Alumni

Wooster Theatre and Dance majors choose diverse career paths. Some pursue advanced study at schools such as Yale, Rutgers, Ball State, Columbia, Boston University, Carnegie Mellon, Purdue, Ohio State, Florida State, Texas Tech, The University of Illinois, and New York University. Some work for professional theatre or dance companies, while others join arts organizations.

The broad liberal arts background offered at Wooster and the research skills gained through I.S. prepare students for a wide variety of careers.

Stephen Quandt (’85) (MFA NYU) is a professional lighting designer located in New York city and also teaches at Queens College.

Sarah McGraw (’85) is an actor, director, instructor at Wexford Acting Studio.

Jonathan Becker (’86) is master mask maker and owner/director of The North American Laboratory for the Performing Arts. Assistant Prof Ball State University; graduate of Ecole Internationale de Theatre Jacques Lecoq.

Martin McDougall (’86) is a London based film actor (Saving Private Ryan, Batman Begins, FDR, The Fifth Element).

Prester Pickett (’87) became the first African American to acquire an M.F.A. in Acting from CWRU.  He’s written several social dramas and is best known for his play Eighth Day of the Week:  An African American Family’s Journey with Alzheimer’s.  He’s also known for his presentation of speeches by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and has toured Italy with his wife who enhances his recitations with songs by Mahalia Jackson.  He’s served as the Coordinator of the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center for the past 25 years.

Claude Engle (’88) (MFA NYU) is an architectural lighting designer based in Washington DC.

Caty DeWalt (’88) is an English teacher at Upper St. Clair High School in Pittsburgh.

Raymond Inkel (’88) has been a production manager and Director of Production in many regional theaters from the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts (CA), Utah Shakespeare Festival, Alley Theatre (TX) and most recently Gulfshore Playhouse in Naples, FL.

Ellen Muse (’89) is Executive Director of the Kennedy Heights Arts Center in Cincinnati, OH.

Cathy Taylor (’92) (MA in Arts Administration, Indiana University-Bloomington) is the President of Cathy Taylor Public Relations, Inc., a media relations firm in Chicago specializing in theater and entertainment.

Beth (Moran) Reiten (’92) received her Master of Library and Information Science (MLS) from UW-Madison and over the course of her career has gained considerable experience with all aspects of the library profession. Trading backstage for center stage, she was a professional belly dancer for over 20 years. In addition to solo performances, she choreographed and staged shows for two dance troupes

Liz Staruch (’95) coordinates the musical theatre concentration and works with both the dance and musical theatre programs as Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at West Chester University. She also serves on the American College Dance Association (ACDA) Board of Directors as Regional Director Mid-Atlantic North and is past chair of the national Fundraising committee.

Ali Booher Evans (’95) (Professional internship Program -The Juilliard School ’96) (MA Puppetry Arts UCONN ’98): Currently the Theatre Education Director of Weathervane Theatre Academy at Weathervane Playhouse in Newark, Ohio.

Meredith Rucker Spitzmiller (’96) works as an author and screenwriter and independently published a thriller, THE FAIR OAKS FOUR in August 2022. I will have two books released in 2024/2025.

Rachel Jackson (’97) worked as an arts administrator for Pittsburgh Public Theater, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Peter Paul & Mary, London’s Bridewell Theatre, and the ISPA Foundation. As an actor, she appeared on The Other Two, The Last O.G., many indie films, and five years of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl.

Gregg Licht (’98) is the Owner and Director of Elmwood Day Camp in White Plains, NY.  He also is a partner in Camp Southwoods, a resident camp in The Adirondacks.

Ilana Brownstein (’98) (MFA Yale) became a literary manager and director of new play development and commissions at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston.

Dan Hatt, LC (‘99), began his career in technical theater with stints at several theater and entertainment companies, including Walt Disney World, the Huntington Theater Company, and Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. For the past 20+ years, he has been a consulting electrical engineer and lighting designer in Syracuse, NY, designing electrical and architectural lighting systems for higher Ed institutions and similar clients. He was a recipient of a 2022 International Illumination Engineering Society’s Illumination awards for his lighting design at the Schine Student Center at Syracuse University.

Craig Dorer-Abadia (’00) worked at Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Opera Idaho, and Boise Contemporary Theatre before leaving the industry to take a position at Synteract, a mid-sized Contract Research Organizations the Associate Director of Program Strategy in Dermatology.

Adam Howarth (00′) received his MFA from CalArts (05′) and is currently the chair of the arts department and technical director at BB&N in Cambridge, MA.  He is also a freelance sound designer with Ovation Awards in L.A., Motif Awards in New England, Suzi Bass Awards in Atlanta, consultation for Disney and Universal theme parks, and themed sound installations worldwide.  Formerly, he served as faculty at Emerson College and Product Manager at Eastern Acoustic Works.

Chris Matsos (’00) received his MFA in acting from the University of Florida and his PhD in theatre history from Ohio State University. Though continuing to work as an actor and director, his main focus is as department chair and Associate Professor of Theatre at Hillsdale College in Michigan.

Jim Beaudry (’01) (MFA Mills College) served as Executive Director/Producer at Timber Lake Playhouse, the longest-running, professional summer theatre in Illinois, then returned to NYC where he serves as Company Manager for New York Stage and Film.

Sarah Hamilton (’01), since graduating from Wooster, has fulfilled her arts habit by working at 4myBenefits, which builds and maintains websites structured for corporate benefit enrollment. Her habit has included work with Theatre IV, Cincinnati Black Theatre Company, Cleveland Opera on tour, Cincinnati May Festival/Symphony/Pops (singing with the symphonic choir), and a number of other choirs and choruses.

Jack Pitney (‘01) has worked at the Massachusetts State House as a Legislative Aid, as a Locations PA for the Motion Picture Industry, and is a Location/Propmaker with IATSE 481.

Clayton Drinko (’02) (PhD in Drama and Theatre Studies from Tufts, MA in Performance Studies from NYU, MS.Ed from LIU) Clay has published two books: Play Your Way Sane (Simon & Schuster) and Theatrical Improvisation, Consciousness, and Cognition (Springer). He writes for Psychology Today and teaches at High Meadow School.

Anne Medlock-Ely (’03) received an MFA from Kent State and is now a Professor of Costume design at West Texas A&M University as well as the Department head for the departments of Art, Theater and Dance, and Communication.

Katie Hammond (’03), a member of the actors equity, tours the country with musical improv group Broadway’s Next Hit Musical and is on a musical house team at The Pit in NYC. She co-wrote a musical, Season, that was produced in London summer 2013.

Rachel Kirley (’03) serves as the Deputy Director, Development and Individual Giving for the San Francisco Symphony. After graduating from Wooster, she earned her MA in Arts Administration and has spent 17 years working in performing arts fundraising. Her current focus is on board giving, strategic planning, and the growth of all areas of giving, including future capital needs.

Aaron Schwartzbord (’03) pursued a career in theatre marketing and management, receiving an MFA in Performing Arts Management from Brooklyn College/CUNY. He’s held jobs with The Arca Group (Urinetown, Wicked), The Pearl Theatre Company, Daryl Roth Productions (August: Osage County, Kinky Boots), Seattle Repertory Theatre, and The New Victory Theatre. Currently he is Marketing Manager at Patron Technology in NY.

Kevin McFillen (’03) is a playwright and teacher based in Columbia, Missouri. Kevin completed an MA in Theatre at Miami University before beginning his PhD in Theatre at the University of Missouri. He now serves as a UMLD at the University.

Erin Koster (’04) completed her MFA in Stage Management from Columbia University in 2007 and went on to become an Off Broadway stage manager in New York. She is currently a show caller for large events, corporate meetings, galas, fundraisers, etc., a stage management cover at The Play That Goes Wrong, and a member of Caborca Theatre. In 2017, Erin was elected as a Councilor at Actors’ Equity Association–the union of theatrical stage managers, actors, and performers in the United States–and in 2022, she was elected the National 3rd Vice President at Equity, the Stage Manager Vice President.

Corrine (Brush) Gosling (’04) is currently a Masters Candidate in Publishing at George Washington University. In September 2018 she published a children’s book entitled Sherlock and the Baskerville Beast.

Whitney (Huss) Sherman (’05) studied Theatre for Development at Boston University, receiving a master’s in education and working for an arts for social change NGO in Niamey, Niger, West Africa. She received her Doctorate in Education at the University of Southern California where she researched intercultural communication and assessment. Whitney now works as an intercultural trainer and learning and development facilitator for various organizations, including the U.S. Agency for International Development and CEA CAPA: Education Abroad.

Ada Smith (’05) received her MFA in Scenic Design from Boston University, worked with Glimmerglass Opera, and in NYC developed a career in Film as an Art Director and Production Designer.

Andrea Hiebler (’05) is the Literary and Artistic Coordinator at the Lark Play Development Center in New York where she leads the organization’s writer selection processes and facilitates artistic programming.

Kate Anderson-Hall (’05) received an MA in English at Case Western Reserve before completing a PhD in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia (UK) where she is currently a researcher, as well as at King’s College London.

Yining Lin (’06) completed her PhD from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and now serves as a Teaching Artist and Wraparound Services Assistant at Cleveland Playhouse.

Kristen Cooperkline (’07) earned her MA in American Culture Studies at Bowling Green State University and her MFA in Stage Management at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has worked as stage manager for Bebe Miller Company and an event coordinator for the first ever American College Dance Festival Association’s South Regional Conference. After working for 7.5 years at Otterbein University as Production Manager for the Department of Theatre and Dance, she now works as the Systems and Communication Supervisor at Instructional ABA Consultants.

Patrick Midgley (’07) (MFA Purdue University) spent several years as an actor with the American Shakespeare Center in Virginia before completing a PhD at Texas Tech University.

Kellee Roston Edusei (’07) is Dance USA Executive Director.

Stefanie Genda (’08), completed her MFA in Costume Design at Rutgers and now works as a Freelance Costume Designer out of New York.

Amanda Barker (’10) is the Director of Account Management at Rise Interactive, a Digital Advertising agency based in Chicago, IL.

Alex Paolino-Gibson (’10) serves as Sr. Director of Client Services at The Trade Desk (within the advertising industry) in Chicago.

Laura Vandever (’10) is a professional voice actor in NYC. She currently works with The New York Times as the voice of their podcast advertising. Her work can also be heard in national commercial campaigns, documentaries, short films, and video games.

George Myatt (’11) is currently the Project Coordinator at Charles Schwab in Austin, TX

Jacqueline Komos (‘11) serves as Education & Engagement Manager and Teaching Artist at Nashville Children’s Theatre.

Kait Yankello (’11) is the Executive Assistant to the President and Head of Research & Development at Tango Therapeutics, a biotech in Boston, Massachusetts.

Annie Woller (’13) is an arts administrator in NYC. She is currently working at the New York Philharmonic as their Assistant Operations Manager.

Ben Pfister (’14) attended Yale School of Drama receiving an MFA in Stage Management. He is currently working in stage management throughout NYC.

Chelsea Gillespie (’14) is the Production Assistant for Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre in New York and tours internationally with Alvin Ailey II.

Kent Sprague (’14) worked as an Assistant Lighting Designer and Electrician for Florida Repertory Theatre before becoming a Freelance Designer in NYC. Kent also started a production design firm in NYC, Sovereign Candle Collective. As part of the collective, he has been designing and programming all manner of plays, night clubs, experiential installations, corporate events, and even architectural specification.

Amanda O’Donnell (’14) got her MFA in Theatre Education from Emerson College (Thesis: “A Girl Worth Fighting For: Stage Combat and the Adolescent Female Sense of Self”) and currently works as a performer, educator, and fight choreographer in the Boston area.

Colin Martin (’15) went to Second City and completed levels 1 & 2 of conservatory training. Since then, he has been doing comedic and dramatic improv in Chicago as well as working odd jobs to continue his passion for travel.

Emily Baird (’16) is the tenure-track Assistant Professor of Dance at The College of Wooster!

Emily Donato (’16) is the Career Development Coordinator at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, as well as a registered yoga instructor teaching anti-racist raja yoga.

Shannan Burrows (’17) currently works for High Output, a rental house for film, theatre, and event equipment/services based out of Boston.

Becca Snedeker-Meier (’17) is in charge of Development Operations and Events Manager for the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, IL.

Maria Witt (’17) received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Walsh University, and currently works as a pelvic floor physical therapist at Summa Health in Akron, Ohio.

H Rooker (’18) spent 2021-2023 as Northern Stage’s Production Manager, but as of the beginning of 2023 they are Store Manager at an independent bookstore in NH. On the side they’re working calls for IATSE local 919 and touring with a few small production houses as an SM/PM as opportunities arise. They think it’s likely they’ll go back to regional theatre in a few years but took some time off while the industry figures out its pandemic recovery.

George Marn (’18) is a Milwaukee based actor, producer, and teaching artist. Previously George has performed with Milwaukee Rep, Skylight Music Theatre, First Stage Children’s Theatre, Summit Players Theatre, the Ohio Light Opera, and the College Light Opera Company.

Cleo Potter (’20) is currently working at Encore Stage and Studio, a children’s education and theatre non-profit in the DC metro, as their Production Coordinator helping them produce shows and being a mentor to the children.  Prior to that she was a theatre technician for NOVA Community College.  She also does freelance lighting work in the DC area.

Juliet Merillat (’20) served as a Lighting Intern with Kalamazoo Theatre from Summer 2020-Spring 2022.  While there she did Lighting Design work, head electrician, helping their live streams and digital content as part of their pandemic limited season work.  Since then, she’s been freelancing in the Kalamazoo area.

Gabby Sullivan (’22) works as a case manager for disabled adults in the Twin Cities metro area while pursuing a masters in social work beginning in 2024.

Ivan Akiri (’22) was accepted to the School of the Art Institute’s MFA Performance program for the 23-24 academic year.

Jaz Nappier (’22) accepted a Fellowship with The Wexner Center for the Arts at OSU, in the department of Learning and Public Practice.

Cat Moreschi (’22) was a stage manager apprentice at Olney Theatre from end of Summer 2022 to Summer 2023 and now has a job working box office at Ford Theatre and an ASM post at Chesapeake Shakespeare Center. They will be freelancing in the DC area for a while.

Patrick Wellman (’22) was at Cortland Repertory Theatre in Cortland, NY as a Carpenter Summer 2022, then working at Wagner College, Staten Island, NY as a Master Carpenter for the 2022-2023 Academic Year.  This past summer he did overhire work at Signature Theatre in Manhattan and just started a job at George Street Playhouse in New Jersey as a scenic carpenter.

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