Mary Tiballi '06

Development Manager, Geva Theatre Center

Mary Tiballi is a proud graduate of Nazareth College’s Theatre Arts program. Since graduating in 2006, Mary has worked in both the business and the art of theatre, enjoying consistent employment as an actor while working full-time for such celebrated arts organizations as The Nazareth College Arts Center, The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Geva Theatre Center.

Mary’s favorite roles include Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods (her final show at Naz), Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof (JCC Centerstage), Dot in Sunday in the Park with George, and Ellen in The Little Dog Laughed (both at Blackfriars Theatre). Mary recently wrapped her first film with Tatum Productions and has performed in several play readings and workshops at Geva Theatre Center, where she ‘moonlights’ as the Development Manager by day.

“The theatre program at Naz has given me so much: an understanding of and appreciation for every area of production, an amazing support system of professional artists (the faculty continues to teach and encourage you long after you’ve graduated), a relentless passion for the process, a safe community that fostered self-discovery and creative expression, and countless memories that I will forever cherish. I know that no matter where my path takes me, it all started for me the moment I walked into that spotlight at Naz. Thank you for helping me find my light.”

Becca Pickett '10

Freelance Stage Manager

"Since graduation I have moved to New York City, where I have been working as a freelance Stage Manager since September 2010. Less than a year after graduation, I was lucky enough to obtain membership to Actors' Equity Association. Since then, I have continued to freelance around the New York metro area, as well as in other locations including parts of New Jersey, Myrtle Beach SC, Ohio, and upstate New York.

I've worked on new plays and musicals as well as established works. Most recently, I have been working on a new jazz musical that will be playing for a week in Daegu, South Korea before coming back to play at the New York Music Theatre Festival later in July 2012. Naz helped me prepare for my journey by allowing me the opportunity to work on any aspect of a production as often as I could. I gained an appreciation for every department, which continually allows me to better anticipate the needs of my co-workers. Most importantly, the theatre department at Naz taught me how to always be willing and ready to work. I am always ready to venture on a new opportunity." 

Kelli Loucks '10

English teacher and Theatre Arts instructor, Pittsford Central School District

Upon graduation in 2010, Kelli Loucks was hired at Pittsford Central School District as a high school English teacher. In addition to teaching 9th and 11th grades, Kelli is also the Theatre Arts instructor at Mendon High School, and serves as co-advisor to the Sutherland Drama Club. She assistant-directed The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) in the fall, and will continue her position during next year’s spring drama.

Kelli also enrolled in Nazareth College’s M.A.L.S. program in spring of 2011, and is pursuing a theatre-focused capstone project. She will research and propose the benefits of theater training for secondary classroom educators. This project is shaped by Kelli’s success as a young professional, which she attributes to her Nazareth theatre training. The value the Theatre Arts Department placed on character development and communication techniques, as well as collaborating with others for a common cause has prepared her for both the theatre and non-theatre related aspects of her life, and inspire her to instill these values in her own students.

Scott Charles, Jr. '12

Actor, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse

"Nazareth College really helped establish who I am as an actor and as a human being. I was lucky enough to be offered my first regional acting gig (right out of college) at Merry-Go-Round Playhouse! This, to me, has been a huge door opener to the business. I am honored to have met and worked with many seasoned professionals. Working for Merry-Go-Round gave me the opportunity to work along side past Broadway performers and a vast array of Equity Actors, and has also lead to future job offerings.  Following a successful audition process, I will be touring with Theatreworks USA as Jojo in the National tour of Seussical the Musical, which will also start my membership in the Actor's Equity Association.

The musical theatre training that I received from Nazareth College has helped me immensely, especially with networking. This business is, in a way, a competitive sport. Nazareth College has given me the tools to play the game, be true to myself and still remain a good person. It truly is a diamond in the rough!"

MJ Casey

M.F.A., Drama, Catholic University

"I treasure the time I spent at Naz and especially the experiences I shared in the Theatre Arts Department. I transferred from another school where I had been majoring in another field and it was actually an alum who had studied art that made the suggestion that I look into the Nazareth Theatre Arts Department. This point brings the strength of the department into focus: A student of another discipline at Naz, so respected the work Theatre Arts department to recommend it.

The summer prior to my first year at Naz, I decided to stop by for a visit, scout the campus and hopefully catch a professor or two and just pick the brains of whomever happened to be around. I met the chair at the time and a newly hired professor and immediately realized that I had made the right choice. Their manner, wealth of knowledge and sense of fun was contagious. My experiences with the faculty of the Theatre Arts department made me certain I was going in the right direction in pursuing work in the theatre. At the beginning of my senior year, I was cast in a professional production outside of the college and although I was swamped with class work and another production in the department, the support of the faculty not only never wavered, but further nurtured my ambition.

Although my primary focus was on acting, I relished the curriculum that required me to learn and experience other areas that I had little to no familiarity (Costume & Make-up Design) and course work that was both challenging (Theatre History) and exciting (Acting Styles). I worked in the scene shop, worked events for the Arts Center, and eventually was technical director and scenic designer for a couple of shows. I was never lacking for the experiences that gave me a full appreciation for the complete medium of Theatre.

The social aspect of the Theatre Arts department had a strong impact on me as well. Whether it was excursions to Stratford Ontario with faculty and fellow students, attending productions at local professional theatres, joining and later serving as Vice-President of the Nazareth Theatre League, performing Shakespeare Workshop (taking Shakespearean scenes to high schools), becoming a member of the Alpha Psi Omega (the National Theatre Fraternity) or working on other students’ projects, I continued to search for and was rewarded with a plethora of experiences, responsibilities, and honors that made all the difference once I was out in the working world.

My time at Naz prepared me for graduate school (MFA in Drama, Catholic University), three national tours, two Helen Hayes Award nominations, membership in the Actor's Equity Association,  and consistent work in a field of study that can be very daunting and difficult to pursue. I cannot even count the number of things I still carry with me from my time in the department and keep at the ready whether I am acting, directing, or teaching students who, with ambition and a desire to succeed, I can then pass those lessons to which I learned in the Theatre Arts Department of Nazareth College. "

Audra Cramer

Performer, Music Director, Pianist

"I am so proud to be one of the first graduates of the Nazareth College Musical Theatre program. Since graduation, I have been fortunate enough to work consistently as both a performer and a music director/pianist. I was cast in 'The Marvelous Wonderettes' at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre once I moved to New York City. The director of that production happened to be a director I worked with at Nazareth College, and because of the relationship I established with her at school, I was able to audition for her and work with her again, but in the professional world.

Nazareth provided me with a necessary networking base and through that I have been able to make many more connections in the business. The Nazareth College music and theatre staff also tailored an accompanying program for me specifically for musical theatre. This helped greatly as I have been able to play auditions in New York City, and have music directed professional productions all over the country. I was even hired as an accompanist for the musical theatre classes at Nazareth the year after I graduated from the program. There is a large community of Nazareth theater alumni living in Astoria, Queens. We all get together and reminisce and support each other in our new successes. I would not be where I am today, professionally, if it weren't for my education and training in the Nazareth College musical theatre program."