The success of a university is often judged by the accomplishments of its graduates. For the University of Evansville Department of Theatre, there is no shortage of stories of achievement in front of the camera, onstage, or behind the scenes.
Actors:
Kelli Giddish ‘02 – Series regular, Detective Amanda Rollins, on NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”
Bill Heck ‘01 – Currently starring on Broadway in the musical “Cabaret,” opposite Michelle Williams and Alan Cumming. He also plays opposite Liv Tyler in the HBO series “The Leftovers” and plays FBI Special Agent Gregg James on the new NBC series “Taxi Brooklyn.”
Carrie Preston ‘89 – Emmy Award-winner for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Elsbeth Tascioni on CBS’s “The Good Wife.” Series regular, Arlene Fowler on HBO’s “True Blood.” Recurring role of Grace Hendricks on NBC’s “Person of Interest.”
Nathan Darrow ’98 – Can currently be seen as the mysterious bodyguard Edward Meechum alongside Kevin Spacey in the hit Netflix original series, “House of Cards.”
Lennon Parham ‘98 – Creator and star of “Playing House” on the USA Network. Starred in NBC’s “Best Friends Forever” and CBS’s “Accidentally on Purpose.”
Jack McBrayer ‘95 – Played the beloved Kenneth the Page on “30 Rock” from 2006-2013 and received an Emmy Award nomination in 2009. McBrayer has lent his voice to animated movies and TV shows such as “Wreck-It Ralph” and “Despicable Me,” and can be seen as a guest star on “The Middle.” McBrayer will soon star in a new comedy series on Adult Swim.
Rami Malek ‘03 – Malek has become a diverse film actor and is most recognizable from his roles in the “Night at the Museum” franchise and the “Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2,” and the recent indie hit “Short Term 12.” Rami also played memorable roles in the TV mini-series “The Pacific” and alongside Phillip Seymour Hoffman in “The Master.”
Dede Lovejoy ‘84 – Has enjoyed a diverse career across stage, film and television. Some of Lovejoy’s most well known work is starring as Rhonda Pearlman in HBO’s “Wire.” Lovejoy recently appeared on Broadway alongside Tom Hanks in “Lucky Guy” and will soon be seen as Chris Maser in season three of the Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black.”
Theater Management:
Emily Kent ‘09 – Currently is the marketing associate for the Denver Center for Theatre after serving as Director of Marketing for St. Ann’s Warehouse in New York City. Kent also has served in positions at Playwrights Horizon (NYC) and Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Reed Wilkerson ‘10 – Serves as a management associate at the League of Resident Theatres in New York City. He also has worked as the company manager of Arena Stage in Washington D.C.
Stage Management:
Hannah Sullivan ‘11 – After attending Yale University’s School of Drama for graduate school, Sullivan recently moved to New York City to serve as the sub assistant stage manager on Broadways’ “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical.”
B.J. Brooks ‘12 – Brooks works as a freelance stage manager having worked at the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Hope Summer Repertory Theatre and the Lincoln Amphitheatre. Brooks returns to Evansville this fall to serve as guest sound designer for “The Wild Party.”
Generalists:
Laura Stuart ‘08 – Serves as the general management assistant at the Lincoln Center Theatre in New York City after working at Signature Theatre Company and Roundabout Theatre Company.
Wes Grantom ‘03 – Grantom is a freelance theater director in New York City. His associate director credits include the recent “Act One,” by James Lapine, at Lincoln Center Theater, Broadway revivals of “Waiting for Godot” and “Les Liasons Dangereuses” at the Roundabout Theatre Company. Grantom, along with UE alumni Mat Smart ’01 and Adam Knight ’01, are the founders of Slant Theatre Project.
Design and Technology:
Aaron Wilson ‘09 – After receiving his master of fine arts in technical direction from University of Missouri-Kansas City, now serves as the scenery director at Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Joshua Marsh ‘08 – Marsh serves as the assistant costume designer on the hit HBO series “Girls” and also works as co-costume designer on the Netflix Original Series “Orange Is the New Black.”
Jacob Climber ‘01 – Freelance costume designer in New York City. His credits include: associate costume designer of Broadway’s “Rocky,” “Picnic,” “The Other Place,” “Seminar,” “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo,” Good People in the Next Room,” and “A Tale of Two Cities.”
Isaac Katzanek ‘11 – After serving at The Public Theatre and Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City, Katzanek recently became the production manager for the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
Others:
Matt Williams ‘73 – Williams is an American television producer and writer. Alongside UE theater alum David McFadzean ‘73, they formed Wind Dancer Productions, which produced classic sitcoms like “Roseanne” and “Home Improvement.”
Ron Glass ‘68 – Garnered early recognition for his role on the long-running TV series “Barney Miller.” Very well known for his role as Shepherd Book in the cult classic “Firefly.” Most recently, Glass can be seen as Dr. Streiten on “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”
