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.

Bunty Shakur '05 just finished shooting a bit part in the new Tom Cruise Film entitled "Knight & Day" He appears in a scene with Cameron Diaz. Also, Bunty Just finished a production of West Side Story at Riverside Theatre Works in Boston.  (11/6/09)

Megan Reilly '00 received the B. Iden Payne Award for Outstanding Lighting Design for her work on the show "Ophelia" with Tutto Theatre Company in Austin, TX.  (10/29/09)

Prof. David Kaye was awarded the 2009 Leonidas A. Nickole Educator of the Year by the New England Theatre Conference.  (10/29/09)

2001 UNH Graduate Michael Graziadei will appear on this seasons last three episodes of Crash with Dennis Hopper. Crash airs on Starz, Fridays at 10:00 PM.  (10/29/09)

David Litzenberger '03 is currently working for a mechanical engineering company in Pennsylvania.  When not working, David plays on a Billiiards team and works with a local theatre group.  (10/16/09)

Many former Theatre & Dance students are featured in an online detective show called "Becket Logan."  To see episodes 1-5, go to http://www.tiedaypictures.com/becketlogan.  (9/28/09)

Emily Louick '09 just finished a production internship at As The World Turns.  Her next gig is a Digital Abuse Public Service Announcement with MTV.  Emily has also been accepted to the Barrow Group Apprenticeship program for acting.  (9/24/09)  

Sarah (Duclos) Cost '05 has recently been hired by Boston Ballet as their Education and Community Outreach Coordinator.  Sarah's responsibilities will include continuing to be a lead teacher for Taking Steps, an in school, extending learning time program for 11-14 year old girls, and heading up the North Shore location’s Adaptive Dance program. Adaptive Dance is a nationally acclaimed program, developed in partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital.  The program was recently featured on NBC’s nightly news.  (9/17/09)

Bunty Thakkar '05 just finished the summer 2009 season at Hackmatack Playhouse.  Bunty is currently playing the role of "Diesel" in West Side Story at Riverside Theatre Works in Boston.  He is currently training as a MMA athlete.  (9/7/09)

Michael Vaccaro '92 is currently featured in three television commercials; Two national commercials for "Ford F-150" and "Sprint" and one regional commercial for "Qwest Communications".  (6/9/09)

Heidi Hanson '04 is currently working full-time as the Marketing Director for PainCare, a pain management clinic.  Heidi also works for Arts Rochester where she is the Outreach Director and Ensemble Director.  She also teaches tap and jazz dance and organizes the annual Dance Rochester festival.  This summer, Heidi will be teaching aerial dance at the UNH Theatre & Dance Dept Dance Intensive Camp.  You will soon be able to see Heidi in a music video for musician Dan Walker for the song "Tye Dye Tree."  (6/9/09)

Steve Freitas '07 can be seen in a television commercial for WB Mason airing on the NESN and YES networks.  Steve is also "Paul the Gorilla" in season one of the remake of "The Electric Company" airing Fridays on PBS.  (5/18/09)

Michael Graziadei '01 recently appeared in the new ABC series "Castle." He also has a new movie that just came out on DVD "Into The Blue 2, The Reef."  (5/4/09)

The Neoteric Dance Collaborative Dance Company has been accepted into the IndepenDance Dance Festival.  The festival will take place June 10 & 11 at City Center Studios in New York City.  The company will perform "Burst", a piece by Sarah (Duclos) Cost '05.  The company also includes Jessica (Minkle) Soucy '05, Heidi Hanson '04, Joe Meallo '06 and Dance minor Kim Robinson '05.  (4/28/09)

Tony winning actress Maryann Plunkett '76 has signed on to play Chris Cooper's wife in The Company Men, a recession-inspired drama now being shot in the Boston area. The movie also stars Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner and Tommy Lee Jones.  (4/24/09)

My Effortless Brilliance, an independent film starring and co-written by Basil Harris '94, has just been released through Amazon-on-Demand.  The film tells the story of an unfit urbanite author who must confront nature & friendship when he travels to the Washington backwoods to restore the tattered remains of a broken friendship.  (4/21/09)

Sam Cistulli '07 will be performing in a production entitled "Changes" at the American Theatre of Actors in New York City.  The show runs May 6th-10th.  (4/21/09)

For the last few years, THDA Minor Mark Nagle '07 has been working as a costumer's assistant in San Francisco.  He has just been accepted at Yale in their MFA program for costume design.  While at UNH, Mark designed costumes for “Electra “and “All my Sons.”  (4/7/09)

Theatre & Dance Associate Professor David Kaye has been selected to receive a University of New Hampshire Teaching Excellence Award.  Three faculty members are selected from the College of Liberal Arts this year.  Prof. Kaye's nomination packet included letters of support from many current students as well as alumni.  (3/27/09)

On March 27 and 29, Christian Swenson '77 will perform his piece "Body of Music," an evening of a cappella songs and improvisations at the Rendezvous Theatre in Seattle, Washington.  Christian was recently interviewed for the Seattle Times.  (3/27/09)

Laurey Masterton '76 is biking from coast-to-coast to raise money and awareness for ovarian cancer.  Follow Laurey's progress on her blog.  (3/26/09)

On Friday March 27, 2009, Travis Bedard's '98 Cambiare Productions will be producing a staged reading of Caryl Churchill's controversial "Seven Jewish Children" in celebration of World Theatre Day. It will also be streamed live at CambiareProductions.com.  (3/25/09)

Mike Davidovich '07 just completed a 10-month acting apprenticeship at the Commonweal Theatre in Lanesboro, MN.  Mike is now an intern at the Guthrie Theater in External Relations/Education.  (3/16/09)

Libby Stevens '06 is currently working in the broadway revival of "West Side Story."  Libby is a Child Guardian, which is part of the the stage management team.  Libby also performed this task with the musical "13."  (3/11/09)

THDA Majors Adrienne Lesser '09 and Cara Rossi '09 have been nominated for best supporting actress in a musical in the 15th annual Spotlight Awards.  Adrienne was nominated for her role as The Wardrobe in the Prescott Park Arts Festival production of "Beauty and the Beast" and Cara was nominated for her role as Rose Smith in the Seacoast Repertory Theatre production of "Meet Me in St. Louis."  THDA alumni CJ Lewis '07, Christine Dulong '07, Christine Penney '99, and Megan Quinn '04 were also nominated for awards.  The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 16 at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH.  Voting for these awards can be done at www.seacoastonline.com/spotlight2008 through March 20.  (3/7/09)

THDA Major William Fullam has been invited to present his research, entitled "Redefining Evil in Medieval Drama," at the DePauw University Undergraduate Honors Conference.  The conference will take place April 2-5 in Greencastle, IN.  (2/27/09)

Sean Quinn '05 just finished the international tour of Cinderella with its final stop in Singapore.  Next up for Sean is the national tour of "Joseph and the technicolor Dreamcoat" where he will be playing the role of Reuben.  (2/27/09)

Hayley Bagwell '05 is currently a certified massage therapist in Boulder, CO.  She continues to audition while at the same time working towards a graduate degree in Sports and Orthopedic emphasis for massage.  (2/27/09)

Carl Andress '93 recently finished directing the New York Premiere of Charles Busch's "The Third Story."  The play is being performed at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.  The production, which opened on February 2, features Charles Busch, Scott Parkinson, Sarah Rafferty, Jennifer Van Dyck, Jonathan Walker and Kathleen Turner.  See photos from the opening night party here.  (2/27/09)

Seth Mrowka '01 just finished performing in "Forever Plaid" at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre on Portsmouth, NH.  (2/13/09)

Michael Vaccaro '92 currently lives in North Hollywood and works as an actor and set designer.  Michael recently designed and built a set for The Secret Rose Theater in North Hollywood for the show "Old Broads Can't Dunk." Michael continues his acting studies, currently study with Ivana Chubbuck in her Master Class.  (2/13/09)

"Saving a Drowning Man", a new play directed by Autumn Clark '03, was performed 1/30-2/2 at the TBG Studio Theater in New York City.  (2/5/09)

The University of New Hampshire faired well at the 2009 Region I Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.  Seven students competed at the festival: Kelsey Bevins, Cat Claus, Libby DeAmicis, Jessica Miller, Joe Nelson, Sara Packin, and Cara Rossi.  Libby DeAmicis, Jessica Miller and Joe Nelson advanced to semi-finals (36 total participants); Libby and Joe advanced to finals (12 total participants).  We had technicians and stage managers involved in workshops and events, and Ubu Roi was given the Outstanding Ensemble Award.  (2/3/09)

At this year's annual conference of the Lessac Training and Research Institute, Prof. Deborah Kinghorn received the Institute's "Leadership Award."  The award is given for "years of service toward the growth and direction of the Lessac Institute" and was given by the membership of the Lessac Training and Research Institute.  This was the first award of its kind for the Institute, and will become an annual award.  (1/19/09)

Sarah Cost (Duclos) '05 has recently been hired at Boston Ballet.  Sarah is a lead teacher in their "Taking Steps" program.  "Taking Steps" is an after school program for 7th and 8th grade girls.  Sarah will be teaching both ballet and jazz dance in the program.  (1/15/09)

Dance minor Shoshana Ritzler '04 is working for a production company called Leftfield Pictures.  Shoshana is the Production Manager as well as Casting Producer for the show "The Principal's Office."  The season premiere airs 1/9/09 at 10PM on truTV.  (1/8/09)

Megan Godin '08 has joined the cast of the Sesame Street Live production of "When Elmo Grows Up". Megan plays the part of Abby Cadabby.  The tour runs through June 2009.   (1/6/09)

Sara Gunther '02 is currently the stage manager for two world premiere's at the Hayworth Theatre in Los Angeles, CA (Lovelace: the Rock Opera by Anna Waronker and Charlotte Caffey and Latinologues T2U by Rick Najera.)  (11/13/08)

Karl Maier '03 will perform in "The Damnation of Faust" at the Metropolitan Opera.  The performance will be broadcast live in HD on Saturday, November 22 at 1:00 PM at various movie theaters throughout the country.  Karl is one of nine acrobats/aerialists that perform throughout the show.  (11/5/08)

Liam Billingham '05 and Kevin Condardo '05 just finished Episode one of the web series Becket Logan. It's directed by Liam, co-written by Liam and Kevin, and starring UNH Grads Sam Cistulli '07 and Krystal Rowley '05.  Contact Liam and Kevin at becket.logan@gmail.com.  (10/27/08)

If you were watching "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" on September 15th, you saw Chris Samperi '04 competing for big money.  Chris walked away with $25,000.  (10/24/08)

Jillian Barsalou '03 was recently promoted to Assistant Director of Individual Giving for the Development Department at the American Ballet Theatre.  (10/22/08)

Mike O'Malley '88 stars alongside Christian Slater in the new NBC series "My Own Worst Enemy."  The series premieres on Oct. 13 at 10pm.  (10/3/08)

2001 Graduate Michael Graziadei has been cast in a recurring role on CW's new show "90210."  Michael recently wrapped on episodes of "The Cleaner" and "Criminal Minds." He is also a series regular on "The Young and the Restless."  (9/29/08)

Kim Lemieux, THDA Minor and longtime member of the UNH Dance Company, is performing at the  Paper Mill Playhousein their production of Oklahoma.  The show opened this past Sunday and runs through October 19th.  Productions shots can be viewed here.   (9/24/08)

Julia Zukerman '08 was recently hired to teach pre-school in Eugene, OR   (9/8/08)

Prof. Gay Nardone will perform in a new Jazz/Tap production entitled "Jazz Tap Odyssey."  The production will tour throughout the North East during 2008-2009.  (9/2/08)   

Bunty Thakkar '05 spent the summer working at the Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick, ME.  This week, Bunty will help Cirque Du Soleil celebrate the grand opening of its Boston production of "Kooza."  On September 3, Bunty will participate in a promotional street performance in Amherst, MA for the Cirque show "Saltimbanco." On September 5, Bunty will be in Boston working the outdoor premier ceremony for the grand opening of "Kooza" Boston.   (9/1/08)

When former THDA Major Robyn Hurder finishes up her stint in the Broadway production of "Grease", she will play the role of "Cassie" in the national tour of "A Chorus Line."  (8/28/08)

Maryann Plunkett'76 will play the role of Alice More in the new Broadway production of "A Man for All Seasons."  The play will run Sept. 12 through Dec. 7.  Maryann won a Tony Award for her role as 'Sally Smith' in 'Me and My Girl' (1986), her other Broadway credits include 'Saint Joan' (1993 revival), 'The Seagull' (1992 revival), 'The Master Builder' (1992 revival), 'A Little Hotel on the Side' (1992 revival), 'The Crucible' (1991 revival), 'Sunday in the Park with George' (1984), 'Agnes of God' (1982).  (8/20/08)

Samantha Cistulli '07 has spent the last year working at the Ensemble of Cincinnati.  She is currently playing the roles of Hermia and Snug in a tour of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Co.  (7/29/08)

Stephen Tewksbury '93 spent this past spring playing the role of "The Phantom of the Opera" in the US touring production of "The Phantom of the Opera."  He finished his run on June 15.  (7/25/08)

2001 Graduate Michael Graziadei will be appearing on the new show The Cleaner airing Tuesday, July 15th on A&E.  (7/15/08)

Several THDA alumni recently met for a "mini reunion."  (7/1/08)

UNH Theatre & Dance graduates Travis Bedard '99 and Megan Reilly '00 were married June 14 in Durham, NH.  Many THDA alumni and faculty attended the event.  In recent years, Megan has also worked for the department, designing lights for "X Factor" and "A Doll's House."  (7/1/08)

Look carefully and you'll see current THDA student Lee Mattox in a promotional vignette for the Fox show "So you Think You Can Dance." The entire clip can be viewed here (Lee is at the 1:32 mark.) A slow motion clip of Lee can be viewed here. (5/8/08)

Kendahl Ferguson '03 will be joining the Danzare Internationale Dance Company for their 2008-2009 dance season. (5/8/08)

Elizabeth (Libby) Stevens '05 is currently performing in the new musical "13" at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT. This production will move on to Broadway next year. (4/29/08)

John Furey Moynihan '07 will be performing in the Leddy Center For The Performing Arts production of "Sense and Sensibility", running April 18-22. A review of the production was printed in the April 24, 2008 edition of Showcase (Fosters Daily Democrat).  (4/24/08)

2001 UNH Graduate Michael Graziadei will be appearing in the April 30th episode of Criminal Minds on CBS. (added 4/22/08)

Veronica DiPerna, class of 2005, will be performing in "The Producers" at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA from May 13th-June 1st. Veronica will also be performing in "The Producers" at the Ogunquit Playhouse, July - August. (4/15/08)

Greg Kalafatas '03 will be playing the role of the "Big Bopper" in "The Buddy Holly Story" at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, June 17 – July 27. (4/15/08)

Sean Quinn '05 is scheduled to appear in "42nd Street" at the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City. After that, Sean is very excited to be a part of the Asian tour of "Cinderella" starring Lea Salonga. The show will open in the Philippines and from there will tour China, Japan, and Korea. (4/15/08)

Laura Halzack, a 2003 graduate of UNH and Dance minor, is currently performing with the Paul Taylor Dance Company. The company just finished a two-week run at the NY City Center. (3/31/08)

Husband and wife team Ian Hannan '03 and Sara Desmarais '01 have founded a touring theatre group entitled NEETT (New England Educational Theatre Tours). Several THDA graduates are involved with this group. They are currently looking for people who might be interested in their mission and working as actors or behind the scenes in production, management, or administration. (2/14/08)

Megan Reilly '00 and Travis Bedard '99 have recently mounted Megan's original series of design-driven performance art pieces called "Transformations," inspired by the poetry of Anne Sexton, at Salvage Vanguard Theatre in Austin, TX. For this project Megan contacted artists from all over the United States, including Mark and Trish Vaillancourt ('98) and their five year old daughter, who contributed her fingerpainting talents to the performance. Other artists involved include LA independent recording artist Terami Hirsch, NYC-based actress Amy Kersten, UNH graduate Kim Bird, NovaArts artistic director Amy Hopper and Houston filmmaker Julia Shackleford. Megan received national recognition last winter in Excellence in Design as Performance by USITT for one of the "Transformations" pieces, "Rapunzel." "Rapunzel" was also invited to be performed at the 2007 Prague Quadrennial before it became part of the full production of "Transformations." (2/6/08)

Steve Freitas '07 is headed to Richmond, VA, touring the eastern part of the country this January - April with "Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad", a Theatre IV Production. Recently Steve worked as an intern at Peterborough Players with shows "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", "The Long Christmas Dinner" and "The Man Who Came to Dinner". (12/21/07)

Mike Davidovich '07 spent the past summer performing in the Seacoast Repertory Theatre. He has since moved to St. Paul, MN where he will work with CLIMB Theatre in Inver Grove Heights, MN. Mike's first production is a play entitled 'Shattered.' The play will tour throughout Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, and Iowa. (11/7/07)

Johnny Blaze Leavit '97, Chris Keating '97, Jeff Love '96 and Melanie Kuchinski Rodriguez '99 are all founders of Point of You Productions in NYC, where they have just revived an audience favorite called "Hurt So Good" (Originally produced in 2006 and written by Johnny Blaze Leavitt). Johnny, Chris and Melanie are performing in the show and Jeff designed the lights and is stage managing. "Hurt So Good" is an accessible S&M romantic comedy that aims to enlighten as it entertains. The show ran from Oct 11 through Oct 27. Read a review of the production here. (10/26/07)

Kate Feerick '04 is currently performing in the national tour of "Beehive the 60's Musical." (10/17/07)

Theatre & Dance Minor Brittany Moore '03 is a featured extra in the new Julie Taymor film "Across The Universe." (10/10/07)

Tatum Harvey '05 placed first in a singing competition on September 14th, which awarded her a $2,500 cash prize and a chance to sing at Symphony Hall with the Cross Borders Orchestra on November 3rd! Tatum will also be singing with the orchestra at their opening concert in Dublin at The Helix. (10/8/07)

Joshua Clement '06 will be playing the role of "Chino" in The Palace Theatre's production of "West Side Story" in Manchester, NH. The production runs weekends October 12-20. (10/5/07)

Liam Billingham '05 has been quite busy as of late. He recently finished assistant directing the New Repertory Theater's production of "A Streetcar Named Desire." Liam's own theatre company's production of "Exception and The Rule", which starred fellow UNH alums Ben Gettinger '05 and Harmony Stempel '05, was well received at the Prague Fringe Festival. This fall, Liam will be directing a Chekhov/Beckett evening and a production of a new Irish play in Prague. In the spring, he will be assisting directing "King John" with Actor's Shakespeare Project in Boston. (9/25/07)

Mike O'Malley '88 stars in the award-winning movie "On Broadway", which is coming to Portsmouth on October 12, 2007 as part of the New Hampshire Film Festival. The film also stars Joey McIntyre, Eliza Dushku, and Jill Flint. (9/24/07)

Harmony Stempel and Ben Gettinger, both 2005 graduates of the Theatre & Dance Department, star in the independent film "Dribbles." The film was recently named an official selection to the New Hampshire Film Festival to be held in Portsmouth, NH from October 11th through the 14th. (9/21/07)

Kim Lemieux, THDA Minor and Veronica DiPerna '05 are currently performing in the Asian tour of "42nd Street." There are several clips of the tour on Youtube.com, including one from a TV show called MyShow. (9/21/07)

Tommy Labanaris, a 2002 graduate of the UNH Theatre & Dance Department, just finished his third summer at Bristol Valley Theater. Since graduating, Tommy has toured the US and Canada with 'The Full Monty', 'Copacabana', 'I Get a Kick Out of Cole,' and 'RENT' in Japan. This Fall 2007, Tommy will be heading out on the road with the National Tour of 'A Year with Frog and Toad' which plays the Portsmouth Music Hall October 27th! (9/21/07)

Maryann Plunkett '76 is currently performing in "The Autumn Garden" at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Williamstown, MA. The production was reviewed in the August 22 edition of the New York Times. (9/9/07)

Jon Wells, a 2006 Theatre & Dance graduate, performed in an aerial dance show at Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH during the 2007 Summer months. (8/16/07)

Sean Quinn '06 has joined the national tour of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Sean will be a member of the ensemble in addition to being an understudy for one of the leads in the show. (8/16/07)

Jaci Adams, a 2004 UNH graduate, received a minor in Musical Theatre. She can currently be seen in the new film "Balls of Fury." (8/15/07)

Alexis Dascoulias, a 1995 graduate of the UNH Theatre & Dance Department, has recently become the new executive director of Maui OnStage. (7/30/07)

In the Fall, Jamie Marcotte, a 2006 graduate of the UNH Theatre & Dance Department, will begin teaching English and Drama at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, NH. In addition to teaching sophomore and Junior English as well as Intro to Drama for Juniors and Seniors, Jamie will have access to Pinkerton Academy's state-of-the art Stockbridge Theatre. Jamie is also an alumni of the school and is thrilled to become part of the faculty. (7/20/07)

Megan Reilly, a 2000 graduate of the UNH Theatre & Dance Department, recently completed her MFA in theatrical design and will be graduating from UT Austin this month. She is a also freelancing in the Austin area. This past year, Megan designed lighting for UNH's production of "X Factor" and will be returning in October to design lighting for "A Doll's House." (5/16/07)

Mike O'Malley, a 1988 graduate of our program, recently finished working on the movie "Leatherheads" starring George Clooney. Mike's next project is a supporting role in "Starship Dave", starring Eddie Murphy. He and his wife are expecting their third child. (4/24/07)

Kimberly Lemieux, a member of the UNH Dance Company for many years, will join the touring cast of "42nd Street." This production will tour throughout Asia. (4/23/07)

Brittany Moore, a 2003 graduate of UNH, is currently a lead in the PBS children's show "Dittydoodle works." A live, stage version of the show is set to tour the east coast in the near future. Both Brittany and fellow THDA Dancer Karl Maier will be participating in this tour. (4/23/07)

Sara Antkowiak-Maier, THDA class of 2004, has been hired by the Media Theatre in Media, PA. She will play the part of Dream Laurie in their production of "Oklahoma!." Sara will also be part of the ensemble. (4/2/07)

Robyn Hurder, a THDA student in 2000-2001, will star in the Broadway revival of "Grease." She will be playing the part of Marty Maraschino. The show opens in June 2007. This production has gained considerable media attention because of it's association with the NBC reality show "Grease: You're the One That I Want." (3/19/07)

Karl "Los" Maier, who graduated in 2003, will be dancing in Turandot with the Metropolitan Opera. The production opens March 30 and runs through May 8. (2/26/07)

While at UNH, David O'Brien '04 studied technical theatre and design. Since leaving UNH, he has worked in Boston as an Audio Visual Technician. He is now the TV Studio Technician at Everett High School in Everett, MA. David runs the local access cable TV station (EHS-TV15) for the school. (2/21/07)

Chris Bean, a 2000 graduate of the UNH Theatre & Dance Department, is set to perform in the Actor's Playhouse production of "La Cage Aux Folles." The production runs March 9 - April 8, 2007 in Miami, Florida. (2/21/07)

Laurie Ewer, a 2006 graduate, is performing in the world premiere of Academy-Award winning playwright Ernest Thompson's "Ax of Love." Thompson, known critically for the play and Oscar-winning play-turned-movie "On Golden Pond," directs this five person cast as the piece spans the thirty year history between four college roommates who meet in 1970. Laurie's play “Happy Girl” will make its world premiere in London, 2008. (2/7/07)

Bunty Thakkar, a 2005 graduate, is currently working for Walt Disney World as a character performer. Bunty dances in the Disney parades as well as their stage shows. (1/15/07)

Jon Wells, a 2006 Theatre & Dance graduate, performed solo at the Mohegan Sun Hotel and Casino in Uncasville, CT on New Years Eve. Jon performs with the group "Nimble Arts" from Brattleboro, VT. Watch a video of Jon's performance HERE. (1/3/07)

Natalie Lynch, a 2004 graduate, recently finished a summer stock season in Macon, MI working as the Stage Manager at City of Maples Repertory Theatre. She is currently working as Assistant Stage Manager for the Pioneer Theatre Company in Salt Lake City, UT. One of the shows she will be working on is the Regional Theatre Premier of Les Miserables. (added 10/3/06)

Liam Billingham, a 2005 graduate, is currently living in The Czech Republic, teaching English. This fall he will be directing a series of short plays with an international cast. (added 9/12/06)

Brittany Lynch, a 2003 graduate of the UNH Theatre & Dance Department, recently toured throughout Europe as part of the "Exchange Project 2", presented by Jana Hicks and The Next Stage Project. Brittany visited The Netherlands, Germany, and Norway as part of this experience. (added 8/28/06)

Jennifer Vento, a 1998 graduate of the department, will be receiving her Masters in Theatre Education from Emerson College this December. Jennifer's degree includes advanced coursework in directing, playmaking and licensure to teach theatre K-12. Jennifer also directs small works in the Boston area. In 2003, she received a Spotlight on the Arts Special Achievement award for co-creating and directing "With Love", an original musical based on life in New England during World War II. (added 8/14/06)

Krystal Rowley, a 2005 graduate of the department, is playing the part of "Maria" is Shakespeare's "Love's Labour's Lost", directed by Nicholas Martin and being performed at the Huntington Theatre in Boston. Performances begin May 12 and run thru June 11. (added 5/12/06)

Andrew Penney, a 2005 graduate of the department, is currently working as a lighting technician on the national tour of Cirque Du Soliel's "Quidam." (added 5/10/06)

Kimberly Lemieux, a member of the UNH Dance Company for many years, is currently performing in the national tour of "Cats." Kim joined the cast in July 2005. (added 5/10/06)

Karl "Los" Maier and Sara Maier, both graduates of the UNH Theatre & Dance Department, have been offered contracts for a touring production of "Pippin." After it's run in the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, CT, the show will go on a national tour. Both Los and Sara are busy these days. Sara just finished the Broadway-preproduction of "The Pirate Queen" and Los is currently an understudy in "L'Elisir d'Amore", being produced by the Metropolitan Opera. (added 5/9/06)

2001 UNH Graduate Michael Graziadei has been nominated for the second year in a row as Outstanding Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama for the 2006 Daytime Emmys. Michael plays Daniel Romalotti on "The Young and The Restless." (added 3/3/06)

Michelle Doucet and Tommy Labanaris, both 2002 UNH graduates, performed in an equity reading of a new musical entitled "The Man in the Iron Mask." This reading was directed by another UNH graduate, Brian Swasey, and was presented at the Lamb's Theater off Times Square on February 13, 2006. (added 2/27/06)

John W. Hurney, a civil litigator in California, is running for an open seat on the Los Angeles Superior Court. Hurney graduated from UNH in 1989 with a degree in Theatre & Dance.  Visit http://www.metnews.com/articles/2006/elec020606.htm for more info regarding Hurney's election bid.

UNH Senior Sean Quinn won the award for "Best Actor" at this year's New Hampshire Theater Awards. The awards ceremony took place on Friday, February 3 at the Palace Theater in Manchester, NH. Sean won the award for his performance in "Dames At Sea", which was presented by Lakes Region Summer Theatre this past Summer.

Brittany Lynch, a 2003 graduate of the UNH Theatre & Dance Department, will be participating in the "Repertory/Choreography Performance Workshops 2006", sponsored by Jana Hicks and The Next Stage Project. The workshop will take place in Maui, Hawaii in February 2006.

Karl "Los" Maier, a 2003 graduate of the UNH Theatre & Dance Department, has been hired by the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center in New York City. His first production with the company, Mazeppa , will run March 6-30, 2006.

On October 30, 2005, THDA Major Krystal Barry was crowned Miss New Hampshire USA. The pageant took place in Merrimack, NH at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center. Krystal, a Junior at UNH, is currently studying dance.

Professor Raina Ames' first book, A High School Theater Teacher's Survival Guide, hit the shelves this October. It is a practical guide for theatre teachers of all levels of experience, both for curricular and extracurricular drama activities in the high school. The extended appendix offers everything from course syllabi to sample rehearsal schedules. The book is published by Routledge Press.

In August 2005, Professors David Kaye and David Richman, along with over a dozen THDA students, presented William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" on Appledore Island. This unique presentation was sponsored by the UNH Theatre & Dance Department, Cornell University, and the Shoals Marine Laboratory.