Interview with Jayma Mays star of the soon to be released  Epic Movie and RU Alum

Class of 1987

Tyler Barden has been entertaining children of all ages sine 1989. His ballon creations have been enjoyed in Virginia beach, New York and all over the New River Valley.

When asked if he has been to "Clown College" , Tippy Canoe happily replies, " Yes . . . Radford University!"

In addition to balloons, Tippy aslo performs magic, juggling and hand and face painting.

Class of 1995 and 1992

Mike Biby ('95) and Michelle (Mooch) Anthony ('92 Theatre & '94 Math) were married in May of 1995. After they were married, they moved to Palm Harbor, FL and started their lives together there. In Florida, Michelle became a Math teacher at Kennedy Middle School in Clearwater as well as co-directing after school shows by the students. Michelle also coordinated trips to New York, to enrich her students in the life of Theatre and New York City. (Who else took "New York Field Trip" for 3 credits Spring of 1989? That was fabulous!) . Mike and Michelle now reside in Chesterfield, VA after moving back in April of 1997. Michelle is currently teaching ("performing on a daily basis to a captive audience") Math and Web Design at Clover Hill High School and Mike was teaching math in Chesterfield County but after 3 kids, he now works as Dad during the day and Server at night.

They can also be reached at: mbiby@cavtel.net

Theatre Major, 1976 to 1979

Mary attended Radford College . . . she means University (is she dating herself???) . . . from 1976 through 1979 as a Theatre major. After leaving school, she floated aimlessly until landing her current job as a graphics designer at Mitretek Systems in Falls Church, Virginia.

Though she didn't pursue her dream of theatrical fame and fortune, Mary has worked in community and small professional theatre ever since leaving Radford. As with all theatre vagabonds, she has done her duty both onstage and back, though her first love will always be acting. Her shows have received numerous awards and nominations from NVTA, VTA, SETC, WATCH, and ACT. As a matter of fact, Mary will be making her third trip to SETC in March 2006 when she stage manages Virginia's entry, Harvest Moon.

Mary also did a stint in the world of "special event theatre", working in such prestigious venues as The Kennedy Center, The MCI Center, the National Building Museum, The Washington Convention Center, and Bull Run Regional Park, stage managing the likes of Sidney Poitier, Felicia Rashad, Elisabeth Shue, Dana Carvey, Graham Nash, Baakari Wilder, and many local celebrities.

If you want to reminisce about the old days, talk about the new ones, or offer a job, Mary can be reached at: maryb889@gmail.com

Class of 1990

After graduating from Radford in 1990, Regan moved to New York City and attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Upon graduation, he and fellow Radford Theatre Alum, Jennifer Warren, moved to Los Angeles, CA and were soon married.

Regan spent several years performing at The Groundlings Theatre along with Cheryl Hines, Will Forte, Kathy Griffin, Jennifer Coolidge and many others. Regan has had recurring roles on several T.V. shows including Titus, The Ellen Show, HBO's Mind of the Married Man and Once & Again. Guest star roles also include, Without a Trace, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Malcolm in the Middle, and The District to name a few. Regan has also appeared in over 60 different national commercials.

Regan's show, Oblivious, ran for two years on Spike TV and the "Best Of" is now available on DVD. He has just recently created and sold a show to Comedy Central entitled Halfway House. He, along with his partners, will write and star in the pilot about a group of misfits living in a halfway home, which is being shot in November of 2005. He will also be shooting the pilot for Annie Duke Takes on the World for GSN in November. In the vein of Win Ben Stein's Money, Regan hosts the poker game show that gives contestants the chance to take on professional poker player, Annie Duke.

Regan and Jennifer live in Agoura Hills, CA and have a three year old son and a one month old little girl. For more info on Regan, you can check out . .

www.reganburns.com
info@reganburns.com

Class of 1990

Katie has been living in Chicago since January, 1992 where she is a member of the Second City National Touring Company. She absolutely loves Chicago! In fact, she highly recommends it to any aspiring actor, because there is a great market here and it is much more accessible than New York or Los Angeles. (Not as much money, but we're all in it for the art, right?) .

She has performed with several improvisational groups around town, most notably ComedySportz. She also has been doing plays such as Lanford Wilson's Balm in Gilead and original works with the WNEP Theatre Ensemble, of which she is a member. With WNEP she has performed in The Armageddon Radio Hour (a 1940's style radio show satire), Metaluna and the Amazing Science of the Mind Revue (a Dada inspired play) and directed a stage adaptation of the 1945 Billy Wilder film The Lost Weekend. In fact, their production of The Armageddon Radio Hour took her to Scotland's world famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival for a month to perform.

In the meantime, she has acquired an agent for lots of on-camera auditions, done some industrials (yawn) and just recently was hired as an understudy for The Second City's National Touring Company. She continues to perform with Chicago ComedySportz every weekend and currently is in rehearsal for WNEP's upcoming show entitled The Wicked and the Sexed an original musical which opens at the end of June. So if you're ever in Chicago, Radford alums, look her up.

....and if anyone sees Marty Evans, tell him I said "hey", and guerilla theatre lives.

Katie can be reached via Email at: Kcaussin@aol.com

Kelly Davis (now Kelly Copes) graduated with a B.S. from Radford University in 1999. From there she went on to become a Stage Manager at Busch Gardens Williamsburg for a summer. She then pulled a three year stint as the Properties Apprentice at TheatreVirginia in Richmond, Va. In 2002 she became their Company Manager and Assistant Production Manager, bought a house, and married Jason Copes. The end of that year brought the end of TheatreVirginia and the beginning of a cycle of odd jobs. She has since returned to Busch Gardens, where she will finish out 2005 as an Audio Technician. Her part-time job as the Howl-O-Scream Secretary and Housing Coordinator for the Entertainment Department has turned into a full-time Assistant Arts Administrator position, and she couldn't be more pleased. She lives in West Point with her husband, their two dogs, two hedgehogs, and some fish.

kellycopes@gmail.com

Class of 2004

After touring both regionally and nationally with Theatre IV, Sadrina moved from the mountains of Virginia (with her flower giving husband still by her side) to 'the city that never sleeps' (or has parking), New York City! Sadrina has since toured regionally and nationally as Harriet Tubman aboard the Freedom Train and has been seen on stages all throughout the Big Apple small and large playing characters ranging from a German shepherd returning from overseas to a 90 year old Asian elder. She is currently playing the role of Lucy in Inside Broadway’s version of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Stay tuned for even more interesting and mostly overdramatic updates in her life. Or if you can’t wait that long, coming soon…

sjourney16@hotmail.com
www.sadrinajohnson.com

Class of 1997

After graduating from Radford, Dan worked for a season with Mill Mountain Theatre as Master Electrician and Sound Engineer. Dan then turned his sights on the progressively booming computer field. He worked for one of Washington, DC's top Macintosh consulting firms and  Walt Disney Feature Animation in Burbank, CA as a Tech Support Engineer.

BFA Acting 1988

Sean is the founder and director of a national arts education consulting company called FOCUS 5 INC. He travels coast to coast designing and implementing arts-integration programs. He also trains Educators and Teaching Artists how to integrate the arts with other curriculum areas. Check it out: Sean's Home Page

For over a decade Sean was a company member of the InterAct Story Theatre, a professional touring theatre company and an educational consulting service.

Sean is also a Master Artist for the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through The Arts program. The goal of this nationwide program is to train early childhood professionals in the use of performing arts techniques which help young children learn basic academic concepts as well as life skills. Along with leading teacher training workshops nationally and internationally, Sean also conducts residencies where he works together with early childhood educators to develop, refine and evaluate new performing arts teaching strategies.

Sean is also national workshop presenter and Arts Coach for the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Along with working with teachers and students, Sean is developing a series of national training seminars and publications for The Kennedy Center that will train teaching artists how to develop residency programs and professional development workshops. Check out the video the Kennedy Center produced of his work: Kennedy Center: Living Pictures


Sean has a 13 year old daughter named Raelyn and lives in Northern Virginia. He can be reached via E-Mail at Aktor@aol.com

Class of 1990

Since 1991, Chester Lee has found new and innovative ways to fuse the arts with cutting-edge computer technology. He designed one of the first theatre sites for the web with http://www.asf.net , a site dedicated to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. The site was featured in The Wall Street Journal, and named as “one of the top 1,001 sites on the web” by PC Computing Magazine.

Mr. Lee has developed database applications, ticketing systems, E-Mail campaigns, and websites for a host of clients including Birmingham Children’s Theatre, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Public Television, Public Radio, the Southeastern Conference, AmSouth Bank, Regions Bank, the YWCA, and several others.

In 1997, he began to merge computers with performances by creating several multi-media productions that toured throughout the Southeast and were hailed by critics as “the theatre for the future.” His Internet film, Boys Best Friend, won first place in Tech TV’s Cam Film Festival. He has directed and produced more than 250 television direct response commercials for clients across the country, and most recently took second place in the National Commercial Contest for Kentucky Fried Chicken.

He has been a guest lecturer at Auburn University, the University of Cincinnati, University of Alabama Birmingham, Samford University, and many others. He has presented lectures at Theatre Conferences across the nation, and is a featured speaker of the American Express Arts Marketing Project.

He is a graduate of Radford University in Virginia with a B.A. in Theatre, and received his MFA from the University of Alabama in Arts Administration. He is currently the founder and president of Creative Links, a firm specializing in custom web applications and video production which, ironically, does not have a website.

Clee@aptv.org
Chester Lee
Creative Links
457 Morris Rd.
Ft. Wright, KY 41011

B.S. Theatre 1994

Melanie Poisson, formerly Melanie Kamerling, graduated from R.U. in 1994. Following graduation, she met Joseph Poisson (technical director and set designer) while at Sword of Peace summer stock theatre. She then completed a one-year internship in Box Office Management at Actors Repertory Theatre in Albany, New York and the following summer at the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Massachusetts. In 1995, the two became engaged and zipped off to Las Vegas in hopes of pursuing more stable theatrical careers. The next few years were spent exploring the real world and taking on their cockatiel, Hercules, and their orange tabby, Hobbes. Melanie currently works in case management for a non-profit organization who pays for vocational training, yet stays somewhat active in local theatre box offices, etc. Her husband is a TV producer and editor for the local WB affiliate which extends from his minor in broadcasting which he earned at Northern Michigan University (graduated 1995). Melanie's future goal is to obtain her masters degree in counseling. She thinks back very fondly on her years at RU and the wonderful friendships made there. I'll begin rehearsals on my production of "Charlottes Web" on February 28th. I'm Mrs. Zucherman.

Melanie can be reached at jpoisson@comcast.net and 810-444-6818

6322 River Roadd, Flushing, MI 48433

Class of 1989

After training as a Shakespearean actor in the Bard’s native country, Greg returned state-side and furthered his career performing, writing, directing, and choreographing for theatres and festivals across the country. Greg is currently the Artistic Director of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. Greg is a Certified Canadian Fight Director, a Certified Teacher of Stage Combat by the Society of American Fight Directors, an alumnus of The United Stuntman’s Association Stunt School, God to a group of unsuspecting South Pacific islanders, a Fencing instructor, a Tae Kwon Do instructor, a Kendoka and a Playwright. Greg’s recent interests include lightsabre dueling with his four year old while using the force to levitate his 1 year old while playing Jedi mind tricks on their Mommy.

Greg@parenaissancefaire.com

Class of 1993

April, Jadon and Caroline (April, 2001)

Following graduation, I went to Montana to a school that trains Christian missionaries. I studied there for three months (24/7) and had my field assignment for two months in Kenya and Tanzania. I returned to Virginia in the summer of 1994 to get married to Scott Salvant (he was a theatre major from 1991-1992). We left a few weeks later for more missionary training in Belo Horizonte, Brazil for four months. After returning we resided in Chesapeake, Virginia for one year before leaving again for Tanzania. We lived there for eight months working for Youth With A Mission when I became pregnant with our son. Due to problems with malaria, we returned to Chesapeake to have the baby. Jadon Douglas was born in March of 1997. Scott also took a job with our church, Beach Fellowship, as full time Youth Pastor. We had the opportunity to befriend teens from every walk of life. They kept us young with white water rafting, rock climbing, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, swimming and summer missions trips to Jamaica and Brazil!! During that time we had our daughter, Caroline Isabel (7/00). I have been able to stay at home with our children. I have worked out of the home as a graphic designer, art teacher and childcare provider. I have also had many opportunities to use my theatre experience in our church. I play guitar and sing for our church's music team. Currently, Scott is working for Physician Sales & Service, Inc., a world medical company. We are expecting our third child in March of 2002. I still keep in touch with my best friends at Radford: Krista Baker Shirley, Jennifer Virgil Pogoda, Lisa Powell and Lisa Weeks Freeborough. I would love to hear from some of my other alma mater and can be reached at asalvant@home.com.

"He is no fool who gives up
what he cannot keep to
gain what he cannot lose."
Jim Elliot

"For You have delivered my soul from
death, My eyes from tears, and my
feet from falling. I will walk before the
Lord in the land of the living." Psalm 116:8-9

I haven’t considered myself in the pursuit of acting since 2000. I did do an independent film called Frozen Stars in 1999 and a commercial for BBC America a few years ago but other than that nothing to report of career wise- I’ve been married to Englishman named Philip Shirley since 2000 and have worked for the Factor brothers at Smashbox Cosmetics and Photo Studios in the sales department since 2000 as well.

krista@smashbox.com

Updates on my life: Currently living in Herndon, VA with Jessica Serensits. Going back to my original desired profession, I am slowly accumulating science and math courses at the local community college. Insisting on no less than a 3.7 GPA, it’s going even slower, as I take the financial punch withdrawing from classes, and taking freshman courses as review. I am off on my next endeavor to get accepted to Vet School. I’d like to see a Dr. in front of my name by the time I hit 40. It could happen!

I also have finally gotten back into theatre after a long hiatus. I performed as Elvis in “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” with Leesburg Community Theatre. It’s a start up group, with some really fantastic people. Despite it’s community theater status, there is so much potential, and we fill a noticeable gap in the local theatre community, providing modern, thought provoking plays in an area wrought with “family friendly” companies. I was just elected to the Board of Supervisors for the upcoming year, and will more than likely be directing a couple shows this year.

I really miss all my old Radford pals, and would love to hear from everyone…I sleep better knowing the crew is doing alright for themselves J

As far as websites, my blog, although not updated very often is http://sizah.blogspot.com and I also can be located on myspace.com

jen.sizer@gmail.com

BS 1987

I graduated in 1987 with a BS Degree in Technical theatre. I am currently a broadcast engineer working to support Radio Sawa www.radiosawa.com. We are supported by the IBB and are the largest radio stations in the middle east. I am also an consultant in designing television studios, rigging systems, and lighting and scenic design. I am living in Northern Virginia with my wife and three kids.

pspiegelblatt@radiosawa.com

BS 1998

Wow, my time at Radford seems so long ago. Where do I begin?

I graduated with a B.S. in performance in 1998. I did a season with Virginia Stage Company's educational touring group and was actually cast in a couple of main stage productions. (A Christmas Carol and The Importance of Being Earnest).

After leaving VSC I moved to New York, NY. Eventually I got involved with stage combat. I've taught combat classes at several schools and workshops including H B Studio and New York State Summer School for the Arts. I have also gotten to do some fight direction at some smaller venues in NY including H B Studio.

Of course none of this was enough to pay the bills so I ended up in management for Theatre Refreshment Company (sounds a lot better than it was). This company owns shops and restaurants in Manhattan. After 9/11 the city kind of lost it's luster for me and I ended up moving with my room mate to her hometown of Ashland, Kentucky.

Well, my room mate, Tiffany, is now my wife of 2 years and we have a 7 month old son, Lucas. I am currently in management for a land development company.

Kentucky is good and there is a lot more to do here than I would have ever thought. My wife is getting back to her singing and I am getting back to theatre.

I wish you all well and hope to see some of you at the next reunion.

lucas1025@windstream.net

BFA 1991

Stephanie Turner is currently the Director of Entertainment for Eerie Entertainment. She directs a cast of 30 actors who perform improvisation and puppetry at the Jekyll and Hyde Club in New York City. Since her graduation in '91, Stephanie has performed improvisation at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and Busch Gardens, has been seen off-off Broadway, toured the U.S. twice with the National Theatre of the Performing Arts and performed in The National Shakespeare Company's production of Romeo and Juliet.

In addition to directing, she is currently recording voice-overs for an interactive cd-rom series which provides annotated versions of Shakespeare's' plays.

She can be reached at stefturner@aol.com or 301 W. 55th St. Apt. 6, NY NY 10019

I am now living in NY and pursuing a career on Broadway. I have done one Off Off Broadway show, "The Great Official Subway Musical", and am auditioning and taking classes. I have been here a year and a half, and so far love it! They finally cleaned the city up for me... as I live in Hell's Kitchen, but it's more like Heck's Kitchenette.

Web Page

I am pursuing a career in technical direction, and am currently working as a carpenter at PlayMakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill, NC.

david@drwhitney.net
http://portfolio.drwhitney.net