ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
CONGRATULATIONS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
Hello, and Happy End of the Semester! First, I would like to congratulate the graduating class of 2026. It is no small feat to reach the end of your studies and graduate with a degree. Many of you have faced challenges and persevered to get to this point, and for that I congratulate you.
As Theatre and Dance artists, we are the storytellers, creative problem solvers, dreamers, and collaborators able to speak truth to the human experience through our artistry. It is our job to push the boundaries of the everyday and ordinary to provoke, awaken, and expand what is possible.
My hope for those graduating is to take the skills and tools that you have learned here at Cal State Fullerton and share them with your communities when you graduate. Tell your stories. Challenge others to think. Find solutions to difficult problems. And thrive!
My privilege of being in CSUF’s Theatre Credential program has set me up to gain a variety of experiences from three different school sites- all with vastly different Theatre programs. My student teaching placement in Irvine allows me to refine my Tech skills in an incredible Performing Arts facility, which has filled in many of my knowledge gaps. I have access to amazing resources every day, and I’m surrounded by wonderful Arts educators and students. My job as an Arts Expert at a high school in Cypress started before I was accepted into the credential program. As a result of being in my program, I have better learned how to support teachers and students in production design and curriculum development from a Coach’s lens. This consistent work has not only re-enforced my experience as a student teacher, but it also allows me to immerse myself in my technical emphasis: Costume Design. That job led me to my position as an Arts Expert at a middle school, also in Cypress. That Theatre program has not only provided me with the wonderful experience of teaching younger grade levels, but it has also reminded me that truly enjoyable Theatre doesn’t have to come from a big budget; the thing that matters, especially in children’s Theatre, is that the kids are proud of themselves and each other. While this year has certainly been the most challenging year of my life, I waited ten years for it, and I wouldn’t trade a single day for anything in the world. I have wanted to become a Theatre teacher since I was 14 years old, and it is my life’s greatest privilege to work for my dreams every single day.
In the future (hopefully very near) I will be a Theatre teacher who not only reinforces consent-based, healthy Theatre practices to young students, but who also fosters an environment where kids can truly be themselves. That’s the biggest thing for me. Theatre has always been the place where a person can be unapologetically themselves. More than anyone else, kids need that- especially at the high school level. Furthermore, there is a lot to be said about Theatre consistently being the place for members of minority groups. As a non-binary person who grew up in a severely conservative family and community, Theatre was the only space in which I got to truly express myself. This is the case for many people, from all kinds of communities and backgrounds. More and more each day, it is becoming an absolute necessity to ensure students on campuses everywhere know that they have teachers in their corner who are more than willing to protect and reassure them that they have a bright future ahead of them. With that being said, I will do everything I can to ensure my students always know that my classroom or Theatre is a safe space for them, in whatever way they need.
I knew I wanted to be a Theatre teacher by my third week in my first-ever Theatre class as a Sophomore in high school. I can pinpoint the day. I was looking at my teacher, Frank Smouse, and admiring him for the space he created for us. I knew I wanted to do just that. I had always been a performer, whether that be in dance, gymnastics, or colorguard. Despite the fact that I wanted to do Theatre more than anything else, for as long as I can remember, I didn’t end up involved in it until high school. Once I was in, I very quickly realized that was where I was always meant to be. It was the first time in my life that I felt comfortable in my own skin. It truly helped me grow into the person I am today, and it continues to do so. Theatre has taught me how to use my voice in the world, how to take up space, and how to harness creative energy with the intention of making a statement. Learning these skills for myself has been an extraordinary journey, and it will be part of my life’s work to instill those same skills, and the confidence that they require, in young people.
GABRIELLA BRIDGMON
CSUF Dance BA Alumni Performed in Will B. Bell’s jazz showcase Full Circle, D23 Disney Expo with Zombies 3, and the Super Bowl LX halftime show with Bad Bunny.
KIRAN DESAI
USITT is proud to announce that Kiran Desai is the 2026 recipient of the Alexandra B. Bonds Grant for Student International Endeavors.
Kiran is studying theatrical design and technology with a focus in technical design. Outside of class, Kiran enjoys designing, building, and restoring animatronics.
Kiran shared appreciation for the people in his life and what this award means to him: “I would like to thank my fellow peers for their endless support; especially my research partner Alexa Aure, alongside my mentor JR Luker who were so instrumental in helping me navigate the world of 3D Scanning/Reality Capture Technology this past summer, for the 2025 SUReA Summer Research Program.
Winning this Award/Grant/Scholarship/Mentorship Program means so much to me, as I’ll be able to further explore 3D scanning/reality capture technology both domestically and abroad. I look forward to exploring how said technology can be used to archive historical theatrical spaces, all the way down to individual assets for fabrication purposes in the entertainment industry.”
CHARLIE DUVAL SPOTLIGHT
My greatest take away from being a student in the department is that community can be developed through storytelling. Some of my fondest memories come from the bonds I made with cast mates. When a group of students have a shared passion about telling a story, the connections that evolve can last a lifetime. Auditioning for the play Blue Stockings in Fall of 2022 was the first and best decision I made in this department because it taught me that when students are intrinsically motivated, collaborative, and empathetic, we have the power to create truly extraordinary art. I consider every play an invitation to the audience to step into this community. We engage the audience in our craft; thus, they are now a part of our story.
An upcoming projects/job on the horizon that excites me is that I was recently cast as Peter in Stop Kiss by Diana Son. It runs in The Arena Theatre on April 24th at 8pm and April 25th at 2pm and 8pm. The Student Productions Organized by Titans (SPOT) Executive Board strategically chose this play because of its relevance, themes, and brilliantly written story. We have a wonderful cast, production crew, and Faculty Advisor (shoutout to Stephanie Tancredi) collaborating to transition this story from the page to the stage.
I’ve also committed to further my education at the University of Portland to receive a MA in Teaching. As part of the program, I will teach Full Time while having tuition and housing expenses fully covered. For any future teachers interested in this program, check out the MAT PACE program at the University of Portland! I highly recommend it.
My advice for future students is to reflect on 3 questions. Question 1: What do you want to learn? This is a once in a lifetime experience! Use your education as a tool to extend your knowledge on as much as you desire. With determination, you can receive the education that you deserve. Question 2: What do you want to accomplish? Set goals for yourself. Consistently pursuing achievements will keep you motivated to improve your skills. Question 3: How can you give back to the people who got you to where you are? SPOT’s creation was a huge “thank you” from me to the Department of Theatre & Dance community because of the opportunities and love the program granted me. I view any kind of theatre I create as gratitude to anyone who has impacted my artistic endeavors. Think about how you want to express that gratitude and what that looks like for you.
GUILLEN
Omar Guillen is a Dance alumni and graduated from CSUF in 2018. Since then, he has worked in LA as a professional dancer. In addition, he is now signed as a Commercial Actor and works full-time as a Content Creator. Omar has worked with both artists and brands such as: Nordstrom Rack, Amazon, DD’s Discounts, Harry Styles, Ryan Castro, Kai, and Jermaine Jackson. He has opened his lanes to many opportunities and is excited for what’s next!
EMILY ROSE HERRON SPOTLIGHT
I attended the 58th Region 8 American College Theater Festival at Glendale Community College, where I won the “Region 8 National ACTF Award Stage Management Fellowship Excellence” and the “Students’ Choice for Excellence in Stage Management” for my work completed on Men on Boats. These awards were given to me after attending response sessions with a panel of stage management respondents and other fellow stage managers attending the festival.
Working on Men on Boats was such a beautiful experience for me. I’ve really enjoyed working with devised theater because it is constantly changing, constantly moving, and constantly teaching you how to be better.
After graduating this spring, I plan to continue working as a stage manager or in other management-based roles in the arts. I’ve really enjoyed working in devised and dance-based performance, and a current dream job would be to work with Cirque du Soleil or Disney as a stage manager because of this.
Advice that I would give to upcoming stage management students is to take every opportunity as a way to grow. Each production you work on will teach you something about yourself, your process, or what you do and don’t like. Each stage manager has their own style of doing things, and the more you can practice the hard and soft skills, the more confident and successful you will be in your next project.
NOAH MICHAEL
CSUF Theatre BFA Acting Alumni - received her master’s degree at NYU, performed in Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Classical Theatre of Harlem, and was recently featured on an episode of The Pitt (season 2).
CONGRATULATIONS TULA STRONG
Recipient of the 2026 Inclusive Excellence Award!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
4/17 & 4/18 8pm Titan’s Playwright Festival - Grand Central Theatre
4/24 & 4/25 Stop Kiss- SPOT Production - Arena Theatre
4/30-5/9 Spring Dance Concert - Little Theatre
4/30 Spring Dance Concert Opening Night Party - Little Theatre
4/30-5/1 8pm BA Showcase - Arena Theatre
5/1-5/9 Joy in Uncertainty, A Glory Chicken Adventure - Grand Central Theatre
5/7-5/9 Devised Sophomore Project
5/8 Fool-A-Tons - Arena Theatre
5/8 Advanced Directing (470A) and Advanced Scene Study (483) Original Plays
2pm (Program A) and 8pm (Program B)
5/9 Advanced Directing (470A) and Advanced Scene Study (483) Original Plays
2pm (Program A) and 8pm (Program B)
5/9-5/15 Finals Week
5/13 10am-3pm Design Expo - Young Theatre
5/13 6pm-8pm BFA Acting Expo - Grand Foyer/Hallberg
5/14 6pm Musical Theatre Dance Showcase - Hallberg Theatre
5/15 12pm Bigs and Littles - Musical Theatre Showcase - Recital Hall
5/15 4pm COTA MFA Student Hooding - Meng Concert Hall
5/15 5pm Graduation Party - CPAC Grand Foyer
5/29 & 5/30 BFA Devised Project in collaboration with PUSH at the Gary Marshall Theatre, Los Angeles
