Program

Let Siena Heights’ Theater/Speech Communications program give you a head start on the bright lights of Hollywood or Broadway.

With an acclaimed faculty boasting a wealth of practical experience, the Theatre Siena program has become one of the most renowned in the region. Under its umbrella are theater, educational theater, musical theater, and technical theater. While courses such as Modern Dance, Shakespeare and Stage Management are good starting points, there’s nothing in acting like first-hand experience.

Students have a chance to participate in Theatre Siena productions during both the fall and winter semesters. With the historic Croswell Opera House in town, there are other opportunities to take the stage as well.

The new Haller Stage hosts the on-campus shows, but smaller productions are also hosted in the innovative Stubnitz Lab Theater.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Some of Siena Heights’ recent graduates and former students are involved in the following:

• Katie Metz (Adrian Mich.): former AEA Assistant Stage Manager at Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Va.
• Matthew Chandler (Chicago Ill.): attended Florida State, currently Associate Production Manager at Goodman Theatre, Chicago
• Michael Kirk Lane (New York City): actor, teaching artist at Wingspan Arts; Associate Producer at No Strings Production; House Manager at Laurie Beechman Theatre, most recently in Hell’s Belles, N.Y.
• Robert Whiston (Brooklyn, N.Y.): currently Literary Fellow at Atlantic Theatre Company, Director at New York Theatre Barn, N.Y.
• Leah Crocetto (San Francisco Calif.): singer, most recently at the Metropolitan Opera, NYC
• Dalton Tyler Gerber (NYC): aspiring actor, attended Actors Studio Drama School of Pace University, N.Y.
• Jayna Katz (NYC): enrolled in Brooklyn College MFA Performing Arts Management Program
• Andrew Dunn (NYC) attended Actors Studio Drama School of Pace University, currently licensing coordinator at Silver Buffalo LLC, N.Y.
• Matt Davis (Astoria, N.Y.): actor/director/playwright, instructor of Michael Chekhov Acting Technique at About Artists Agency, N.Y.
• Lauren Hoag attended Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University, N.Y.
• Paul Karle (NYC) studied at The New School for Drama, N.Y.
• Carol Krueger (Denver Colo.): Theatre Service Manager at Denver Center for Performing Arts, CO
• Kalen Larson (Cortland, Ill.): General Manager and Flying Director at Flying Effects, IL
• Amanda Raymond (Astoria, N.Y.) attended Columbia University School of Arts; Audio Engineer and Feinstein’s 54 Below; Stage Manager at the Ohmies, N.Y.
• Emily Victoria Roney (NYC): interned at The Public Theatre, dresser at Hamilton the Musical, N.Y.
• Luke Stanaway-Neblo (Van Nuys, Calif.): SAG-AFTRA actor at The Prison City Players, Calif.
• Andrew Staton (Los Angeles): SAG actor, former rigger at Asylum Stunts
• Chloe Whiting Stevenson (Blissfield, Mich.): attended Illinois State University and Accademia dell’Arte (Italy), performance artist (global)
• Ryan Bernard Tymenski (NYC): interned at Eugene O’Neill Theatre (lighting) and Telsey and Company Casting (casting); former Showroom Designer for Ralph Lauren; currently of Ryan Bernard Casting, N.Y.
• Megan VanArsdalen (NYC): attended New York School for Drama, N.Y.
• Lucas Wells (Temperance, Mich.): formerly of Spring Awakening national tour; formerly of Meadowbrook Theatre, Mich.
• Michael Cicirelli (Mich.): interned at Jackson K105.3 and JTV; actor at Michigan Renaissance Festival; DJ, Mich.
• Suzette Collins Donelson (Ky.) attended University of Oklahoma (design research); taught at Oklahoma City Community College; Wardrobe/hair/makeup/props at Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre, Okla.
• Gretchen Hall (Fla.): model for Dorothy Combs Models, Fla.
• Stephanie Blohm (Mich.): stage manager, marketing and development associate at Theatre Nova, Ann Arbor, Mich.
• Ryan Burke (Ill.): Assistant Technical Director at Quincy Theatre, Quincy, Ill.
• Sam Castle (Fla.): Employed at a theatre company in Sarasota, Fla. 
• Julia Cassell (Chelsea, Mich.): Office Manager at the Purple Rose Theatre, Chelsea, Mich.

Theater students are encouraged to pursue internship opportunities off-campus as much as possible. Many of these are very personal, one-on-one study experiences and often are paid. Siena Heights has developed internship partners not only in the United States, but throughout the world.

Some of the past internship opportunities include:

• Croswell Opera House
• Purple Rose Theater
• Plowshares Theater Co.
• Theatre Nova
• Spoleto Theater
• Santa Fe Opera House
• Eugene O’Neill Theatre

Siena Heights University conducts Arts Scholarship Days for prospective students.

High school seniors and transfer students who would like to major in music, art or theater or perform in the choir, band, marching band, orchestra or jazz band can schedule an audition or portfolio review and campus visit during Arts Scholarship Days @ Siena. Scholarships will be awarded to qualifying students. In addition to their audition or portfolio review, students may have the opportunity to meet with current scholarship recipients over lunch, have an individual meeting with Admissions Counselor and enjoy a campus tour.

Siena Heights University’s Theatre Siena has announced its schedule for the 2022-23 academic year. For more information, visit the Theatre Siena page or call 517-264-7890.

CHICAGO (MUSICAL)

September 30 – October 2
Haller Stage in The Spencer Performing Arts Center
Directed by Mark DiPietro

In roaring twenties Chicago, Chorine Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap…until he finds out he has been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie, and another “Merry Murderess,” Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the “American Dream”: fame, fortune, and acquittal. This sharp-edged satire features a dazzling score that sparked immortal staging by Bob Fosse.

THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW

November 5–6
Haller Stage in The Spencer Performing Arts Center
Directed by Jamie Buechele

The children’s classic, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, presented in a spooky-fun 60-minute production performed by The Child Drama Program at Siena Heights University. This production is appropriate for children and adults of all ages.

STUDENT DIRECTED ONE-ACTS

November 17–19
Stubnitz Lab Theatre

Performances directed by students from the Play Directing class.

TWELFTH NIGHT: OR, WHAT YOU WILL

February 9–11
Haller Stage in The Spencer Performing Arts Center
Directed by Mark DiPietro

Mistaken identities, separated family, swashbuckling sword fights, cross dressing and forsaken love all combine to present one of Shakespeare’s most hilarious and touching plays. Twelfth Night tells the tale of Viola, shipwrecked on Illyria. To gain employment, she must dress as a man and soon she falls in love with Orsino, who is in love with Olivia, who in turn loves yet another. Shenanigans ensure!

CHILDREN OF EDEN

March 30 — April 1
Haller Stage in The Spencer Performing Arts Center
Directed by Michael Yuen

From the composer/lyricist that wrote Pippin , Wicked, and Godspell comes a musical journey about parents, children, and change that you can share with your entire family. Based on the book of Genesis, Children of Eden tells the story of Adam and Eve and Noah’s Ark with universal themes and messages that will resonate with audiences of all ages and faiths.

STUDENT DIRECTED ONE-ACTS

April 20–22
Stubnitz Lab Theatre

Performances directed by students from the Play Directing class.