PAGE 3 New Voice Over Studio Opens
PAGE 6 Under Construction: The Master of Fine Arts Play Project
PAGE 7 Alumni News
Photo by Steve Cohn
SPRING 2010
New Continuing Education Classes Begin This Spring
USC President Steven B. Sample, Kathryn Sample, Robert Redford, Dean Madeline Puzo, Event Chair Richard Weinberg.
Robert Redford Honored At Inaugural Gala Fundraiser Robert Redford Award for Engaged Artists Established To Recognize Professional Accomplishments and Public Commitment to Social Responsibility
T
he USC School of Theatre launched a
people. Although Redford has received some of
new tradition by honoring celebrated
the entertainment industry’s highest accolades,
actor/director Robert Redford with the
this is the first award named after the Santa
newly established “Robert Redford
Monica native. Proceeds from the event, which
Award for Engaged Artists” at an
drew nearly 550 people and raised $200,000,
inaugural gala fundraiser on Wednesday, February
provide scholarship support for the next
10, 2010, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly
generation of artists at the School of Theatre.
Hills. The award, to be presented annually, was created to recognize those artists who have
The evening opened with a special performance
distinguished themselves not only in the exemplary
featuring School of Theatre alumni Laura Darrell
quality, skill and innovation of their work but also
(B.A., 2009), Briga Heelan (B.A., 2009), Michael
in their public commitment to social responsibility,
McLean (B.F.A., 2008) and Donald Webber, Jr.
to increasing awareness of global issues and
(B.F.A., 2008) with guest performer Rachael
events and to inspiring and empowering young
Weinberg Pugh and Musical Director Parmer Fuller. (continued on page 2)
The School of Theatre has developed new programs in continuing education and lifelong learning that further your personal and professional goals. These courses have been created to both inspire you to greater achievement in your chosen profession and to engage you in new areas of study that might facilitate your career. Ten classes will be offered during the spring and summer of 2010 that range in scope from acting and dramatic writing to improving your communication skills and theatre appreciation. We hope that you have a chance to experience one or more of the following courses taught by our highly skilled, professional faculty: Got An On Camera Audition? How To Get the Job!
Instructor: Joseph Hacker Wednesdays, May 19 - June 23, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration Fee: $500 Lights! Camera! Action! This class consists of on camera exercises and mock auditions with the goal of providing the necessary techniques to compete successfully for roles in film and television. Experience realistic approximations of professional auditions identifying specific strategies working actors make when auditioning in front of a camera. (continued on page 3)
S C H O O L O F T HE A T RE B O A RD O F C O U N C I L O R S
A m e ssa g e f r o m t h e d e an
LEARNING New things
David Anderle Lisa Barkett LeVar Burton Tim Curry Dean Madeline Puzo
When I was a producer, I discovered that one of the great joys – and, sometimes, great frustrations – of the job was that I was constantly learning new things. This was not just a matter of the novel ideas or subjects that I would learn about from a new play. I was constantly learning new things about theatre and my job. The lessons were not all happy or, at least, not happy while I was learning them, but they did challenge me to evaluate how I did certain things and hopefully made me a better producer.
Charles Dillingham Michele Dedeaux Engemann (Founding Chair) Michael Gilligan (Chair, USC School of Theatre Parents Council) Robert Greenblatt Patti Gribow
I think of this in part because at the School of Theatre we also re-evaluate our ideas in light of our actual experience. For example, we have just finished revising the Master of Fine Arts programs in Acting and
Susan A. Grode
Dramatic Writing. This may seem odd as they are respectively only three and five years old, but as with
Paula Holt
a new play or production, seeing the programs “on their feet” gave us a chance to evaluate how well
Donna Isaacson
we were accomplishing our goals and to think about how we could be even more effective. I know that this will be an ongoing process and that we will always be learning new things about our work and improving the School.
Gary Lask Sheila Lipinsky
“One has to constantly challenge oneself – and the institution,” Robert Redford told me at the inaugural event for the Robert Redford Award for Engaged Artists. Success can make one complacent and Redford has managed to be extraordinarily productive for so long and in so many different ways in part because of this conscious decision to challenge himself. I believe it is this drive to reach continuously for the next challenge, not to be satisfied with the status quo or to think that you have ‘arrived,’ that makes great artists and great arts schools. It is a greatness to which we aspire.
Martin Massman Jimmy Miller Madeline Puzo Madeline Ramer Andy Tennant Allison Thomas
I hope you all have a wonderful summer.
Rik Toulon Joe Tremaine Richard Weinberg (Chair)
Madeline Puzo Dean
Robert Redford (continued from cover)
Dean Puzo welcomed everyone and said, “This
we are doubly honored that he has agreed to allow
the preservation and protection of this home of
event and this award have been in development for
us to name it after him. Over these past few years,
ours called earth. And you do it all with passion,
several years. When I brought the idea of honoring
many people have helped us get to tonight but
intelligence and grace.”
engaged artists to the School’s wonderful Board of
none of this would have been possible without the
Councilors they instantly embraced it and began a
support and leadership of Richard Weinberg,
Highlights of the gala included remarks by USC
discussion of who should be the first recipient. It
the chair of the School’s Board of Councilors
President Steven B. Sample who called Dean Puzo,
was literally a matter of minutes before the board
and tonight’s Event Chair.”
“The best damned theatre dean in the United
unanimously agreed that the first recipient should
States.” He continued, “It’s a great privilege for me
be – indeed must be – Robert Redford, an artist
Weinberg then took the opportunity to thank
to be here this evening to pay tribute to the USC
whose life’s work has been the creation and
everyone for all their hard work, most especially
School of Theatre, which is a major contributor to
performance of stories that entertain and inform
the Board of Councilors, “who have really gone
the cultural life of Southern California and one of
us and who has concurrently dedicated himself
above and beyond the call of duty to make such an
the premier theatrical training centers in the nation.
to the protection of our environment and the
extraordinarily successful evening.” He then went on
Although the school’s name is the USC School of
development of the individual, even idiosyncratic,
to thank his friend Robert Redford for his “undying
Theatre, it’s much more than that. The School is
artistic voice. We are honored that Mr. Redford
support of and work with the Native American
renowned for training students in all of the dramatic
agreed to let us present him with this award and
community and, of course, your constant work for
arts. Every day, in Southern California and around (continued on page 5)
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New Voice Over Studio Gets the Word Out Did you enjoy the crazy character voices in the last animated film you saw? Does that TV commercial with the talking gecko make you laugh? Did the narration of that audiobook you listened to in your car move you to tears? Well, chances are in the near future you’ll be listening to one of our students providing that voice over for movies, television and radio programs, as well as commercials. With a generous donation from Eric T. Kalkhurst and his wife Nora K. Hui, the School of Theatre opened its state-of-the-art Voice Over Studio, located in the McClintock Building, last year. Proud parents of USC alumni Jaclyn (School of Theatre B.F.A., 2008) and Conrad (International Relations B.A., 2009), the Kalkhursts are active members of the USC community, including the USC Associates, and split their time between Hong Kong and Los Angeles. Their gift helped fill a void in the training of our acting students providing a place for them to develop the skills and techniques to practice their art in all media. Dean Puzo said, “One of the ways we, as a School, can prepare our students to work once they graduate is to look at the ways that that work is being changed by technology. A career doing voice overs in animated features, commercials, podcasts and audiobooks can be just as challenging and rewarding as a career in front of the camera. This class has also given our student actors a greater appreciation for the importance of the vocal work done in classes taught by our faculty members Paul Backer, Brent Blair and Natsuko Ohama.”
Continuing Education (continued from cover)
The Heart of the Character: Developing Characters for Dramatic Writing
Instructor: Paula Cizmar Wednesdays, May 19 - July 7, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Registration Fee: $425 Everyone has a story and finding the right way to tell them is one of the joys and challenges of every writer. This workshop focuses on the “how-to’s” of creating complex, authentic characters, using writing exercises and other concrete creative tools to jumpstart your script. I Can Do That – Getting Your Acting Career Started
Instructor: Frank Catalano Wednesdays, April 28 - June 2, 7 to 10 p.m. Registration Fee: $450 Professional acting is both a creative art and a business. Learn how to get your acting career started, including casting type, pictures/resumes, casting opportunities, as well as how to build an actor’s creative team, including agents, managers and casting directors. Improvisation and Theatre Games
Instructor: Julie Welch Mondays, May 17 - June 21, 7 to 10 p.m. Registration Fee: $325 Ever feel like making it up as you go along? Then come play some entertaining improv games with us. It’s playwriting on your feet and costuming your characters with your imagination. These exercises free you physically as well as emotionally and stimulate creativity, imagination and self-expression. (Warning: there may be wild laughter during the workshop.)
(continued on page 6)
African American Theatre: It’s Place in the Sun
Instructor: Anita Dashiell-Sparks Mondays and Wednesdays, May 17 - June 2, 6 to 9 p.m. Registration Fee: $450 Explore, dramatize and critique the words of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights August Wilson (Fences, The Piano Lesson and Two Trains Running) and Suzan Lori-Parks (Topdog/Underdog) and discover the social, political and historical relevance of African American theatre and performance traditions giving voice to the voiceless. Solo Performances
Instructor: Stacie Chaiken Dates and Fee To Be Announced In this writing-performance workshop, you will learn to write, develop, rehearse and perform original, autobiographical and character monologues, affording you the opportunity to dig deeply into the story you want to tell. The Creative Life – AN Acting intensive
Instructor: L. Zane Mondays, May 3 - June 7, 6 to 10 p.m. Registration Fee: $450 Like any relationship, the relationship with our creative self takes work. To access your fullest creative potential, you need support and a place to practice, to experiment and to play. This workshop provides a supportive creative environment where you will work with assigned text as well as original material written within the group. Improvisations, games and exercises are used to develop depth and dimension in the world of story and to encourage freedom of play. Discovering Theatre: An Introduction to the Vibrant Los Angeles Theatre Scene
Instructor: Frank Catalano Wednesdays, May 19 - June 23, 6:30 to 10 p.m. Registration Fee: $450
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Top: B.F.A. actors Lindsey Garrett and Nick Thurston Bottom: Instructors Vicki Lewis and Philip G. Allen
Discover what unique characteristics make theatre in Los Angeles different than anywhere else in the world. Explore the basic components of a live theatrical presentation, from both the performer and audience perspective, as it exists in the local community, including production, staging, direction, playwriting, design and criticism. Musical Theatre – The “Wow!” Factor
Instructor: Parmer Fuller April 17, 18, 24 & 25, 12 to 4 p.m. Registration Fee: $250 Why are some performers more exciting than others? Can you be one of them? In this music theatre workshop, you will learn foolproof methods to better sell your song by maximizing the excitement of the story you’re telling through your personal and seemingly spontaneous approach to words, music and movement. You will work on full songs as well as cuts for auditions. Presenting Yourself – The Art of Communicating
Instructor: Randy Mell Thursdays, April 29 - June 3, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration Fee: $600 There is a little bit of a performer in everyone. From business to science, education, law, politics and dramatic art, experience the difference that clear, concise, confident communication can make in your professional life. Find your true voice through the use of speeches, poems and plays as well as your own creative compositions to focus on your role as a successful communicator. For more information on School of Theatre Continuing Education classes, please call (213) 740-1286 or visit us at on the web at http://theatre.usc.edu.
USC FRIENDS OF THEATRE DONOR MARQUEE The USC School of Theatre would like to recognize the tremendous generosity of the following individuals and organizations whose cumulative giving has exceeded $1 million. Their foresight and commitment to the arts and higher education have helped transform the School into a leader in theatre education. VISIONARY CIRCLE Dr. and Mrs. Peter Bing and the Anna H. Bing Living Trust George N. Burns Trust Katherine B. Loker
The School of Theatre is grateful to those who have given wisdom, talent, time and financial resources to the benefit of the School’s Annual Fund. Our Donor Marquee recognizes those members who have made pledges of $500 or more over the past year. We hope that you will consider becoming a member as well by joining these supporters. Please take a moment to return the enclosed reply envelope. For more information about giving to the School of Theatre, please contact Chris Cook at 213.821.4047 or cc.cook@usc.edu. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Lisa & Bill Barkett Roger & Michele Dedeaux Engemann Michael & Debbie Felix Catherine Gousha Sheila & Jeff Lipinsky PRODUCERS Inger A. Armour Ong Dawn Balcazar Jean & Steve Hamerslag Lynn Davis Lasher Gary & Karen Lask Bruce & Madeline Ramer Bruce Vanyo Malcolm Waddell & Suzanne Bruce Richard & Diane Weinberg DIRECTORS John & Leslie Burns Angela & Amir Bozorgmir Tate Donovan Susan A. Grode Fred & Emily Nason Sally & Howard Oxley in honor of Dean Madeline Puzo Christine Marie Ofiesh Raymond & Peggy Rosenthal Rik Toulon Linda Yu PATRONS David Anderle Anonymous The Emanuel Bachmann Foundation Mitch & Bonnie Bloom Robert & Elizabeth Plumleigh in honor of Claire Cortney Pamela & Charles Schroeder Ruth Tuomala & Ernest Cravalho ANGELS Gary & Annette Angiuli Gary E. Bashian Randolph P. Beatty
Dr. Rosula A. Bell in honor of Luisa S. Andaya Robin Brown & Marc Byron Pierson & Sara Bancroft Clair The Patrick Cole Family Barbara Cotler Arthur J. & Theodora Edelman David Emmes & Paula Tomei William & Marcia Frank Patricia J. Higgins Robert R. & Ann S. Kelly Laura Langford The Bridges Larson Foundation Jimmy Miller Robert & Debbie Myman Harry & Jacqueline Pappas Andrew J. & Irene Robinson Aurie Salfen Rick Silverman Nancy Sinatra, Sr. Andreas Steiner & Ulrike Stednitz Jeff & Sharon Walsh Lynne & Steve Wheeler Woodell-Mascall Family BENEFACTORS Paul Comi, Sr. David Conrad Heidi Crane Joseph Drake Catherine Durant Fred & Andrea Fenster Doyle Gray Patti Gribow Gregory Robert Holford Masako Maki Holly & Rock Marcone William Mullin Madeline Puzo Edward Redlich & Sarah Timberman Hugh Robinson Jay Rosenfield Dean Robert Scales & Suzanne Grossman Tim Shaw Terrence Michael Sullivan
We have taken care to list names and gift designations accurately. If you believe there has been an error or omission, please contact Development Assistant J. D. Brown at 213.821.4262 or via email addressed to jeffrey.d.brown@usc.edu.
Thank you for your support.
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Robert Redford (continued from page 2)
the world, you will find the School’s students, faculty and alumni at center stage, in front of the cameras or behind the scenes at the very highest levels of the theatre, film and television industries. The School has become a training ground for some of the world’s most gifted actors, directors, writers, producers, designers and stage managers. It was the USC School of Theatre that helped these artists discover their voices and develop their talents.” Producer Sid Ganis, former President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, introduced a tribute film to Redford, calling him,
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“…one of the world’s most recognizable actors for more than 40 years. And all the way through it, Bob has maintained his independence within the industry and retained his passion for film as an art form.” When Redford took to the stage, he spoke movingly about receiving the award: “I’m both
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flattered and humbled by this tribute but the best thing I can probably do is to take this honor and take this award and turn it into celebrating its purpose. That’s why I’m here – that’s why I’m honored to receive it.” He then recounted how he started in the entertainment business, first as a young artist in Europe, then moving to New York and appearing on stage. “When I went into the theatre suddenly something came into focus and along with that came a discipline that
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I’ve spent the rest of my life trying to shape and pay attention to… I’m happy to think that the scholarships enabled by this award will benefit a new generation of artists who embrace the role
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of art in social change and in nurturing national conversations in new ways.” Gala Vice Chairs included Sherman Alexie, Lisa Barkett, Alex & Linda Cappello, Jake Eberts, Michele Engemann, Sally Field, Jane Fonda,
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Susan A. Grode, Alan & Cindy Horn, Alan Ladd, Jr., Pat Mitchell, Madeline Ramer, Michael Ritchie and Tom Rothman.
1 Robert Redford heads to the stage at the Beverly Wilshire
Hotel to receive the first Engaged Artist Award. 2 Lisa and Bill Barkett 3 Cindra and Alan Ladd, Jr.
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4 Robert Redford holds his award. 5 SOT Alums Briga Heelan, Michael McLean, Laura Darrell,
Donald Webber and guest Rachael Weinberg Pugh perform. 6 Mary McDonnell, Steven and Dayna Bochco, Alfre Woodard 7 Michele and Roger Engemann 8 Sid and Nancy Ganis 9 Gary and Karen Lask 10 Edward James Olmos and Tom Skerritt 11 Alan and Cindy Horn 12 Dean Puzo and Ron Rifkin Photos by Steve Cohn and Craig Mathew
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Under Construction: The Master of Fine Arts Play Project
A festival of plays by the three graduating playwrights of the M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing program. The readings, which will each have two public performances, will be presented concert style with professional actors and directors.
May 24 – 30, 2010 | McClintock Theatre Beto O’Byrne, Megan Breen, Shane Sakhrani, Michael Premsrirat
My First, My Fist, My Bleeding, Seeded Spirit By Megan Breen About the play: In a strange and vast desert in the southwest, a family of sisters unravels after the mysterious death of their mother, Bernarda. When the wilderness of a sister, Magdalena, falls in lust with a wolf, Carlos, repressed family secrets violently explode. This enables all of the sisters to confront their own, unique sexual identities.
About the author: Michael Premsrirat wanted to be a musician and a photographer but ended up in an Asian American sketch comedy group doing shows around the country for a dozen years. His first play, The Clouds, the Ocean and Everything in Between, was produced in San Francisco and San Diego, won the East West Players playwriting competition and was in the Public Theater’s New Work Now Festival. Now, let’s see if he can get that far again.
A Life of Her Own
About the author: Megan graduated from the Theatre School at De Paul University in Chicago with a B.F.A. in Dramaturgy/Criticism. Her play with songs, Sing Me A Song To Swim To, directed by O-Lan Jones, was a part of USC’s Blueprints Playwright’s Workshop last spring. She is very excited to currently be the literary intern at Center Theatre Group!
By Shane Sakhrani
The Girl Most Likely To
About the author: Shane was born in Hong Kong to Indian parents and has also lived in London and Toronto but unfortunately never in India. After many years of experiencing crippling cultural confusion everywhere he went, Shane is finally comfortable describing himself as a ‘Global Indian’. He holds an LLB (Hons) from University College London
By Michael Premsrirat About the play: A boy who doesn’t want to live as a boy begins a sexual relationship with a man who thinks he’s a girl. And when a jealous classmate threatens to reveal the truth to the man, the boy may not live at all.
About the play: Deepa has been a widow for a year. Her only desire is to see her daughter, Tara, married so that she can die in peace. But when she starts receiving romantic advances from her recently divorced neighbor, who happens to be her son’s best friend, she starts to see the benefits of living.
and is a finalist for the 2010-11 Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Award from the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta for his most recent play The Doctor Is Indian which was presented at the Blueprints festival at USC in Spring 2009. Before turning to writing, Shane practiced as a lawyer in Hong Kong.
Stumble and Fall By Beto O’Byrne About the play: Manny and Jade meet in a lonely dive bar in Koreatown. Sparks fly. They return to Manny’s small apartment after last call for a few more last calls, and a little something else. But neither one of them were prepared for what happens next as a simple tryst explodes into something much deeper. About the author: Beto O’Byrne was born in a pine forest and lived off of a diet of pine cones, coyote meat and friendship. After eighteen years, he moved to a dense, humid bayou and got a piece of paper along with a few dozen other animals, mostly alligators and nutria rats. Before moving to Sunny Surfdom, he spent five years in the heat, bats, cowboy boots and acoustic guitars. He would like to thank family and friends, that special someone, fuzzy things, and fist pumping rock-n-roll.
Admission is free and will be available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please call 213.740.2167 or visit www.usc.edu/spectrum.
Voice Over Studio (continued from page 3)
Students learn voice over acting techniques, as
In addition to studio recording technique,
well as recording studio technology and editing
students learn to record at home as well,
in a studio environment. Taught by School of
preparing them to work in a professional
Theatre faculty members, noted sound designer
environment as well as to be self-sufficient. Use
Philip G. Allen and his wife, actress Vicki Lewis,
of microphones, headphones, the mixing console,
courses cover narration, character radio, children’s
computer recording systems and an overview
animation and prime time animation. Students
of Pro Tools and Sound Studio software
perform solo and group work in each area and
applications and digital file management give
build a body of recorded work suitable for
students the complete training necessary for a
inclusion on a voice over demo reel.
successful career in voice over work.
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Nathan Patrick Agin (B.A., 2003) appeared in the Intiman Theatre’s production of Paradise Lost. He was also seen in a GoDaddy.com commercial which was featured during the Super Bowl. Agin performed his stand-up comedy routines at The Comedy Store and Hollywood Improv. Tasha Ames (B.F.A., 2001) won the 2008/09 Ovation Award for Featured Actress in a Play for her performance as Izzy in the Malibu Stage Company’s production of Rabbit Hole. Charlotte Ann (B.A., 2004) recently completed voiceover work for MyLifeMoon.com, NerdKits and TopDog Learning Group. Shiri Appleby (2001) plays the lead in the new CW series “Life Unexpected.” John Ashton (B.A., 1973) was seen in the film A Letter to Dad starring Mario Van Peebles. Brandon P. Bell (B.A., 2007) guest-starred on CBS’ “Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service,” ABC’s “FlashForward,” and the CW’s “90210.” Jennifer Brienen (B.F.A., 2006) assistant stage managed the Geffen Playhouse production of The Female of the Species starring Annette Bening, David Arquette and Julian Sands. Theron Cook (M.F.A., 2009) can be seen in the upcoming film Girltrash: All Night Long, starring Rose Rollins and directed by Angela Robinson. Meghan Corea (B.F.A., 2006) was the Costume Coordinator for Step Up 3-D and HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” produced by Martin Scorcese about the rise and fall of Atlantic City during the 1920s. She was also the Costume Production Assistant for The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, Last Night, What Happens in Vegas and License to Wed and the Assistant Costume Designer for Red Flag. Kacy-Earl David (M.F.A., 2009) appeared in the LATC Playwright’s Festival staged reading of Calligraphy, written by SOT’s Director of Dramatic Writing and Professor Velina Hasu Houston. Josh Duvendeck (B.F.A., 2008) had a recurring role on NBC’s “Parks and Recreations” starring Amy Poehler. Ryan Eggold (B.F.A. 2006) can be seen in the upcoming film Trophy Kids and is currently filming First Dates. He also guest-starred on an episode of “United States of Tara.” Allie Feder (B.A., 2008), Brian Michael Malony (B.F.A., 2007) and Joe Sofranko (B.F.A., 2009), along with their fellow USC alums, competed as The SoCals, in NBC’s a capella competition “The Sing Off.” Amanda Folena (B.A., 2004) directed the City Lights Theater Company’s world-premiere production of Dead Man Walking. Grant Heslov (B.F.A., 1986) produced and directed The Men Who Stare at Goats starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey. Nikki Hyde (B.A., 2007) was the Assistant Stage Manager for An Evening Without Monty Python at both the Ricardo Montalban Theatre and at New
York’s Town Hall. She was the Stage Manager for The Bear and The Proposal at the Lee Strasberg Institute and On Caring for the Beast at Cornerstone Theater Company. She was the Production Assistant for Lydia and Palestine, New Mexico at the Mark Taper Forum.
Ben Rodriguez (B.A., 2009) was awarded an Ovation Fellowship by the LA Stage Alliance. The program pairs current students and recent alumni with mentors currently serving as an Ovation Award voter as a means to meet and network with artists in the Los Angeles theatre scene.
Rob Kerkovich (B.A., 2001) had a recurring role on the CBS series “CSI: Miami” and can be seen in the film Still Waiting starring Adam Carolla.
Tony Award nominee Stark Sands (2001) returns to Broadway this spring at the St. James Theatre in the new Michael Mayer-directed Green Day musical American Idiot, based on the Grammy Award-winning 2004 album.
Jennifer King (B.A., 1991) is the Head of Theater at Napa Valley College, Executive and Co-Artistic Director of Sonoma County Repertory Theater, and was a teaching artist for the California Shakespeare Theater. Philip Kong (B.F.A., 2008) was the Scenic Designer for Pacific Stages’ production of Lobby Hero while fellow alum Marcia B. Garcia (B.F.A., 2009) served as the Stage Manager. Kong also serves as the Lighting Designer for Pot! The Musical at The Electric Lodge. Swoosie Kurtz (1968) guest-starred on NBC’s “Heroes,” NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU” and Showtime’s “Nurse Jackie.” James Lesure (B.F.A., 1997) guest-starred on an episode of CBS’s “The New Adventures of Old Christine.” Kevin Mambo (B.F.A., 1995) made his Broadway debut at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre alternating in the title role of Fela!, the new musical about the life of the legendary African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Michael Michetti (B.F.A., 1980) directed the Reprise Theatre Company’s production of Carousel. Matthew Moul (B.F.A., 1995) won the 2009 Daytime Emmy Award for Best Editing for a Reality Program for his work on “Project Runway.” This is his first win after having been nominated twice for his work on “Dr. Phil.” Bari Newport (B.F.A., 1997) was the Assistant Director for the Pasadena Playhouse musical Baby, It’s You. She also developed and directed three one acts (Waiting; The Chem Girls; Child’s Pose) for Horizon Theatre Company. Reynaldo Pacheco (M.F.A., 2009) recently finished filming Beginners starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer and can also be seen in the upcoming film Zorg and Andy. Clifford Parks (B.A., 2006) was featured in the film In My Sleep starring Lacy Chabert. Albert Horatio Payne (M.F.A., 1977) wrote Illegal Aliens, a non-fiction book that became the 1986 Alien Amnesty Act under President Jimmy Carter. He is also set to publish Tall Tales From the Republic of the Rio Grande. Laura Perez (B.F.A., 2008) will be acquiring her Actors Equity Association card after stage managing the Furious Theatre Company’s production of Men of Tortuga. Jeffrey Mark Pierce (B.A., 2005) currently stars in the 2010 North American Tour of Nickelodeon’s Storytime Live!
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Sarah Schuessler (B.A., 2007) was the Costume Designer for the Ray Bradbury musical Wisdom 2116 at Pasadena’s Fremont Centre. R. Ernie Silva’s (M.F.A., 2009) one-man show, Heavy Like the Weight of a Flame, was extended at the LaMama Theatre in New York City. Ashley K Singh (B.F.A., 2008) is an Oregon Shakespeare Festival FAIR Fellow in Stage Management and stage managing The Merchant of Venice. This June, she will also stage manage Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company’s Gods and Marionettes, a collaboration between choreographer Kate Hutter (B.F.A., 2004) and Associate Professor of Theatre Practice David Bridel. James Snyder (B.F.A., 2003) returned to the New York stage in the Encores! production of the 1954 musical Fanny, starring opposite George Hearn, Fred Applegate and Priscilla Lopez. Anthony Sparks (B.F.A., 1994), was recently nominated for a 2010 NAACP Image Award for producing the ABC Family series “Lincoln Heights” in the category of Outstanding Television Drama Series. Anthony also recently received a 2009 Sentinel Health Award (his second), given by the Norman Lear Center, for writing a teleplay that dealt with the shame of domestic abuse among former spouses. Ashley Steed (B.A., 2009) stage managed Deaf West Theatre’s 30th anniversary production of Children of a Lesser God, directed by Jonathan Barlow Lee. Shivani Thakkar (B.A., 2005) was a joint recipient of a $2,000 grant from the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation to choreographer and perform a Bollywood piece with the Daniel Phoenix Singh/Dakshina Dance Company in Washington, D.C. Her work with Dakshina this year also includes a modern dance performance at the Smithsonian Museum and a Bharata Natyam piece at the 6th Annual Dance DC Festival. Mageina Tovah (B.A., 1999) guest-starred on FOX’s “Lie to Me” and is currently filming The Factory starring John Cusack. Danièle Watts (B.A., 2007) guest-starred on an episode of CBS’ “Cold Case” and ABC’s “Greek.” She also recently completed filming Before Dawn Breaks and Something Like a Business, which also features fellow alum Brittani Noel (B.A., 2007). Noel can also be seen in the upcoming film This is Who I Am and the web series Blue Movies with Beck Bennett (B.F.A., 2007) and Sascha Alexander (B.A., 2007). Carolyn Zeller (M.F.A., 2009) stars opposite fellow alum Christopher Fernández (M.F.A., 2009) in the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts’ production of Frederico Garcia Lorca’s Blood Wedding.
FOCUS ON FACULTY
Luis Alfaro Assistant Professor
Sibyl Wickersheimer Assistant Professor
Luis Alfaro is known for his work in theatre,
Sibyl Wickersheimer is a set designer whose
poetry, short fiction, performance, journalism
work has traveled with productions to Hong
and community-based art making. Born and
Kong, Australia, Greece, Spain and Mexico.
raised in the Pico/Union district of downtown
Recently, she designed Wrecks at the Geffen
Los Angeles, Luis is the recipient of a
Playhouse, which starred Ed Harris and was
prestigious John D. and Catherine T.
written and directed by Neil LaBute, Number
MacArthur Foundation fellowship, popularly
of People for Piven Theatre Workshop in
known as a “genius grant”, awarded to people
Chicago and Lascivious Something for Circle X
who have demonstrated expertise and
at the Inside the Ford Theatre in Los Angeles.
exceptional creativity in their respective fields.
Sibyl is the proud recipient of the 2010 Bob Z
He spent ten years at the Mark Taper Forum
Award for Career Achievement in Set Design
as a resident artist, co-director of the Latino
from the L.A. Drama Critics Circle, recognizing
Theatre Initiative and associate producer, respectively. His plays include
excellence in set design in Los Angeles area theatres. She has designed
Oedipus El Rey, Hero, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Electricidad, No Holds
numerous new plays, including Our Mother’s Brief Affair by Richard
Barrio, Body of Faith, Straight as a Line, Bitter Homes & Gardens and Black
Greenberg, directed by Pam Mackinnon for South Coast Repertory,
Butterfly. Luis is featured in over 25 anthologies, has an award-winning
Eclipsed by Danai Gurira, directed by Robert O’Hara at the Kirk Douglas
spoken-word recording, down town, short film, Chicanismo, and feature
Theatre, and Love Water by Jacqueline Wright, directed by Dan Bonnell
film, Sense & Sensibilidad. He has been a Rockefeller Fellow, University
for EST/LA. Nationally, her design credits have included productions at
of California Regents Chair, Presidential Fellow at Hofstra University and
Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago, The Berkeley Repertory, the National
the only artist to win two awards from The Kennedy Center’s Fund for
Theatre Conservatory in Denver, The Sheridan Opera House in Telluride,
New American Plays in the same year. He is the recipient of lifetime
Utah Musical Theatre, Milagro Theatre in Portland, and Toy Story for the
achievement awards from the L.A. Weekly and Los Angeles Stage Alliance.
Disney Cruise Ship, ‘The Wonder’. Internationally, Sibyl’s work has been
His plays have been seen throughout North and South America, Europe
seen in five continents in The Actor’s Gang tours of 1984 and The Trial of
and Asia, including a two year run at the National Theatre of Romania. He
the Catonsville 9, and Hand2Mouth’s Dos Pueblos, all three of which have
has been in residence at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Hartford Stage
toured widely in the U.S. as well.
Visit us at http://theatre.usc.edu or call 213.821.2744.
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Assistant Dean, Communications Tony Sherwood
Dean Madeline Puzo
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and Borderland Theatre, among others.