The UVM Theatre Faculty
JEFF MODEREGER
Department Chair, Associate Professor and Scenic Designer
(802) 656-0085
Originally hailing from South Dakota, Mr. Modereger comes to the University of Vermont most recently from the beaches of Rhode Island. While there for five years, Jeff ran his own design and consulting business, J2 Design and Production, and taught at the University of Rhode Island. Before that, Jeff received his Master's from the University of Utah where he was introduced to the late Jo Mielziner, a Broadway designer a great historical THEATRE renown. Under his guidance, Jeff was taken to New York City, via Santa Fe Opera, to work as Mr. Mielziner's assistant on such projects as In Praise of Love with Rex Harrison and Julie Harris; Miss Moffat with Bette Davis, Dorian Harewood and Nell Carter; Don Giovanni at the Met; and the ever expansive Denver Center for the Performing Arts architectural design. It was during this time that the essence of professional behavior was ingrained. As a scenic designer and/or scenic artist, Jeff's work has been seen on the stages of Dallas Opera, Augusta Opera, Studio Arena in Buffalo, Music Theatre of Wichita, Cleveland Playhouse, Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, the McCarter in Princeton, Houston Grand Opera, Yale Rep., Eastman School of Music, New York City Opera, Goodspeed Opera House, Penn. State as well as on Broadway and off. Jeff has designed for Industrial projects, various National and International Tours, and was one of three mural artists on The Remember the Children exhibit for the National Holocaust Museum in Washington and the tour which is in its fourth year. He was the resident designer/production coordinator at the Candlewood Playhouse in Connecticut for five years and for Theatre by the Sea in Rhode Island for the last eight. He has taught in a variety of circumstances: the New York Consortium, CW Post College of Long Island, Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn., Brown University in Providence, RI as well as the University of Rhode Island. Jeff sees the adventure here at UVM as an opportunity to open new minds, young and old; to share the philosophies and pride from mentors past; and to show that the educational process in theatre can be one of ever-changing growth and constant personal fulfillment.
Courses: THE 030: Fundamentals of Scenery, THE 130: Scene Design, THE 131: Scene Painting Concepts and Application, and THE 230: Advanced Scene Design.
SARAH E. CARLETON
Associate Professor and Director
(802) 656-0088
Sarah E. Carleton has worked in the field of professional theatre, as an actress, teacher, and director, since receiving her M.F.A. in Acting for Catholic University in 1985. Her professional credits include leading roles in New York, Regional, Touring, Stock, and international productions of The Importance of Being Ernest, Much Ado About Nothing, Blithe Spirit, Alcestis, Night Must Fall, Crimes of the Heart, A Phoenix Too Frequent, The Belle of Amherst, The Dining Room, A Christmas Carole, Taking Steps, The Mousetrap, Echos for a Wooden O, Toward Zero, Prelude to a Kiss, A Murder is Announced, The Bald Soprano, What Difference Does it Make, The Nerd, The Foreigner, A Balancing Act, and The Taming of the Shrew (directed by Maurice Daniels of the Royal Shakespeare Company). Television and film credits include the role of Beth in the ABC daytime drama One Life to Live, along with numerous appearances in commercials and films. Sarah has directed theatrical productions for The Academy of Performing Arts, Adam Mickewicz University in Poznan, Poland, Seton Hall University, and a special theatrical presentation for the United States Information Agency in Washington, D.C. Teaching credits include Kean College, Adam Mickewicz University, and Seton Hall University. While earning her M.F.A. at Catholic University, Sarah as recipient of the G. V. Hartke Award for Best Actress and was additionally awarded a Young Artist Grant for outstanding service to the performing arts. Sarah is the co-founder of Foxhill Stage, a theatrical production partnership, and is a member of the Actors? Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
Courses: THE 010: Acting I: Introduction to Acting, THE 110: Acting II: Contemporary Scene Study, THE 112: Acting IV: Stage Movement, THE 251: Directing II.
LYNNE GREELEY
Associate Professor of Theatre History and Dramaturg
(802) 656-0087
Lynne Greeley, historian and critic, has diverse interests in theatre. Her research focuses on experimental theatre of the 1960s with an emphasis on the work of feminist playwright, Martha Boesing, but with expanding interests in parallel playwrights in England and France. She is also involved in research on the avant garde, the use of puppetry in theatre, multiculturalism, and the importance of theatre as a medium for teaching across the disciplines.. Her contributions to books and periodicals have included work on Marguerite Yourcenar, Carson McCullers, and Agnes Moorehead, chapters in Theatre and Feminist Aesthetics, Notable Women in American Theatre and the American National Biography, and articles in Text and Performance Quarterly, Belles Lettres and Theatre Survey. In addition, she has written in the non-academic venue: two novels, multiple short stories, and articles for Yoga Journal. Besides writing and teaching. Lynne has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean, and her intercultural vision informs her thinking at all levels. She comes to Vermont from the University of Maryland in College Park.
Courses: THE 001: Introduction to Theatre, THE 050: Dramatic Analysis, THE 150: Theatre History I, THE 151: Theatre History II, and Directing I.
PETER JACK TKATCH
Associate Professor and Director
(802) 656-0086
Peter Jack Tkatch has taught,
acted, stage managed and directed in the professional
theatre and in educational theatre programs since
he received his M.F.A. in Acting at Temple University.
He has acted and stage managed at numerous Off Broadway,
Off-Off Broadway, stock and regional theatres such
as the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the American
Shakespeare Festival (Stratford, CT), the Kennedy
Center, the Actors Theatre of Louisville, and the
Vermont Stage Company.
Prior to his coming to UVM, Tkatch had taught at the Circle in the Square Professional Theatre School; the New York University, B.F.A. Acting Program; the University of Alabama, M.F.A., Acting Program at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival; Temple University, Department of Theatre; and Villanova University, Department of Speech and Communication.
In New York, Tkatch served on committees at boththe Screen Actors Guild and Actors? Equity Association. At S.A.G., for his work on the Agency, Conservatory, Nominating, and VITA Committees, he received the Joseph C. Riley Service Award. At Equity he was elected to governing Council and during his term served as Vice Chair of the League of Regional Theatres, Off Broadway, and Equity Fights AIDS Committees, and on several contract negotiating teams. Prior to coming to UVM, he also served on the Board of Directors as well as the founding Steering and Program Committees of Broadway Cares.
In 1992 Tkatch came to the UVM Department of Theatre. Currently he is a member of Actors? Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the Stage Managers? Association, the Voice and Speech Trainers Association, the Actors? Fund of America, and the Association for Theatre in Higher Education.
Courses: THE 010: Acting I: Introduction to Acting, THE 110: Acting II: Contemporary Scene Study, THE 111: Acting III: Voice & Speech for the Actor and THE 210: Acting V: Advanced Scene Study.
MARTIN A. THALER
Full Professor and Costume Designer
(802) 656-0089
Martin A. Thaler Costume
Designer Martin received his M.F.A. from Penn State
University in 1984. Credits have included work at
the Champlain Shakespeare Festival, the Theatre-by-the-Sea,
Brandeis University, Rowan University, Dartmouth
Summer Repertory, Stage One: The Louisville Children's
Theatre, Tri-Cities Opera, West Virginia Public
Stage. His New York credits include millinery and
crafts for the American premiere of the The Life
and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, The Muppet
Arena Show, SHOGUN, The Musical, My Favorite Year
at Lincoln Center, the American revival of Hello
Dolly that opened in Paris and toured internationally
and the Chicago premiere of Miss Saigon.
In addition to his stage credits, Professor Thaler
has also styled clothing for Maryland Public Television's
nationally syndicated Wall Street Weekly.
During the summer months he can be found teaching
drawing and painting to senior adults at the Rehoboth
Art League in Rehoboth, DE. Professor Thaler held
the position of Department Chair from 1991-2001,
during which the department saw the creation of
the Holiday Production for Children and the Departmental
Season Subscription Series in addition to building
partnerships with the Vermont Stage Co., and the
University Resident Theatre Association. While he
has often combined administrative and design responsibilities
with his teaching position at UVM, he is most proud
of his work in the classroom, placing many UVM students
in graduate schools on full scholarships. He recently
returned from Rowan University where he designed
Mariveaux's Changes of Heart, and is looking
forward to designing there again while on his sabbatical
in the fall of 2005.
Courses: THE 040: Fundamentals of Costuming,
THE 041: History of Costume, THE 042: Fundamentals
of Theatrical Make-up, THE 140: Costume Design,
THE 141: Advanced Costume Construction: Draping
and Flat Pattern, THE 142: Advanced Costume Construction:
Period Undergarments, THE 143: Advanced Costume
Construction: Millinery, and THE 144: Advanced
Costume Construction: Tailoring.
JOHN B. FORBES
Assistant Professor and Lighting Design
(802) 656-0084
John Forbes received his B.A. in Dramatic Art from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his M.F.A. in Theatre Lighting Design from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He has designed lighting for the Old Globe Theatre, the San Diego Repertory Company of Walnut Creek, California, the Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara, California, and the Riverside Shakespeare Company in New York. In addition to his work as a lighting designer, Mr. Forbes has served as production manager at the San Diego Repertory Theatre and the Ensemble Theatre Company, technical director for the California Shakespearean Festival and the Arizona Theatre Company, as a stage carpenter at the New York Shakespeare Festival/Public Theatre and as a stage technician with IATSE Local 122 in San Diego. He has taught Lighting design at San Diego State University and design and technical theatre at the University of San Diego. At U.S.D. he also managed Shiley Theatre and in that capacity served as the technical liaison between the university and the Presidential Debate Commission for the final Presidential Debate of 1996 held there. In addition he is a member of United Scenic Artists-Local 829 and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology.
Courses: THE 020: Fundamentals of Lighting, THE 120: Lighting Design, and THE 160: Stage Management.
GREGORY RAMOS
Assistant Professor and Director
(802) 656-4351
Gregory Ramos studied and taught dance before beginning his professional career as a dancer in Los Angeles, California. He danced in Television and Film as well as stage shows in Las Vegas and Tokyo. He went on to study acting at Playwrights Horizons in New York City, and privately with Ellen Burstyn. He subsequently appeared in several TV commercials and sitcoms. As a performer he has toured the U.S and Europe appearing in West Side Story and The King and I with Yul Brynner (his first job as a member of Actor’s Equity Association). He also appeared in numerous plays along the way. He transitioned from performing to writing and directing after completing his MFA in playwriting at UCLA. His play BORDER STORIES, based on interviews he conducted with people on the U.S. – Mexico border has been performed in Austin, Texas, and Gregory has performed a solo version of the play in Boulder, Colorado and in New York City. When he was on Faculty at The University of Texas El Paso, he created the Latino Guest Artist program and served as artistic director of The Border Public Theatre. Gregory’s one-act play Reaching Mercy was performed in New York City as part of the New York Summer One-Act Play Festival and his short play Breasts was performed by The Working Group Theatre Company. Shows he has directed (and/or choreographed) include: Once on This Island, Evita, Cabaret, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Santos & Santos, Real Women Have Curves, Confessions of Women from East L.A., and Our Town. Gregory also worked in New York City as a marketing executive on Broadway shows with a special focus on diversity outreach. He was on the marketing team for The Color Purple, Brooklyn- The Musical, Avenue Q, Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life, and Mamma Mia! He has served on The Texas Commission on the Arts Performing Arts Panel, and was a board member of Las Americas, an immigrant advocacy organization on the U.S. – Mexico border.
The UVM Theatre Staff
F. PATRICK ORR
Technical Director
(802) 656-0092
Patrick Orr did his undergraduate studies in Theatre at the University of Vermont graduating in 1977. The first technical director hired by the Department of Theatre he has been in his position since 1983.
A native Vermonter, Patrick has been active in technical theatre since his high school days in Barre, Vermont. He is a charter member of IATSE local 919 and sits on its executive board. He is also chair of the locals safety and compliance committee and active on its education committee.
Patrick brings a diverse background in technical production to the Royall Tyler Theatre. He has toured with Placido Domingo as head carpenter, designed off-Broadway, has worked on several major motion pictures and provided consulting services for theatres is subjects ranging from specialty rigging to pyrotechnics and special effects.
MOLLY KURENT
Director of Marketing & Development
(802) 656-0094
For over twenty years Molly Kurent has been involved with performing arts organizations. She has a Bachelor Degree of Musical Studies/Business from Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY. Her first job was with the Boston Symphony and the Tanglewood Music Center in Public Relations and Marketing. Her box office/house managing skills come from the River Valley Arts Center in Putney VT, the Northampton Box Office, the Saxtons River Playhouse and the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. In southern VT she was a member of the Athens School Board, substitute taught, played trumpet with the Windham Orchestra and ran her publicity company called "Kurent Events." With it she helped smaller non-profit organizations with their publictiy work. Molly was the Publicity Director and assisted in the Box Office for the Saxtons River Playhouse for six years before moving to Burlington. She became Director of Marketing and Development for the UVM Dept of Theatre in the Spring of 2003.
ALAN MOSSER
Costume Shop Supervisor
(802) 656-0090
Alan Mosser received his theatrical costume training at Actor's Theatre of Louisville. As part of the company's staff for six years, his skills grew from a stitcher to first hand to cutter/draper. He worked on over 150 shows from classics to musicals, as well as new scripts that were part of the Humana Festival of New American Plays. Alan has also worked for the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the Walnut Street Theatre of Philadelphia, the New York Shakespeare Festival, the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, the Gateway Playhouse, Pennsylvania Stage Company, and the Champlain Shakespeare Festival. He joined the staff of the Department of Theatre as Costume Shop Supervisor in the Fall of 1992.
ANDREA L. COMTOIS
Business Support Generalist
(802) 656-0093
Andrea L. Comtois, a native of Burlington, came to the University of Vermont in 1982 as a Secretary I in the office of the Director of Libraries, which introduced her to the complexities of the institution's management. Three years later she assumed the position of Administrative Assistant in the Department of Military Studies. When in 1987 the position of Secretary III in the Department of Theatre became available, Comtois applied and was selected. For the first time, the conduct of the academic business of the department was the principal task of a staff member. Her procurement and bookkeeping skills became so apparent, however, that she soon assumed the management of the financial accounts under the supervision of the chair. This high-level responsibility, as well as other managerial duties, led to her second promotion to Administrative Assistant in 1989. Although her primary function is to assist the head of the department, she performs invaluable services for the faculty, staff, and students in lieu of a departmental secretary. Comtois mastered the computer early in her career and is largely responsible for computerizing many of the department's operations in advance of other units.
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