Alumni

Alumni

Updates for the RUTD Alumni Community

As the energy around the reestablished Department of Theatre of Dance newsletter continues to surge, we are delighted to bring you updates on a wide range of graduates and supporters of our program. This edition features an interview with professor emeritus Phil Graneto and a focus on how graduates have used skills they learned in their BA program to forge various vibrant career paths. 
 

Sincerely, 
Department of Theatre & Dance Faculty 


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GENERAL UPDATES

The Department of Theatre and Dance is thrilled to share that we are officially collaborating with the award-winning, internationally recognized Pig Iron Theatre Company to house and support their highly successful MFA and Graduate Certificate in Devised Performance!!!! The curriculum for the new programs has passed through the Rowan Provost’s office and we already have students enrolled at Rowan and pursuing their graduate Pig Iron degree.

Pig Iron originally offered the program in collaboration with the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, which unexpectedly shocked the arts community by shuttering their doors this summer. Many schools immediately reached out to support and house the Pig Iron program, but Associate Dean Melanie Stewart was among the first to reach for the phone to call the founders of Pig Iron. Having worked professionally in Philly for many years, she immediately recognized the natural synergy between Pig Iron and Rowan. Pig Iron’s movement-driven, collaborative creation of original new work is a valued and shared aesthetic on our campus. Quinn Bauriedel, a co-founder of the Pig Iron company echoed this when he noted in a recent interview, “Rowan University is the perfect partner for Pig Iron School. Rowan's Deans, Provost and faculty have been extraordinarily caring during this difficult summer which left our program and our students adrift." Read more here.  

This brilliant partnership promises to offer vital opportunities for students to explore devised performance. It also ensures the continuity and a vibrant future for the artists, the professional theatres, and patrons in the Philadelphia and the surrounding communities. We look forward to welcoming Quinn Bauriedel and Sarah Sanford as new full-time faculty members of the Department of Theatre & Dance.

FACULTY PROFILE: PHIL GRANETO

Our Spring 2024 newsletter featured two alumni who mentioned they still use lessons and wisdom they learned from Phil Graneto in their work as area theatre teachers. Megan Applebee (BA ‘84) has Phil’s sketches permanently hanging in her classroom at Bunker Hill Middle school to highlight elements of design, while Kirstin Lynch-Walsh (BA ‘92) requires all theatre students at Gloucester County Institute of Technology to make costume renderings by ripping up and pasting together brightly color paper and magazine print, just the way Phil taught her in Costume Design class. These are among the countless students who credit Phil as an influential and gifted master teacher. During his forty years serving Glassboro State College’s transformation into Rowan University (1970-2010), Phil’s work as a talented, passionate, and deeply committed, professor, artist and chairperson at Rowan has had a remarkable and lasting impact.

After earning an undergraduate degree in theatre from Catholic University and a masters in set design at Carnegie-Mellon, Phil originally worked at Holy Cross and Brandeis Universities until Mike Kelly hired him as a guest designer for Glassboro State College’s summer theatre program in the summer of 1970. In a recent interview Phil mentioned that he found the Glassboro students uniquely eager and exciting to work with. It didn’t take much for Mike Kelly to lure him into a newly opened design job in the recently established Department of Speech and Theatre, or as Phil’s noted with signature dry wit in a published interview just before his retirement in 2010, “I needed a summer job so I did a set design for summer theater, then I got some pressure to apply (for a full-time GSC position). And I gave in.” Read more here. 

In addition to designing over 70 sets for the department, Phil directed 10 mainstage shows including Moliere’s The Misanthrope in 2010 starring Jimmy Quartuccio (BA in Theatre ‘10) and Kelsey Malone (BA Theatre 10). He also served 6 years as department chair and taught a range of general education and advanced major courses including Living Theatre, Intro to Design, advanced design seminars, and Theatre History. He recently spoke about his work and some of his favorites productions, including Man of La Mancha and The Doctor in Spite of Himself, in an interview honoring Glassboro State/Rowan’s centennial celebration, which you can view on YouTube or on our alumni Facebook page. Another project he fondly remembers was his set design for You Can’t Take it With You, which featured the performance of fellow faculty member Bill Kushner because, as Phil noted, “Bill was phenomenal on stage and the show is fun to design since it requires so many cool props.” He also enjoyed directing a particularly vivid production of Awake and Sing!, which also featured Dr. Kushner as the grandfather and a cast that included alumna Alice Vienneau, who went on to understudy and perform in the Broadway production of Les Misérables from 1990-1995. Phil reminisced that a key to the department’s success in the early years was its focus on producing a wide range of work for a wide range of audiences. He particularly enjoyed the rigor, intense focus, and great community outreach of the summer theatre program. He also expresses a deep commitment to a BA focus that expands study beyond theatre to prepare students for multiple career paths. He noted the tie between theatre and speech in the early years allowed for a deep focus on how to effectively communicate, which challenged him to expand his work as an artist and educator even after his retirement from Rowan in 2010.

In addition to avidly supporting and attending regional and national theatre productions whenever possible, Phil’s major focus over the past several years has been building and disseminating a collection of richly illustrated Broadway program covers from the 1920s. Sparked by his fascination for the 80 professional theatres in NYC in the 1920s, Phil painstakingly managed to acquire 100s of programs that are both historic artifacts and stunningly ornate, hand-drawn works of art. He originally hoped to publish a book that tracked the unique history of each theatre, including full-color images of the programs from his collection, but recently chose to donate the programs to the Smithsonian Institution Archives so that more people can access these artifacts. As he explains on the Smithsonian Virtual Archives collections page, “The 1920s is a seminal decade in the history of American Entertainment. The names Ziegfeld, Belasco, Cohan, Barrymore, Jolson, Shubert, Brice, and Cantor written in white lights on Broadway's theatre marquees cast a unique spell over 20th century entertainment as it developed from the Stage to Radio, to Film and ultimately to Television. These beautiful little colored booklets are part of that story. These cherished mementos of great performances and special occasions have survived in cedar chests, chifforobes, and bookcases for nearly a hundred years because of the uniqueness of the performers and the plays, but also because the booklets are beautiful." You can access this archive and read more about Phil’s collection here.

When asked what he considers was his greatest contribution to the Department of Theatre and Dance at Glassboro/Rowan, Phil got characteristically humble. He explained that his primary goal was always to help prepare students for a complex and interesting life after graduation. Those who know him and worked with him have felt his lasting impact. He noted, “The point of theatre is to bring people together—it still happens all over the country in schools with small budgets and classic scripts, which still have the ability to speak to the concerns that we have always shared. The people making theatre happen in the provinces for the parents and grandparents around the country are still being taught by teachers who graduated from our program with fundamental skills and a passion for theatre.”

    

TRANSFORMING SOCIETY with a BA in the Arts 

While we often focus on our shared love of performing arts, we also want to highlight the many ways our graduates have found exciting, unexpected ways to use what they learned at Rowan to build successful, creative careers and lives after graduation.

Joanna Congalton-Hali (BA Theatre design/tech concentration/stage Management, BA in English,  Dance Minor ‘07) currently works as the Director of Special Services at a public-school and previously taught Theatre and English to third through twelfth graders. Three years ago, she was elected as a Councilwoman in her hometown of Ridgefield, New Jersey, where she proudly serves as the first female Council President in the history of her town. She is also a mom to three incredible little boys: Hudson (8), Edison (6), and Theodore (5).  She spends her spare time coaching Soccer, managing a t-ball team, teaching Sunday School, running events, advocating for anyone who needs a voice, and seeing shows with her husband Scott. She notes, “Beyond learning some pretty impressive time management skills at Rowan, my Stage Management training also helps me stay incredibly organized; I still have a binder that very closely resembles a production book for all of my roles!”  She credits her time at Rowan for “helping her find her voice” and for her “ability to serve as a part of a team with a common goal.” She explained, “I heard the word ‘collaborate’ in almost every rehearsal, production meeting, and performance in the Theatre Department.”  As an elected official, she values the focus on diversity and inclusivity at Rowan, which shaped the ordinances and opportunities she now creates. She explained, “I saw great diversity in our staff and Theatre and Dance Department leadership.  Melanie Stewart served as the Chair of the Department, Paule Turner lead and elevated the Dance program, Dr. Liz Hostetter exemplified what a woman's intellect could achieve, David Sullivan was the epitome of learning the craft and sharing professional opportunities, Dr. Leslie Elkins taught everyone how to find joy in movement. Bart Healy, Phil Graneto, Bob Thorpe, Dave Cimetta, and Tom Fusco offered me a seat at the table and mentorship in a field that was once completely male-dominated.”  She also credits the guest artists and directors and valued their experiences and teaching. She added, “At Rowan, I felt that every voice was valued, and every person deserves a place in a room where decisions happen. With that foundation, I can honestly say that I have used my education from Rowan every single day and in every capacity of my professional and personal career.” 

While she “loved every moment of every show she worked on at Rowan,” two performances truly evoked the magic of what theatre could be for her.  She learned “grace under pressure” during a production of Changes of Heart in the Spring of 2005 when the show stopped mid-performance because the incredible Josh Totora (BA Theatre ‘05) was sick.  She explains, “As the Stage Manager, I was the one who had to tell the audience that we would be ending the show for the evening but would be back the following day. We then spent the next 24 hours making sure that our professor and director, Phil Graneto, was ready to step into the leading role. It was nonstop, but one of my favorite shows because Phil was willing to jump right in there with us.”  She also fondly remembers the all-college production of Carmina Burana in the Spring of 2006 as “pure magic.”  She noted, “From the dancing to the costumes and the singing- every single production element was perfection. Between the choir, dancers, crew, production team, and staff, there were probably 200 people involved in the show, and I felt like such a collaborative part of it all.” She describes Paule Turner's vision as the focus of her entire year, from weekends in Memorial Hall, to ACDFA, to finally seeing the production come to life at Pfleeger. She concludes, “It was the best show I worked on in my decade as a Stage Manager.”   

Meanwhile, Gail Priest's (BA Theatre/Speech ‘77) continued to explore and expand upon her BA in theatre by becoming an award-winning author. According to her published bio, “Her degrees and work in theatre and counseling psychology inspire her stories of healing from trauma and secrets within families. A dash of romance and her love of second chances are always in the mix. The settings of her novels are influenced by her time spent on the coast of New Jersey and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.” She is a member of The Women's Fiction Writers Association, the Eastern Shore Writers Association, the Novelitics Writers Collective, and the South Jersey Writers Group, where she was named Writer of the Year. Her sixth book, Soul Dancing, was recently honored as the 2024 Fiction Book of the Year by the American Writing Awards. This heart-warming, suspenseful novel is about learning to cherish and take full advantages of second chances with a special focus on finding love, offering forgiveness, and living with compassion. All of Gail's novels can be found on most online retailers. You can learn more about her books at gailpriest.com. Gail also still spends a great deal of time on the Glassboro campus by serving the Rowan Theatre and Dance family as a highly valued adjunct. She teaches introduction and advanced Theatre Education courses and Experiencing Acting. Her experience as a professional actress, award-winning author, and as a former high school theatre teacher makes her a knowable, highly-qualified, and compassionate mentor to our pre-teaching students.

 

Steve Moses (BA Theatre ’80) arrived at GSC in 1976 as a 17-year-old theatre major wanting to be an actor. In Glassboro he developed the acting skills that allowed him to work professionally in regional theatres and on Broadway, as well as the confidence and public speaking skills to succeed for decades as an award-winning presenter in publishing sales, and with a second career as a public speaker in the financial and stock and options arena.  He notes, “Everyone, and I mean everyone, should take an acting class at some point in their life, as well as a public speaking class. While most people will never speak to a large audience from a podium, they will have to communicate ideas, concepts, or even just solutions to problems to co-workers, even if that’s just around a table with peers in a conference room. I’ve seen to many good ideas fall by the wayside over the years because, in part, how they were presented. I didn’t even realize at the time that I was learning those skills. I have been presenting and speaking on financial issues for twenty years now, and I most definitely credit some of that success to the skills I was able to hone at GSC from some amazing professors.” Although he says it is “hard to limit a favorite memory to only one,” he credits Dr. Kelly for believing in his singing ability enough to cast him in two roles where he had to sing solos. He also gratefully remembers Carolyn O’Donnell believing he could handle a lead in a classic Moliere play, Dr. Kushner for helping rid him of his north Jersey Sopranos accent, and Dr. Morris for teaching him how to think. He credits these memories as “good times, and some friendships that exist to this day.”

In terms of using her degree for a vital public service, Gail Albanese Christian (BA Theatre ‘97) currently serves as the Director of the Intensive Family Support Services with the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County. She provides education, referrals, systems navigation, advocacy, and individual and group support to those who have loved ones living with mental illness and/or substance use disorder. She is currently working on her master’s in social work and will graduate this August. She notes, “I know my degree in theatre has been an asset to my professional life for the past 30 years. As a program director, I frequently attend meetings with other agencies and speak in front of large groups. Classes in Voice and Articulation and Acting I and II taught me how to speak and command the stage, making sure the information/education I provide is not only heard but also entertaining. Both courses trained me to make a great impression, even when I don’t feel like I can.” She uses her skills to act like the professional she wants them to see. She also credits script analysis, character development, set design, and costume for helping her better understand her clients and how their environment and cultural background influence their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. She notes, “Some of the most valuable things I learned were meditation and relaxation techniques and the ability to attune to my cast members/acting partners.” She regularly uses relaxation and focus exercises to help clients and believes, “Attunement helps me empathize with my clients, which in turn guides intervention choices that I think will best help them. Attunement is the magic we feel as actors when we are on stage, present, receptive and fully emersed in the moment.” One of her favorite memories was when the Campus Players float won 1st place for the homecoming parade. She rode on the float dressed as the Queen of Hearts with secret service agents, while Norm from “Cheers” drove the flatbed truck. That skit was written in rhyme. She concludes, “I will always remember the cast parties, lunches under the ‘mother tree’ (the ginko on the green), green room giggles, 12-hour cue to cues, and always feeling like I was a part of a unique tribe. To this day I treasure the relationships I have with my peers and professors and often share that my college days as a theatre major were the best times of my life.”

Finally, Dean Wilcox (BA Theatre ‘86) has thrived as a professor, author, and arts administrator. Dean mainly focused on acting and lighting design when he studied in Glassboro. He subsequently earned an MFA in Lighting Design from the University of South Carolina in 1989 – where he studied with Glassboro alum Bill Buck. He then went to the University of Washington and received a PhD in Theatre History, Theory, and Criticism in 1994. He has taught at The University of North Carolina School of the Arts in the Division of Liberal Arts since 1999. From 2011 to 2021, he was the Dean of Liberal Arts, and then stepped down to return to faculty as a Professor. Combining his background as a lighting designer and work in theory and criticism, he published Theory for Theatre Studies Light with Methuen Drama (Bloomsbury) in July, 2024. He noted, “I have long admired how well prepared I was for graduate school and for an administrative position by my time at Glassboro, owing in large part to the strong teaching by the Theatre and Dance faculty. Some of my favorite memories outside of the faculty and students was spending time in Lab Theatre, climbing around, hanging lights, making theatre, and enjoying the space. While the technology was somewhat primitive – I remember about a dozen parcans, and the autotransformer dimmers could be quite shocking to run, it was a wonderful space to experiment in. I have not encountered anything like it in any of the institutions I’ve studied or worked at.”     

ALUMNI UPDATES

  • Christopher 'Crick' Staton (BA Theatre--Technical Theater ‘96) went on to earn an MFA from Boston University in Technical Production in 2000. For the 25 years he worked at the Strand Theater in Lakewood, NJ, 11 years as the Technical Director & General Manager. Then for the last 12 years as Sr. Production manager at NJPAC (New Jersey Performing Arts Center) in Newark NJ. He notes, “At this point I have been doing live theater so long I can't conceptualize doing anything else. For any current students, old friends please message me if you are in Newark or seeing a show at NJPAC. I would love to catch up with you and show you around our growing campus.”
  • Heather Hamilton Burns (BA Theatre ‘97) earned the 2024 Governor’s Award for “Teacher of the Year” for her stellar work as a theatre teacher at West Milford High School.
  • Eddie Keith (BA Theatre ‘06, D/T) After ten years of owning and operating a local production company (Envision Productions) that served the tri-state area with production elements, Eddie transitioned to become a local pastor in Salem County. He used skills learned in his BA degree to supply sound, lighting, and video streaming needs for his church as well as others in his area. He notes, “My production background is now used for weekly needs of a Sunday morning service, various set needs, and building projects and events throughout the year.” The biggest use of his degree came from studying acting as well as production and design work at Rowan. He utilizes these skills to prepare and present a message each week. Eddie explains, “My memories are not on specific moments, but on the professors who left an indelible mark on my life. Often over the last 20 years, I've returned to consult Bob Thorpe and Tom Fusco on various needs for both my production company as well as with the church. One last person to note during my time at Rowan was the counsel and wisdom given by Phil Graneto. Without his teaching and care of his craft, I'm not sure I would be able to do what I do today.”
  • CJ Higgins (BA Theatre MT, minor in Psych ‘15) Along with performing as Casca in Julius Caesar at Delaware Shakespeare, and directing and writing A Queer Christmas Carol in the Philly theatre, serves as the Director of Operations and Programming for Theatre Philadelphia and as the newest Artistic Director of The Hum'n'bards Theater Troupe, a collective which produces queer-centric musical theatre and nightlife events.  CJ notes, “Rowan's Theatre & Dance department polished my skills in finding creative solutions, collaborating with others, making a lot with a little, and remaining flexible, all of which are valuable in arts administration. All the hubbub nowadays is about how theatre is dying, and yet theatre is one of the oldest and most enduring storytelling art forms. It has survived plagues and laws and time. Theatre isn't going anywhere, so the question is where you're going with it. And wherever that winds up being in your life, you'll carry it with you in one way or another.” CJ fondly remembers their full-length directorial debut with Rowan's Lab Theatre, which “affirmed for me that if I want to do something, I can absolutely make it happen one way or another, and I won't be the only one who is happy that I did it!”
  • Abby Leyh (BA Theatre ‘20) crossed the Atlantic Ocean and made it to EUROPE after 8 long sea days serving as a stage manager on the cruise ship Norwegian Bliss. She fell in love with Portugal and Spain, explored London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Ireland and crossed back to the states in February. She will be going through the Panama Canal and on to the Mexican Riviera this March.

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The above text is from our Spring 2025 RUTD Alumni Bulletin. If you'd like to recieve the next edition (and other RUTD alumni updates/invites), please complete this form.