Letters of Recommendation
Below you will find letters from my colleagues who have worked with me professionally in the theatre industry, former students, and other teaching artists who have personal experience with my scholarship and academic work.
Katie Mikula-Wineman
Prop Shop Manager, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Point Park University
Katie and I have worked together at Point Park University for over five years, and frequently collaborate as mentors for students working on their Production Assignments. Katie and I worked especially close together to figure out how to best provide production students with hands on opportunities during the COVID-19 Pandemic. She has been a fellow advocate for our students, and knows how I approach teaching and mentorship.
Associate Teaching Professor of Lighting and Production Technology, Carnegie Mellon University
Todd Brown is a highly respected lighting technician, educator, and artist, currently teaching at Carnegie Mellon University. Todd was my professor when I was an MFA candidate at CMU, but we quickly became colleagues when I began to assist in some of his classes, and then took over teaching the stagecraft classes. After graduation, I worked with him during the summer, teaching the CMU PreCollege Program. We have combined our classes over the last few years. I have sent several Point Park students to assist Todd while he was the lighting designer for Quantum Theatre. I have also sent a Point Park student to serve as the Lighting Manager for the School of Music at CMU. Todd has been able to observe me as an educator, and has worked with my students. He is in a unique position to speak to all my strengths.
Annmarie Duggan
Professor/Department Chair of Theatre Arts, University of Pittsburgh
Annmarie Duggan is a talented lighting designer with a prolific career Off-Broadway and in Regional Theaters all across the country, while also teaching at the University of Pittsburgh. She is an active member of USA 829 and USITT, and has been recognized as an outstanding teacher and mentor, winning the 2013 Ballet Teaching Excellence Award. Annmarie has been a guest designer at Point Park University, working directly with my students as her assistants, board operators, and student lighting supervisors. She has hire some students for outside shows. She can also speak to my abilities as a fellow lighting designer.
C. Todd Brown
Lauren M. Nichols
Scenic Designer and Artist
Lauren Nichols is a Chicago based Scenic Designer, Model Maker, Draftsperson, and Scenic Artist. She has worked as a freelance designer in and around Chicago, and received her MFA from Northwestern University. In addition to her own design work, she works as an assistant to many prominent Chicago scenic designers, and is an Adjunct teacher at Northwestern University, University of Florida at Gainesville, the University of Illinois - Chicago, and The Theatre School at DePaul University. Lauren and I have collaborated on many stunning shows, such as Firebrand Theatre’s Queen of the Mist, Caroline, or Change, and Always… Patsy Cline.
Jim Corti
Artistic Director, Paramount Theatre
Jim Corti is the Artistic Director of Paramount Theatre in Aurora, IL. I have had the pleasure of working with him as my Director for A Streetcar Named Desire (Jeff Award Winner), Next to Normal, and The Producers. Jim is one of the leading artistic voices of the Chicago Theatre Community, and I’m honored to call him collaborator and friend.
Hope Debelius
Point Park Alum - Lighting Design
Hope Debelius graduated from Point Park University in 2022 with her BFA in Theatre Production: Design, with a focus in lighting design. She is currently pursuing her MFA from Boston University. Hope was one of the first students at Point Park who I would consider “my student”. I mentored her on four productions while at PPU, and taught many of her classes. After graduation, Hope and I have kept in close contact, and I helped her form classes while she taught at Pittsburgh CAPA. I also helped her assemble her portfolio for her grad school application. I’m incredibly proud of the artist Hope has become.
Noah Glaister
Point Park Alum - Scenic Design
Noah Glaister graduated from Point Park University in 2023 with his BFA in Theatre Production: Design, with a focus in Scenic design. He has moved to New York City where he is a freelance scenic designer and works as an assistant to Ken Billington drafting scenic electrics. Noah was not officially my mentee; however he took all my classes and frequently consulted with me about his production assignments to go over ideas and ask for advice. I also designed projections for a show where he was the scenic designer. Noah was an inspiring student, and continues to radiate his passion for theatre and story telling.
Caroline Inches
Point Park Alum - Stage Management
Caroline Inches graduated from Point Park University in 2024 with her BFA in Theatre Production: Stage Management. Caroline was an active stage manager, a mentor, a student life advisor, and served as my faculty apprentice for three years. After graduation, she was a Stage Management Apprentice for The Muny before working as an Assistant Stage Manager on several Off-Broadway productions. She will soon travel to Australia to serve on a Carnival Cruise contract. Caroline was an incredible student who led her class and was an example to all the underclassmen. I’m incredibly proud of how hard she worked and look forward to working with her as a colleague.