UWSP Theatre and Dance | Drama Alumni

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Theatre / MUSICAL THEATRE alumni

Curt Hansen
Curt, while still a sophomore at UWSP will begin his work on Broadway in "Hairspray" in March and will take over the part of Link in September 2008. Curt has also taken part in a workshop in New York City, directed by Michael Mayer as Jeffrey in The Flamingo Kid.

Ashley Catherine Schmitt - 2006
With a BFA in Musical Theatre, Ashley currently resides in New York City where she continues to pursue her dream of musical theatre. She has recently had the wonderful experience of performing in Les Miserable (Ensemble/onstage swing) at North Shore Music Theatre. Other recent credits include Joseph (Narrator), Singin' in the Rain (Zelda Zanders), and Christmas in Chocolate Town (featured performer).

Daniel Gutierrez - 2005
Daniel earned his BFA degree in Musical Theatre with a Dance minor. He has performed for Princess Cruise Lines, Derby Dinner Playhouse, and the Alaskan Shakespeare Festival in which he played Romeo in Romeo & Juliet. He most recently became eligible to join the Screen Actors Guild after doing several commercials and film work. Some credits include, Law and Order CI alongside Ben Vareen, Ghost Town with Tea Leoni, Mr. 3000, with Bernie Mac,and Verizon Wireless to name a few. Daniel is currently performing in theatres across the country in the Broadway National Tour of Chicago, choreographed by the accomplished Gary Chryst, sidekick to the amazing Anne Reinking.

Andrew Cao - 2004
Andrew graduated with a double major in BFA Musical Theatre and BA Dance. He was cast as The Soldier in the Cedar Lake Ensemble's production of Raw, a dance, theatre, and multi media event. Andrew was the host for a primetime television show on IATV (ImaginAsian Television). Andrew also played the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival as Romeo in Romeo & Juliet and Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Andrew's most current project is working as a choreographer/dancer for the children's television program, The Backyardigans.

Ruthie Baker - 2004
Ruthie, a Musical Theatre and Arts Management graduate, was named 2004's "Outstanding New Faces in Twin Cities’ Theatre" by the Minneapolis Star Tribune for her role as Patty Andrews in Christmas of Swing (Great American History Theatre). Ruthie moved to New York City in June of 2006 after being in several shows in the Twin Cities. Her one-woman cabaret "Of Mutts & Men: A Doggone Evening of Song" premiered at Don't Tell Mama in March 2007 and was produced by the New York Theatre Barn at the Duplex in December 2007. Ruthie originated the role of Signe in "Church Basement Ladies" (Plymouth Playhouse) and can be heard on the original cast recording. Her favorite roles include Eva Peron in "Evita" (Wausau Grand Theatre), Emma Goldman in "Assassins" (MN Fringe Festival), Patty Andrews in "Sisters of Swing" (Theatre L'Homme Dieu) and Cinderella "Into the Woods" (Paul Bunyan Playhouse). She is a proud member of Actors Equity Association. www.ruthiebaker.com

Melanie Titus - 2003
Melanie, a graduate of the B.F.A. Musical Theatre program, currently teaches theatre at Broadway Babies, (named the best music program in N.Y.C by New York City Magazine) a performing arts program designed to train young aspiring actors and actresses, where she also teaches and has developed a dance program for children. Since graduating, she has taught jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, and triple threat classes at Broadway Dance Center and has been an adjudicator at company auditions in the their Children’s Program . Melanie has also been a part of Broadway Dance Center’s staff for their Winter Intensive program and has participated in BDC/Alvin Ailey teacher intensive workshops where she studied with such great artists as Bev.B, Chio, and West African dancer Idrissa Kelly. She has also taught dance and pre-dance at STEPS studio with Martha Chapman, formerly of the NYC Opera ballet, as well as Brooklyn School of Music. Melanie is currently enrolled in the Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) at Harkness Dance Center (92nd
Street Y).

Heather Sturzl - 2001
After only a few weeks in New York City, Heather, a BFA Musical Theatre graduate, landed a leading role of Titania/Sander in The Donkey Show, a 1970's disco version of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. The Show continues to run Off-Broadway at the club El Flamingo.

Aaron Felske - 2000
Aaron double majored and earned his degree with a BFA Musical Theatre and a BA Dance degree. He began his professional career on a high note as a featured performer in the Broadway and national touring companies hit musical Fosse. He has performed with Cirque du Soleil and Celine Dion's A New Day production at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, NV. Aaron is currently performing with Celine Dion's World Tour 2008-2009.

Rick Cornette - 2000
Rick, a BFA Musical Theatre graduate, recently co-starred as Nick Russo on CSI::NY opposite Kid Rock. Other TV work includes a recurring role on Days of Our LIves, an appearance on The Guiding Light:, and a principal role in a major Coca-Cola campaign. For almost two years he toured the nation as the MC/Band Leader in Swing!. In 2002, he joined the national tour of the hit ABBA musical Mamma Mia! covering the featured role of Sky. In 2003, Rick was featured in the West Coast premiere of the musical revue Songs for a New World, at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. The L.A. Times said Rick was "matinee idol handsome, with a soaring tenor." ShowMag.com called his performance "superb."

Chad Harlow - 1998
Chad (Musical Theatre, Dance) has national tour credits including Show Boat (Frank), Roger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella (Prince/Lionel u/s), The Music Man (Oliver Hix) and the current tour of 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor u/s) which includes a six week tour of Japan. Regionally he has performed in State Fair, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Forever Plaid, and Damn Yankees.

Morgan O'Brien - 1995
Morgan O'Brien studied with the UWSP Musical Theater and Dance Department from 1992-1995. US productions include "Hello, Dolly!" (Carousel Dinner Theater), "Swiss Family Robinson" (National Tour), and "Cirque Sensacional" (International Tour). Morgan moved to Germany in 1998, where he has been seen in productions of "Grease", "Ms. Saigon", "Disney's Beauty and the Beast", and as an original cast member and Dance Captain of the Hamburg production of "Mamma Mia". He is currently playing the role of Seymour in a new production of "Little Shop of Horrors". www.gutenmorganproductions.co

Susan Spencer - 1989
Susan, a BFA Musical Theatre graduate, is now a New York actress with many professional credits including Fantine in the Broadway production of Les Miserables, Grizabella in Cats, Rapunzel in Into The Woods, Clara in Passion, and Eva Peron in the national tour of Evita.