"Whatever you do kid, always serve it with a little dressing."
— George M. Cohan (to Spencer Tracy)
Drama Alumni
Where Are They Now?
Kate Amann '06
Drama and English Major
Kate fulfilled her senior thesis obligation at WC by directing a production of Paul Rudnick's The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told. Her favorite WC productions include She Loves Me (2003) and W;t (2004), both of which she stage managed. Kate is working as a Sales and Marketing Assistant for Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. until May, after which she will be the Distribution Co-ordinator for the Marketing Department at C Venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland. She plans to continue her education in the Fall at the University of Edinburgh, through a one-year M.S. program in Design and Digital Media.
Thoughts on the WC Drama Experience: "Even working in publishing, my theatre résumé has helped me get my foot in the door. All that stage management and collaborative work impresses managers in every field. It's pretty awesome."
Mindy A. Beers '01
Drama and English Major, Creative Writing Minor
Mindy fulfilled her senior thesis obligation at WC by directing a production of Arthur Miller's The Creation of the World and Other Business. Her favorite WC productions include Boys of Syracuse (1999 - Luce) and Molly Sweeney (2000 - Molly). Mindy is the Education and Community Projects Associate at the Philadelphia Theatre Company, as well as the Artistic Director for The Cardboard Box Collaborative. She has put her graduate degree focus in directing to good use, taking the helm for recent productions at The Cardboard Box including Dream On (2007). She has also written several plays for the Collaborative, most recently Says Eugenia (2006) with Steve Spotswood '99 and Liam Daley '07.
Thoughts on the WC Drama Experience: "I learned that if you want to make real theatre...the phrase 'no thanks, I'm too busy' doesn't exist - there's no time to be selfish, no time to pass a single opportunity by and no time for egos."
Matt Biringer '05
Drama Major
Matt fulfilled his senior thesis obligation at WC by directing a production of A.R. Gurney's Sylvia. His favorite WC productions include Angels in America (2002 - Roy Cohn) and The Cherry Orchard (2005 - Lopakhin). Matt is a Shop Management Apprentice at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has appeared in productions at the Totem Pole Playhouse [Lend Me a Tenor, 2006 (Bellhop)] and The Wilma Theater [The Life of Galileo, 2007 (Ensemble)].
Thoughts on the WC Drama Experience: "The Directing Thesis is an incredible tool to help you learn by doing. This is one of the greatest assets at WC, the ability to actually do everything yourself, as opposed to learning about how to do it."
Kevin Brotzman '04
Drama and English Major, Creative Writing Minor
Kevin fulfilled his senior thesis obligation at WC by directing a production of Rebecca Gilman's Blue Surge. His favorite WC productions include Fuddy Meers (2001 - Limping Man) and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (2003 - Rosencrantz). Kevin works in Washington, D.C. as a Data Researcher at U.S. News and World Report. He has appeared in productions with the Rude Mechanicals [most recently: Faustus, 2007 (Chorus 1/Evil Angel/Dick/Sloth)] and the Mobtown Players [Servant of Two Masters, 2007 (Silvio Lombardi)].
Thoughts on the WC Drama Experience: "I learned to take chances and make bold choices, whether acting, directing, playwriting, or living my life. Even if I fail sometimes, I know that it's better to 'fail spectacularly'."
Kristen "Angel" Capobianco '03
Drama Major
Angel created and performed in a one-woman show, Life, Love, and a Semi-Automatic to fulfill her senior thesis obligation at WC. She has been busy in New York since graduation, performing in the Broadway Easter Bonnet Competition (2004) on Broadway and Automatic Superstar (2006) off-Broadway. Angel has also appeared on film, most notably as Emily in Forever Now, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007. She's looking forward to seeing the renovated Gibson Performing Arts Center in 2009!
Sarah Curnoles '05
Drama Major, History Minor
Sarah fulfilled her senior thesis obligation at WC by directing a production of Bridget Carpenter's Fall. Her favorite WC productions include Wolf Lullaby (2003), which she stage managed, and Blue Surge (2003 - Sandy). Sarah is a Development Assistant at Center Stage in Baltimore, Maryland. Since graduating from WC, she has stage managed several productions, including two shows for the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. Sarah has also kept busy onstage, with the Mobtown Players [Servant of Two Masters, 2007 (Clarice Bisognosi)] and two season with the Early Monday Morning Show improv troupe.
Thoughts on the WC Drama Experience: "Being a drama major at WC gave me a lot of experience and confidence. As the Education and Community Programs intern last year, I worked on many different projects at Center Stage, my experience at WC helped me to feel competent at performing any task asked of me."
Lindsay A. Krieg '00
Drama and English Major, Business Management Minor
Lindsay fulfilled her senior thesis obligation at WC by directing a production of Love's Fire. Her favorite WC productions include Lebensraum (1996) and The Fantasticks (2000), which she produced. Lindsay is the Associate Production Manager at the Philadelphia Theatre Company, as well as the Producing Director for The Cardboard Box Collaborative. She has an M.F.A. in Production Management from Carnegie Mellon University, which has helped her to produce and stage manage a number of shows at The Cardboard Box, including Be All My Sins Remembered (2004). Among her production credits are several seasons at PTC, including work on Take Me Out (2005).
Thoughts on the WC Drama Experience: "The most important things Washington College Drama taught me are a strong work ethic, the importance of collaboration, and a sense of self-reliance. And that 'sharks... they've... been around a long time... um...'."
Melissa Maenner '04
Drama and Humanities Major, English and Gender Studies Minor, Secondary Certification Drama and English
Melissa fulfilled her senior thesis obligation at WC by designing costumes for productions of I Hate Hamlet and Antony and Cleopatra. Her favorite WC productions include Angels in America (2002), Master Class, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (2004). Melissa has stayed close to WC, teaching Drama, English, and Journalism at Kent County High School in Chestertown. She has directed several shows at KCHS, including A Midsummer Night's Dream (2007). She also appeared on stage in Wit (2005) at the Prince Theatre.
Thoughts on the WC Drama Experience: "The Drama program at WAC was quite intensive. My experience greatly
prepared me for the real world; how to do every job imaginable, with no
money."
Sarah C. Middleton '04
Drama and Psychology Major
Sarah fulfilled her senior thesis obligation at WC by directing a production of Rebecca Gilman's Boy Gets Girl. Her favorite WC productions include A Midsummer Night's Dream (2002 - Hermia) and Twelfth Night, or What You Will (2004 - Sir Toby Belch). Sarah works in Baltimore, Maryland as an Executive Assistant at Everyman Theatre. She has had a constant presence in theatre since graduating from WC, appearing in Royal Court at the 2004 Maryland Renaissance Festival, and serving as a House Manager for the Performance Workshop Theatre from 2004-2006.
Thoughts on the WC Drama Experience: "Without a theatre degree it would have been very hard for me to land my job at Everyman. In fact, without a degree in theatre most professional equity theatres will not consider you unless you are willing to work for
nothing."
Lynn Pistone '05
Drama Major
Lynn fulfilled her senior thesis obligation at WC by acting in deparment productions of William Gibson's The Miracle Worker (2004 - Annie Sullivan) and William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, or What You Will (2004 - Feste). At WC, she also enjoyed appearing in The Laramie Project (2002). Lynn is currently pursuing a career in teaching by continuing her education at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. She is also now heading up the Monroe Township Youth Theatre.
Thoughts on the WC Drama Experience: "WC prepared me to be a teacher. I knew I wanted to act, but teaching is the way I went. You have to act to be a teacher!"
Laura Schoen '03
Drama and Psychology Major
Laura fulfilled her senior thesis obligation at WC by directing a production of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues. At WC, she also enjoyed appearing in Stop Kiss (2001 - Sara). Laura is General Manager of a Panera Bread Restaurant in Hadley, Massachusetts. She is also a television production freelancer, working primarily for the local Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) station in a variety of duties: audio, graphics, camera work, technical direction, and more.
Thoughts on the WC Drama Experience: "Every day I deal with the general public so there is always a bit of 'acting' that goes on, and it's nice to know I can handle it. I've got the self-confidence to walk into a room and command attention and to be taken seriously - that's awesome!"
Attention WC Drama Alumni (majors and minors): Want to share your story? Send your photo and information to Kevin Brotzman at brotz13@yahoo.com.