The Department of Drama and Dance
Alumni News Abatelli, Julie (Halston) (’76) - award winning comedy/cabaret performer and winner of four MAC Awards for her solo comedy performances; performed in Olive and the Bitter Herbs at Primary Stages, NYC (Aug. ’11); teamed with friend Donna Daley to write monologues for Show-Offs, a collection of 74 new actor-ready pieces; also reprised her role as Bitsy Von Muffling in the film version of Sex and the City; performed in The Divine Sister at SoHo Playhouse, NYC (Sept. ’10); did Chasing Manet at Primary Stages, NYC (March-May ’09); performed in Love, Loss and What I Wore with alum Susan Sullivan at the Westside Theatre, NYC (June ’11) Abravenel, Wayne (’77) - musical director. Accardo, Lauren Ann (’97) - married to Nicholas Novellino and living in Queens; appeared in an evening of dance entitled Eye Candy at the Merce Cunningham Studios. Addis, Deborah (Madison) (’77) - Vice President at PNC Bank for Public Affairs and Corporate Events; married to child psychologist, Ron Madison; twins, Charlie and Emily. Aderman, Shelli (’94) - she and her wife, Narda Alcorn, are moving to Chicago this summer, as Narda becomes the head of Stage Management at DePaul University; after 20+ years in NYC, Shelli is finding it exciting, yet terrifying, all at the same time; still dabbles in stage management every so often, doing an industrial or short-term gig here and there, but being mom to two of the cutest cherubs around has by far been her most favorite “gig” so far. www.hydrangeasarepretty.wordpress.com Albrecht, Christopher (’74) - President and Chief Executive of Starz Entertainment, will also supervise the operations of the company’s production and distribution entities; former chairman and CEO of HBO; was named “Showman of the Year” by Variety. Allen, Angela (’06) - AEA stage manager; stage managed production of The Tales of Custard the Dragon at the Algonquin Theater, NYC. Alterman, Lydia (’74) (Gladstone) - played Mrs. Roosevelt in I’d Rather Be Right with Musicals Tonight! Dr. Merkle in Summer for Turtleshell Productions—April 28-May 15; Costumer for Light Opera of NY (LOONY)—6th production, The Student Prince, May 19; costumer for OnTour Theatre Co. at Calhoun High School, Merrick (Sal Salerno, director) Amato, Josette (’76) - international freelance company manager (with husband, Chris Dunlop ’72); works as a self-defense teacher. Ambrosio, Joan (’80) - married, two children, living in Pennsylvania Anker, Warren (’78) - was story editor, Fox Network’s Down the Shore. Arcuri, Vincent James (’93) - writes and produces “Hollywood Confidential”, a nationally syndicated radio program hosted by TV/Radio personality, Leeza Gibbons; is also a freelance writer and performer; his critically acclaimed one man show, Becoming Butch, premiered in Los Angeles to sold out audiences in March 2009; also writes his own column of personal essays also titled Becoming Butch, which appears monthly in Frontiers In L.A. magazine; for more info, log onto www.BecomingButch.com Arianas, Marcus (’87) - living on Long Island; son, Michael.
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Artese, Dorie (’95) - married to Scott Mehling. Baecker, Kristin (Sparro) (’92) - Assistant Director of Education at New York City Ballet; married; performed at ACDFA in Boston. Bagaglio, Sylvia (’99) - PA for Voices From The Hill at the Connelly Theater, NYC; performed at the Stockwood Renaissance Faire in Hurley, NY. Baker, Jane (’84) - living in Vermont with partner, Sharon (a lawyer) and son, Sam; teaches at Putney School. Baker, Jennifer (’93) - freelance actress, Los Angeles. Baldwin, Doug (’74) - continues to live in Portland, OR, where he is a freelance writer; has authored three full-length stage comedies, a bunch of one-acts and is working on a new play about 9-11; no recent stage appearances, but you can catch a glimpse of him on DVD in the independent film The Music Within; many appearances in New York theatres, including Playwrights Horizons and the late, great Manhattan Punch Line (which was cofounded by Hofstra alum Steve Kaplan); has also appeared in feature films and television shows, as well as in many national TV commercials; has won several literary awards and grants. Balfour, Tracy (’86) -has been working in industrial advertising and also involved with publishing children's stories; living in Pennsylvania with husband, Tom, and two children. Bambino, Robert (’73) - paralegal, faculty Hofstra School of Continuing Education; Claims Manager/Loss Control Specialist with Wright Risk Management Co., Inc. Barbell, Elyse (Rudolph) (’84) - two daughters; Deputy Director, Literacy Assistance Center (NYC). Barbour, James (’88) - received Hofstra Estabrook Alumni Award ; played Sydney Carton in Broadway production of A Tale of Two Cities, and appears on audio and video recordings of the production; appeared in Lewis and Clark Reach the Euphrates (Los Angeles); played Thomas Jefferson in PBS’ American Experience profile of Thomas Jefferson; played the role of Leon Czolgosz in Broadway production of Assassins; appeared as Officer Lockstock in Broadway production of Urinetown; starred in Broadway production of Jane Eyre; played the “Beast” in NY production of Beauty and the Beast with Toni Braxton and Meshach Taylor; appeared in movie with Sally Kirkland called Twinkle Toes; played Billy Bigelow in Lincoln Center’s production of Carousel; TV credits include The District, Just Shoot Me, The Game, with appearances in Sex and the City. Bases, Patricia (’77) - scenic artist/technician. Bassani, Theresa (’91) - stand-up comic working comedy clubs, NYC. Beaudin, Jim (’92) - freelance actor, NYC. Bell, Richard (’66) - National Director, Young Audiences, NYC. Bell, Risa (’80 ) - married to John DeVito ('81) Bellissimo, Tina (’03) - appeared in The Good Doctor at Main Stage Theatre, LI. Belonzi, Elizabeth (’96) - played Portia in Merchant of Venice, NYC. Bennett, Dawn (Giovi) (’91) - married; M.B.A. from Adelphi University; currently Global Head of Human Resources for GlobeOp Financials, Inc.; living in Smithtown, LI.
Bensen, Sonja (’81) - policy analyst living in Washington, DC. Berbig, Ellen (’82) - Masters in Psychology, St. John’s University; worked as teenage counselor in LI schools; married with two children; presently living in Maryland. Berman, Fred (’94) - currently playing “Timon” in Broadway’s The Lion King at The Minskoff Theatre; filmed the role of “Tunch,” a lox-loving Russian janitor in the up-coming feature film, Putzel, with John Pankow and Susie Essman; award winning narrator of over 50 audio-books; participated in “The Actor’s Life” panel at Hofstra with fellow alumni Joan See (’55), Susan Sullivan (’64), Tim Errickson (’93), and Kelly Ruth Cole (’08); lives in NYC with his wife, Kate, and two amazing children, Benjamin and Isabella; still slightly more handsome than fellow alumni, Dan Matisa (’93); but only slightly. Berrios, Michael (’90) - freelance actor, NYC; married to fellow alum, Karen Gonzalez; they have three boys, Thomas, Noah and, Daniel. Bertolini, Michael (’78) - starred as Paul in the New York City revival of Carnival; also a leading baritone with the Light Opera of Manhattan and played the Pirate King in their Off-Broadway production of The Pirates of Penzance; has appeared on TV in One Life to Live and in commercials. Blais, Lon T. (’81) - married; English teacher, director at Pasteur Jr. High School, Queens; bicycled across America to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in memory of his father. Blayne, Stacy (’91) (Lane) - Manager of Theater Facilities, Hofstra University, was a communications major (film/television production) and drama minor while she was a student at Hofstra; is also the Associate Producer for Hofstra USA Productions; she and her husband, Keith, are the proud parents of Marissa and Shannon. Bleiweiss, Erin (Barry) (’96) - appeared in the Dante Project, Inferno: A Journey Through Hell. Blyskal, Bethany (’99) - married to Steven Affelt; teaching high school chorus and general music for first and second grade in the East Islip School District (Long Island); serves as co-director and pit orchestra conductor for the East Islip High School musical productions, where she hopes to incorporate some theater courses in the curriculum; still continues to perform with the Broadhollow Players. Bona, Mercy (’73) - performed in productions at American Stage Festival, Milford, NH; former President of Heathecote Art Foundation. Bonadio, Janice (’90) - teaching dance in NYC. Bordwell, Michael (’02) – M.S. in secondary education, Hofstra University; currently a full-time English teacher at JHS 113 in Brooklyn, NY; cofounded WhatFour Productions and currently serves as the Artistic Director; also serves as a company member for the American Theatre of Actors, The Manhattan TheatreSource and The Little French Church Players; has directed and acted for all of these companies as well as for several other companies throughout the city. Boring, Zannie (’94) - stage name Zannie Kendrick, living in LA; appeared in movie, Metal God. Bosco, Donna Marie (’93) - married, living in