Miranda Wilson (Class 2006, BA Theatre Arts) I’ve been working as a freelance ASM/SM in opera around the US for the last 15 years, currently mainly working at The Dallas Opera for the last 9 seasons. I’ve also been the Head Props Run Crew Chief for the last 16 summers at the Santa Fe Opera.
Cody Gerszewski (Class 2015, BS in Theatre Arts/Minor in Music) relocated post-graduation in order to take part in further training with The Open Jar Institute in New York City. Since then, he's joined the Actors Equity Association while performing at regional theaters across the country as well as working on remounts of Broadway musicals/Industry Readings of new works in Manhattan.
David Boyd (Class 1990, BA Theatre Arts) Moved to NYC, studied Scenic Art at an off shoot school based on the Lester Polokov scenic art technique. Accepted into United Scenic Artists 829. Film and television work includes but not limited to: Sex and the City, The Forgotten, Across the Universe, Muppets Christmas Movie, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, Dr. Oz, Emergence, Younger. Producing Artistic Director/Executive Director for Change the Channel Productions non-profit theater company I founded with friends where I live.
Carissa Thorlakson (Class 2008, BFA Performance) Interned at the Santa Fe Opera, then moved to Kansas and did some freelance costume, makeup, and directing. Then to DC where I spent 3 years at The Shakespeare Theatre in wigs and wardrobe. I worked all over town including at the Kennedy Center for several shows. I also worked at the Sarasota Opera before moving up to the McCarter in Princeton NJ. I’m the wig and makeup supervisor and frequently the wig designer. I’ve also been freelancing in Philly and NYC, most notably I designed an Encores production of Grand Hotel at NY City Center and a debut of a new Ken Ludwig show.
Jack Golden (Class 2015, BFA Design/Tech) Freelance designer, major regional theatre assistant, and soon to be scenic design MFA Grad from the University of Maryland. Have also worked in a variety of production positions at every level of theatre, most recently the Director of Production at NestStop Theatre outside of Washington, DC.
Leah Vogel (Class Alum, BS Theatre Arts, minor in English Lit) After 3 summers spent working at the Santa Fe Opera and an internship at Juilliard, I worked 7 years in both Stage and Production management in NYC. Now a proud member of the FM arts community working with FM Opera, Theatre B, and Loon Opera in Duluth.
Emma Woods (Class 2016, BFA Musical Theatre) My theatre-related job was getting on Sing On! and making it all the way to the top (she won the competition). I currently work in COVID testing, and my theatre training has helped me treat patients with empathy and compassion, even when they prove difficult.
Kelsy Hewitt (Class 2015, BFA Tech/Design) I am the Operations and Rentals Manager at Trollwood Performing Arts School. It is super great to see some of our students going on to study at NDSU with my former professors and love getting to work with those professors on a professional basis! I also am in charge of Marketing and Events for Bear Creek Winery in Fargo, which is owned by my fiance's family! I get to freelance costume design when time permits!
Sarah Palm (Class 2014, BFA Performance). I went on to graduate with my MFA in Acting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2018. After spending 6 months post-graduation working on regional contracts, I moved to Atlanta, GA where I am working in theatre and film. I also teach and freelance graphic design. I’m also a voice talent for the Unexpected Podcast.
Topher Perkl (Class 2010, BFA Performance) I am the General Manager of AudioQuip; we rent audio gear to theaters and live events. I am also the resident Sound Designer for Normandale Community College, and I do freelance sound design for video games.
Amy Perkl (Class 2011, BA Theatre Arts, BS Psychology, minor in Neuroscience) I'm the Project Manager for Trapped Puzzle Rooms, where I design and build escape rooms and other puzzley experiences. It's an excellent blend of my neuropsychology degree and my theatre degree. My focus in theatre was in props and I built props and scenery at the Guthrie for a while so it's exciting to use those skills in a very different setting.
Chelsea Brown (Class 2015, BS Theatre Arts, minor Business Administration) I’m currently working on the Development team at Arts Midwest, a regional arts organization. I’m focusing on organizing our donor database, writing grant proposals, and reporting back on the work our awesome program teams do. Basically, I’m learning how to get more money, connections, and resources to Midwest artists.
Seth Eberle (Class 2012, BS in Theatre Arts, minor in Visual Arts) I am a teaching artist using puppetry and visual art to teach about and garner support for the environment at a park district focused on natural resources alongside being a volunteer coordinator for the park where I work in Minneapolis. I was a teaching artist for In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre for 6 years before that. I also freelance produce, tour, and teach puppetry forms around Minnesota.
Austin Koenig (Class 2017 performance BFA) I’m the Education Director at Syracuse Children’s Theatre in Syracuse, New York.
Kcari Ingerson (Class 2013, BFA in Tech/Design) I moved to Seattle in 2015 for work in the theatre and joined IATSE Local 15. Currently I work through the Union Hiring Hall and with Woodland Park Zoo's holiday lights show. I'm most proud of my work as Secretary for Local 15. I've grown so much with my Union family and truly find a home in Seattle and with IATSE.
Ben Wetzel (Class 2013, BFA in Tech/Design) I am now in my 5th season with Penobscot Theatre Company in Bangor Maine (2 as ATD, 3 now as TD). Occasionally I also get to design props. I am the closest thing this company has to a Facilities Manager, so I have done my best to learn all there is to know about the 100-year-old opera house the company occupies.
Rachel Geinert (Class 2015, BS in Theatre Arts with an English minor) I teach at an after-school program that uses STEAM-based education to develop resilience in elementary-aged children.
Adrienne Larson (Class 2008, BS Theatre Arts, minor German Studies) I got my MS in Textile Engineering. I co-own a yarn store and freelance design/write knitting patterns for magazines and yarn companies all over the world. I also started selling my own hand-dyed yarns.
Peter Lehrol (Studied MA Technical Theatre 97-99) TD/Resident Designer/faculty at Ridgewater College, Willmar, MN from 1999-2006. TD/Resident Designer/faculty at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Coon Rapids, MN from 2006-present. Freelance Scenic Designer from 1997 to present.
