Class Notes

Established in 2016, the Theatre Hall of Fame recognizes alumni who have demonstrated outstanding talent in the theatrical arts, both at St. John’s and beyond. Read on to learn more about the Theatre Hall of Fame Class of 2024 and scan below to see photos of the ceremony.

MICHAEL ORTMAN ’78

During the transition years after Gene Morrill’s Mask & Wig (1975–78), there was one constant on the St. John’s stage: Michael Ortman making audiences smile and laugh in generally comedic roles. His dual passions for sports and entertainment were ignited at St. John’s and laid the foundation for a 42-year career in sports and entertainment television marketing and operations, before retiring as a bestselling author.

When he arrived at St. John’s in 1974, Ortman continued a family tradition initiated by his father Frank ’33. After appearing as a freshman in Georgetown Visitation’s Brigadoon, he came home to the St. John’s stage in 1975 as one of the comical gangsters in Kiss Me Kate. Over the years, he appeared as Lord Fancourt Babberly in Charlie’s Aunt, Walter Hollander in Don’t Drink the Water, Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys & Dolls, Preacher Haggler in Dark of the Moon, and Professor Stanislaus Fodorski in All-American. He also served as a student manager of the baseball team and sports editor of The Sabre. After appearing in Wildwood Summer Theater’s productions of West Side Story (1978) and Anyone Can Whistle (1979), Ortman put his stage career on hold—although he continued singing on weekends in various churches to help pay the bills during the early years of marriage and family.

Building on summer internships at sports entertainment PR firm Charles J. Brotman & Assoc., Ortman signed with them after graduating from Notre Dame in 1982. However, the lure of live television proved too strong, and he took a job at a start-up sports channel—Home Team Sports (now NBC Sports Washington). Ortman eventually led its distribution and marketing teams. He also spent six years in charge of North American television distribution for the World Wrestling Federation.

In 1996, Ortman became head of marketing for Comcast Cable’s Baltimore operations, the beginning of a 25-year run. He spent the last 12 years as a senior executive at Comcast NBC Universal’s headquarters in Philadelphia, leading Xfinity’s content strategy and video operations. During his career, Ortman received numerous industry recognitions, including Commonwealth Public Broadcasting’s Richard Bodorff MHz Award and Women in Cable & Telecommunications’ Lucille Larkin Lifetime Achievement. He also was a volunteer leader with the Arthritis Foundation for 20-plus years, including seven years on its national board of directors and two as board chair.

After retiring in 2022, he celebrated his Amazon number one bestseller among baseball history books, Opening Day: 50-for-50. One Fan. One Game. A Half-Century of Baseball Stories. A collection of personal memories and baseball history, it chronicles Ortman’s streak of attending 50 consecutive Opening Day games.

Remarkably, Ortman’s wife, Kate, was in the audience for Guys & Dolls back in 1977 (although the two did not meet until several years later)! They married in 1983 and have six children and eight grandchildren. They live most of the year in Clermont, Florida.

MELVIN H. COLVIN III ’81

Melvin Colvin has maintained one of the longest personal relationships with St. John’s in its history. The son of Melvin H. Colvin, Jr. ’57, and Mary Colvin (president of the St. John’s Mothers’ Club 1985–86), Colvin matriculated to St. John’s as a seventh grader. In eighth grade, he worked on the lights crew for Guys & Dolls under the direction of John Youngblood. For the next four years and all eight productions, he worked on the lights crew for Howard Dent (THoF ’18), eventually being named lights crew chief in his senior year. During his time at SJC, Colvin played in the Applause pit band under the direction of Gil Costa and worked on the lights crew and in the pit band for Pallotti High School and Laurel Community Theatre.

Colvin spent his college years studying computers and American history at Wheeling Jesuit College in West Virginia, where he worked on the lights and set construction crew for the college theatre—even helping to design the lighting system for their new campus theater. After graduation, Colvin returned to SJC to teach computer classes and American history. Eventually, he would take over all computer classes for the school, becoming the director of technology in the summer of 1989.

Upon his return to St. John’s, Colvin immediately returned to the lights booth, designing shows for his mentor and former teacher, Howard Dent. He designed all productions from the fall of 1985 (Scapino) until the arrival of his children, Jessica ’17 and Ben ’18. He also had the opportunity to work with friend and colleague, Tim Emerson ’84 (THoF ’22). His last production as lighting designer was 1999’s Grease

In the fall of 2014, Colvin returned to St. John’s Theatre as the set and technical designer of a fully functional beauty parlor for Steel Magnolias. He oversaw the transition of the crew into the new SJC theater complex and retired from St. John’s Theatre in the spring of 2019.

Throughout Colvin’s 40-year-plus relationship with St. John’s Theatre, his number one fan has been his wife of 34 years, Chrissy Colvin.

BRIAN SZABO ’95

Brian Szabo began his theatre experience freshman year as part of the “paint crew” for the production of Our Town…and he became hooked on theatre. Under the careful tutelage of SJC Director and Producer Howard Dent (THoF ’18 ), he helped to design and build an array of different sets throughout his high school years, totaling 10 shows. He even tried his hand at acting in two productions—Glimpses and as Fr. O’Reilly in Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reﬂect Up?— but decided that stagecraft was his forte.

After graduation, Szabo continued his theatre career with the Wildwood Summer Theatre Program (WST). During his second year with WST, he supervised the full set construction of Chicago. When he aged out of the program, he returned to St. John’s for the next decade to help Tim Emerson ’84 (THoF ’22) design and build sets.

Even though Szabo currently works in the IT security sector and is no longer involved in the theatre world, he continues to use his carpentry, drywall, and electrical skills in many aspects of his life. He would like to extend a special thank-you to three individuals who made it happen: Howard Dent, Tim Emerson, and Melvin Colvin ’81. Thanks for the support, encouragement, and knowledge to open a young freshman’s eyes to the exciting world of St. John’s Theatre.

VINCENT KEMPSKI ’09

Vincent Kempski began his professional acting career in Washington, DC, before graduating summa cum laude from The Catholic University of America with a bachelor’s degree in music. As a teenager, balancing his work as an actor and student was a challenge that provided him the tools for future success.

He has appeared in more than 20 professional productions around the United States, most notably portraying Roger Davis in Rent at The Muny in St. Louis and originating the role of Edmund in the widely acclaimed World Premiere musical Private Jones at Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut and Signature Theatre in Virginia. He also had the pleasure of recently performing with the National Symphony Orchestra for A Capitol Fourth, alongside Chita Rivera, Cynthia Erivo, Gloria Gaynor, Darren Criss, and more.

Some of Kempski’s favorite regional credits include Cinderella’s prince in Into the Woods, Tulsa in Gypsy, Melchior Gabor in Spring Awakening, and Charlie Price in Kinky Boots. In addition to his acting career, Vincent recently wrote and composed the score for Thistle Dance Company’s production of Sinderella, an inventive and twisted take on the fairytale classic.

He has performed in many prestigious spaces including: The Kennedy Center, DAR Constitution Hall, Wolf Trap, Arena Stage, Ford’s Theatre, Roundhouse Theatre, Keegan Theatre, and Olney Theatre Center. Over the years, Kempski has received multiple Helen Hayes nominations, including a supporting actor nod for his portrayal of John Wilkes Booth in Signature Theatre’s production of Assassins. In addition, he won the 2020 Helen Hayes Award for Best Musical and Best Ensemble for the Matthew Gardiner and Denis Jones production of A Chorus Line

The Washington Post has touted Kempski as “a triumph” and “a powerhouse.”

“[Vincent] is most known for the complexity and nuance he gives to roles. He brings life to the corners in the script. He digs when other actors would choose a different direction.”

LIS Ë LANDIS HOPSON ’66–’70

Lisë Landis Hopson’s passion for the performing arts began at Ballet Arts of Bethesda, and she developed her soprano voice in the Our Lady of Lourdes School choir. As an eighth grader, she was mesmerized by St. John’s productions of West Side Story and South Paciﬁc and spent two summers studying acting at Catholic University’s High School Drama Insitute. With musical theatre, she could combine all three loves—singing, dancing, and acting!

Under the direction of Eugene Morrill (THoF ’16) and choreographer Jone Dowd (THoF ’22), Hopson performed in eight St. John’s musicals from Oliver! to Man of La Mancha. After graduating from Connelly School of the Holy Child, Hopson attended Harvard University, performing in (and choreographing a few) 10 musicals, operas, and operettas. Following graduation, she studied music and voice at The Catholic University of America before moving to New York City to pursue a performing career.

Hopson auditioned, took lessons, modeled, and performed in and out of town in various theatres, industrial shows, operas, Off Off Broadway productions, commercials, clubs, and resorts. She sang the national anthem at Giants Stadium several times. While playing resorts in the Catskills, she married and moved upstate, continuing her career until her four children started to arrive. At that juncture, Hopson returned to academia at SUNY New Paltz. She also became the soloist and adult choir director at St. Peter’s parish, a position she held for 29 years.

In 1990, Hopson choreographed the spring musical for Coleman Catholic High School. Thus began a 29-year career as the director, choreographer, and vocal director for 47 musicals at Coleman, 14 “junior” musicals at Kingston Catholic School, and two musicals at St. Peter’s School. She spent 13 summers as director of the Dutchess Community College Performing Arts Institute and 28 years running “Broadway Bound” workshops, her own program of musical theatre training for youth.

In 1997, Hopson joined Coleman as music teacher and choral director, teaching various classes, as well as producing and directing musicals, presenting choral performances, and providing choir music for school Masses. In 2001, she became the music teacher and choir director at Kingston Catholic School and began directing “junior” musicals there. Hopson’s high school show chorus performed regularly in the community and beyond. Coleman became renowned for its musical theatre program and attracted not only students, but wonderful volunteers.

Some of Hopson’s favorite prductions are Les Miserables (her lead progressing to Broadway); Peter Pan, with her largest cast; The Phantom of the Opera, among the first high schools to perform it; The Wizard of Oz, with flying cast members and props; and Mary Poppins, whose two leads are now professional performers.

Hopson is most grateful for her ties of friendship with former students and their parents and the solid training and joyful experiences St. John’s provided her as a teenager.

MARY EMERSON SLIMP ’82–’85

Mary Emerson Slimp, Immaculata Preparatory School (IPS) Class of 1985, is the ninth of 12 children in a theatre-loving SJC family. Slimp studied ballet, tap, and jazz; choral music and piano; and enjoyed performing throughout her childhood. Together with Charles McNamara ’85 (THoF ’16), Tim Emerson ’84 (THoF ’22), and a number of her siblings and neighborhood friends, she wrote, directed and acted in productions for the shortlived but well-regarded, Tulsa Lane Players, which she helped found in 1978.

While a student at IPS, Slimp joined the St. John’s Drama Club in the tap-dancing chorus of The Boyfriend under the direction of Howard Dent (THoF ’18). She frequently shared the stage with McNamara in productions of Frankenstein, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Dining Room, and finally as Aldonza/Dulcinea to his Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha

During high school and college, Slimp was a performer, choreographer, and member of the board of directors of Wildwood Summer Theatre, a company run entirely by young artists aged 14–25. At the Catholic University of America (CUA), she enjoyed balancing her study of politics with theater, playing Mary Kenny in Emerson’s original staging of Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reﬂect Up? and choreographing his seminal Godspell, both for CUA Centrestage. After graduating in 1989, Slimp joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as a political analyst and performed with the Georgetown University Summer Theatre. She met her husband, Ron, at the CIA, and after they married in 1991, spent the next 10 years living primarily in Europe. While working at the US Embassies in France and Belgium, she attended ballet class at Salle Pleyel and danced and choreographed for the Brussels Light Opera Company. Slimp earned a master’s degree at CERIS-Université Libre de Bruxelles in 1996.

With the arrival of son Rémy in 1998 and daughter Sarah in 2001, Slimp retired from the CIA to focus on raising her family. She lived in Houston and London before returning in 2005 to Washington, DC, where she is an avid supporter of the arts and arts education, and an advocate for the area’s cultural institutions. Slimp held various leadership roles on the Women’s Committee of the Washington Ballet and was a founding member of their board of ambassadors before joining the board of directors, where she co-chairs the Committee on Community Engagement. She served four years on the board of directors of Adventure Theatre-MTC, ultimately chairing the Executive Committee. Currently, Slimp presides as chair of the board of trustees of the Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, where she also volunteers as a docent. She continues to draw on her theatrical training when giving tours.

The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)

MATT CONLEY ’07

Matt Conley’s SJC Theatre journey began with a transformative experience as a spectator, watching his brother perform in Grease. This ignited a lifelong passion for the stage, leading him to enroll at SJC and immerse himself in the theatrical arts. From his shy beginnings in the music department to unforgettable performances in the productions of You Can’t Take It with You, Man of La Mancha, Photographs & Still Frames, Grease, High School Musical, and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), theatre became Conley’s passion.

He studied music education at Towson University and then transferred to the University of Maryland to focus on theater performance. Conley’s enthusiasm for performance continually extended beyond traditional stages, from sharing the spotlight with Keith Urban at the Verizon Center and touring with multiple ensembles, to participating in community theatre productions. The performing arts have always been and will continue to be a form of breathing for him.

Following his theatre career, Conley delved into Harley-Davidson motorcycle mechanics, becoming factory certified in Orlando, Florida. Despite finding success in this field, his innate passion for human connection and performance led him to transition into motorcycle sales. Over the past 15 years, he has fulfilled dreams worldwide, working with Orlando Harley-Davidson and leaving a lasting impact on customers from New Zealand and Saudi Arabia to Canada and Brazil. Conley has since returned to the DMV and can be found at Harley-Davidson of Washington, DC, managing sales and finance. His journey exemplifies the exciting, energetic, and empowering spirit of St. John’s Theatre, earning him a well-deserved place in the Hall of Fame.

TED ZELLERS ’07

Ted Zellers’ introduction to St. John’s Theatre was quite auspicious… A few weeks into his freshman year, he asked to borrow money while standing in the lunch line and was told he could have it if he auditioned for the fall play. The rest is history... Theatre quickly became one of Zellers’ important focuses at SJC, where he performed in eight productions, including the three-man comedy, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). During his four years at St. John’s, he also played trombone in the wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, and jazz combo; sang in the choir; and participated in other music groups.

Zellers continued to act and play music in college and performed Rimsky-Korsakov’s Concerto for Trombone with the University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. His theatre interest largely switched to backstage, where he designed the sound for two major productions and a dozen “Redeye Theater Projects,” where up to eight plays were written, cast, rehearsed, designed, and performed in a 24-hour window.

Zellers has worked as a software engineer for the past 13 years, designing web back-ends and wrangling data for e-commerce companies. In his free time, he enjoys advocating for zoning reforms that encourage affordable and environmental building. He works to promote “complete streets,” so all people can move around his city of Philadelphia safely and easily, whether traveling by bicycle, foot, public transit, or car. He enjoys biking and has completed thousands of miles of self-supported solo tours in the US, Canada, and Scotland.

CHRIS DUNCKEL ’08

Not including his ubiquitous antics off the stage, Chris Dunckel first discovered his love of acting in middle school when he was cast as Horton in Seussical the Musical. Inspired to audition for St. John’s Theatre after admiring numerous productions featuring his sister, Jessica ’04, his debut role was in 2004’s, You Can’t Take It with You. As a G-man, he exclaimed with enthusiasm his one line, “This is him!” Dunckel returned in a leading role in 2006’s production of Grease, after which Tim Emerson ’84 (THoF ’22) invited him to participate in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) the following year. Shakespeare was a high-water mark for his theatrical performances, as he opted to pursue athletic interests in senior year and college.

Dunckel credits St. John’s Theatre with developing his comfort and enjoyment in entertaining the masses; his years as a thespian helped prepare him for his current role as a teacher at St. John’s, where he puts on five shows-a-day, five days-a-week, 36 weeks-a-year. He has also turned his theatre experience into a part-time gig emceeing events for the St. John’s community and beyond. Dunckel is incredibly grateful to the St. John’s Theatre community, especially his director Tim, and his castmates Matt Conley ’07 and Ted Zellers ’07, for helping to develop and refine his public speaking, his outward confidence, and his belief in the power of humor and performance to bring light into the world.