Dead Man's Cell Phone
“Part realism, part fairy tale, part expressionism, part magical realism, and part Wizard of Oz with maybe a sprinkle of Alice in Wonderland”—that’s how director Brook Davis vividly describes this semester’s first Mainstage production, Dead Man’s Cell Phone. Written by Sarah Ruhl, the humor-filled play used a cast of 12 students to explore themes of connection, memory, and mortality after stepping into the life of a man through his cell phone.
Emerita Sharon Andrews acted alongside students in the role of Mrs. Gottlieb. In addition, students Hannah Reynolds (‘26) and Maggie Payne (‘26) served as assistant director and lighting designer, respectively, while Margaret Williams (‘26) stage managed the production. The design and creative team also included Kaylin Gess (scenic design), Alice Burton Barsony (costume design), David M. Greenberg (sound design), Lara Ianni (fight choreography), and Sam Shapiro (dance choreography), all of whom helped bring Ruhl’s whimsical, otherworldly vision to life.
The Tempest
Through a completely immersive experience, the timeless tale of the mystical Prospero—renamed Prospera—took shape in The Tempest. The production’s vision began to form the summer prior, as dramaturg Ellie Howell (‘25) and director Michael Kamtman laid the groundwork for using puppetry as a central element of storytelling. The show called for nothing less than full theatrical enchantment: a large cast, a mesmerizing set, immersive sounds and projections, bold costumes, striking hair and makeup, and, of course, those captivating shadow puppets.
At the heart of the story was faculty member Leah Elyce Roy, who starred as Prospera in this reimagined take on Shakespeare’s classic. The production also showcased the talents of many individuals: Rob Eastman-Mullins (scenic design), Kevin Frazier (lighting, sound, and media design), Karsen Green (costume design), Lauren Veldhuizen (‘26, hair and makeup design), Caryn Greco (original music composition), Trish Casey (movement coaching), John Mark Stowers (‘27, properties design), and Callie Wittmann (‘27, stage management).
Spring Student Choreographic Concert
The Spring Student Choreographic Concert showcased a dynamic blend of student-choreographed dance works under the artistic direction of Tina Yarborough-Liggins. Featuring many recognizable and upbeat songs, the performance had audience members humming tunes as they left the theatre and praising the concert’s creativity, emotional range, and stunning choreography.
This semester’s choreographers included Sydney Aikens, Isabella Andiorio, Heather Boeck, Meg Campbell, Caitlin Fountain, Danielle O’Keefe, Katie Poulton, and Elaina Samady—all graduating members of the Dance Company. Lighting was designed by Kaylin Gess, with two pieces designed by student MaryAnna Bailey (‘25). Each dance featured unique costume designs by a different student: Alyssa Cheng (‘26), Grace Clark (‘27), Nina Clayton (‘27), Sadie MacDonald (‘25), Maggie Payne (‘26), Riley Shanaghan (‘25), Alyssa Worley (‘25), and Yue Yu (‘26). The production was stage managed by Zac Anderson (‘25).
Student Productions
Many student productions populated the spring semester. Radium Girls, directed by Zac Anderson (‘25), told the story of the young women who painted luminous watch dials in the 1920s and their harrowing fight for justice after being poisoned by the radium-based paint. The Marriage Proposal, directed by Yue Yu (‘26), brought Chekhov’s comedic one-act to life - highlighting pride, petty arguments, and the pursuit of love through dynamic and witty dialogue. The Yalta Game, directed by Ellie Howell (‘25), follows two strangers who meet in Yalta and navigate a brief but emotionally-charged romance built on stories both true and imagined. Every Brilliant Thing, directed by Alyssa Cheng (‘26), was selected as the material for solo performer Vir Gupta’s (‘25) senior honors project. The intimate, interactive piece tackled themes of depression, resilience, and the small joys that make life worth living.
Each production showcased the creative contributions of student designers. Scenic design was led by Callie Wittmann (‘27) for Radium Girls) and Zac Anderson (‘25) for The Marriage Proposal and The Yalta Game. Costume designers included Yue Yu (‘26) and Maggie Payne (‘26) for Radium Girls, Nina Clayton (‘27) for The Marriage Proposal, and Sara Goncalves (‘25) for The Yalta Game. Lighting design came from Maggie Payne (‘26) for The Marriage Proposal and The Yalta Game and Zac Anderson (‘25) for Radium Girls, while sound design was provided by Alyssa Cheng (‘26) Radium Girls, Callie Wittmann (‘27) for The Marriage Proposal, and Carly Galbreth (‘27) for The Yalta Game. Emma Engle (‘27) completed the Radium Girls team as hair and makeup designer.
Faculty Updates
It’s been a busy semester for the department’s faculty, marked by new roles, exciting projects, and well-deserved recognition. Kevin Frazier was the recipient of the Kulynych Family Omicron Delta Kappa Award in this month, which "recognizes an outstanding faculty member who bridges the gap between the classroom and student life."
While Frazier continues to design for productions around the country, he was also recently featured on Deacs.AI, a podcast that highlights how faculty and staff across campus are using artificial intelligence in innovative ways. In his episode, he discusses the role of AI in both his creative process and the classroom. His episode, titled “Six-Fingered Zombie Santa,” is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You can get more details on the podcast and listen HERE.
In other faculty news, Leah Roy starred as Prospera in The Tempest; Christina Soriano is nearing completion of her MBA, while Jon Herbert and Stephen Wrentmore are both developing new writing projects. Karsen Green is designing costumes for an upcoming show in Maryland. Cindy Gendrich wrapped up her first year as department chair.
Several faculty members have taken on new titles and honors: Mary-Wayne Thomas and Sharon Andrews have officially become Emeritus Professors; Michael Kamtman was promoted to Associate Teaching Professor; Kaylin Gess is stepping into the role of Interim Director of Theatre; and Nina Maria Lucas Rice has been awarded the MacDonough Family Faculty Fellowship for the 2025-2026 year.
Shakespeare Day Returns
After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 shutdown, Shakespeare Day returned with energy and creativity on Friday, April 11th. Orchestrated by Brook Davis, students from schools across the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County area joined Wake Forest Theatre and Dance for a day of immersive workshops led by faculty and staff. Covering everything from costumes and props to stage combat, text analysis, movement, lighting, sound, and projections, the sessions offered hands-on insight into theatrical storytelling. In the afternoon, visiting students teamed up with Wake Forest theatre students to stage their own imaginative renditions of the stormy opening scene from The Tempest, each reimagined with a unique twist—from the Wild West to Psychedelic. That evening, participants performed their scenes for peers and families before attending Wake Forest’s Mainstage production of The Tempest.
The day gave more than fifty high school and middle school students and teachers the chance to collaborate with theatre professionals—from designers and directors to scholars and actors—while gaining confidence in engaging with Shakespeare’s work as both readers and performers. It also offered Wake Forest students a chance to step into leadership roles, guiding younger students as they explored their creative instincts.
An Evening with Brooke Shields
Actor, entrepreneur, author, and Wake Forest parent Brooke Shields (P ‘25, P ‘28) partnered with Wake the Arts and the Department of Theatre & Dance for a two-day residency. On April 16th, the Ring Theatre held a performance of a short excerpt from Love Letters by A.R. Gurney, performed by students Patrick Fenlon (‘25) and Shields’s daughter, Rowan Henchy (‘25). Directed by Shields herself, the performance was followed by an engaging Q&A, where she reflected on her career and creative process for students to listen.
The following evening saw a full house in the Tedford, for An Evening with Brooke Shields, featuring a full-length performance of Love Letters, this time starring Shields and Adjunct Instructor of Theatre Michael Huie (‘84, MA ‘93, P ‘23). The play—told entirely through a lifetime of exchanged letters between two characters—offers a poignant look at love, friendship, and missed opportunities. A post-show reception and conversation with both actors rounded out the memorable event. Cindy Gendrich served as production coordinator and co-designed sound with Callie Wittmann (‘27). Kaylin Gess designed the lighting, and Abby Parr (‘26) stage managed. Shields’ efforts marked a special moment of connection between students, faculty, and a celebrated artist, all in support of the arts at Wake Forest.
Student organization News
This semester, student theatre and dance clubs truly took the spotlight. Can’t Stop the Beat! hosted the 24HR Musical Project’s production of Legally Blonde: The Musical in collaboration with the Department of Music. With over 70 students involved, the whirlwind show even featured a special puppy guest: Fantasia, the longest-term resident of the Forsyth County Animal Shelter. Thanks to a student-led volunteer effort, Fantasia took the stage, won hearts—and was adopted the very next day. Capping off the semester, Can’t Stop the Beat! was named New Student Organization of the Year at the 2025 Student Impact Awards and became an officially chartered club. The award was accepted by the club's founder John Mark Stowers (image left).
Meanwhile, Anthony Aston Players presented their annual sketch comedy show, LaughTracks, with students performing self-written sketches to a smiling crowd. BiMoo, Wake Forest’s Chinese theatre group, wowed audiences with Flower and Sword, a 40-minute Mandarin-language production directed by Tracy Xie (’28), performed in the Ring Theatre.
The Wakeville arts festival brought the campus community together for a celebration of student creativity, featuring original dance pieces, comedic sketches, and a moving preview of Every Brilliant Thing. The Spring Club Dance Showcase all of the dance clubs on campus including Can't Stop the Beat!, Momentum, Setting the Groove, and Lost in Translation among others - ending the season on a high note.
Student Awards
Wake Forest’s theatre talent took center stage at the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) Awards in March, where seniors Zac Anderson placed second in Undergraduate Lighting Design, and Vir Gupta earned third in Undergraduate Projection Design.
From March 19-22, theatre students and faculty mentors traveled to Baltimore, Maryland, for SETC’s annual convention—a premier event for networking, masterclasses, and design and tech competitions. The conference provides emerging theatre artists with opportunities to showcase their work, attend auditions, and connect with industry professionals.
The annual design competition recognized Anderson’s striking lighting design for Radium Girls by D.W. Gregory, a production he also directed earlier this year. Gupta was honored for his mesmerizing projection work in Nick Payne’s Constellations last November.
Gupta, a double major in Critical and Creative Media and Theatre with a minor in Economics, has refined his projection design skills through hands-on experience in theatre, drawing from past sound design projects and working with QLab software. This is not his first success at SETC—he previously placed second in the 2024 Sound Design Competition for Sense & Sensibility and received an honorable mention for his work on This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing the same year. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in theatre and film production.
Anderson, a Marketing major with minors in Theatre and Entrepreneurship, honed his lighting expertise in his junior-year Lighting Design course. Reflecting on the experience, he shared that receiving in-depth, constructive feedback on his award-winning design at the conference was even more rewarding than the award itself. Looking ahead, he hopes to work in theatre and entertainment while also exploring opportunities in marketing, production management, and event planning.
Postgraduate Teacher-Scholar Fellow of Design Kaylin Gess praised both students for their dedication and talent.
“Vir’s consistent achievements at SETC over the past several years speak to his commitment to the department and his prowess as a multidisciplinary designer,” said Gess. “He is already an accomplished technician and designer, and his placement this year further affirms that.”
“Zac is always looking for ways to push the boundaries of what’s possible, and his showing at SETC was no different,” Gess continued. “Although this was his first entry into the design competition, his bold ideas and polished presentation shone brightly, earning him well-deserved recognition.”
Both students serve as executive members of Anthony Aston Players, Wake Forest’s student-led theatre group, and are dedicated contributors to the university’s theatre community. As they prepare to graduate, their achievements at Wake Forest mark just the beginning of their journeys in the world of theatre.
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We hope that you can join us for our 2025-2026 season. Stay tuned to our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates. We hope to see you at the theatre!
Failure: A Love Story
Written by Philip Dawkins. Directed by Jonathan Herbert. Performances on September 19-21 & 25-28.
Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
Written by Ken Ludwig. Directed by J.K. Curry. Performances on October 31, November 1-2 & 6-9.
Fall Faculty & Guest Artist Concert
Directed by Nina Lucas Rice. Performances on November 20-23.
Old Times
Written by Harold Pinter. Directed by Cindy Gendrich. Performances on February 6-8 & 12-15.
Mamma Mia!
Music and Lyrics by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. Book by Catherine Johnson. Directed by Stephen Wrentmore. Performances on April 3-4 & 8-12.
Spring Student Choreographic Concert
Directed by Chris Martin. Performances on April 23-26.