<p>Ah, I knew there was one I was missing - we have TWO alums in SOUTH PACIFIC at the Hollywood Bowl (with Brian Stokes Mitchell and Reba): Angelina Holliman ('05) and Shanon Mills ('06).</p>
<p>There are also current students and alums (and faculty) singing in the upstage chorus for this same show.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>eve</p>
<p>And Mara Davi is featured in this Playbill article:</p>
<p>I am an alumni of CSUF's BFA Musical theatre program, which is one of the best. I am currently working under an AGVA contract at disney along with being a proud memeber of Actors Equity, I got my card my senior year. The program really helps develop great talent. I am proud to represent the 06 BFA class.</p>
<p>We have another few successes to note:</p>
<p>Jessica Gurul</p>
<p>Gregg Hammer and Louis Pardo (both BFA Mus Th class of '08) will appear in the national tour of JESUS CHRIST, SUPERSTAR.</p>
<p>Also, Justin Michael Duval (BFA Mus Th class of '06) has been cast as Ralph Malph in the national tour of HAPPY DAYS.</p>
<p>Keep making us proud, guys!</p>
<p>Marshal Carolan ('07) was boosted (from the chorus) to a lead of MAMA MIA in Las Vegas. He's terrific!</p>
<p>Lesley McKinnell ('08) performed in LES MIS at the Hollywood Bowl this past summer.</p>
<p>More as I get a breather!</p>
<p>Hey all, Justin Michael Duval here...Just wanted to clear it up...I am actually playing Potsie Webber on the Tour of happy days and understudying Ralph and Richie... Check out goldstarevents.com for cheap tickets!</p>
<p>Justin - my d and I had the opportunity to see Happy Days and you were fabulous. Great Job !!</p>
<p>Lesley McKinnell (08) writes:</p>
<p>"I am just writing to tell you some good news! I know some word has gotten out already, and I'm sorry I didn't write sooner, but it has all happened so fast my head is still spinning. I actually got cast in the National Tour of "Wicked" as Nessarose understudy and a swing! I am very excited and thoroughly blessed and honored. They needed an immediate replacement for the first tour, so I will be leaving on December 2nd for rehearsal in Minneapolis and then my put in date is the 19th. I just wanted to thank you and all the professors for your support, training, and education at Cal State, and I truly wouldn't be here without you. I hope all is well with you and school, and I will be sure to update!! </p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Lesley"</p>
<p>Eve, congrats to your student! That's great news. Is there one or two tours? I'm not sure. My daughter's very good friend who is a graduate of CAP21 at Tisch has been cast as the Elphaba understudy on the tour. Not sure if they are in the same cast.</p>
<p>I believe there is only the one "Tour" Company (the LA Cast will close early next year and move to San Francisco short a stint there, and other regional companies may be doing the same).</p>
<p>What is your daughter's friend's name? Is it Stephanie Torns?</p>
<p>eve</p>
<p>My daughter's friend has the initials of C.M. She was the recent Sophie in Mamma Mia on Broadway. She also played that role on the National Tour previously. She is cast as understudy for Elphaba on the tour, not the LA Cast that is going to San. Fran. She has a great voice. She graduated from CAP21, was in my daughter's a capella group, and was recently in a band with my D performing in NYC. Good luck to your student!</p>
<p>CSUF graduate students Meredith Hinckley and Adam Navarro won BOTH of the national awards in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions at the Kennedy Center last week (first time two students from the same school have won a “sweep” of both awards).</p>
<p>Meredith received the NAPAT (National Association of Partners of American Theatre) Classical Acting award that includes a 2 week internship at the Shaw Festival. She also received the Sundance Institute Internship for the summer.</p>
<p>Adam received the VASTA (Voice And Speech Trainers Association) scholarship, as well as a yearlong internship at the Shakespeare Company in D.C.</p>
<p>Courtney Howe was named Best Partner in the Irene Ryans. Courtney was Adam’s partner.</p>
<p>Joe Holbrook won the national scholarship for Scenic Design for our production of URINETOWN. </p>
<p>Lighting Designer, Latasha Tobias received the O’Neill Institute Internship for the summer, and an invitation to attend the Broadway Master Lighting Class in NYC in May.</p>
<p>We’re pretty proud of our students today!!!</p>
<p>Former 2004 CSUF Musical Theatre BFA student, Noah Rivera will be performing at the Tony Awards this Sunday evening on CBS. He is currently living in New York and performs in Shrek the Musical on Broadway. He will be performing 2 numbers, the first number is called Freak Flag where he plays the White Rabbit. The second number is calls What’s up Duloc. </p>
<p>He is also featured on their website: [Follow</a> Us On Twitter - Shrek The Musical - Official Site](<a href=“http://www.shrekthemusical.com%5DFollow”>http://www.shrekthemusical.com)</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the budget cuts have caused a cap on enrollment, and they’ve closed enrollment for fall 2009.</p>
<p>The deadline for spring 2010 admission is August 1st. You may want to try for admission then, and take 2.5 years to get in all your GE and the lower division acting requirements to jury (audition) for BFA Acting admission (the BFA programming starts in your junior year) in May 2012. This would put you at an advantage to those entering fall 2010, because you could really pack in GEs and be ahead of the norm when you enter the BFA, so you can really focus on the Acting program requirements and skills…and you would graduate in May of 2014. </p>
<p>Also, if you don’t pass your jury (they only take 14-16 students into the program each year), you would be able to graduate with a BA in Liberal Arts Theatre earlier than 2014, having taken enough courses in the BFA Acting track that will work to escalate you in the BA ranks more quickly (the BA Liberal Arts degree is our “fastest” degree).</p>
<p>If you decide to go this way, be sure you don’t attend a junior college as a matriculated student, or you may have trouble transferring in - they require 60 units at a JC for transfers before admitting them (due to a governor’s mandate). If you want to take some personal improvement courses (acting, dance, voice, anything like that), you should explore the Adult Continuing Education enrollment at a JC…that doesn’t count as regular JC admission - just personal improvement (usually one or two courses a semester).</p>
<p>Best wishes,</p>
<p>eve</p>
<p>Recent news:</p>
<p>Two May '09 grads cast in Celebration Theatre’s ALTAR BOYZ (in Los Angeles). One as Matthew, one as understudy (for two roles, I think…). A new BFA jr. is also understudying (two roles).</p>
<p>Another May '09 grad cast in ensemble of ALL SHOOK UP at Center Rep (Bay Area, CA).</p>
<p>Another May '09 grad cast in MY WAY at Innovation Theatre Works (Oregon).</p>
<p>2 incoming jr. BFA students cast in Moonlight’s 42ND STREET (San Diego).</p>
<p>1 incoming jr. BFA student cast in Sierra Rep’s SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE.</p>
<p>1 rising sr. BFA and a sophomore BFA hopeful were cast in Candlelight Pavilion’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL.</p>
<p>More soon!</p>
<p>A May 2009 graduate just moved to NYC, and just landed his first Equity role - Mark in the national tour of A Chorus Line. He writes:</p>
<p>Dear professors and faculty:</p>
<p>It is with great happiness that I am able to email you about my recent
success in New York City. I have just been offered the role of Mark,
in the 2nd Broadway National Tour of A Chorus Line! This will also
make equity!!</p>
<p>It is without a doubt that none of this would be possible without the
amazing training that I got from Cal State Fullerton. I would not have
known where to begin or how to even come close to such a dream. I have
dreamt about this since I was a child and CSUF has made my dream into
a reality.</p>
<p>From the bottom of my heart I thank you all for the love and support
that I have been given from all of you.</p>
<p>I will keep you all updated! Once again, thank you for all that you
have given me!</p>
<p>Much love,
Andrew Roubal
BFA class of 2009</p>
<p>What a wonderful note, Professor, you must be so proud!</p>
<p>Oh, yes! Proud doesn’t describe the range of emotions, but comes the closest that I can find to describing. :)</p>
<p>Another success story:</p>
<p>Chris Chatman (BFA MT 2009) is cast in the national tour of IN THE HEIGHTS as Sonny (U/S Usnavi)!!</p>
<p>He’s the second in his class (11 total students) to land a national tour - the other is Andrew Roubal, who is playing Mark in the National Tour of A Chorus Line.</p>
<p>From the class before them (10 total students), we have had three on national tour (one in Wicked as Nessa Rose U/S Elphaba; currently U/S for Galinda), and two boys in Jesus Christ, Superstar.</p>