Alumni

Recent Student Profiles

•Chris Carr (2002) is living in NYC where he has acted in several off-off-Broadway productions and independent films, as well as commercials and print work.  Chris freelances with several agents and earned his "Actor's Equity Card" touring the country for Theatreworks USA. He directed, produced and acted in the film GOLDEN AGE, which was shot on location in Alabama and won honors for directing and design in the 2006 Birmingham Sidewalk Film Festival.

•Julian Robinson (2002) has worked in various production capacities at Mabou Mines and The Wooster Group, NYC.  He is currently in his 3rd year of the M.F.A. program in Film Directing/Producing at Columbia University, where he has made several short films. Julian recently relocated to San Francisco where he is teaching editing and doing production work in film.  At UM, Julian compiled extensive directing and assistant directing credits.

 •Brad Holland is again performing Off-Broadway in Stomp after touring internationally with the show and doing a benefit in Rome with Quincy Jones. Brad was cast from an open call while in his third year at UM (2002).  He also is active as a composer and musician.

•Jennifer Barnette (2000) received her M.A. in Arts Administration from Shenandoah University in VA.  She is currently living in NYC and working as the Managing Director for the historic off-Broadway company the American Place Theatre.

 •Alexis Schultz (2002) is living in Los Angeles where she is working with a manager and agents while auditioning for television, film and commercial work.  While at UM,  Alexis also double-majored in Mass Communication.

 •Matt Reece (2001) has worked regionally at Equity theatres such as the Warehouse Theatre in SC and Orlando Shakespeare Festival. He is currently performing in SC.

 •Michelle Pare (2000) has acted with the Utah Shakespeare Festival and is currently pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles,

•Tom Watson and Debra Kay (2002) moved to Tom’s native Chicago early in 2003 where they started a theatre company, and are currently residing in Cullman, AL, where they are new parents.

 •Remi Newhouse (December 2001) worked as a telemarketer for the Portland Stage Company in Oregon and recently graduated from the M.A. program in Theatre at Portland State University. He resides in Portland and recently performed in The Music Man.

 •Jennifer Barnette (2000) received her M.A. in Arts Administration from Shenandoah University in VA.  She is currently living in NYC and working as the Managing Director for the historic off-Broadway company the American Place Theatre.

 •Kristy Miller (2000) received a M.F.A. degree in Acting/Youth Theatre from the University of Hawaii, where she currently resides.

 •Rod Lemmond (1999) received his M.F.A. in Scenic Design at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, and is currently working as a NYC based professional Designer after spending several summers at the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival.

 •Jordan Bragg (2003) is living in NYC and studied at the prestigious Circle in the Square Musical Theatre Conservatory program.  Before returning to graduate school, he toured the country in a musical production of Tom Sawyer.

•Blair Dyson (2003) pursued a 5th year MEd and teacher certification degree and teaches high school theatre in Prattville, AL.

 •Desmond Porbeni (2003) spent a year as a member of the resident acting apprentice company with the Equity Orlando Shakespeare Festival and is pursuing a performance career in NYC.

 •Kay Butts (2003) is working as a Sales Representative for a major corporate office in Atlanta.

 •Timon Brown (2003) was the Assistant Technical Director for the American Stage Festival in Florida, and is currently teaching high school theatre in St. Petersburg, FL.

 •Tim Batten (December 2003) is pursuing an acting career in Atlanta and recently performed in the regional premiere of Caryl Churchill’s  “Far Away” at Seven Stages Theatre and at the Alliance Theatre.

 •Jarrod Zayas (2004) acted professionally full-time with the Birmingham Children's Theatre and now resides in NYC.

 •Will Hickman (2004) toured the nation with Theatre IV and has acted at New Stage Theatre in MS. He  has also acted and directed professionally in summer stock in Nebraska and recently moved to NYC.

 *Eileen Haugh (2004) was a double major in Vocal Performance and Theatre at UM. She is currently living in NYC where she continues to study voice and has appeared in several recent films.

 •Emily Greene (2004) received a full teaching assistantship/scholarship to pursue an M.F.A. Degree in Scene Design at the University of Ohio. She has designed professionally for Cincinnati Playhouse and Jenny Wiley Summer Musical Theatre. While at UM,  Emily directed several productions and worked in all aspects of design and technical theatre.

•Carter Robins (2004) resides in Chicago where he is pursuing opportunities in technical theatre and sound design. While at UM, Carter compiled extensive TD and design credits.

 •Libby Prendergast Marcus (2004) is a manager for a Birmingham bank and is active with various local theatres,

 •Rachel Rehome (2005) received a full teaching assistantship/scholarship to pursue a M.F.A. Degree in Costume Design at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. While at UM, Rachel designed several productions, including our main stage production of Godspell.

 •Tim Hoobler (2005) moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn to pursue his multiple interests in writing, film, acting and directing.

 •Leah Luker (2005) has performed many leading musical roles in the Birmingham area and is on the Board of Center Stage Theatre. She also works as the production manager at Birmingham Children’s Theatre.

 *Stephanie Schnorbus (2005) moved to Chicago where she is pursuing an acting career and recently filmed a commercial in Columbus, Ohio.  She plans to obtain a M.F.A. degree acting or directing in the near future.

 *Jeff Speetjens (2005) resides in NYC where he has directed two projects with the 13th Street Repertory Theatre and spent the summer of 2006 as assistant director and stage manager with Shalimar Theatre Company.  While at UM, Jeff compiled extensive acting, assistant directing and directing credits.

 •Chris Sams (2006) has been performing in a number of Birmingham area indie films, including the locally screened feature LOUNGE ACT. He is currently acting with Birmingham Children’s Theatre. He plans to move to Los Angeles soon to further his interests in acting on camera.

 •Griffin Hood (2006) is also very active in local films, and recently co-wrote and acted in the film MR. EXTION.  Griffin has also been seen in TALLADEGA NIGHTS and regional commercials through his work with the Real People Agency in Birmingham.

 •Eric Browne (2006) is teaching high school theatre in Mobile, AL.

 *Erin Overstreet (2006) worked at the Equity Olney Theatre in MD as an Assistant Stage Manager, and will begin a new position with the company as Tour Coordinator shortly.

 

Additional Alumni

•Actress and UM vocal performance major Rebecca Luker, who has performed leading roles in Broadway musicals such as Phantom of the Opera, The Secret Garden, and Show Boat.  She most recently received a Tony Award nomination for her role of “Marion Paroo” in Susan Stroman’s The Music Man, and is currently in Mary Poppins on Broadway.

•Actress Polly Holiday, who has worked extensively in regional theatre, off-Broadway, and on Broadway. She is also remembered for her role as Flo on the long-running hit TV series, “Alice.”

•Actress and director Greta Lambert is a long-standing company member of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, where she also teaches in the M.F.A. conservatory program. Ms. Lambert was recently profiled in American Theatre magazine.

 •David Harwell received his Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois and worked as a professional set designer in Boston and NYC before accepting his current position with the Production Design Group.  In 2001, he won an “Emmy” award for his scenic design on the PBS children’s show “Between the Lions.”

 •Scott Copeland is the Artistic Director of Nashville Children’s Theatre and holds his M.F.A. in Theatre from UNC, Chapel Hill.

 •Renee Copeland is the Producing Director of Tennessee Repertory Theatre in Nashville,

 •Cameron Watson has acted and directed at leading theatres around the country and compiled extensive film and television acting credentials. He currently resides in Los Angeles and directed the feature film Our Very Own with his production company GADA films, starring Emmy winner Allison Janney.

 •Max Wilson was Assistant Head of Automation for Siegfried and Roy at the Mirage in Las Vegas and has worked in technical theatre positions around the country. He now works in sales for Tomcat USA, which provides equipment to touring shows, Broadway musicals and rock concerts.

 •Patrick O’ Rourke, founder and CEO of Big Apple Lights, NY.

 •Roger White, Production Stage Manager/Auditions Coordinator of Dollywood, TN.

 •Paul Looney, founder and former Artistic Director of Theatre Tuscaloosa, AL.

 •Regina Harbour is a professional actress and director who works around the country, including recent seasons with the Birmingham Children’s Theatre and Summerfest in AL.  She holds a M.F.A. degree in Directing from UA at Tuscaloosa.

 •Phillip Anderson is the head of the Props area at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.

 •Price Hicks graduated from UM in 1949 and is currently Director of Educational Programs for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in Los Angeles.