University of West Georgia

The Department of Theatre

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1601 Maple Street
Carrollton,Georgia 30118
678.839.4700
admiss@westga.edu

DEGREES OFFERED

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and Concentration Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Film Minor in Theatre Certificate in Musical Theatre

Daring. Dynamic. Defiant. These three words best express the nature of the UWG Theatre program faculty and students. UWG Theatre offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. In these degree programs, majors gain vast experience in all areas of theatre. The Theatre Program is housed in two beautifully renovated historic facilities, as well as in the Townsend Center for the Performing Arts. UWG is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre. Our Theatre Program has a strong reputation for excellence in ensemble work and mentoring young theatre artists. Make UWG your destination for theatre.

Notable Alumni Include:

Ashley Carter '19 Ashley is completing a year-long acting apprenticeship with the Horizon Theatre in Atlanta, GA. Erin Stanek '19 Erin will be working in the Costume Shop at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, TN. Rachael Ottinger Karas '18 Rachael is currently in her second year as an MFA student in Costume Design at the University of Georgia. She was the inaugural costume shop apprentice for the Aurora Theatre Company in Lawrenceville, GA. Jeremiah Davison '17 Jeremiah works all over Atlanta as a Sound Designer/Audio Engineer, Actor, and Director. Most recently, he directed a play for the Flint Repertory Theatre's New Works Play Festival in Flint, MI. He was also seen as Sunny and Brandon in the Alliance Theatre's production of Ghost by Idris Goodwin. He has sound designed and audio engineered many plays and musicals in the Atlanta theatre world. In October 2019, he came back to the UWG Theatre Company to sound design and audio engineer The Gospel at Colonus. He was an apprentice at Actors Express Theatre in Atlanta, GA. Fern Jones '17 Fern is an actor with the Murder Mystery Company in Atlanta, GA. Wendy White '17 Wendy is the Marketing Director for Serenbe Playhouse. Previously, she was Marketing Coordinator for the Barter Theatre. She completed yearlong apprenticeships in stage management at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, TN, and Orlando Shakespeare Festival. Candy Mclellan '16 Candy is currently playing Dotty in Caroline, or Change for the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe in Sarasota, FL. She works non-stop as an actor in the Atlanta area. Her work has been seen at the Aurora Theatre in In the Heights, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mamma Mia, and Men With Money. She played Minnie to rave reviews in An Octoroon at Actors Express, and played the teacher in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time at the Horizon Theatre. Chelsea Phillips '16 In September 2018, Chelsea will be traveling to the UK where she will further her training at East 15 Acting School. Prior to this, Chelsea earned a year long acting apprenticeship at Horizon Theatre Company in Atlanta, Georgia. Erica Randle '16 Erica accepted a year long apprenticeship at Georgia Ensemble Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. Carlos Rivera Marrero '16 Carlos is studying with the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City. He has been cast in A Bright Room Called Day by Tony Kushner, directed by John Rubin Gould at the Harold Clurman Lab. Sarah Reichenbach '15 Sarah is currently in New York, finding work in all aspects of theatre. ​Eric Graise '15 Eric can currently be seen in the YouTube Premium series, "Step Up: High Water" as series regular King. He can also be seen as Logan Calloway in the upcoming Netflix series Locke & Key. He's a company member of Full Radius Dance. After graduating, Eric jumped into a year-long Acting and Directing Internship at Actors' Express in Atlanta, where he performed in Sweeney Todd. In December 2015, he performed a stage reading at The Public Theatre in New York City. He also got the opportunity to visit the White House and speak about Americans with Disabilities in the Arts. Check out his IMDB profile: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9305465/ Gabrielle Elisabeth (Benson) '14 Gabby made her Broadway debut as an ensemble member in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on April 13, 2018 and continued in the show until its closing in August 2019. Before moving to New York, Gabby worked in Tennessee where she performed at Dollywood for nine months in the shows Dreamland Drive-in and A Christmas Carol. Then she moved to Florida where performed in shows at Disney World and Lego Land. Gabby is now finding work in Los Angeles. Inikki Roberts '14 Inikki finished a yearlong apprenticeship with Georgia Ensemble Theatre. She is currently auditioning and working in Atlanta. Terrence Smith '14 Terrence works consistently as an actor at Serenbe Playhouse. Some of his credits there include: The Little Mermaid, as Hud in Hair, Ragtime, Shenandoah, The Secret Garden, A Streetcar Named Desire, Evita, The Snow Queen, Carousel, and as Sonny in Grease at Serenbe. Jenna Sargent '14 Jenna currently works as a paralegal in Atlanta. After she graduated, she moved to Memphis, TN to be an Associate Company Member at Playhouse on the Square. During her time at Playhouse, Jenna stage managed seven shows. Jenna also completed a yearlong stage management apprenticeship with Orlando Shakespeare Theater. She is always thankful for her mentor, Shelly Elman. ​Karlie Clifton '14 Karlie currently teaches high school English and Theatre at an Atlanta-area high school. She received her Master's Degree from Kennesaw State University. Andra Ward Jr. '13 Andra is currently living in Los Angeles. He received his MFA in Acting from West Virginia University in 2018. Amy Shelton ’13 Amy currently works as the travel manager for Hulu in Atlanta, where she continually gets behind-the-scenes work in film. After graduating, she became an apprentice with Georgia Ensemble Theatre, where she also served as Assistant Director for The Elephant Man and as an actor in GET’s Theatre for Young Audience’s production of Stuart Little. Jared LeClaire '13 Jared's biggest project to date was his work on Damien Chazelle's First Man starring Ryan Gosling. Jared was responsible for designing, building, coding, and operating the media system that ran a giant curved LED wall where many of the action scenes were shot. Chazelle opted to use this system rather than green screen. He has worked with Vision Noise Creative in LA, and the Stage Craft Institute of Las Vegas in various roles as well. He received his MFA in Integrated Media and Live Performance at the University of Texas, Austin. We have listed his website here for more updates http://www.jaredleclairedesign.com/ Jordan Parrish '12 Jordan returned to Atlanta where she continues to work in both the film and theatre industries. She is with Trinity Talent Agency, where she continues to book voice over and commercial work. Jamie Bray ’12 Jamie is Assistant Professor/Production Manager for the Theatre Department at the University of Central Arkansas. She received her MFA in Theatre Technology from Indiana University. Alexander Turbyfield '12 Alex is currently a Project Lead at the University of Georgia. He earned his MFA in Animation and Dramatic Media at UGA. Matthew Suwalski '10 Matthew earned his MFA in Dramatic Media at the University of Georgia. He is currently living and working in Fort Collins, CO. Katie Watkins '10 Katie is the Marketing, PR, and Brand Manager at the Jupiter Hotel in Portland, OR. Katie's passion is to produce alternative theatre festivals across the country. Past employment credits include: Marketing at Portland Center Stage; Marketing and Communications Manager at Portland Playhouse; Artistic Associate for Hand2Mouth Theatre in Portland, OR. Works in all facets of theatre, especially devising. Started as an intern at Portland Playhouse and has moved up! Drew Patton '10 Drew is employed as the Technical Director for the UWG Theatre Company! Besides working in the scene shop, Drew was also seen in Georgia Ensemble Theatre's production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. He has worked as a Technical Director at GET, and in and around Atlanta. He was the Assistant Technical Director at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Previously, a carpenter with Actors Theatre of Louisville. Tangela Large '10 Continues to work as an actor in such plays as Silver in Paradise Blue at Kenny Leon's True Colors Theater, Mr. Joy (at ArtsEmerson in Boston, City Theatre in Pittsburgh, PlayMakers Rep in Chapel Hill), pen/man/ship at the Magic Theatre, and Leaving Eden at PlayMakers Rep. She has also worked as a dialect coach for the HBO series The Outsider. She received her MFA in Acting from Brown University, and was featured in numerous productions at Trinity Repertory Theatre. Marie Quintero ’09 (Cum Laude) Marie is the Branch Manager and Southeastern Costume Coordinator for Norcostco Atlanta Costume where she also travels to conferences nationwide teaching workshops on stage makeup and costume history. In addition, Marie freelances as a costume designer in the Atlanta area for theatre, film, and events. Andrew Chance ’09 & ’12 Andrew graduated from UWG in 2009 with his BA in Theatre and then again in 2012 with his BA in Psychology. Andrew currently for West Texas Productions as a gunfighter at Six Flags-Atlanta. He continues to pursue film making, working on independent films in many capacities. Matthew Brewer ’09 Matthew does a lot of extra work in films. He is a cast member for “Lips Down on Dixie, Inc.,” which is a Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast in Atlanta. Joshua Davis '09 Lives in New York where he works for BroadwayAudience.com. Is currently pursuing his Masters degree in Political Science. Stephanie Polhemus ‘06 Stephanie came back to UWG as a faculty member from 2010--2017. She is currently the Company Manager at Atlanta Lyric Theatre. She received her MFA in Scenic Design from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also served as Properties Director, Williamstown Theatre Festival 2009, 2010, and 2012. She currently designs scenery and props, and stage manages at various Atlanta-area theaters, and at UWG. Heather Schroeder ’05 Heather Schroeder is a talented baking artist and makes specialty cakes for folks in and around Atlanta. She formerly was the Properties Buyer/Artisan for the Alliance Theatre Company, in Atlanta, GA. Ebony M. Tucker ’04 MFA in Theatre Management from the University of Alabama in 2008; MFA in Theatre for Youth from Arizona State University in 2012. Ebony is a teaching artist with the Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta, GA. Tangela Morris (nee Harris) ’04 Clinical Team Leader at the Children and Teenagers Foundation. Founder of the community outreach organization L.I.F.E. Received her Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2009. Michelle Theriac Evans ’04 Owner, MJE Acting Studio. Founding Partner of CAP: College Audition Project. She spends most of her time as a college audition and private acting coach but also works as a director for various companies. She is a regular writer and contributor for TheatreArtLife and Performerstuff as well as an adjudicator for various theatre awards programs and workshop presenter around the nation for various EdTA events. She just recently re-located to Kansas City from Atlanta. Nicole Forgoston ’03 Graduated UWG with a major in Theatre and minor in Psychology. Moved to New York to pursue acting. Received her Masters in Social Work from NYU in 2010. Moved back to Atlanta in 2010. Is now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Is a psychotherapist in Behavioral Health for the Southeast Permanente Medical Group. “My undergrad training in acting has come in very handy in my working with patients!!! I frequently incorporate role plays in my therapy sessions.” Casie Fisher ’01 Graduated from UWG with dual degrees in Theatre and Mass Communications. Works as a Broadcast Media Negotiator for GroupM, a company that handles advertising for AT&T, Audi/Volkswagon, LandRover, to name a very few. “The Theatre experience I gained at UWG has helped me succeed in all aspects of my professional and personal life. Working on a theatre production has helped me be detail oriented and be able to multitask in my current profession. I work with TV stations and TV rep firms daily and having the background in Theatre has helped strength my communication and teamwork skills. The experience I gained at UWG will forever be valuable.” Laurel Farley Crowe ’01 Education Director and Theatre for Young Audiences Director at Georgia Ensemble Theatre and Conservatory. She directs theatre for youth shows at GET. She is the proud mother of William (10 years old) and Finley, who was born in June, 2014. “I am passionate about Theatre Education and cultivating the next generation of theatre goers. My time at UWG prepared me to multi-task and give children an experience that is comprehensive and ensemble based.” Jessyca Holland ’00 Co-founder and Executive Director of c4 Atlanta, an organization that “connects arts entrepreneurs to the people, skills and tools they need to build a successful artistic career in metro Atlanta.” Creative Loafing has rated c4 Atlanta as “best in Atlanta” for two years; 2013-14 COAH Alum of the Year. https://c4atlanta.org/ Alisha Winfrey ’97 Multi-media & Marketing Director for Elizabeth Baptist Church (17,000+ members/parishioners; five locations). Wende Ballew ’96 Founder and Executive Director of Reforming Arts, Inc., an organization that brings higher education in the Arts and Humanities to the women in Lee Arrendale State Prison. Currently, she’s a Ph.D. student at the University of Georgia. www.reformingarts.org

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