News
Happenings regarding the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the UNH Department of Theatre & Dance (Outside links open in new window). Please email your news and notes to mike.wood@unh.edu.
Steve Freitas 07' is playing the role of Bob Cratchit in Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol" at The Great American Melodrama through the new year. (12/4/12)
Megan Godin '08 is currently on tour with the Prather Entertainment Group's national touring production of Fiddler on the Roof. She is playing the role of Bielke/Fruma Sarah and understudying the role of Chava. (11/1/12)
W. Laurie A. Ewer '06 recently joined the Odyssey Works' production team, and performed in Central Park as part of their non-stop 36-hour creation, "The Map Is Not The Territory." Odyssey Works was recently featured in the New York Times and Art Info. (10/15/12)
Natalie A. Lynch '04 is now the Production Stage Manager at North Shore Music Theatre. She just closed a production of " 9 to 5" and has "Guys & Dolls" up next. North Shore's annual production of "A Christmas Carol" will close out the season. (10/15/12)
Cait Farrell '08 was accepted into Teach for America and is part of the founding staff of a new charter school in Brooklyn, NY. Cait is in her second year as a 5th and 6th grade Special Education teacher and is also pursuing a dual masters degree in general and special education at Fordham University in New York City. (10/7/12)
Shannon Marshall '05 is the Artistic Director for AIR (Arts In Reach). Shannon also recently performed in the off Broadway production of “Drilling Company” and also taught theatre and dance for "Inside Broadway" at NYC. (10/7/12)
Lauren Barton ’13 is one of five student fellows chosen in the College of Liberal Arts for 2012-2013. (9/27/12)
Liam Billingham ’05 is currently pursuing his MFA in Media Arts at The City College of New York. A short film, “Future Perfect” is in the works. For more about the project and how you can get involved, visit www.futureperfectmovie.com. (8/16/12)
Erin Kelly '12 has been hired by SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida as a Theatrical Services Technician. (7/20/12)
Mallory Triest '08 has been hired as a Business and HR Associate at the Manhattan Theatre Club in New York City. (7/20/12)
Pamela Freedy '10 can be seen in the one-woman show "Eliza" at the Carolina Actors Studio Theatre in Charlotte, NC. Performances are June 3, 10, and 17 at 2:30pm. (5/29/12)
Rachel Brodeur '08 has been cast as Nina in Quintessence Theatre Group's production of "The Seagull" in Philadelphia, PA. The shows runs through May. Rachel will also be working on an ongoing production called "Bye Bye Liver: The Philadelphia Drinking Show" which has shows running in nine cities across the country. The Boston version of "Bye Bye Liver" will also feature fellow UNH alums James Fay '11 and Sasha Kraichnan '09. (4/27/12)
Former THDA major Robyn Hurder can be seen playing the role of Jeannie Muldoon in the Broadway production of "Nice Work if You Can Get It." The production stars Matthew Broderick and Kelli O'Hara. (4/26/12)
Steve Freitas 07' is playing the role of Rochefort in "The Three Musketeers" at The Great American Melodrama on California's central coast. He will be performing in shows there until fall of this year. (3/9/12)
Jewel Beth Davis '73 is now a full professor of English and Theatre at NHTI-Concord Community College. She has an MA in Theatre and Movement from Wesleyan University. She received her MFA in Writing from VCFA in 2008 and has gone on to write creative nonfiction and fiction that has been published in many national literary magazines. Her play Shadow Dancing received an award from the Connecticut Playwright's Collective in 2002. In 2001, she received a Spotlight Award for Best Actress in A Play for Three Tall Women. Recently, she performed the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet under the direction of UNH theatre faculty, Aimee Blesing. (3/9/12)
Shakespeare in the Mill just completed a very successful production of "Romeo & Juliet." Directed by THDA lecturer Aimee Blesing, the cast consisted of many THDA alumni including Jake Tremblay '10, Shannon Marshall '05, Eric Barron '09, Jamie Clavet '07, Jewel Beth Davis '73, Justin Fredenburg '08, Karin Bendeck '02, as well as current THDA major Benjamin Pollak. (2/13/12)
Jerry Craven '09 is currently enrolled in the MFA program in the East 15 Acting School at the University of Essex in the UK. (1/13/12)
THDA minor Scott Fish '89 owns and operates Vital Management Group, a talent & literary management company based in both L.A & NYC. A film staring Alison Brie, one of Scott's actor clients, will be screened at the 2012 Sundance film festival. (12/22/11)
Jennifer Nolan '11 has been hired as a teaching artist by the Center for Dynamic Learning. Jenn will be teaching before and after school programs in Lincoln, RI elementary schools. (12/22/11)
Steve Freitas '07 is currently performing the role of Felix in "The Odd Couple" with Amish Acres historic Round Barn Theatre in Indiana. (10/28/11)
Kristianna Smith '10 is the Education Resident for the 2011-2012 season at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT. (10/18/11)
Megan Godin ’08 can currently be seen in the national touring production of “Barney Live in Concert - Birthday Bash!” (10/18/11)
Mariel Matero '03 was nominated for a New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Ensemble for her work in "Balm in Gilead", which was produced by T. Schreiber Studio. The awards were presented at a ceremony on September 19th. The IT Awards are given annually to honor individuals and organizations who have achieved artistic excellence in Off-Off-Broadway theatre. (10/18/11)
Michael Graziadei '01 has landed a recurring role on Ryan Murphy's and Brad Falchuck's (Nip/Tuck & Glee) new show "An American Horror Story." The pilot will air Oct. 5, 2011. Michael's first appearance will be on the following show. American Horror Story stars Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott and Jessica Lange. (9/6/11)
Meghan Blakeman '11 has been hired as a resident actor and teaching artist at Shakesperience in Waterbury, CT. This year, she will be playing both Lucy and the White Witch in "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" as well as Ophelia and Horatio in "Hamlet." (9/6/11)
Bunty Shakur '05 just signed a development recording deal with Hampton's Entertainment which is the new parent company to Motown Records. Bunty’s music can be heard at www.reverbnation.com/bunty. His next big performance is October 1st at "The Plough and Stars" in Cambridge, MA. (9/6/11)
Prof. David Kaye can be seen in the upcoming production of "The 39 Steps", presented by Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick, ME. (8/9/11)
Michael Graziadei '01 will be on the new USA show "Necessary Roughness" on Aug 3 at 10:00pm. (8/3/11)
Prof. Deb Kinghorn has been awarded the 2011-2012 Excellence in Teaching award for the UNH College of Liberal Arts. (8/3/11)
This summer, Allyson Capetta ’10 will be working for Texas Family Musicals. She’ll have roles in "Hello Dolly", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Smoke on the Mountain." (3/28/11)
Current THDA senior Rebecca Pierce has been invited to sing the national anthem and the University's alma mater at this year's Honors Convocation. (3/9/11)
Actor/Playwright Mike O'Malley '88 visited UNH to see the THDA production of his play "Diverting Devotion." The UNH production included both current and former THDA students. (2/20/11)
This week, UNH's "Angel" met the original "Mark Cohen" when actor Anthony Rapp visited campus to perform his one-man show. Rapp is best known for his role in the original production of "Rent" on Broadway. Sean tells us Anthony was very interested in knowing all about UNH's production of "Rent" which took place in the Fall 2010. (2/18/11)
Megan Reilly '00 was presented the B. Iden Payne Award for Outstanding Lighting Design for the 2nd year in a row for her work on "Murder Ballad Murder Mystery" with Tutto Theatre Company and Vortex Repertory Company (a co-production). (11/10/10)
Megan Godin '08 has been hired by VEE Corporation to perform in "Barney Live in Concert: Birthday Bash." Megan is the female understudy performing an ensemble role and covering the roles of Jessie and BJ the dinosaur. The show officially opens November 19th. (11/10/10)
Bridgette Doucette '08 is the chairperson of the Children and Youth Division of the New England Theatre Conference. Next year, Bridgette will be co-chairperson of the 60th NETC Convention which will be held in Natick MA. (11/10/10)
Carl Andress '93 recently directed “The Divine Sister” staring Charles Busch at the SoHo Playhouse in NYC. (10/15/10)
Bunty Shakur '05 will be performing his new single "The City" at the HARD ROCK LIVE in Boston on Sunday October 17th for the new TV Show "Debra Crosby's Talent Quest" on MY NETWORK TV. The Song has been gaining momentum and climbed all the way to #10 on the independent artists chart on KISS 108's website. (10/15/10)
Colleen Lewis '08 is a third grade teacher in Mason Elementary School in Mason, NH. She will be co-directing her school's first drama production of Alice and Wonderland this spring. (10/15/10)
Liam Billingham's '05 short film "Display" will have it's world-premiere at the The Big Apple Film Festival on Nov 2-6, 2010 at the Tribeca Cinemas in NYC. The film also stars alumna Sebastian Piemonte '07. (10/15/10)
Prof. David Richman's new essay, "The Tragic Historie of Hamlet: Staging the Naughty Quarto" has just been published in the book "Shakespeare and Asia" (Shakespeare Yearbook Vol. 17). (10/15/10)
Basil Harris '94 will appear in director Stephen Gyllenhaal's upcoming feature, Grassroots and the horror-comedy, Knights of Badassdom . He also recently appeared in the TNT series, "Leverage." This winter, he'll be back on stage at Seattle Children's Theatre in Go, Dog. Go!,adapted and directed by Steven Dietz. (9/8/10)
Mallory Triest '08 has been hired at the Westport Country Playhouse in CT as a Business Associate. Her duties include among other things, payroll, administrative support and production budgets. WCP Board of Trustees include James Earl Jones and Joann Woodward. (9/8/10)
Steve Freitas '07 is currently filming a new season of "The Electric Company", winner of the 2010 Emmy for Outstanding Children's Series." (7/29/10)
Mike Davidovich '07 is currently a Teaching Artist with SteppingStone Theatre in St. Paul Stages Theatre in Hopkins, MN. He just closed Durang's "Baby With the Bathwater" with Prospero Theatre Company. Mike is now directing a short play in the MN Fringe Festival as part of An Adult Evening with Shel Silverstien. (7/26/10)
Michelle C. Doucet '02 will be appearing as Bertha in "Boeing, Boeing" and as Minka in "Murderers" at the Bristol Valley Theater in Naples, NY this summer. (6/17/10)
THDA Professor David Richman is currently performing the role of "The Ghost" in "Hamlet", produced by the Player's Ring in Portsmouth, NH. The production is directed by CJ Lewis '07 and has many THDA alumni is the cast. The production, along with "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead", runs through June 20, 2010. A review can be accessed here. (6/14/10)
Michael Graziadei '01 received the 2010 Best Actor Award for his role in the 2009 film The Outside at the Honolulu Film Festival. Michael played Ned Blakely in the film, which is set for a DVD release on July 20, 2010. (6/11/10)
Rachel Brodeur '08 can be seen in the new music video for the song "Bang Pop" by the band "Free Energy." Look for the mint green jump suit. She can also be seen screaming in the News & Notes banner above. (6/11/10)
On May 21st, Prof. Gay Nardone and a group of UNH dance students participated in a workshop held by the acclaimed Pilobolus Dance Theatre (5/26/10)
Tommy Labanaris '02 recently received a 2009 Spotlight on the Arts Award: Best Actor in a Musical for Bobby Strong in "Urinetown" at Seacoast Repertory Theatre. He just finished up a successful 7 months at The Rep performing in "Altar Boyz", "A Christmas Carol", "Almost, Maine", and "Our Town". Tommy is currently playing Jesus in "Godspell" in Maui, Hawaii at The Historic Iao Theater until May 16 and will then be returning to Bristol Valley Theater for his 6th summer performing in "Red, White and Tuna", "Boeing-Boeing", and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels". Feel free to visit Tommy's website for more info and updates: www.tommylabanaris.com (5/3/10)
Prof. Raina Ames was selected to participate in the 2010 Curt C. and Else Silberman Seminar for University Faculty, sponsored by the United States Holocaust memorial Museum Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies. Twenty faculty from North America are selected to participate in this seminar each year. The Curt C. and Else Silberman Foundation endowed the Silberman Seminar for Faculty in memory of Curt C. and Else Silberman. The Foundation supports programs in higher education that promote, protect, and strengthen Jewish values in democracy, human rights, ethical leadership, and cultural pluralism. (4/7/10)
Prof. David Kaye receives 2010 Faculty Excellence Award (2/9/10)
The UNH Theatre & Dance Department was well represented at the 2010 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival: Region 1 awards ceremony. Student David D’Agostino placed second for the Award for Excellence in Stage Management for the show "Curtains." Last year's production of "The Boy Who Stood Still" was awarded for Outstanding Aerial Choreography and this year's production of "Tintypes" was awarded for Outstanding Stylistic Production and Ensemble Work. (2/4/10)
The UNH Theatre & Dance Department was well represented at the 2010 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival: Region 1 awards ceremony. Student David D’Agostino placed second for the Award for Excellence in Stage Management for the show "Curtains." Last year's production of "The Boy Who Stood Still" was awarded for Outstanding Aerial Choreography and this year's production of "Tintypes" was awarded for Outstanding Stylistic Production and Ensemble Work. (2/4/10)
Kirk Pynchon '92 is the writer and choreographer for the new play "HEY! DANCIN'!" which runs March 19-24 at the Prop Thtr in Chicago, IL. (2/2/10)
Steve Freitas '07 can be seen as 'Paul the Gorilla' on Season 2 of The Electric Company, airing weekdays on PBS. (1/29/10)
Michael Graziadei '01 will appear on CSI New York on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. (1/13/10)
Sara Antkowiak-Maier '04 is currently performing at The Metropolitan Opera in "Les Contes d'Hoffman" directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher. She is a featured dancer and could be seen in the Live HD broadcast of the production on Dec. 19. (1/8/10)
Gregory Funaro's '91 debut novel, The Sculptor has just been released. Read a review of the book here. (1/8/10)
Megan Godin '08 is currently working for ArtsPower Touring Theatre performing in their musical Harry the Dirty Dog. The production will tour throughout the country from January 17th until May 23rd. The show hits the seacoast on May 18th at the Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH. (1/8/10)
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