Augustana | Theatre | Alumni News

Department of Theatre Arts
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Rock Island, IL 61201

Alumni News

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Name	Career	Location	Remarks
Beck, Stephanie	Assistant Marketing Manager for Patrick Dealer Group	Hoffman Estates, IL	stephbeck81@yahoo.com
Bell, Amy	Pursuing a degree in architecture at the University of Minnesota	Minneapolis, Minnesota	yoginimommy@yahoo.com
Berish, Nathan	Advertising Director	Milwaukee, WI	nberish@allcom1.com
Bock, Gail Richard	Professor, Speech Pathology	Eastern Illinois University
Bockham, Gail	Costume Shop Manager	Minnesota Opera Company
Bohn, Karen	Theater Design MFA	Sarasota, Florida	I received my MFA in 2000 in scene and costume design and am currently freelance designing and holding down a day job in Sarasota, Florida. I am getting married in October, and really looking forward to it. kbohn@comcast.net
Brown, Shane	Moline Dispatch Publishing Co.	1103 25th St. #B5 Rock Island, IL 61201	I’ve used the skills honed behind the Potter sound board and at WAUG to become a freelance audio engineer, I run an internationally recognized music website, www.excellentonline.com, as well as co-founded Exstasis Promotions, an event promotion agency geared to foster the cultural advancement of area youth via concerts, art exhibits, raves, etc. shane@excellentonline.com
Burnet, Mark	Theater Instructor	1046 Varsity East Bowling Green, OH 43402	I am teaching at BGSU, including an Introduction to Theatre and a class which explores cultural diversity through performance. I appeared as Friar Laurence in the mainstage production of Romeo and Juliet. I traveled with my girlfriend Yuka to Japan, to meet her family. We have been dating now for a couple years and hope to get married. We also hope to move where we can both work with theatre. mburnet@bgnet.bgsu.edu
Conner, Jason	Head of Humanities, Theater Dept., Western Illinois University	Macomb, Illinois	I’m at WIU in Macomb as the Head of Humanities in the Theatre Dept. As the Head of Humanities I teach Intro to Theatre, Improv, Acting, Analysis (Grad and Undergrad) and all the Multicultural Theatre Sections. I also train and mentor our Grad Assistants, advise our studio productions, direct/write tour shows, summer musicals and mainstage productions, and of course serve on more than my fair share of committees I love it. JA-Conner@wiu.edu or jconner7777@yahoo.com
Corral, Lori	Public Information Officer, IL Atty. General’s Office
Coulter, Mellissa	Marketing Director, Ghostlight Theatre	Davenport, Iowa	lyssalee@hotmail.com
Crookham, Beth		Muscatine, Iowa
Decker, Eric	High School English/Drama teacher	304 N. Mantorville Ave. Kasson, MN 55944	Directing 4-7 shows/year at HS and local theaters. edecker@komets.k12.mn.us
DeLeon, Jeff	ComedySportz Quad Cities, Personal Assistant with Mel Foster Company	3433 60th St., Apt 5D, Moline, IL 61265	Moved back to the Q.C. after a 3 year jaunt to Chicago, where I studied and performed improv with Second City (graduate of the conservatory program), ImprovOlympic, Annoyance Theater, The Playground, and had roles in two independent films. I’m currently teaching and performing full time with ComedySportz Quad Cities, running the CSz High School League at my alma mater, and will be teaching with the Quad City Metro Arts program for the second summer in a row. Maintaining an Augustana tie by hosting ‘Augie Loveline’ each year, which is a relationship Q&A type forum for students. I’m satisfying my theatre cravings by performing in a couple of studio productions at St. Ambrose University and will be producing, directing, and performing the Reduced Shakespeare Companies "Compleat Works of Wm. Shakespear (abridged)" next year. I miss all of the Green Roomies and singing "A Quale Flew By". Keep in touch! cszjd@hotmail.com
(Donahue), Laura Welter		3420 Lorient Street McHenry, IL 60050	I completed my MFA in acting from WIU. I toured with the Missoula Children’s Theatre for two years performing and teaching children through the US. Now, I handle marketing, advertising and event planning for a marketing firm in the Chicago area. Recently, I directed "John & Jen" for the Spotlight Theatre Company of St. Louis. lweter@smithengineering.com
Donaldson, Anna	Educator Performer Manager	1514 Charles Ave. St.Paul, MN 55104	I am with the Minnesota Historical Society, performing historical characters such as Harriet Bishop and Maud Hart Lovelace. I wrote a melodrama for a new exhibit about the Minnesota Territory. I also am the after hours floor manager of the museum, and am finishing my Masters in Education. annadonaldson@hotmail.com
Erikson, Jon	Assistant Prop Master, Guthrie Theater	Minneapolis
(Farber), Mandy Moellering		166 Golfview North Liberty, IA 52317	After Mike and I got married, I started looking for a position in Children’s Theatre in Iowa City. I was offered a position at Regina Inter-Catholic Education Center-teaching and directing for grades 7-12. I made my directing debut with The Curious Savage, then did a Jr. High evening of short scenes and a musical in collaboration with the Regina music department! I am extremely excited and feel very blessed to be able to share my love of theatre with some superb kids! I am also looking forward to completing my teaching certification. amoellering@hotmail.com
Feigley, Estlin	Dreaming Tree Productions	Chicago, IL	Founder of Dreaming Tree Productions, Independent Film Company, Chicago
Ferrier, Doug	State Farm Health Company	39 Candle Ridge Road Towanda, IL 61761	I’m enjoying life in Central Illinois. After a brief career as an international actor (Don’t say "wow" just yet . . . it was a community production in a small little town in Northern Japan), I decided I would stick to teaching English. I lived in Northern Japan for 2 1/2 years, where I met my wife, Sanae. She’s a wonderful teacher and a blossoming Julia Roberts. Now we’re back in central Illinois. While I remain busy, I still find a little time to sing, camp, and play Augie Theater brick tag (for those of you that can’t remember, this was done with a "soft" brick). I hope all is well with my fellow thespians.
Frampton, Todd	Actor		Arkansas Repertory Theater
Franke, William			Just finished the Dawn Powell festival here in New York, which led to doing a reading of one of the playwrightsí* other plays in April. In between itís off to Europe for the honeymoon.Check out http://zap/to/wmfranke for more details. wmfranke@yahoo.com
Fritz, Katie		Chicago, Illinois	I’m now living in Chicago going to grad school at Northern IL to get my masters in Special Education. I’m really enjoying seeing old familiar theater faces now that I’m in the Chicago area again. The next year will hold substitute teaching, 3 night classes, and hopefully some free time for me. katiechevy@yahoo.com.
Gilbert, Laura		Jefferson, Iowa	Teaching in Boone, Iowa
Gishlick, Alan	Paleontology PhD. Candidate	Yale University
Green, Terry	Design Consultant	2702 a s. 13th St St. Louis, Missouri 63118	I am currently working as a design consultant for a frame gallery in St. Louis. I have been in several plays with the St. Louis Shakespeare Company and working toward a membership in their group. A move to Chicago or California is in my near future. terrytwin@yahoo.com
Johnson, Kenneth	"theatre/wage slave"	Portland, Oregon	Really busy! Acting and directing professional theatre, still working the day job to pay off education/credit cards plus; some commercial, industrial film, and voice-over work. madderken13@hotmail.com
Carly Hengels	Stage Manager	Schaumburg, IL	I’m currently working at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre (www.metropolisarts.com) in Arlington Heights, IL as a stage manager, house manager, and box office associate. The box office and house managing is for the money, the stage managing is for the passion! Past shows: Cabaret, Forever Plaid, A Christmas Carol, Steel Magnolias, Noises Off!, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Run for Your Wife, The Nerd, The Fantasticks!. Upcoming shows: Barefoot in the Park, Don’t Dress for Dinner.
Henson, Sean	Software Trainer	Sycamore, IL	As of August ’09, my wife and I are still in Northern IL. We have two kids now and life is very busy. I’m currently a software trainer at Waubonsee Community College. I stay involved in theater by occassionally directing a community theater show and teaching children’s theater workshops. I also stumbled upon a wonderful puppetry festival in Missouri. If you’re ever in the area, stop and say hi. shenson148@gmail.com.
Hinkle, Stephen	Director of Theatre, Andrew College
Hitchcock, Holly	Costume Designer	University of Indiana, Gary
Holmer, Sarah	Reservationist/Light Operator	Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Minneapolis, Minnesota	voice4u22@hotmail.com
Hughes, Chris	Physician	3601 N. Kingston Drive #4 Peoria, IL 61604	chughes@iaonline.com
Krause, Matthew	Actor	Chicago	I’m no longer interning at Court, although I occasionally pop up on their stage. Still acting and doing more and more freelance music jobs as well.krause218@hotmail.com
Larson, Beth	Apple Tree Theater Marketing Director
(Lasser), Claire Simon	Owns Claire Simon Casting	Chicago, IL
Meersman, Mark	Assigned to the Air Force Surgeon General’s Office	Washington, D.C.	The Meersman’s have relocated across country to the Washington D.C. area (specifically Alexandria, VA) where Mark is assigned to the Air Force Surgeon General’s office at Bolling AFB in the Health Benefits and Policy Division. Meredith is looking for a school to continue her music performance degree, while Ethan and Collier will be attending Clermont Elementary in grades 3 and 2, respectively. mark.meersman@pentagon.af.mil
(Moore), Andrea Gustafson	Speach and Theatre teacher	436 E. Crawford St. Peotone, IL 60468	I teach high school Speech, Drama, and English classes. I also coach Forensics and direct all drama productions at my school. gussie@surfree.com
Moore, Robert	Medical Entymologist, U.S.Army		rgmoore@life.uiuc.edu
Sara (marquis) Morrow	7th Grade English Teacher	Denver, CO	chouforte@hotmail.com
Olin W. Morrow II		Denver, CO	Teaching Keyboarding and Computer Art (Graphics, Animation, Video, etc.) to 6th, 7th & 8th graders olinii@comcast.net
Pace, Shawn	AEA Stage Manager	635 Roscoe Apt 2N, Chicago, IL 60657	I changed my email address to shawn_pace@hotmail.com. I am still stage managing in the city. This winter opening two shows: a new adaptation of PEER GYNT and a play called LEAVING IOWA which is hoping to hit off-broadway this fall (but I have done numerous productions with that hope). †
Quale, Ryan	Actor/Model	132 West 45th Street #12C New York NY 10017	Currently acting/modeling in New York City – I live an exciting, glamorous lifestyle fending off rats in the subway, trying to scrape together enough monthly rent and still have enough left over to eat, (doesn’t happen often), and pushing my resume/headshot into every face that will look and listen. Actually, in all seriousness, I love The City and am doing quite well. r_quale@yahoo.com
Ryan, John	Scene Shop Supervisor, Webster University	St. Louis, Missouri	I now live in Saint Louis, and work with John Wylie at Webster University. I supervise the scene shop. The school keeps trying to get me to teach, but so far I’ve avoided it. I sit-in on a sound-tech class that Wylie teaches, and make corrections, hahaha. I also still work for Musson Theatrical in California…. I wrote and maintain the software running their rental department. Last summer was my 13th season with the Black Hills Playhouse in South Dakota. I hope to return there every summer of my life… I developed a BoxOffice Reservation program that is now in use at the BHP. With a little more refining, I hope to be able to market this program. Saint Louis is okay so far, but I do miss the warm and sunny San Jose weather. I don’t miss the cost of living one bit though. I still drink lots of Mountain Dew, some things never change. jrdewster@earthlink.net
Schlenker, Lisa	Properties Manager, Skylight Opera Theater
Schultz, Mike	Movie Critic, River Cities Reader
Shale, Tanya Lee	Arts Management MFA Candidate
(Sheridan), Beaner Higgins	Head Eletrician, Buell Theatre IATSE, Local #7	3853 Meade St. Denver, CO 80211	Hey there! Beaner here. I’m still living in Colorado but I’ve moved to a burb in the foothills. The new address is 7614 Newland Street, Arvada, 80003. I’ve changed jobs several times (by choice) serving as the call steward for IATSE Local #7, Head Carpenter for production of a new road show called "I Love a Piano, the Music of Irving Berlin, " Assistant Props for the Buell Theatre and I’m now rigging at that theatre for Broadway Shows and Opera Colorado. I’ve become very politically involved in the Union, organizing the Ticket Agents at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, working on contracts for the City and County of Denver and coordinating workshops with our Continuing Education Committee. My husband, Tom, is the Production Manager for Center Attractions in Denver and our family consists of our two dogs, Isis and Dempster, and the three cats, Rabi, Embee, and Clyde. We enjoy lots of camping, I’m also still motorcyling and skiing as much as time allows. †cbeaner@earthlink.net
Stockdale, Joanie	Public Relations, Augustana	2047 32nd. St. Rock Island, IL 61201	aprjs@augustana.edu
Strack, Steve	Account Specialist for Volkswagen	156 N. Stillwater Dr. Hainesville IL 60030	After a few years of working in the Chicago theater scene as a stage manager I have somehow ended up as an Account Specialist working in collections for Volkswagen Credit in Libertyville, IL. My theater work in Chicago included a couple productions at The Organic Theater and some other work at a couple smaller venues. s.strack@att.net
Sullivan, Becky	Sr. Asst.Mgr., Bldg. Services at the American Museum of Natural History
Tallman, Jen			PhD. in Theatre Theory and Criticism from University of Wisconsin
Tallman, Mike	DBA National Conference of Bar Examiners †	402 West Wilson Street Madison WI 53703 †	mtallman@ncbex.org
Tortorello-Allaway, Toni	Teacher	1116 East Wilson Ave. Lombard IL 60148	I am still teaching French, but I have been at Riverside Brookfield High School (behind the Brookfield Zoo) since 2002. (I actually work with Katie Fritz’s mom. The first day I met her, without even knowing who she was, she ran up to me and sang, “Sunday in the park with George!” right in my face. SOOO…we’ve been friends ever since.) I also just finished my master’s degree in Educaiton Administration from North Central College in Naperville. I’ll probably work one more year, then take some time off to stay home with my daughter, Gabriella (born 3/5/04). She is the love of my life! I’ve done some minor community theatre with a group in the Chicago suburbs called The Tempo Players. It was SO great to be back on stage. Also, every February, I do a charity musical review with my local church group. It is so much fun and we sound really good together. Plus, it keeps my desperately fading vocal chords in minimal shape. But, hey, it’s being on stage and that’s what I love. Hope all is well with everyone! E-mail me at atortorello@rbhs208.org
Traut, Lisa	Multimedia Instructor, Lake County High Schools	Grayslake, IL	augie90@aol.com
Wilson, Mark	Artist-in-Residence	St. Louis	Saint Louis University, wilsonm@slu.edu, 314-977-2995
Wylie, John	Associate Professor of Theatre	Webster University
Wynes, Jackie	Actor	On the move!	I finished my MFA in Acting from WIU in 2002 and since then have been working at various theatres around the midwest. I’m currently in Amana, IA interning at The Old Creamery Theatre. Starting in January I’ll be back on the roads of Minnesota with Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre for my second tour winter tour with them. After that… who knows? It really is true that an actor always needs to be looking for work. Even when you’reemployed you have to be searching for the next job. So if you have one, email me!!! Or at least let me know how you’re doing. :) HiThereJackie@hotmail.com