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Department of Theatre College of Arts and Sciences

Guest Artists

The objectives and goals for the guest-artist program include providing opportunities for cultural enrichment, professional experience, and access to a larger artistic community. The program benefits the students, faculty, as well as the university and local communities. The majority of the guest-artists brought in by the department participate in public presentations, classes and seminars, talkbacks, master classes, and theatre productions that extend to the UAB and Birmingham communities.

2025

  • Michael Cassara, casting director – led NYC Casting workshop
  • Hayley Procacci, playwright and director of Don’t Ask
  • Brittany Rappise, wig and makeup designer – led Wig Design/Construction workshop and guest wig designer for The Revolutionists
  • Libby Servais, star of Broadway in Love – led Q&A on Business and Future Planning 
  • Ali Stroker, Tony-winning actress – led Professional Career workshop
  • Stephen Stubbins, star of Broadway in Love – led Q&A on Business and Future

2024

  • Michael Cassara, casting director – led NYC Casting workshop
  • Britney Griffin, choreographer, performer - choreographed for Sister Act
  • Eric Jackson, actor – led Professional Career workshop
  • Lance Perl, sound designer – led Sound Design workshop, designed sound for Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812
  • James Ridge, professional actor - portrayed The Duke in Two Gentlemen of Verona and conducted multiple workshops and coaching sessions
  • Barry Shapiro, casting director – led On Camera Commercial workshop

2023

2022

  • Aaron Alcarez, actor – led The Life of a Broadway Understudy workshop
  • Billy Bustamante, performer/director/choreographer – led Audition workshop
  • Michael Cassara, casting director – led NYC Casting workshop
  • Dr. Nancy Dome, author and motivational speaker – presented “Finding Your ‘Why’”
  • Rebecca Jones, created and directed Echo(es)
  • Ian Mackenzie, presented the Professional Career workshop 
  • Tuan Malinowski, director and choreographer -- choreographed Spongebob Squarepants 
  • Jen Waldman, acting coach – led Networking in NYC workshop

2021

  • Billy Bustamante, performer/director/choreographer – led Audition workshop
  • Meggie Cansler, actor and singer – led The Business of the Business masterclass 
  • Michael Cassara, casting director – led NYC Casting workshop
  • Tony Gonzalez, director and choreographer - led Dance Audition workshop 
  • Judine Somerville, Broadway "triple-threat," honored with the Legacy Robe – conducted Musical Theatre masterclass via Zoom
  • Jen Waldman, acting coach – led Networking in NYC workshop

2020

  • Billy Bustamante, performer/director/choreographer – led Audition workshop
  • Michael Cassara, casting director – led NYC Casting workshop
  • Audrey Cefaly, Pulitzer-nominated playwright – taught Playwriting masterclass
  • Jeremy Leiner, talent agent – presented “How to Get and Work with Agents” 
  • Dee Tomasetta, dancer and dance teacher – presented “Making a Career in New York”
  • Jen Waldman, acting coach – led Networking in NYC workshop

2019

  • Stephanie Busing, professional projection designer – designed projections for world-premiere play Savage
  • Billy Bustamante, performer/director/choreographer – led Audition workshop
  • Michael Cassara, casting director – led NYC Casting workshop
  • Michael Greyeyes, Indigenous Canadian actor, dancer, choreographer, director, and educator – led Acting workshop
  • Jaime Lozano, composer – composed music for world-premiere play Savage
  • Patrick MacDonald, sound designer and engineer – designed and engineered sound for Hair
  • Tommy Newman, playwright and lyricist – wrote the book and lyrics for world-premiere play Savage
  • Q Smith, Broadway actor – led Performance of Song workshop 
  • Jen Waldman, acting coach – led Networking in NYC workshop
  • Thad Turner Wilson, Broadway performer – led MT Audition Dance workshop  

2018

  • Kurt Alger, Broadway and TV actor – conducted Acting workshop
  • Annaleigh Ashford, Broadway and TV actor – conducted Acting workshop
  • Billy Bustamante, performer/director/choreographer – led Audition workshop
  • Michael Cassara, casting director – led NYC Casting workshop
  • Andrea Frankle, stage and screen actor – conducted three-day Acting for the Camera workshop
  • Jen Waldman, acting coach – led Networking in NYC workshop

2017

  • Kalen Allen, ctor and comedian – led The Power of Social Media Branding workshop
  • Michael Cassara, casting director – led NYC Casting workshop
  • Adam Cates, director/choreographer/playwright – led Musical Theatre audition intensive 

2016

  • Michael Cassara, casting director – led NYC Casting workshop
  • Audrey Cefaly, Pulitzer-nominated playwright – worked with cast for the premiere of her play Tell Me Something Good in conjunction with the Dramatist Guild Foundation's Roe Green Traveling Masters program
  • Luke Harlan, creative producer and director – directed Vinegar Tom
  • Kevin Kennison, NY casting agent – conducted audition master class

2015

  • Patti D'Beck, veteran Broadway choreographer – led Musical Theatre masterclass
  • Eden Espinosa, Broadway and National Tour “Elphaba” in Wicked – led Musical Theatre masterclass
  • Joshua Holden, master puppeteer – taught Puppetry masterclass, coached puppeteers for Avenue Q
  • Robert Earl Price, renowned playwright and poet – created and attended the premiere of his play The Butterfly Effect as commissioned by the Department and the Ruby Lloyd Apsey New Play Fund

2014

  • Dominique Johnson, actor for stage and screen – led Musical Theatre masterclass
  • Donnie Mather, physical theatre performer and teacher – led Movement masterclass for Women of War

2013

  • Abe Reybold, multi-disciplinary theatre artist – led Musical Theatre masterclass
  • David Leong, Broadway fight master – led Movement masterclass
  • Jones Welsh, movement and choreography specialist – led movement master class and served as movement coach for Big Love 
  • Julie Sanford, stage and screen actor – led Casting workshop
  • Melissa Bailey, choreographed Bat Boy

2012

  • Frank Bradley, director, visiting professor – guest director for Don't Trifle with Love 
  • Lexie Dorsett Sharp, actor and singer – led Musical Theatre masterclass

2011

2010

  • Bill Castellino, guest director for The Rocky Horror Show 
  • Steve Carmichael, lighting designer – designed lighting for The Miser

2009

  • Jason King Jones, director – guest director for The Rivals 
  • Paul Shoulberg, playwright and screenwriter – visited for talk-back after premiere of his play We Three, which was chosen by the Department as winner of the Ruby Lloyd Apsey New Play Search

2008

  • Anne Kanengeiser, Helen-Hayes-Award-winning performer – talked with musical theatre students about touring with Phantom of the Opera, and performed the title song (which she sang on Broadway) from Beauty and the Beast 
  • Chip Abbott, Broadway assistant choreographer – led Dance workshop
  • Desi Oakley, actor, singer, dancer, composer – led Acting masterclass
  • Jose Simbulan, Broadway music director/accompanist – accompanied Anne Kanengeiser and contributed to discussion in musical theatre workshop
  • Ken Cerniglia, dramaturg for Disney Theatrical Group, NYC – gave open lecture on dramaturgy
  • Kevin McGuire, director, Broadway actor – led Acting workshop
  • Krystina Alabado, actor, singer, voice actor – led Performance and Auditioning masterclass
  • Moisés Kaufman, renowned director, filmmaker, and playwright – coached actors and student director for The Laramie Project 
  • Steve Carmichael, lighting designer – designed lighting for Cabaret