University of Michigan - Flint

Stephen Carpenter '92  A Grand Blanc native, Steven Carpenter received his BA in Theatre from the University of Michigan-Flint in 1992. Graduate school at the University of South Carolina culminated in a professional internship at The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC He is currently working as a professional actor and director in the greater DC-area.

John Bell:Former music/theatre faculty member at UMF, John Bell, has left his position at the University of Central Florida to become chair at the Department of Performing and Fine Arts at DeSales University in Eastern PA

Paula Keinert '79 works for Gwinnett County Public Schools in metro Atlanta - the largest school system in Georgia - as a Writing Specialist. Having gotten her daughter into college, Paula has returned to singing, appearing frequently as a soloist in the Atlanta area. She also has a new CD out.

Kelly Clark '89 and husband Bill O’Connor are expecting Baby #2 in January,

Kristin Nieuwenhuis '90 has finally left her long-term gig as ASM for The Lion King. She and Renee Philippi are again in Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival with Concrete Temple Theatre's latest show The Acrobat: Escape From Napoli. As you will note, the Concrete Temple Theatre is featured on our season with their one-man Moby Dick. Kristin is a member of the Directors Guild of America, the TV and Film union for SMs, Directors and ADs.

Ernie Gilbert ’95 and son Kean are appearing in a production of Guys and Dolls for the Stepping Stone Players in Glendale, CA – Ernie as Nathan Detroit and Kean as Tommy, the street kid!

Sarah James '97 completed her MFA in Costume Design at the University of Texas at Austin, and has accepted a position as Assistant Tailor at the prestigious American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco.

Sherry Tyra '97 has been hired as the Assistant Designer for HGTV's hit show "Designed to Sell." Sherry works for the senior designer as a shopper – her dream job! The show is produced by Edelman Productions (www.Edelmanproductions.com).

Lindsay Duso '02 is in the Bershires (MA)with Shakespeare & Company through mid-September. For the Studio Festival of Plays which features new works and new performers, Lindsay will appear in Scenes from an Execution with Tina Packer, founding artistic director of the company.

Drew Florida '02 is working in New Hampshire for the Peterborough Players a 73 year hold Equity Theatre, playing the role of Master Electrician and Resident Lighting Designer for a season that includes Tuesdays with Morrie, The Gin Game, Hobson's Choice, The Winter's Tale, Fallen Angels, The Turn of the Screw and a couple of intern shows! He also does audio! Whew!

Jami Keck '02 spent the summer in Lancaster PA doing Annie at the Dutch Apple Theatre and is already booked for the better part of next year: a Christmas Revue in PA over the holidays; Damn Yankees in Fort Meyers, FL for a few months; then Swing! the Musical for a four month run. Lots of dancing!!!!

Matt Popovitz '02 graduated from Concordia Seminary in May and was ordained as a pastor in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod on June 18th. Matt was a youth music minister at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, in Flushing before taking up his current position at Cross Point Church in suburban Houston.

Rebekah Mikkelson ‘05 : has been accepted into the MFA Costume Design program at the University of Arkansas complete with full academic scholarship, an assistantship and a fellowship.

Greg Gardner '00 was promoted to Captain in the United States Air Force in July of 2007.  He became an Air Force JAG in January, 2007 and is currently deployed in Spangdahlem AB, near Trier Germany.

Andy Morton '04 Andy’s play (working title February) is under consideration by the Royal Court Theatre in London for their Young Writers’ Festival. The play was short-listed from a field of 400. It is set in Flint and is inspired by the Kayla Rowland school shooting incident. If selected from the current group of 12, it will go up in January ’07. Meanwhile, Andy is re-writing and postponing the completion of his MA while he spends some time in Michigan this fall.

Monquez Pippins '04: Keep your fingers crossed for our American Idol candidate! Monquez has been passed through the first three screening rounds and will be auditioning for Paula, Randy and Simon on Sept 23. If he survives, he will be put on the show to perform in the top 30…then 20…then would go to the finalist round of the top 10. Way to go, Q!

Jason Hurley ’04 is replacing Marty Jennings as Director of Theatre at Flint Central High School. Mr. Jennings moves to administrative post with the GISD.

Leslie Hull '05 recently appeared as the mother spider in a Chicago musical, The People's Pinocchio with Quest Theatre Company. She got to off the cricket!

William J. Watt ’94 was recently cast as Henry in The Lion in Winter at St. Sebastian Players in Chicago.