Upcoming Productions
Cast
Ava Barnes
QAva Barnes (she/her) is a sophomore Marketing Major at ETSU. Ava is so excited to be working on this show with this amazing cast and crew. Ava has had the opportunity to play in "Cabaret" (Frenchie) and in "The Wolves" (#14) here at ETSU. She has also worked on "Little Women" and "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" as well. She hopes you enjoy the show and learn something new with every watch.
Lillian Calhoun
HLillian Calhoun is a sophomore Theatre major with a concentration in Acting and a minor in Digital Marketing here at ETSU! Her previous credits include: "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (Bee Team Kid #6, Leaf's Mom), "The Moors" (Emily), and "James and the Giant Peach" (Aunt Spiker). Lillian is so grateful to have the opportunity to tell this incredibly important story with this amazing cast and crew. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Tiger Lily Deas
BTiger Lily has been in one other show for ETSU, "The Wolves", and is super excited to be part of "Passage"! She hopes to continue performing as long as she is here at ETSU. A huge thank you to the cast and crew for putting this amazing show together.
Aviia Hawkins
G/Gecko/MousquitoAviia Hawkins (they/them) is a freshman at ETSU with a major in Theatre and a minor in ASL. This is Aviia's first production at ETSU, but has had many opportunities including "Anything Goes" (Reno's Angel, Hardin Valley Academy), "The Addams Family" (Ensemble, Hardin Valley Academy), and "Big Fish" (The Witch, Hardin Valley Academy). They are very excited to be able to perform on this stage for the first time and work with their cast to create a wonderful show.
Sal Faccadio
S/RSal Faccadio (he/him) is over the moon to be a part of this show with this amazing group of people! Sal is a sophomore Theatre major with an Acting concentration and an International Affairs Major with a minor in Journalism. Recent credits include: "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (Chip Tolentino), "The Tempest" (Ferdinand), and "Shakespeare in Love" (Henslowe). He is also speaker for Patchwork Players, the student-ran theatre organization. (Follow us on instagram @etsupatchwork). He's so grateful to get the chance to share this space and this story with you! Enjoy the show!
Talon Shae Mincieli
J/DTalon Shae Mincieli (she/her) is a junior Theatre major and Fine and Performing Arts scholar at ETSU. Talon's previous roles within ETSU Theatre Department include: "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (Jesus), "ETSU Medicine Show" (Bernie the Clown), and "These Shining Lives" (Charlotte Purcell). She is thrilled to present this show alongside such a talented and inspiring cast and crew. Talon would also like to thank her Mom, Dad, and little brother Teagan for always believing in her no matter how silly she gets. She hopes that everyone who sees this production is able to see themselves in it, even if they would rather not.
Daniella Muñoz Márquez
MDanny worked last semester in the costume shop for "Little Women" and "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." This is Danny's first time onstage, and she couldn't be more excited to be part of this production. Her favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice, and Mr. Darcy's monologue under the rain is the only on that brings her peace when she's nervous. Danny holds Passage very close to her heart. She hopes everyone enjoys the play as much as she does and sees themselves in the characters one way or another.
Lyssabeth Tatum
FLyssabeth Tatum is a freshman Theatre major at ETSU. Lyssabeth has been a part of many productions before college, and she is honored to be a part of "Passage." Most recently, Lyssabeth played Meg March in ETSU's production of "Little Women" this past fall. This is Lyssabeth's second show here at ETSU and she is so incredibly excited to work along this cast, crew, and creative team. She is so proud of her friends and everyone involved, and she cannot wait for "Passage" to influence change and reflection on our world today.
Production Team
Steve Maurice Jones
DirectorSteve Maurice Jones is a New Jersey native and a New York based actor, director, and instructor. He is a graduate of Rutgers University where he earned BA degrees in English and Theatre. He holds an MFA from the National Theatre Conservatory in Denver, CO.Mr. Jones was the Co-Head of Acting at the world-renowned, Stella Adler School of Acting, the first professional actor training school to become affiliated with New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. In addition to his work as an instructor and program co-head, he has directed a variety of plays: Next Door, Pericles, Corners Grove, and The Comedy of Errors.Mr. Jones is also an active performing artist. His acting credits include:Broadway: The Lifespan of a Fact, Saint Joan, The Cherry Orchard, Romeo & Juliet, and Julius Caesar.Off Broadway: Sunday (Atlantic Theatre Company), Linda (MTC), Troilus & Cressida, Pretty Hunger (Public Theatre), Little Children Dream of God (Roundabout).Regional: Hamlet (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), The Model American, A Legendary Romance (Williamstown), Julius Caesar (Folger Theatre), Lives of Reason (Two River Theater), Butler (Barrington Stage), As You Like It, Ruined, The Taming of the Shrew (Denver Center), The Learned Ladies (NJ Shakespeare).Television: "Blue Bloods", "Elementary", "The Good Fight", "30 Rock". Film: Winter's Tale, Romeo & Juliet, And So It Goes. Mr. Jones is serving as the spring 2026 ETSU College of Arts & Sciences Wayne G. Basler Chair of Excellence for the Integration of the Arts, Rhetoric, and Science. The Department of Theatre & Dance is thrilled to be hosting his residency.
Ellen Sautters
Stage ManagerEllen Sautters (she/her) is a junior Communication Studies and Theatre Design/Production double major at ETSU. Ellen has worked for several productions at ETSU, including "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (Lighting Designer), "The Wolves" (Asst. Lighting Designer), "The Tempest" (Asst. Lighting Designer), "Heathers the Musical" (Asst. Stage Manager), and "The Moors" (Asst. Lighting Designer). Last summer, she worked at Camp Chipinaw in Swan Lake, NY, as a lighting technician and designer for shows such as "Mama Mia!' and "Beetlejuice." She is incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for the endless support from her family and friends.
Jocy Howard
Asst. Stage ManagerJocy Howard is a sophomore Theatre Design & Production major at ETSU. This is Jocy's fourth show at ETSU, having most recently been the Asst. Stage Manager for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." Other recent credits include: "Newsies" (Properties Master, Palace Players), "Once Upon a Mattress" (Spotlight Operator, Oak Ridge Playhouse), "Oklahoma" (Properties Manager/Deck Crew Chief, Tennessee Valley Players), and "9 to 5" (Stage Manager, TVP). When not in the theatre, Jocy can be found line dancing or working Preview and Orientations as a POLO Leader! Jocy hopes you enjoy this powerful, thought-provoking show.
Lacey Taylor
Asst. Stage ManagerLacey Taylor (she/her) is a sophomore theatre Major at ETSU. Lacey has worked behind the scenes on 3 productions so far. She was deck crew for "Cabaret", sound board operator for "The Tempest", and sound board operator for "Little Women." This will be Lacey's first time as an ASM, and she is very excited for this new experience. Lacey lastly wants to thank everyone else in the cast and crew for the time and work that they have put into this production.
Melissa Shafer
Lighting DesignerMelissa Shafer is a professor of theatre in the Department of Theatre and Dance at East Tennessee State University. She teaches courses in the Design/Production Concentration, serves as the department’s faculty lighting designer, and occasionally directs. Recent lighting design credits include "Antigone," "Sense and Sensibility," and "Jack and the Beanstalk." Recent directing credits include "Waiting for Godot," "Middletown", and "Deadman’s Cell Phone." A native of the St. Louis metropolitan area, Melissa received her MFA in Theatre Design from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and her BA from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Prior to joining the faculty at East Tennessee State, Melissa taught theatre at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, and Loyola University New Orleans. Melissa is the co-author (with colleague Karen Brewster) of the books "The Fundamentals of Theatrical Design: A Guide to the Basics of Scenic, Costume, and Lighting Design" and "Theatrical Genre & Style: A Guide for Designers, Directors, and Performers" both published by Allworth Press.
Jonah Harris Furches
Asst. Lighting DesignerJonah Harris-Furches (he/him) is a junior Theatre major with a minor in Dance and is a member of the Undergraduate Research Honors Program. Jonah has been a part of many productions at ETSU such as "Little Women" (Laurie), "The Wolves" (Asst. Stage Manager), "Cabaret" (Cliff Bradshaw), "Heathers the Musical" (Ensemble), and "James and the Giant Peach" (Grasshopper). He is incredibly grateful to work on this production with a fantastic cast and crew and looks forward to his future endeavors at ETSU.
Jake Pelley
Asst. Lighting DesignerJake Pelley (he/him) is a junior Theatre major with a concentration in Design & Production at ETSU. This is his second time as an assistant designer and is very excited to work on this show. Some of his favorite shows to work on at ETSU have been "Little Women", "Cabaret", and "The Tempest." Jake would like to thank those around him for giving him the opportunity to work on this production.
Jonathon Taylor
Scenic DesignerJonathon W. Taylor (he/him) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at East Tennessee State University. He teaches a variety of theatrical design and technology courses including Scenic Design, Costume Design, Stage Management, Rendering and Drafting, and Theatre Design Basics, and regularly offers a section of Introduction to Theatre. Jonathon’s undergraduate work was completed at ETSU, earning degrees in focusing in theatre and literature. He earned his MFA in Theatrical Design and Production from the University of Oregon in Eugene, OR. Jonathon’s teaching and professional career in theater and dance spans nearly two decades. He has served as a designer and/or technical director for productions at various venues in Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, Hawaii, Oregon, and Nevada. Prior to coming to ETSU, Jonathon was the production designer at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise (Wise, VA), technical director for the Earl Ernst Lab Theatre (Honolulu, HI), and the scenic and costume designer and technical director before serving as interim department chair at the University of Nevada, Reno. Jonathon is the author of several articles published in Southern Theatre Magazine and Theatre Symposium. He is originally from Jonesborough, TN.
Alice Beattie
Props DesignerAlice Beattie (she/her) is a junior Theatre Design/Production major with a minor in American Sign Language. Her shows at ETSU include "Eurydice" (Stage Manager), "The Wolves" (Stage Manager), "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (Stage Manager). Alice is excited to be branching out into something new this semester and she's really proud of the production team and all their hard work.
Kit White
Dramaturg/Sound DesignerKit White (they/them) is a junior Theatre major at ETSU. Kit has worked behind the scenes for many productions, some of their favorites include "The Moors" (Assistant Stage Manager) and "James and the Giant Peach" (Light Board Operator). This is Kit's first time sound designing at ETSU. It is also their first time working as a Dramaturg. They are extremely grateful for this opportunity and is incredibly proud of everyone who has worked to give this production a voice and while also handling these topics with care.
Jennifer Helms
Costume Designer/Costume Shop SupervisorJennifer Helms (she/her) is the Clinical Instructor/Costume Shop Supervisor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at East Tennessee State University. She teaches Introduction to Theatre Production, Supervises the Costume Shop where she trains students in costume technology skills, is the department’s faculty Draper, and serves as Costume Designer for two of the department’s productions. Jennifer earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in Theater, Costume Design from Southern Illinois State University (Carbondale, Illinois), a Bachelor of Arts in Theater - Design/Technology Degree from Appalachian State University (Boone, NC) and an Associates of Arts Degree in Theater from Snow College (Ephraim, Utah). Outside of ETSU, Jennifer also serves as a Draper for the Tony award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival under nationally recognized Costume Technologist/Designer Jeff Leader. She has been Costume Foreman for Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, Costume Designer for Southern Illinois State University, Costume Supervisor/ Designer for Lees-McRae College, and Interim Costume Supervisor for Appalachian State University.
Jessica Richardson
Asst. Costume Shop ManagerJessica Richardson is a recent graduate of ETSU. She earned her bachelor's degree in Theatre with minors in Merchandising and Art. Her focus is in Costuming but she loves all aspects of theatrical design. Jessica has worked on multiple productions at ETSU such as: Ken Ludwig's "Baskerville: a Sherlock Holmes Mystery"," Middletown", "You Can't Take it with You", "Bright Star", and most recently "Androcles and the Lion."
Bird Honeycutt
Intimacy Director/Hair DesignerBird Honeycutt is a returning graduate of ETSU's Theatre and Dance Department, where they acquired a BA in Theatre Design & Production. They are a licensed cosmetologist & barber stylist, and support our designers as they create magic onstage. Bird has completed their training as an Intimacy Professional through IDC International. They focus on working alongside our faculty, staff, and students to provide advocacy, equity, and empathy. They are thrilled to take part in providing an emotionally healthy work, educational, and creative environment.
Zach Olsen
Technical DirectorZach Olsen has served the ETSU Department of Theatre and Dance since 2016 as the Technical Director. He teaches Introduction to Theatre Production, Advanced Theatre Production, and Theatre Lab. Originally from Traverse City, Michigan, he received his MFA from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL in 2015 in Theatre Arts – Design and Technology with emphasis as a Technical Director. Prior to that, he received his Bachelor of Science from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI in 2012 in Theatre and Entertainment Technology with an emphasis in Design and Electrical Technology. Outside of ETSU, he is a member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and he has production credits with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the Interlochen Arts Camp, the Interlochen Shakespeare Festival, the Fox Valley Repertory Theatre, the DuSable Museum of African American History, and the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts. He also has significant experience as a Rigger doing Arena, Theatrical, and Performer Rigging.
Matthew Stevens
Asst. Technical DirectorMatt Stevens is a returning ETSU graduate who is thrilled by the chance to work alongside the professors and faculty that he had once been educated by. His focus is the technical side of theatre such as Lighting, Carpentry, and Sound Design. He has even been known to sew a costume when it is needed. He has helped work on many shows here at ETSU such as "Sense and Sensibility", "Waiting for Godot", "You Can't Take It with You", and most recently "Bright Star."
Marcie Emery-Campbell
Front of House ManagerMarcie Emery-Campbell earned her Bachelors in Theatre, with a concentration in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance, from East Tennessee State University in May 2024. Prior to studying at ETSU, Marcie was employeed by McDowell Children's Theatre in Marion, North Carolina from 2013-2019 as their resident Choreographer and Music Director.
Cara Harker
ProducerCara Harker is interim department chair and professor for the Department of Theatre and Dance and program coordinator for the dance minor program at ETSU. Cara graduated from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University with an MFA in Theatre Performance. Credits include (writer, choreographer, director, performer): "From the Sublime to the Ridiculous," New Orleans’ InFringe Fest; bebe, Know Theatre, Cincinnati Fringe Festival; "Memoir of a Mythomaniac: the True Story of a Compulsive Liar (or Tallulah Dies)," Cincinnati Fringe Festival (WINNER: Dr. Robert J. Thierauf Producer’s Pick of the Fringe Award). Presentations include: The Art of the Solo Dance, which featured the solo performance, Memoir, at the International University Global Theatre Experience Conference in Leitring bei Leibnitz, Austria; Choreographing through Constraints: Embracing Practical and Created Obstacles when Making Dances at University of Lincoln, UK; and This Could be Habit-Forming: Finding Inspiration from Everyday Movement at University of Derby, UK.
Crew
Xander Ramos
Light Board Operator
Richard Robas
Sound Board Operator
Avery Hill
Wardrobe
Kolton Brown
Wardrobe
Kyla Phillips
Wardrobe
The ETSU Department of Theatre and Dance acknowledges that we join in the practice
of theatre on the ancestral lands of the Creek, Cherokee (East), Shawnee, and Yuchi
peoples. As a step toward revering the truth and achieving healing and reconciliation
with those indigenous groups, we honor with gratitude the land itself and the Creek,
Cherokee (East), Shawnee, and Yuchi nations. This acknowledgement does not take the
place of authentic relationships with indigenous communities but serves as a first
step in honoring the legacy of the land. The ETSU Department of Theatre and Dance
is committed to helping raise awareness of indigenous peoples on our campus, in our
classrooms, and within our theatrical productions.
For disability accommodations such as ASL sign language interpreters, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at (423) 439-8346 at least 5 days in advance of event.