Old Times
The semester began with Old Times by Harold Pinter. Over drinks and conversation, a small, intimate cast of three trades stories about their shared past, yet their memories fail to align. What begins as nostalgic recollection slowly morphs into a battle for intimacy, identity, and truth. Featuring the work of two casts, six actors dug deep into the slippery power of memory. The play was directed by Cindy Gendrich and stage managed by Liwen Zhang (‘27). Rob Eastman-Mullins served as scenic, lighting, and costume designer while student Callie Wittmann designed sound and Ziqi Huang (‘27) assistant directed, building on her summer research into the play’s concepts. Emma Engle (‘27) worked as hair and makeup designer, and dance company member and theatre student J. M. Stowers (‘27) provided choreography.
Background image features Conner Hunt and Lauren Veldhuizen. Photo credit: Bill Ray III
Student theatre productions
Studio Series
Two Studio Series productions rounded out the first half of the semester. The Son by Rachel Leopold, directed by Callie Wittmann (‘27), examines grief and mourning through the story of Icarus’s parents, Naucrate and Daedalus. Barn Wood and Blue Roses by Jacquelyn Priskorn, directed by Abby Parr (‘26), follows a girl and her best friend as they create an elaborate fantasy world after learning she has cystic fibrosis. For both, Tracy Xie (‘28) scenic designed and Ethan Anderson (‘28) lighting designed. In The Son, Mati Romagnoli (‘26) stage managed, Nancy Huang (‘27) sound designed, and Maggie Payne (‘26) costume designed. In Barn Wood and Blue Roses, Margaret Williams stage managed, Hannah Reynolds (‘26) sound designed, and Alyssa Cheng (‘26) costume designed.
Background image features Taylor Nisbet, Lydia Anderson, and Eleanor Schmitt in "Barn Wood and Blue Roses". Photo credit: Kaylin Gess.
Jagged Little Pill
“You live, you learn” was the melody on everyone’s lips as the theatre concluded its mainstage season with Jagged Little Pill: The Musical. Inspired by the rock music of famous artist Alanis Morissette and written by Diablo Cody, the musical centered on a seemingly perfect suburban family slowly unraveling below the surface. With a large cast and crew, the musical explored addiction, identity, healing, and more through emotionally charged music and storytelling. The musical was directed by Stephen Wrentmore and stage managed by Alyssa Cheng (‘26). The intricate production enlisted a wide range of collaborators. Designers included Emeritus Mary Wayne-Thomas (scenic), Kaylin Gess (lighting), Karsen Green (costume), and Kevin Frazier (sound). Students Emma Engle (‘27) and Lauren Veldhuizen (‘26) both worked as hair and makeup designers. From the Department of Music, J. Aaron Hardwick served as music director and Caryn Greco as vocal director. Recent alumnus Riley Shanaghan (‘25) choreographed the production, Michael Kamtman served as fight choreographer, and Senya Li (‘27) worked as assistant director.
Background image features Madison London, Sasha Logue, Bradley Jiang, Caitlyn Jeffrey, Carly Galbreth, Maya Roth, Melinda Cheatham, Ava Walett, Anderson Adams, Jane Ivey Johnson, Paige Harrell, Anjali Mazurek, Vanessa Brandt, John Mark Stowers, Maya Tanida, Neve Portnoy, Allison Sweeney, Emily Crehan, Abby Parr, Andrew Wilson as they perform the song "No". Photo credit: Bill Ray III
Spring Student Choreographic Concert
In typical fashion, the Spring Student Choreographic Concert highlighted the expertise and creativity of students under the artistic direction of Tina Yarborough Liggins. Seven original works beautifully showcased the range and imagination of the dance company, set to an eclectic selection of music including “Roubbama” by Le Trio Joubran, “Outro” by M83, “Dirty Diana” by Michael Jackson, “There Will Be Time” by Mumford & Sons, “Money" by Pink Floyd, “Coffee” by Sylvan Esso, and “deep in it” by Berlioz & “Spike’s Interlude” by MrBigB. Choreographers included Megan Faherty (‘26), Allie Fritz (‘27), Noey Johnson (‘26), Lauren Milanak (‘26), Savannah Rolfe (‘26), Jillian Sondike (‘26), and Caleb Walsh (‘26). Lighting was designed by Kaylin Gess and Kevin Frazier, and costumes were designed by Alice Burton Barsony, Haley Grannon, and Alyssa Cheng (‘26). The production was stage managed by Abby Parr (‘26).
Background image features dancers Lauren Bettuchi, Alessandra Bisulca, Avery Bunch, Tess Courts, Abby Ershadi, Noey Johnson, Katie Mariani, Emma McLaughlin, Savannah Rolfe, and Caleb Walsh performing Jillian Sondike's "Money". Photo credit: Bill Ray III.
The Vagina Monologues
Student Ziqi Huang (‘27) directed a staged reading of The Vagina Monologues in the Ring Theatre in April, bringing together a small ensemble of five student performers alongside Professor Cindy Gendrich to present a series of solo and ensemble pieces centered on experiences of womanhood. The production also featured a floor design created by the Studio Series class and lighting designed by Liwen Zhang (‘27). As a strong passion project for her, Huang took on the opportunity to lead this project, helping to amplify and center stories of women from across the globe.
Background image features the entire production team and cast for "The Vagina Monologues". Featured (left to right) are Liwen Zhang, Ziqi Huang, Alyssa Cheng, Nola Adepoju, B. G. Cave, Lydia Anderson, Andrew Wilson, Cindy Gendrich, and Lauren Summers. Photo credit: Ziqi Huang
Experiential Learning in Theatre
Created by the Office of the Dean of the College, this behind-the-scenes feature offers a deep dive into the making of the production of Old Times earlier this semester. The video follows director Cindy Gendrich and assistant director Ziqi Huang (‘27) as they explore how the production brings together theatre, psychology, and collaborative research to examine the fluid, subjective nature of memory through an interdisciplinary lens. The result is a compelling documentation of the creative process. Watch the video HERE.
Background image is a photo still from the Office of the Dean of the College video.
Dance Company Members Part of National Title Team
The Wake Forest Dance Team attended the Universal Dance Association Nationals at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida this January 16-18 and brought home the national championship title in the Division IA Spirit Program and Game Day Live category. Ten members of the winning team who also balance the demands with being members of the WFU Dance Company included: Lauren Bettuchi, Avery Bunch, Tess Courts, Zoe Gary, Joanna Holden, Brooke de Jong, Claire Lawrence, Sasha Linden, Victoria Reith, and Isabella Weidmann. Additionally, they had strong showings in the Hip-Hop and Jazz categories as well. Congratulations to these ladies for their incredible achievement and for their unwavering commitment to dance, both within the company and in competition. You can check out their title-winning performance HERE.
Team celebrates their national championship. Photo credit: WFUDanceTeam Instagram
Shakespeare Day
This year’s Shakespeare Day brought together approximately 65 high school students from six area schools — Reynolds, Atkins, Reagan, East Forsyth, West Forsyth, and Parkland — for a full-day, collaborative theatre intensive. Centered around the prologue to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the program invited students to engage with the text through workshops run by faculty and staff, alongside Wake Forest student mentors. Throughout their time, participants explored different theatrical approaches while developing their scene using their assigned theme such as the Wild, Wild West. Mixed-school teams rotated through seminars in lighting, text, movement, costume and props, and directing. The day concluded with a final showcase in the Tedford, where each group presented its work. The event emphasized collaboration across schools and disciplines, offering high school students an immersive introduction to theatrical creation within a collegiate environment.
Background image of students waiting for final presentations on the Tedford Stage. Photo credit: Nola Adepoju
Trio recognized at Authors and artists event
A Faculty Authors and Artists celebration recognizing outstanding 2024-2025 accomplishments of Wake Forest faculty occurred on March 19, and the creative work of three T&D faculty members was featured.
Associate Professor Kevin Frazier was recognized for his sound and lighting design work on eleven professional productions, including a world premier, as well as for receiving two New Hampshire Theatre Awards nominations. Among his design credits last season, he designed the sound and projections for Love and Information and lighting, sound, and projections for The Tempest on our Tedford Stage.
Assistant Teaching Professor Tina Yarborough Liggins received the Arts Legacy Award in Dance at the 2025 Juneteenth GSO Fest, an honor that celebrates contributions of Black artists in the community. In addition, she choreographed works for North Carolina Central University and, of course, extensively here at Wake Forest for groups and events such as Wakeville, IGROOVE, the Fall Faculty and Guest Artist Concert, and the Maya Angelou Center.
Assistant Professor Stephen Wrentmore directed Don Giovanni at Lexington Opera House, Ballymore at UNCSA, and Love and Information at Wake Forest University. In addition to his directing projects, Wrentmore mentored The Marriage of Figaro at Lexington Opera House, completed the script for his screenplay Gasoline, and adapted and directed his own adaptation of the play Scapin at Pioneer Theatre in Salt Lake City.
Congratulations to them all on their nonstop artistic excellence at Wake Forest and beyond.
College Board of Visitors get A taste of the arts
The Scales Fine Arts Center was honored to share the magic of the arts with the College Board of Visitors this Spring. They enjoyed a lobby performance from the Chamber Choir, a visit to Hanes Art Galley, a performance and Q&A with theatre students rehearsing for Jagged Little Pill, a demonstration in the printmaking studio, a Community Ballet class, and a piano recital. It was a packed evening showcasing the power and connectivity that happens every single day in the building, and WFU Theatre & Dance was overjoyed to aid this experience.
Director Stephen Wrentmore with Alyssa Cheng, Carly Galbreth, Mary Caroline Kolar, and Max Biezin. Photo credit: Red Cardinal Studio
Misty Copeland Visits WFU
This year’s commencement speaker was ballet dancer, author, and founder Misty Copeland, who made history as the first Black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. As a surprise to the students, President Susan Wente visited the dancers at a concert dress rehearsal to give the senior dance company members Copeland’s book Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina and extended an invitation for them to attend a private breakfast with Copeland.
On the morning of graduation, Copeland met with the dance faculty and senior company members in Reynolda Hall to celebrate their accomplishments and reflect on their shared passion for dance. The breakfast gave the students the opportunity to connect with one of ballet’s most influential contemporary figures before officially crossing the commencement stage later in the day.
At the ceremony, program director and Professor of Dance Nina Lucas Rice hooded Copeland, who received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree. In her remarks to the Class of 2026, Copeland challenged the crowd to redefine their idea of success to include a balance with their own humanity and personal growth saying, “Pro humanitate to me means using your gifts not only to advance yourself but to widen the space for others.” The department is grateful to Copeland for taking the time to celebrate and encourage this year’s graduating dancers.
Becoming yourself is not a branding exercise. It is a lifelong process of paying attention…to what kind of a human being you want to be when nobody is watching. The world does not need more people performing perfection. It needs more people willing to lead truthfully.
Background image features senior Dance Company members and dance faculty meeting Misty Copeland. Photo credit: Lyndsie Schlink
Faculty in the News
J.K. Curry
The Department of Theatre and Dance is proud to celebrate Professor J.K. Curry, who was named a 2025 Volunteer of the Year by the Twin City Track Club (TCTC), alongside longtime club member and husband Dan Bradley. The honor recognizes individuals whose dedication and leadership help make the club’s events throughout the year. In the past year, Curry has contributed her time and energy to trail cleanups, race-day support, and community gatherings. Her involvement covered major club events such as Beat the Heat, Frosty Fifty, Ultimate Runner, Hobby Trails, and Salem Lake, as well as multiple cleanups at Hanes Park. Curry and Bradley also hosted the club’s St. Patrick’s Day Hash Run at their house in March 2025. In addition to volunteering, Curry has also participated in races with Ainsley’s Angels, helping provide inclusive racing experiences for athletes with disabilities. Join us in congratulating Professor Curry on this well-deserved recognition and celebrate her continued impact on the Wake Forest community and beyond. Read this article by Twin City Track Club to learn more.
Brook Davis
In spring of 2026, eight theatre students helped form a collaboration between WFU Theatre and the Law School Program of Leadership and Character. In a new class called Character Development and Improv led by Professor Brook Davis, students explored character development in two senses of the word: building characters to be used in performance as well as exploring ways that acting can build character. A significant portion of the course was devoted to the practical experience of working in role playing situations with law students to practice the skills law students discuss in their classes. They played clients in tricky legal situations that required the law students to apply their legal knowledge while simultaneously practicing empathy. They also specifically explored the skills that actors possess and how those skills — that many often take for granted — can be beneficial to everyone. You can watch a video about the program HERE.
Jon Herbert
Assistant Professor Jon Herbert’s play The Last Noel is turning heads on the national stage, earning both a conference reading and a forthcoming journal publication. Herbert presented his play as a staged reading at the Mid-America Theatre Conference (MATC) in Atlanta last March. Following the reading, the play was selected for publication in the MATC Theatre/Practice Journal. MATC is a national organization dedicated to furthering and celebrating the art and scholarship of theatre and performance. The Last Noel follows Nick Kringle, better known as Santa Claus, who is revealed to be a signatory for The Big Seven, a council of oligarchs advancing a corrupt agenda for global dominance. On Christmas morning, Nick is confronted by an unexpected visitor: Jesus. He tries to enlist Nick in restoring balance and peace in the world by dismantling The Big Seven’s influence and, ultimately, bringing an end to Christmas as it exists. Learn more and read his play by visiting Herbert’s New Play Exchange page here. The Department celebrates this achievement and looks forward to the continued life of The Last Noel on both the page and stage.
Michael Kamtman
Associate Teaching Professor Michael Kamtman will appear in the upcoming CNN documentary This Land, a six-part series looking at the expansion of the United States in anticipation of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Kamtman, a direct descendant of President James Monroe, was interviewed for the series in New Orleans at the historic The Cabildo, where the final signing ceremony for the Louisiana Purchase took place. The production explores major moments in American expansion through the perspectives of descendants connected to those events. Kamtman’s involvement in the documentary grew out of recent efforts to repatriate the remains of Monroe’s eldest daughter, Eliza Kortright Monroe Hay, who had been buried in Paris for 185 years. Working alongside historian and writer Barbara VornDick, Kamtman participated in ceremonies welcoming Eliza’s remains back to the United States and later served as a pallbearer during her burial in the Monroe family plot in Richmond, Virginia. CNN producers later contacted him after seeing publicity surrounding the repatriation project, leading to his participation in the documentary series. The series premieres June 7th, 2026 on CNN and will air two episodes each Sunday at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET/PT, with streaming available the following day through CNN’s website and app. Watch the trailer and catch a glimpse of Kamtman HERE.
Leah Roy
The Department of Theatre and Dance is delighted to share that Leah Roy, Teaching Professor of Performance, has been appointed as the inaugural Faculty in Residence (FIR) at Wake Forest's Center for the Advancement of Teaching (CAT). Her one-year appointment begins at the end of May 2026, with the possibility of renewal for a second year. The Faculty in Residence is a new program, and Roy's selection launches a two-year CAT pilot designed to bring full-time faculty leadership into the Center's work. As FIR, she will serve as a full member of the CAT team, contributing across the Center's programs and partnering closely with Dr. Anita McCauley, CAT's Director of Curriculum Development and Assessment, on curriculum and assessment initiatives. She will also help CAT Assistant Director Dr. Karen Spira facilitate a new Students as Partners pilot. Roy's residency will give particular attention to models of assessment in the arts and the integration of experiential learning across the arts and humanities, areas where her two decades of teaching and program-building in Theatre and Dance offer a distinctive perspective often underrepresented in national conversations about teaching and learning. Roy will continue to teach one course in the department each semester and advise her majors and minors, and she will remain a presence at faculty meetings, seasonal planning, and Anthony Aston Players meetings. The department is proud to see her work recognized in this way and is excited about what her contributions at the CAT will mean for teaching at Wake Forest and in the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Christina Soriano
Professor Christina Soriano and Co-Director of the Wake the Arts Center, played a large role in Arts, Health Care, and Humanities in Action, a one-day symposium held on February 13, 2026, at the Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness at Senior Services, Inc. in Winston-Salem. The free event brought together artists, scholars, clinicians, healthcare and human services professionals, patients and service recipients, funders, and community leaders to examine the growing role of the arts and humanities in shaping health care, human services, and higher education in North Carolina. The symposium was grounded in the Arts on Prescription (Arts Rx) pilot study, a Winston-Salem Arts Council-funded initiative led through collaboration between the Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness, Wake Forest University, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and community arts partners. Inspired by national models such as the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the project explores how structured arts engagement can support older adults in Forsyth County. Across panels and interactive sessions, participants highlighted how interdisciplinary collaboration between the arts, medicine, and the humanities is shaping emerging models of care and community connection. A summary of the event can be found HERE.
Student Organizations
The annual arts festival Wakeville featured a curated cabaret presented by the Anthony Aston Players, along with a sneak peek of their end-of-year sketch comedy show LaughTracks. The festival also included dance performances from several student groups, showcasing work across multiple styles and ensembles. Musical theatre dance club “Can’t Stop the Beat!” took a trip to see the hit musical Kimberly Akimbo this semester when the tour arrived in North Carolina. Dramatic Literature Club discussed many plays, including Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew and attended productions such as NC Black Repertory's The Legend of Buster Neal, and Lauren Gunderson's Book of Will directed by the department’s very own Lara Ianni. Anthony Aston Players later presented their full production of LaughTracks in April, featuring student-written and performed sketches that played to a lively, engaged audience. In addition, an evening of six staged plays — kickstarted by Professor Jon Herbert — featured original work written, directed, and performed by Wake Forest students. Selected through a blind selection process, the plays offered students the opportunity to develop and present new theatrical work. The lineup included From the Bottle by Conner Hunt (‘28), The Finch Family Detective Agency by Hannah Reynolds (‘26), The Beauty of Traffic by Andy Behrman (‘28), One Year Later by Kaiya Brown (‘29), Ghost Wives Podcast by Margaret Williams (‘26), and The Boy and the Pool by JM Stowers (‘27).
Background image is of students performing in the Anthony Aston Players' "Cabaret" at Wakeville. Photo credit: Piper Saunders
Alumni News
Johanna Beach Lyle
Alumna Johanna Lyle (‘15) was recently featured in House Beautiful for her growing interior design firm, Jo Lyle & Co. While at Wake Forest, Lyle majored in Theatre with a minor in Entrepreneurship. She was also a Presidential Scholar in Theatre and an active member of Anthony Aston Players. Before pursuing interior design professionally, she explored several creative fields, including acting, touring in a two-woman theatre production with her sister, and nonprofit video production. During the pandemic, Lyle began redesigning her apartment and sharing the process online, eventually realizing interior design was the creative field she wanted to pursue full time. After training under a designer in Chicago, she later launched her own firm, now based in Raleigh, and is seeing her creativity rewarded with a flourishing business and national recognition.. Read the magazine feature online HERE.
Alyssa Colman
Wake Forest theatre alum Alyssa Colman (‘06) has been awarded the 2026 American Library Association’s Schneider Family Book Award for her novel Where Only Storms Grow. The award recognizes outstanding artistic expression of the disability experience for young readers. The novel also received the 2026 Josette Frank Award and was named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. A theatre and English major at Wake Forest, Colman draws on her training in storytelling to write heartwarming stories for young audiences. Her previous novels include The Gilded Girl and The Tarnished Garden, both middle-grade fantasies. Colman currently lives in Virginia with her husband, twin daughters, and dog, Daisy. Visit her website HERE to learn more about her accomplishments since graduating.
Student Spotlight
SETC Awards
Our design students cleaned up at the Southeast Theatre Conference this spring, where five students earned awards in design competitions for their work this school year. Taking place March 4-7, Wake Forest theatre students attended the conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to participate in workshops, network with theatre professionals and students from across the region, and present their design work in the annual competitions. The annual design competition awarded first place to Carly Galbreth (‘27) for her sound design, first place to Ziqi Huang (‘27) for her props design, and second place to Maggie Payne (‘26) for her costume design — all for their work on the first Mainstage production of the season, Failure: A Love Story. Payne also received first place in Costume Technology for a ballgown she designed and created to embody the third Mainstage production of the school year, Old Times. Callie Wittmann (‘27) earned second place for her sound design in Old Times, and Lauren Summers (‘29) received third place in the Costume Crafts category for her work on the student-produced Studio Series play Barn Wood and Blue Roses. Together, these recognitions showcase the creativity and technical excellence of Wake Forest Theatre students and reflect a strong year of design and production work across the season’s productions. The department is grateful for its many talented students and excited to see where their work takes them next.
ACTF honors
Wake Forest Theatre & Dance students Senya Li and Allison Sweeney, accompanied by faculty members Jon Herbert and Stephen Wrentmore, earned major recognition at the 2026 American College Theater Festival (ACTF) Region IV conference, held at Auburn University at Montgomery. Selected from hundreds of submissions in a regional 10-Minute Play competition, Li and Sweeney were chosen as two of only six directors invited to present staged readings of six plays. Li was awarded Best Director for her direction of A Soft Place to Land, and Sweeney’s production of The Rut received the award for Best Play. After a rapid audition process involving dozens of actors from across the region, both directors led intensive rehearsals culminating in staged readings presented at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, one of the Southeast’s leading regional theatres. In addition to directing, Li and Sweeney attended workshops and viewed productions selected from across the area. Festival highlights included Twelfth Night, The Birds, and Camp Logan from Alabama State University.
Youth America Grand Prix
Wake Forest dance student Alina Vinokur earned 1st place in the Senior Women’s Division for Classical Dance at the regional Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) competition in Winston-Salem. YAGP is the world’s largest ballet scholarship audition, connecting more than 15,000 young dancers each season across the U.S. and abroad. For over 26 seasons, it has served as a global network and launchpad for emerging artists, awarding more than $5 million in scholarships and producing alumni who now perform with leading companies around the world. Vinokur is a first-year student from Westport, Connecticut, and the department is thrilled to see how she continues to grow as an artist during her time at Wake Forest and beyond.
Theatre & Dance Banquet Awards
At the department’s end of the year celebration, we honored several students for their work and contributions in the last year and beyond. Listed below are winners. Knox Dance Scholars: Savannah Rolfe & Jillian Sondike Senior Theatre Scholars: Abby Parr & Hannah Reynolds Johnnie Collins III Drama Scholarships: Paige Harrell & Lauren Summers Dyeann & Henry Jordan Scholarships: Renewing: Carly Galbreth, John Mark Stowers, & Callie Wittmann. New: Nola Adepoju & Mary Caroline Kolar James Dodding Theatre Awards: Carly Galbreth, Ziqi Huang, & Senya Li Hugo Award: Carly Galbreth, Sound Design for Failure: A Love Story Senior Service Awards: Alyssa Cheng, Gabby Miller, Taylor Nisbet , Maggie Payne, & Caleb Walsh Bagby Award: Maya Roth Tedford Award: Carly Galbreth
WFU Theatre & Dance is so proud of all of its hardworking students, and the dedication and passion they continue to bring to the department each year!
Mark Your Calendars!
We hope that you can join us for our 2026-2027 season. Stay tuned to our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates. We hope to see you at the theatre!
The Firebugs
Written by Max Frisch. Directed by Brook Davis. Performances on September 25-27 & October 1-4.
Dance Nation
Written by Clare Barron. Directed by Stephen Wrentmore. Performances on November 4-8.
Fall Faculty & Guest Artist Concert
Directed by Nina Lucas Rice. Performances on November 19-22.
The Secret in the Wings
Written by Mary Zimmerman. Directed by Cindy Gendrich & Jonathan Herbert. Performances on April 2-4 & 8-11.
Spring Student Choreographic Concert
Directed by Chris Martin. Performances on April 22-25.