The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
Following in the captivating footsteps of last year, the new season of shows opened with a mystery: John Bishop’s intriguing play The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 threw a lively bunch of theatre professionals into a web of mystery and murder. With many hidden identities, witty dialogue, intricate secret passages, and a dead body or two, the production begged its ten students to strengthen their acting skills by playing over-the-top characters with fascinating backstories.
The play was directed by Cindy Gendrich, who enlisted many students—past and present—on her team. Zac Anderson (‘25) worked as assistant director, alumni Kyle Ransbottom (‘12) scenic designed, Sarah Cadena (‘25) sound designed, Vir Gupta (‘25) lighting designed, and Abby Parr (‘26) stage-managed. Faculty and staff additions included Jacquelyn Loy, who designed costumes as well as hair and makeup; Leah Elyce Roy, who provided students with accent and vocal aid; and Michael Kamtman, who choreographed all the show’s many battles and deaths.
Love and Information
In an age where technology shapes daily life, Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information aimed to highlight the power of information to shape human connection. The play used stimulating projections, many storylines, and moving set pieces to tell its tale, like flipping pages in a book. Its unique structure allowed the audience to grasp various themes in its 100-minute experience. With many characters, the show spotlighted a cast of nineteen students who each played multiple roles—many of whom were first-time Wake Forest actors.
A new faculty member, Stephen Wrentmore, directed the play. It also spotlighted the artistic work of another new faculty member, Karsen Green, who designed a variety of costumes for the show. Other members of the design team included Rob Eastman-Mullins (set), Kevin Frazier (sound and projections), and Kaylin Gess (lighting). Student leaders included Dance Company member Caleb Walsh (‘26), who provided eye-catching choreography for the show, and Vir Gupta (‘25), who served as stage manager.
Fall Faculty & Guest Artist Concert
The Fall Faculty & Guest Artist Concert had it all. With 42 students performing the dances of six choreographers, the concert was a stellar ending to the semester. Faculty choreographers included Chris Martin, Nina Maria Lucas Rice—who also served as artistic director of the concert—Sam Shapiro, and Tina Yarborough Liggins. A former faculty member, Jonathan Christman, designed lights for all the pieces. In addition, faculty and staff members Alice Burton Barsony, Karsen Green, and Jacquelyn Loy designed costumes. The concert was stage-managed by Alyssa Cheng (‘25).
Guest artists added Trish Casey and Laura Martin to the mix as well. Trish Casey is a faculty emeritus with the School of Dance at The University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Laura Martin holds a similar connection as a current professor at that institution. Casey has taught worldwide, including Mississippi, Texas, New Mexico, Lithuania, Malta, and Australia, and spent an additional 35 years at Winston-Salem’s UNCSA. Laura Martin has danced the works of choreographers such as George Balanchine, Anthony Tudor, Agnes DeMille, Kenneth MacMillan, John Cranko, Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, and Martha Graham, as well as most of the ballets in the classical canon. Not to mention, she spent two years in the Broadway cast of The Phantom of the Opera. Both added unforgettable pieces to this fall’s thrilling dance concert.
Fresh Faces
The new school year welcomed three exceptional new members to our faculty.
Karsen Green
Karsen Green joined Wake Forest as an Assistant Professor of Design and costume designer. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts and Psychology from Furman University before continuing her studies at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, where she earned her MFA in Theatre Design. Before Wake Forest, she worked at Shenandoah University as a Costume Design Fellow through their post-MFA teaching fellowship. She has made a bright impression on the department in her first semester as a costume designer for Love & Information, Queen Cinderella and the Rainbow Magic, and the Fall Faculty & Guest Artist Concert, as well as the professor for the Costume Design course, and the creator of a very beloved Crochet Club.
Jonathan Herbert
Jonathan “Jon” Herbert, one of our new Assistant Professors of Directing and Playwriting and director, came to Wake Forest after leading the theatre program at Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, Missouri. His academic credits include a BA in Theatre Performance from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and both an MA in Theatre and an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Missouri State University. Jon didn’t hesitate to step on as the director for Queen Cinderella and the Rainbow Magic this semester and led the group of students in writing the script. On top of that, he taught both Acting I and Playwriting.
Stephen Wrentmore
We also welcomed Stephen Wrentmore as an Assistant Professor of Theatre Management and Performance and director. Wrentmore holds a B.Ed Hons from the University of Cambridge and an MFA from Oklahoma City University. Prior to Wake Forest, he served as a producer for the Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Kentucky. This semester, he directed our second mainstage show of the season, Love & Information, and taught an intriguing course in Theatre Management.
These three talented professors have already made significant contributions to the department - enriching both the classroom experience and our theatrical productions with their expertise and creativity.
Making Magic Happen
When Make-A-Wish approached the department about creating a show for little Gracie, faculty, staff, and students quickly jumped aboard, and Queen Cinderella and the Rainbow Magic was born. Gracie is a seven-year-old star who dreamt up a tale led by herself as Queen Cinderella. She embarks on a quest to save the kingdom from the mischievous goat Rainbow Sparkles. Written by playwriting students Nola Adepoju (‘27), Alyssa Cheng (‘26), and Taylor Nisbet (‘26), the beautiful ten-minute play had humorous scenes, endearing messages, and a food fight.
The production was directed by new faculty member Jon Herbert and assistant directed by Brook Davis and Michael Kamtman. Kamtman also orchestrated choreography for the food fight, incorporating foam food, carrots as swords, and slow-motion attacks. Music professor Caryn Greco stepped on as the music composer and vocal coach, producing and teaching a poignant song for the show. New faculty member Karsen Green designed costumes for the show including horse ears, fairy wings, and a handmade purple gown for Gracie. The show borrowed the set for Anthony Aston Players’s show Constellations, designed by Joe Bruno (‘26). Zac Anderson (‘25) designed lights, faculty member Kevin Frazier designed media, and Mati Romagnoli (‘27) stage managed.
Faculty Spotlight
Rob Eastman-Mullins
Professor of Design Rob Eastman-Mullins has been busy this semester not only teaching and designing for the department, but also by working with international theatre groups.
In September, Rob served as a juror at the 14th Alexandria International Theatre Festival in Egypt. The festival is one of the most significant cultural and artistic events in the city. The festival aligns with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture’s commitment to presenting artistic works that resonate with contemporary issues and encouraging youth engagement in cultural activities that foster intercultural exchange. The festival featured theatrical performances from various countries around the world.
He was named to the Core Artistic Leadership Team for the U.S. Exhibition for the next Prague Quadrennial of Design and Space (PQ), which will be held in 2027. As the Artistic Director, Rob will develop the artistic vision for the U.S. National and Emerging Exhibits. He was selected to exhibit his scenography for our 2017 production of Macbeth in the 2019 PQ.
As a part of the Kampala International Theatre Festival in Uganda in November, he presented a three-day workshop titled Found Objects on budget-friendly theatre solutions & techniques to expand storytelling with minimal resources.
Faculty & Student Collaborations
Fueling Creativity with URECA
Two students supported the department with their work under Wake Forest Arts and Humanities Research fellowships. With the mentorship of Professor Michael Kamtman, Ellie Howell (‘25), a student studying Theatre and History, aided his upcoming Spring 2025 production of The Tempest by providing dramaturgical work on Chinese Opera techniques. Kamtman hopes to incorporate Chinese influence in his play’s design; thus, Howell scoured historical information dating back to 1046 BCE. Her research included captivating details and images of Chinese theatrical history, including the Peking opera, civilian and military-based plays, stylized music and dance, painted faces with elaborate costumes, scarf and silk dances, and puppetry.
In the late 1970s, Harold Tedford acquired a collection of dresses from the nineteenth century for the theatre. Over the years, the collection has grown, mostly with donations. In the summer of 2010, Mary Wayne-Thomas and Caroline Dignes ('10), began the process of organizing and cataloging the collection. In 2010, Mary continued organizing, repacking and adding new garments to the catalog. The long-term goal was to make this collection accessible to a large audience, since Mary was the only person who knew what we had and where. While these garments are not for stage use, they are an important source for research and teaching. This past summer, with the help of Sadie MacDonald ('26), a URECA grant recipient, employee of the costume shop and studio art major, the garments were given individual numbers and rephotographed. Mary spent the fall semester creating on online database of the collection with the assistance of Kyle Denlinger, Digital Pedagogy & Open Education Librarian. The fascinating database can be viewed and a full story about their research on our website.
Both students and their theatre mentors significantly contributed to the department’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning and the preservation of theatre history.
Student Spotlights
Caiya Hanks
Theatre minor and women’s soccer player Caiya Hanks (‘26) has made our department proud as a 2024 MAC Hermann Semifinalist. The MAC Hermann Trophy, the most coveted individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer, has been awarded annually since 1967. The 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy banquet will be held at the historic Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis on Jan. 3, 2025, to formally announce this year's winners. Caiya first fell in love with theatre after taking Introduction to Western Theatre with Professor Brook Davis in the fall of her sophomore year. Although she was nervous about later taking an acting class, Assistant Teaching Professor Michael Kamtman reassured her that performing is similar to playing soccer: even with a large crowd watching, she could stay focused by remembering her role and what she needed to do. With her dedication to both the stage and the field, Caiya exemplifies the versatility, focus, and passion that our department celebrates.
Kimberlyn Rojo-Rojas
Kimberlyn Rojo-Rojas (‘25), a member of the WFU Dance Company, was recently awarded the Morgan Judd Scholarship. The scholarship, given by the Morgan Judd Foundation, was created in honor of Morgan Judd (1992-2011), a talented dancer and a member of the WFU Class of 2015. It provides $5,000 academic scholarships to deserving undergraduate students who embody the pillars and values of the foundation, are involved in arts programs of any capacity, and demonstrate financial need. Kimberlyn calls the scholarship a motivation to keep excelling in academics and extracurriculars that help make a change. Kimberlyn’s recognition as a Morgan Judd Scholar is a testament to her talent, dedication, and impact as both a Wake Forest Dance Company member and a student leader.
Organizations Around Campus
Our students are fond of engagement in creative expression, evident in our long list of student organizational productions, activities, and clubs.
Anthony Aston Players
Anthony Aston Players (AAP) had their annual spooky Haunted Tunnels event with the theme of Shipwreck’d. Students worked to turn the tunnels underneath the first-year dorms of Babcock and Luter into a sinister under-the-sea experience, complete with pirates, sirens, sea monsters, and other frightening creatures. Following this eerie event, AAP’s annual show, Constellations, rolled around. Directed by senior Sarah Cadena (‘25), Constellations unwrapped the emotional relationship of Marianne and Roland and their unfathomable multitudes of possibilities. The play was designed, teched, acted all by students and was a show to be remembered. On a rain soaked October day, the Flock also placed first in their division in Hit the Bricks, the annual race around the Quad to raise money for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund!
Lost in Translation
In dance news, Lost in Translation (LIT), a Korean hip-hop dance troupe, showcased its talents with several performances across campus. LIT’s annual showcase included K-pop and urban dance routines, an original piece choreographed by Riley Shanaghan (‘25), and guest performances from K-pop clubs at Duke University, North Carolina State University, and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. The ensemble also performed at the Asian Student Interest Association’s Harvest Moon Festival, Parents’ Weekend, and the Club Dance Showcase.
Momentum
Wake Forest’s hip-hop and urban dance crew, Momentum, has also had an incredible and busy semester. The group performed at many fall events, such as Parents’ Weekend, Project Pumpkin, the Club Dance Showcase, LIT Showcase, Harvest Moon, Holiday Fest, and Soul Spark: Igniting the Future of Faith. One standout moment this season was the filming of their fall dance video, featuring original choreography by their members across a variety of styles and music.
New Clubs
Can’t Stop the Beat, a musical theatre dance club founded and presided over by JM Stowers (‘27), has taken the semester by storm. As a class designed for beginners, the group mainly dances jazz and tap numbers for hit musicals. This semester, the members learned choreography for West Side Story’s “America,” Hairspray’s “(You're) Timeless To Me,” and Chicago’s “Cell Block Tango.”
Other groups have also sparked interest in the department. This semester, Callie Wittmann (‘27) founded a club for Dramatic Literature. Students have discussed Lysistrata, How I Learned to Drive, and Death of a Salesman and plan to explore more in the spring.
Led by new faculty member Karsen Green, the Crochet Club has formed, aiming to teach those with any experience level how to crochet items. So far, the group has learned to make scarves, and they plan on crafting more in the future.
Alumni on the Move
Painting Joy with Bob Ross
Wake Forest Theatre alumnus Caleb Cabiness (‘19) will direct his original musical, The Joy of Painting: A Musical, at the Bob Ross Bringing Back the JOY art exhibition in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Wake Forest alumni Parker Cabiness (‘21) will be reprising his role as Bob Ross while Natalie Cordone (‘01) will serve as the show’s producer. There will be two 30-minute performances at the North Carolina Wesleyan University Dunn Center on Saturday, January 11th, 2025. This production showcases the continued success of Wake Forest alumni in the arts, demonstrating their creative talent and dedication to bringing innovative projects to life. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Hillary Heard Baack
Since graduating from Wake Forest with degrees in English and Theatre, Hillary Heard Baack ('02) has been on a steady path toward greatness. She previously wrote a one-woman play, Birth Story, which performed off-Broadway at The Barrow Group in New York City. After moving to Los Angeles, she did theatre with Deaf West Theatre and booked guest roles in various television shows and a supporting role in the film The East. More recently, she starred alongside Academy Award-nominated actor Elliot Page in an independent film called Close to You. Baack believes her theatre degree has sincerely strengthened her acting, writing, and directing work. In the near future, she plans to shoot a film about Helen Keller’s life, and she has plenty of ideas for more movies and plays she hopes to create.
Chris Cates
After Chris Cates ('22) spent the summer as a Camp Administrator for Children's Aid/AileyCamp NY, he danced with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in November. He performed in choreographer Matthew Rushing's piece Sacred Songs: A Journey of the Spiritual, which was presented as a part of Edges of Ailey at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Edges of Ailey will run through February 9 at the Whitney.
Spring Events
We have several productions scheduled in our spring semester. Below is a list of events. For more information about productions next semester, please visit our website or follow us on Facebook or Instagram. We hope to see you at the theatre!
Studio Series presents Radium Girls by D.W. Gregory. Directed by Zac Anderson (‘25). January 30-February 1, Tedford Stage.
Dead Man’s Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl. Directed by Brook Davis. February 7-9 & 13-16, Ring Theatre.
The Tempest by William Shakespeare. Directed by Michael Kamtman. April 4-6 & 10-13, Tedford Stage.
Studio Series presents a one-act double billing. A Marriage Proposal by Anton Chekhov, directed by Yue Yu ('25) & The Yalta Game by Brian Friel (based on Chekhov's short story The Lady and the Dog), directed by Ellie Howell ('24). April 17-19, Ring Theatre.
Spring Student Choreographic Concert. Directed by Tina Yarborough Liggins. April 24-27, Tedford Stage.