Alumni Achievements of Former Students The following recieved a theatre education at West Texas A&M Universlty. If you know of a former student working in theatre and is not listed here, or if you can add to the accuracy of this page, email John Landon at jlandon@wtamu.edu. UPDATED: July 2009
Andrea (Bailey) King lives in Montgomery, Ala. with her husband David King (B.S speech '96). Andrea has taught theatre and English in Texas and South Carolina. She earned a M.S.Ed. in health education. Andrea worked as the student outreach coordinator at Baylor University and wrote and directed "peer education" theatre with a group at Baylor. She and her husband still travel with their drama ministry "In King's Kompany." Andrea teaches theatre arts at Booker T. Washingtom Magnet Performing Arts High School and is a member of the South Eastern Theatre Conference. Andrea enjoys teaching theatre and has directed two shows, "Frankenstein," and "Who Dunnit?" as well as state finalists in solo and duet work, and one state winner in commedic interp.
Jennifer Barker '97 lives in Florida. She earned her MFA in stage management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has worked on the stage management staff for: Celine Dion at Caeser's Palace, Le Reve, Mamma Mia at Mandelay Bay.
Dean Birkes has been a technical director and instructor of theatre arts at Blinn College since 2002. He received his B.S. degree in theatre from WTAMU and a M.A. degree in speech/theatre from Oklahoma State University. He is a member of Texas Educational Theatre Association, United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Southwest Theatre Association and Texas Community College Speech and Theatre Association Play Festival. Dean has worked at several professional theatres across the country including the musical drama "Texas", "Discovery Land" and "Seaside Musical Theatre" to name a few. Dean is creating a new technology theatre program and is working with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees to create a program for Blinn College technical theatre students to work on professional events in the Houston area. Dean has experience in speech and theatre arts having taught theatre speech at Pampa High School and Plano Senior High. Melanie (Bohannon) Winegert, after receiving her master's from Baylor University, taught theatre arts and was the technical theatre teacher at Amarillo High School. She is now teaching at Southlake Carroll High School. Jordon Brockman '06 works as a Production Manager for Secret Garden Fine Flower and stage manages for Lone Star Ballet, in Amarillo, TX. Wes Brown '05 teaches theatre at Bowie MS in Amarillo, TX Stephen Brunson '09 is moving to the University of Alabama to work on his master degree. Consuelo (Butsch) Silva After graduating in 1994, Consuelo worked in the social work field. She has two sons and is head of the drama department at her church and helps them in children's church with a skit series. She works for Energy Publishing, LLC and has been in two commercials - one for Goody's and the other for Proffit's. Shad Campbell lives in the Dallas area and works for a lighting company. Ricky Cassford lives and works in Chicago, IL. He and his wife Hiedi have three kids.
Suzanne (Castle) Rolen, after graduating in 1992 with a degree in musical theatre, performed professionally throughout Texas, Virginia, Florida and California. She has worked extensively with a number of regional ballet companies and arts schools. While in California, Suzanne continued her education at Claremont School of Theology, where she received a Master's of
Divinity with honors. She works with churches and organizations as a worship consultant for the arts and designs large worship gatherings that include various art forms, dance and drama. She has recently returned to Texas with her husband Shane (also a WTAMU grad), where she continues as a worship consultant with a church, and teaches drama at a visual and performing arts school. Catherine (Clifton) Gaertner taught English, communication and theatre arts in Ore City High School. She stays involved in civic theatre and church performances. Christina Clifton is pursuing a master's degree and teaching certification in music education from Stephen F. Austin and is the assistant high school director for Palestine High School. She spent two ski seasons in Colorado and worked a year in New Orleans in retail before she came back to Texas. Gwendolyn (Clubb) Lau is teaching theatre in Plano and is married to Dustin. Lorrella Cobb worked as a stage manager in New Mexico and in the Houston area before receiving a job as the technical director with the Houston Community College system. Aimee Corley lives in New York City and appeared stared recently in the off-Broadway production of 'Hell's Kitchen". Show site: http://www.hellskitchenthemusical.net/ Stephan '03 and Leigh Anne Crandall '02 live and work in Chicago, IL now. They have worked in New York City for awhile. Then Stephan is earned his M.F.A. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Leigh Anne worked as a wardrobe attendant for the Cirque du Soleil show "O" at the Bellagio. Jennifer Criswell '01 earned a master's degree as a dramaturg at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Taught at Millin University while living in Decatur, Ill. Now lives in Chicago and working on a MS in Higher Education Administration and Policy. R. Brad Criswell '00 earned a master's degree in lighting at the University of Oklahoma. He and his wife, Jennifer have traveled to Paraguayan American Cultural Center producing plays and teaching workshops. Brad taught at Millin University in Decatur, Ill. before moving to Chicago and making a living as a light designer. His profolio can be found here. Bryan Davis '03 graduated from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., with his M.F.A. in acting. He has appeared at the Grandberry Opera House north of Fort Worth performing in "Guys and Dolls," "Annie Get Your Gun," "42nd Street" and as Sebastian in "Twelfth Night." Bryan did a professional showcase of a play called "Emily and I" and appeared in "Pinter's Betrayal," produced by the Keegan Theatre in partnership with Fountainhead Theatre. He lives in New York City where he auditions and works part-time. He has performed with the Des Moines Playhouse in Iowa in 'Forever Plaid'. He has also worked with the Actor's Theatre of Louisville, KY. Dustin Dunsmore has worked as an electrician at Centerstage in Baltimore, MD and with Glimmerglass Opera. He is the production electrician with the Washington, D.C., Ballet, working at the Kennedy Center and a member of IA Local 22. Trey Esparza '02 received his M.F.A. in arts administration at Florida State University. Vonya Eudy first taught theatre arts at Wills Point High School in Wills Point after graduation. She is now teaching theatre at Fossil Ridge High School in Keller.
Kyle Flood has worked for the musical drama "Texas" and has earned a Texas license to operate pyrotecnics. He works with Pyrotechnico of Louisiana. Kevin Friemal '08 lives in the Dallas / Fort Worth TX area and performs in theatres all over.
Mandy Gallaway worked for the Iron Belly Muses Theatre group in Austin, TX. Then as a costume apprentice for Goodspeed Musicals at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. She has designed/redesigned vintage bridal gowns at Ivory Aisles in Austin, TX. Then she moved to San Jose, CA to work in the Opera San Jose costume shop.
Richie Garza has taught theatre at Dumas, Caprock, Vega, and River Road high schools. Alexandria Gore '09 is working on her MFA in Costume Design at Texas Tech University.
Wayne Gourley moved to Florida to work for Disney at the Typhoon Lagoon and at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. He alos worked for the Disney MGM Studios theme park. William Grayson s working on his MFA in acting at the University of Arkansas. Doug Gumfory '01 teaches theatre in Dumas, TX Laura Harrell '07 is working on her MFA in acting at the University of Arkansas.
Nikkie Heverly is in Chicago working as the production manager/stage manager for the Gift Theatre Company. She's also a freelance stage manager for other companies Chicago.
Jordan (Hilton) Domanski '99 graduated from WT and went on to work as an intern in the costume shop at Juliard in New York for a year and then completed her MFA in Theatre Design and Production at Ohio University.
Kelley Hughes '97 completed his M.F.A. in staging Shakespeare at the University of Exeter, England. He and his wife Dana moved to Katy TX. Kelley teaches theatre arts at Mayde Creek High School.
Missy Hullin '97 teaches theatre arts in Garland.
Guadalupe Ibarra, became the artistic director for the Shakespeare in the Park Festival in McAllen TX. He now teaches theatre arts at Donna High School in Donna, TX.
Jeff Jarnagin works at the Amarillo Little Theatre. He performs, directs and designs.
Heather (Johnson) Fuentes taught theatre arts at Amarillo High School. Heather taught theatre, speech, and debate at Pampa High School. She also helped with the Panhandle High School band and flag corp and gave private music lessons. Kirk Keen worked as a stage electrician at Texas A&M in College Station and then moved to Boston, Mass. to make a living as a union stagehand.
Chris Lusk taught acting at Southern Utah University after receiving her master's degree from the University of New Orleans. She also works with the Utah Shakespeare Festival in the summers. She is now teaching in the theatre department at TAMU-Corpus Christi.
Brad McBride works in Amarillo and continues to perform with the Amarillo Little Theatre.
P. Shawn McCrea received his master's degree at the University of New Orleans. He teaches theatre in the Keller school district.
David '99 and Brook McGinnis live in Florida. Both attended UNLV. Brook got a master's in administration and David worked got a M.F.A. in playwriting. He has been produced in New York---Working Man's Clothes Productions at the American Place Theatre produced Restaurants at Beautiful Times as part of their first annual NY Binge Festival. He has also had a piece that he co-wrote called Couture premiere at the Montreal Fringe Festival with Stark Theatre of Las Vegas. Other places that have produced his work include Silver Fish in Tokyo and The Asylum and Cockroach Theatres in Las Vegas. Mr. McGinnis has also worked as a Dramaturge with Art Spark in Austin on the piece Hand Grenade Holly. He is the Literary Manager for the Asylum Theatre, but works full time as the Associate Editor and a writer with Timeless Communications, which publishes PLSN, Front of House and the newly acquired Stage Directions. He also teaches Playwrights Lab, Black Drama, and Stand Up Comedy Part time at UNLV. He is now an Asst. Professor at Saint Leo University in Lakeland FL. Ryan Meller is a sound engineer and has travaled for years with "Blue's Clues" and "Dora The Explorer" national tours. Lance Morse '98 teaches theatre at Decatur High School in Decatur. He has been to the UIL State One Act Play Festival three times. Shayna Oden '06 earned her MED from Texas A&M-Commerce in '11 and tecaches Theatre in Rockwall, TX.
Kelly Perkins received her master's degree in light design from the University of Iowa. Dallas Jeffers Pollei '03 earned his MA from Illinois State in '06 and teaches at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Nathan Robinson earned his Maters at Rutgers University in Angie (Schmitto) Logal is the production stage manager for the Water Tower Theatre in Adison. She also does freelance work as an assistant production manager for Zoom 7 in Dallas. James L. Scoggins has worked for the Oklahoma Shakespeare Festival, The Phonic Theatre, and Southern Oklahoma University. Cy Scroggins '05 teaches theatre in Sonora, TX. He has been to UIL OAP state. Bruce Shatney lives in Amarillo and splits his time between his family and directing. He is a member of the performance group, Mearly Players. Michael Skinner attended the University of Oklahoma where he earned his M.F.A. in theatre design and production, specializing in lighting and scenic design. He became the lighting designer and production coordinator for the theatre department at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. He also works as a freelance designer and designer/production assistant for corporate events previously with IGNITION! Creative Group and currently with ZOOM 7 in Dallas. He's the chair of the southwest region of The United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Since graduation Michael has designed more than 60 productions for theatre, opera and dance. He has designed shows in Italy, Germany and Russia and consulted for club lighting in Cancun, Mexico.
Jeffery Smith works for Syncrolite
Elisabeth Smith lives in Dallas and is a flight attendant with United Airlines. She started working for United in 1998 based in Chicago and San Fransisco for several years. She took a leave-of-absence and worked for a real estate appraiser's office as their office manager. During this time she and Angie Logal worked shows at Water Tower. She helped with front of house and running spots for all of their musicals. She was in a show for a small theatre company in Dallas. Her leave expired and she decided to return to United in San Fransisco.
Stacy L. (Smith) Esquibel graduated in 1994 and worked on the musical drama "Texas," at the Amarillo Little Theatre and Builders Square until she moved to Arlington in 1997. There, she worked for Circle Theatre, Theatre Arlington and Arlington I.S.D. as a substitute teacher. She met her husband, Rosendo "Rosey" Esquibel via the internet in 2000. After finishing her teacher certification in Spring 2002, she married Rosendo. She moved to Lubbock to substitute teach. She is a leader for Girl Scouts of Caprock Council Troop 638 (Daisies, Brownies and Juniors) and help with the local Girl Scout Day Camp and other activities. Doug Stewart '04 lives in New York City were he makes his living as an actor. Shad Tyra is the box office manager for The Utah Shakespeare Festival, winner of the 2000 Tony Award for outstanding regional theatre.
Sara Zinck is teaching theatre and speech at Keller High School in Keller,TX. | 
