlet, Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, 630/530-0111, through 10/7/01.

DENNIS ZACEK (GSD & BA, DePaul University, ‘63) is the Artistic Director at Victory Gardens theatre here in Chicago. Dennis is in the world premiere of Jeffrey Sweet’s Immoral Imperatives, Victory Gardens theatre, 2257 N. Lincoln, 773/871-3000, opens 9/14/01 and runs through 10/28/01. This marks Dennis’ return to the stage after 6 years. KRISTINE THATCHER (Faculty) is also in the cast. Dennis was featured in an 8/17/01 PerformInk newspaper article titled Where Did They Go To School?

MATT ZIEGLER (BFA, Acting, ’02) will appear in the film Joshua, starring F. Murray Abraham, directed by Jon Purdy, currently in post-production. Also in the cast are BETH LACKE (BFA, Acting, '98) and LINSEY MORTON (BFA, Acting, ’01).

SCOTT ZIEMBA (BFA, Stage Management, ) is the Production Manager for the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University, here in Chicago.

LOU ZORICH (GSD) has a recurring role on Mad About You as Paul Buchman’s father, now in syndication, WGN, Mondays through Saturdays, 12:00AM.

NOTES

Please make a note to update your email addresses for those of us at DePaul. Last month, the “wppost” part of our addresses was dropped. As an example, your editor’s current email address is jbridges@depaul.edu Last month, it became jbridges@depaul.edu Mail that includes the “wppost” will continue to work through June of 2002, but you might as well update your address books now to get it over with. This goes for all faculty and staff at DePaul.

Free And Cheap Theatre (FACT) is a weekly email that highlights Chicago shows which offer actor/industry nights, industry discounts, press paperings, free and discounted previews, pay-what-you-can tickets, and any show that is “cheaper than the movies.” It was founded in July of 2000 by Bethany Jorgensen, a “starving artist” type herself. Check out the website:http://www.FreeandCheapTheatre.com

Our first Chicago Playworks production will be Alice in Wonderland, opening 10/2/01 and running through 12/1/01 at the Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, 312/922-1999.

ANNE WAKEFIELD (faculty) is the director, SARA HOLTKAMP (BFA, Theatre Studies, ’04) is the assistant director, JOSEPH NIEMINSKI (MFA Scene Design, ’70 & Faculty) is the scenic designer, SARA WALBRIDGE (BFA, Costume Design, ’02) is the costume designer, JENNA McDANOLD (BFA, Lighting Design, ’02) is the lighting designer, NATHANIEL HARE (BFA, Theatre Technology, ’02) is the Sound Designer, MEGAN SOLIAH (BFA, Production Management, ’02) is the stage manager.

Our first Showcase production will be Polaroid Stories, previewing on 10/31/01 & 11/1/01, opening on 11/2/01 and running through 11/11/01 at the Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, 312/922-1999. LISA PORTES (Faculty) is the director, MORGAN LEAVITT (BFA, Theatre Studies, ’03) is an assistant director, CHRISTOPHER PEAK (MFA, Directing, ’04) is an assistant director, RACHEL SHTEIR (Faculty) is the dramaturg, APRIL ADAMS (BFA, Dramaturgy, ’02) is the assistant dramaturg, ELIZABETH SCHUCH (BFA, Scene Design, ’02) is the scenic designer, KRISTINE KNANISHU (Faculty) is the costume designer, RUSSELL DRAPKIN (BFA, Lighting Design, ’02) is the lighting designer, JULIA DeVITTO (BFA, Production Management, ’02) is the stage manager, JOSH SALETNIK (BFA, Theatre Studies, ’04) is an assistant stage manager, and CHRIS TANI (BFA, Stage Management, ’05) is an assistant stage manager.

Our first New Directors production will be Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the Athenaeum Studio Four, Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 312/922-1999, previews 11/7/01 & 11/8/01, opens 11/9/01 and runs through 11/18/01. JEAN GOTTLIEB (MFA, Directing, ’02) is the director, JULIA MEADOR (BFA, Scene Design, ’03) is the scenic designer, KATIE STACK (BFA, Costume Design, ’03) is the costume designer, BRIAN TYLKE (BFA, Lighting Design, ’03) is the lighting designer, NIC PULLIN (Faculty) is the fight choreographer, WILLIAM DOYEL (BFA, Stage Management, ’04) is the stage manager, SARAH BARKOWSKI (BFA, Theatre Management, ’04) is an assistant stage manager, and KATRINA HERRMANN (BFA, Stage Management, ’05) is an assistant stage manager. Remember that as an alum, you are eligible for a comp for any of these shows, subject to availability. Call the box office and identify yourself as an alum to reserve your comp.

Fall Quarter classes started last week at The Theatre School. As of today, we have a total enrollment of 317 students. 157 of them are Performance (Acting or Directing), 83 are Theatre Studies, and 77 are Design or Technical majors. That gives us a student body that is 49% Performance majors, 26% Theatre Studies majors, and 24% are Design or Technical majors. We have 82 faculty and staff at The Theatre School. All our faculty positions are filled for the quarter and we have four additional staff positions that are currently open: Admissions Assistant, Technical Assistant at the Merle Reskin Theatre, House Manager at the Merle Reskin Theatre, and Executive Assistant to the Dean. We have an additional student body of about 75 enrolled in the BA in Theatre programs offered at DePaul’s Barat campus, and they have a faculty and staff of 11.

Everyone knows that Chicago is the greatest city in the U.S., and right now we're proving it once again! For those of you lucky enough to live in Chicago, and for those of you smart enough to plan a visit here soon, come and enjoy the seasonal festivities including Suite Home Chicago, a collection of over 300 fiberglass artistic renderings of furniture at various locations in the greater downtown area (through 10/13/01), Seehttp://www.metromix.com or the mayor's listing at http://www.ci.chi.il.us/SpecialEvents.html for all the reasons why Chicago is the greatest city under the sun. Major events still to come include the Berghoff Octoberfest, Dearborn and Adams Streets (9/12/01); South Chicago Mexican Independence Celebration, 91 st Street between Commercial & Escanaba (9/13/01-9/16/01); Clam Bake, Chestnut between Rush & Wabash (9/14/01-9/15/01); Moon Festival, Chinatown Square, 2130 S. Archer (9/15/01); Armitage Avenue Book Tour, Armitage between Orchard & Racine (9/15/01-9/16/01); Chicago Celtic Music Festival in Grant Park (9/15/01-9/16/01); Little Village Festival, 26th Street between Christiana & Kedzie (9/16/01); Marshall Field’s Day of Music, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave (9/22/01); Eschikagou Pow Wow, Midway Plaisance, 59th Street at Dorchester (9/22/01-9/23/01); 57th Street Children’s Book Fair, 57th Street between Kimbard & Dorchester (9/23/01); and the Fall into Fitness 5K Run/Walk, Portage Park, Irving Park Rd & Long Ave (9/30/01).

MORE THAN A FEW

Here are some activities that involve “more than a few” Goodman/Theatre School folks:

DEXTER BULLARD (Faculty), SHARON GOPFERT (MFA, Acting, ’94), JANET LOUER (Faculty), GINA MAZZA (BFA, Acting, ’93) and NANCI CAROL RUBY (MFA, Acting, ’95 & Faculty) are all on the faculty of the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, Chicago’s most comprehensive musical and theatrical training and performance venue. CCPA is a multi-venue entertainment complex at 777 N. Green Street which opened its doors in December 2000. It boasts a 350-seat main stage. Future expansion plans will include a 200-seat playhouse, two cabarets, a restaurant, an outdoor plaza and additional banquet space. More information on CCPA and registration information for classes can be obtained at 312/327-2040 or at http://www.theatreland.com

ELISE ALIBERTI (BFA, Theatre Studies, ’98) directs the Midwest premiere of Red Herring, Breakdown Theatre, Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 773/935-6860, through 9/16/01. The cast includes JULIE GRANATA (BFA, Acting, ’99) and PAUL HOLMQUIST (BFA, Acting, ’98). Costumes are designed by MARY TRUMBOUR (BFA, Costume Design, ’01), dramaturg is TIM MAZUREK (BFA, Costume Design, ’98) and the production is being stage managed by MICHELLE PERRY (BFA, Stage Management, ’01).

DAN WINKLER (MFA, Directing, ’00) directs the Oblivion Theatre production of The Helen Project, The Studio Theatre at The Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, 312/744-6630, through 9/23/01. The cast includes LESLIE CHARIPAR (MFA, Acting, ’01), STACY MAGERKURTH (BFA, Acting, ’00) and JIMMY McDERMOTT (MFA, Directing, ’99). TERRY SELUCKY (BFA, Playwriting, ’01) is the dramaturg.

LINSEY MORTON (BFA, Acting, ’01) will be Mary Warren, PJ POWERS (BFA, Acting, ’95 & Staff) will be Reverend Hale, and MARY O’DOWD (MFA Acting program, ’93-’95) will be Mrs. Putnam in The Crucible, TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington, 312/409-8463, previews 10/9/01 through 10/12/01, opens 10/13/01 and runs through 11/25/01. MARY CHASEN (BFA, Dramaturgy/Criticism, ‘99) is the Stage Manager, LARA GOETSCH (Staff) is the Producer, JULIE GRANATA (BFA, Acting, ’99) is the Marketing Associate, JULIET HART (MFA, Acting, ’95) is the Marketing Director, CHRIS HOFMANN (Staff) is the Technical Director, MATT NELSON (Staff) is the Reservations/House Manager, and CHRISTINA STEVENS (BFA, Theatre Studies, ’02) is the Assistant Marketing Director/Intern.

INA MARLOWE (MFA, Directing, '81) is the Producing Artistic Director of the Organic Theatre Company, which recently announced its 2001-2002 season. This season Ina will be directing Painting Churches with sound design by JOE TECH HUPPERT (BFA, Theatre Studies, '04), The Substance of Fire starring RYAN KITLEY (MFA, uction of Romeo and Juliet with Pickwick Theatre also starring RYAN KITLEY (MFA, Acting, '98). Churches and Fire will play at The Theatre, 1420 Maple Avenue, Evanston IL, 847/475-2800, and R & J will play at the Pickwick Theatre, 5 S. Prospect, Park Ridge IL, 847/692-6590.

X-FILES

Here is the latest list of lost alumni. If you know anything about them, I'd appreciate your either passing it on to me, or contacting the alum and letting them know that we're looking for a way to get in touch with them. I can be reached by email jbridges@depaul.edu, by phone 773/325-7943, or by mail c/o The Theatre School, 2135 N. Kenmore, Chicago, IL 60614.If YOU are on the list, it means that though we may have an email address for you, we don't have any other contact information: