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Welcome to the first edition of the new UMD TDPS alumni newsletter!
Every semester, we’ll be sharing alumni success stories, events, and insight into what’s happening at TDPS. But we can’t do that without you!
If you would like to be featured or you have some news to share, let us know.
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In this newsletter:
- Upcoming events
- 2024-2025 Year Recap
- Next Season
- TDPS in the News
- Alumni Updates
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Join local TDPS alums at Busboys and Poets on June 13 for an evening of catching up and networking. Hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. RSVP by June 10.
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2024-2025 Year Recap
From regency dance moves to a wading pool in the Kogod, our talented TDPS Terps brought innovative and powerful dance and theater performances to The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center this year! We also welcomed Jill Bradbury as the new director of TDPS.
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This year’s production of UMoves showcased the original choreography of Alondra Torres Negron B.A. ’25, Kate Quigley, Bruktawit Mekonnen B.A. ’25, William Nash, Layla Nordrum B.A. ’25, Mars Burggraf B.A. ’25, and Carissa Robinson.
Learn more about each choreographer’s piece on our Instagram.
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The Jane Austen classic, Emma, was brought to life by TDPS students and faculty from October 5-10. The new production, directed by Lisa E. Nathans, associate professor of voice and acting, channeled inspiration from the Netflix series Bridgerton with anachronistic sound design and casting that reflects the diverse student community.
Read Maryland Today's review of the show here.
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Metamorphoses made a splash at UMD last November - literally! Set in and around a central onstage pool of water that served as the hub of each of Metamorphoses’ many vignettes, UMD Assistant Professor KenYatta Rogers directed this production, celebrating the persistence of narrative in the face of inevitable change.
Learn more about how our scenic designers brought a pool into the Kogod Theatre.
| | for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf | | |
TDPS faculty members Ama Law and Fatima Quander directed our production of Ntozake Shange’s highly influential choreopoem, for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf. The show explores the stories, struggles and endurance of Black women and the experiences that bond them.
Learn more about the close connections formed in the rehearsal process.
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Hip Hop Anansi, a work of theatre for young audiences, tells the folktale of Anansi the spider and his trickster family in a sleek hip hop context directed by TDPS alum Paige Hernandez. This show enabled our students to learn about acting techniques tailored for young audiences, while also showcasing innovative open creative captioning designed by Tim Kelly M.F.A. ’25 and an incredible set designed by Margarita Syrocheva M.F.A .’25.
Check out our interview with the director and the cast to hear more about the show and their experiences.
| | Our 2025-26 season will be announced later this month. Make sure you’re following us on social media to catch all the updates! | | |
TDPS Alumni, Faculty and Students Win 2025 Helen Hayes Awards
They were honored for their outstanding achievements in regional theater.
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‘Creative Captioning’ Takes the Stage at UMD
MFA student leads effort to expand accessibility for audience in ‘Hip Hop Anansi.’
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Dance Principal Lecturer Alvin Mayes Receives Board of Regents Faculty Award
Mayes is recognized as a scholar, educator, mentor and leader in the local dance community and beyond.
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Sarah Beth Oppenheim Dance M.F.A. ’17 received the 2024 Pola Nirenska Dance Award for Outstanding Achievements in Dance. Read more about the award here.
- Dr. Jessica Atwooki Kaahwa Ph.D ‘01 was elected President of the Executive Board, International Theatre Institute (ITI_worldwide) at the International Theatre Institute Congress in Den Bosch, Netherlands. She is the first woman president and second African president of ITI.
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Jasmine A. Mitchell ‘20 was the recipient of the 2024 Directing Fellowship program at New York Theatre Workshop. The BTC Directing Fellowship provides an annual salary and the opportunity to participate in the efforts of mounting a Broadway production.
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Nathaniel P. Claridad ‘04 was selected by New York City Center, with the assistance of The Drama League, as its 2024 Directing Fellow. Claridad assisted on four productions this season, including Ragtime, Urinetown, Love Life, and The Wild Party.
- Wayne Duvall ‘81 starred as Captain in Swept Away, a new musical on Broadway directed by Michael Mayer with music by The Avett Brothers.
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TDPS alum Abigail Hawk ‘04 handed in her prop badge as the long-running CBS drama “Blue Bloods” came to an end last year. Read Abigail's interview with Maryland Today to learn more about her time on the show: https://go.umd.edu/mthawk_sm
- Orange Grove Dance, an innovative dance company led by TDPS alums Colette Krogol and Matt Reeves, performed its dance and multimedia live production, A&I, at Dance Place in Washington, DC in February and the Edinburgh Futures Institute in Scotland.
- On March 16, 50 TDPS alumni gathered at the IAMA Theatre Company in Los Angeles (co-founded by Adam Shapiro ’02) to network, reconnect and talk about what’s new in TDPS. Aurelia Michael ’08, the head of the UMD LA Alumni chapter, attended and spoke to the group. Thank you to Scot Reese and Lisa Nathans on coordinating this event!
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Two TDPS alum worked on Wonderful Town at New York City Center! Lindsay Roberts Greene performed in the ensemble and Nathan Claridad works for NYCC in the Musical Theater Directing Assistantship position.
- Betsy Rosen '06, is performing in the first national tour of Life of Pi as the Assistant Puppetry and Movement Director/Puppet Captain and puppeteering the show's fierce tiger character, Richard Parker.
- Caroline Stefanie Clay M.F.A. '13 played Retta in Alliance Theatre and Goodman Theatre's co-production of Bust, penned by Pulitzer Prize finalist Zora Howard and directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz.
- Andrew Cissna was the Associate Lighting Designer for the Berkeley Rep production of Uncle Vanya with Hugh Bonneville, which moved to Shakespeare Theatre Company in DC in March.
Do you have exciting news you’d like to share? Let us know!
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Do you have news to share with the TDPS community?
Email tdpsmarketing@umd.edu and share with us on social media!
The School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies
advances and transforms the research and practice of the performing arts
through a commitment to excellence and innovative education.
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Mia Glatter-Droll, Marketing Communications Coordinator - TDPS
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