Alumni, Donors and Friends

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At a Glance: 2024-25

The UND Theatre Department has experienced a year of significant growth, transition, and achievement. This year provided foundational steps to create a strong plan for future departmental growth. It was an exciting year filled with dynamic performances and student-driven creativity. The season showcased a diverse lineup of productions, from contemporary dramas to classic plays, highlighting the versatility and talent of its students.

Fast Facts

• Audience Attendance: Over 1,900 people attended a UND Theatre performance - 1,000 of those were students.
• TACO Hours: 133 students participated in over 2,152 TACO (Technical Area Credit Option) hours completed in shop hours and production crew.
• Guest Artists: Eight guest artists visited and shared their real life experiences with students.
• Move: The department relocated to Starcher Hall where a specially designed movement studio was created and construction began on a new blackbox theatre.
• Media: UND Theatre was featured on North Dakota Today, in the Grand Forks Herald and UND Today, and on Minnesota Public Radio.
• Production Participation: Over 200 Students participated in our productions, either onstage or behind the scenes.
• B.A./M.A. Program: A new 4+1 Theatre Communication program was approved in which students can earn a B.A. in Theatre Arts and an M.A. in Communication.

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Achievements

Four faculty members and 17 students attended the festival this year. Every UND student who attended participated in at least one event. UND received several certificates of merit at the festival.

• Averie Eixenberger for Costume Design of All in the Timing
• The Ensemble of “Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread”
• Tacy Crawford for Costume Design for Marcus is Walking
• Stage Management and Back Stage Crew for Love/Sick
• Brad Reissig for Scenic Design for Love/Sick
• Patrick Reading for Projections for Love/Sick
• Sam Samson for Prop Design and Video Operation for Ride the Cyclone
• Elijah Holman for Sound Mixing for Ride the Cyclone

Faculty Achievements

• Emily Wirkus: Choreographed Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and performed in The Little Mermaid and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime at the Black Hills Playhouse (Summer 2024)
• Chelsea Chimilar: Engaged in film work in Canada
• Dr. Tami Carmichael: Published a book chapter and served as associate director of the AI and Human Innovation Initiative, developing a syllabus for a new course
• Emily Cherry Oliver: Directed The Little Mermaid at the Black Hills Playhouse (Summer 2024), served as consultant for an AI-written play (September 2024), and worked as Co- Director for the AI and Human Innovation Initiative
• Emily Cherry Oliver, Kylie McDonald, and Emily Wirkus participated in the Broadway in the Badlands in Medora (Summer 2024)
• Emily Wirkus received the prestigious Itterman Faculty Professional Development Award from the College of Arts & Sciences

Looking Forward

This year, with the successful relocation to Starcher, beginning construction of a new BlackBox Theatre, implementation of innovative curriculum changes, and impressive creative output from both faculty and students, the department has strengthened its position as a vibrant center for theatrical education and performance at the University of North Dakota. Our priorities have focused on recruitment, increasing production value, and strengthening community connections. We'd be happy to send you the full UND Theatre Arts Department Annual Report where you can read in more detail about the exciting and productive year. 

Request the 2024-25 Annual Report

Keep In Touch

We know your time at UND was special, and we hope you stay in touch! Drop us a line at UND.TheatreArts@UND.edu and share your latest good news with us. We'd love to profile you here as well. We'd also like to invite you to join us during the opening weekend of our first show each semester. This is a terrific opportunity to catch up with friends and faculty as well as seeing the latest show. As a department, we strive to reach out and build connections between past and future graduates of UND Theatre Arts.

Your Support Matters

Gifts made to UND Theatre Arts help us continue to provide both an outstanding education for our students and a vital community service, showcasing theatre right on campus. We are grateful for all the alumni and friends who understand that the show must go on! 

Make a Gift

Alumni Profile: Sam Anderson 

Sam Anderson (born May 13, 1945) is an American actor from Wahpeton, N.D. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota. During the 1970s, Sam taught drama at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, California. He married in 1985 and is the father of twins. Sam holds advanced degrees in Theatre, American Literature and Creative Writing. He is also a member of the Mystery Writers of America.

Sam is perhaps best known for his roles as Tate in Where the Crawdads Sing, mailroom supervisor Mr. Gorpley on Perfect Strangers, the lawyer Holland Manners on Angel, the cardiologist Dr. Jack Kayson on the television series ER and as Bernard on Lost. Sam has 177 IMDB credits in his career, including 140 TV shows, 35 movies and 2 video games. His most recent (2024) role is being a part of the reboot of the Matlock series on CBS where he plays the husband (Edwin) of Kathy Bates character Matty Matlock.

Sam is also active in stage theatre, including productions of Taking Sides, by Ronald Hardwood, and Napoli Milionara, for which he won the 2002 Ovation Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.