Faculty and Associate Artists
JEFFREY D. STOLZ
Professor of Theatre and Department Chair
608-796-3795, jdstolz@viterbo.edu
Office: FAC #220
Expertise: Costume Design, Costume Construction, Make-up
Jeffrey Stolz is a costume designer and a fine artist. His recent regional costume design credits include Sophie Tucker--An American Legend and The Sunshine Boys for Milwaukee Repertory Theatre; The Miser, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Spinning Into Butter, and Proof for Madison Repertory Theatre;The Odd Couple, Merry X-mas My Ass, and The Santaland Diaries for the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee. Jeff's recent costume designs at Viterbo include The Magic Flute, Iolanthe, Antigone, Good Person of Szechwan, and Oh, What a Lovely War. As a fine artist his work has been seen in juried exhibits around the area and in the online gallery at www.portalwisconsin.org. He is represented by Artexchange.com. He holds an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a BFA from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
RICK WALTERS
Associate Professor of Theatre and Director of Recruitment
608-796-3793, rhwalters@viterbo.edu
Office: FAC #205
Expertise: Acting , Shakespeare, Masks and Movement
Rick Walters is an actor, director and teacher. His teaching includes acting, Shakespeare, movement and voice--he is a certified Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework (http://fitzmauricevoice.com/about.htm). Rick has previously taught at the University of Minnesota and Indiana University at Indianapolis, and has been a teaching artist in residence with the Guthrie Theatre, Picture This Players of Community Hospitals in Indianapolis, Stepping Stone Theatre, Park Square Theatre, Young Audiences and others. He has been a member of the acting companies at the Guthrie Theatre and Indiana Repertory Theatre. He is a recipient of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Actors Center Fellowship for teachers of acting. As a teacher and coach, Rick has worked extensively with clients that range from established professional artists to young performers to corporate executives. He has served as a member of the Regional Selection Committee for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. His directing credits include Reasons to be Pretty, Violet, The Importance of Being Earnest, Proof, Anatomy of Gray, Trip to Bountiful, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Great Expectations, Between Daylight and Boonville, and Zealot. He holds an MFA from the University of Minnesota—Guthrie training program and BS in theatre from the University of Evansville.
NIKKI BALSAMO
Instructor, Dance
608-796-3798, nmbalsamo@viterbo.edu
Office: FAC #410
Expertise: Dance (modern, jazz, ballet, and tap)
Nikki Balsamo is a dancer, choreographer, and director. Her professional dance credits include performances with JAZZDANCE! by Danny Buraczeski, Garner Gutierrez-Garner Dance, Catalyst, Dances by Emily Johnson, and works by Christine Maginnis. In 1998 she was one of only six women in the country invited to attend the Choreographing Jazz Workshop at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. Her choreography has been selected for performance at the American College Dance Festival and Choreographer's Evening at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. She has directed the Jazz Dance Program at DanceWorks Performing Arts Center in Lakeville, Minn., and the dance program at the Arizona Bridge Project, an after school arts program for at-risk teenage girls. She also served as a dance specialist in the Minneapolis public schools. Nikki holds a BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota.
JEN BROWN
Adjunct Theatre Faculty
608-796-3784, jrbrown@viterbo.edu
Office: FAC #213
Expertise: Properties Design
Jen is a theatre properties and costume design specialist. She is the founder owner of Jen Brown Design, an inventive interior design firm in the La Crosse area, and Imagination In A Bag, which features a specialized line of children's toys. Jen is a graduate of Viterbo University Theatre Department with an emphasis in design.
DAVID GARDINER
Associate Professor, Theatre
608-796-3790, dmgardiner@viterbo.edu
Office: FAC #213
Expertise: Directing, Acting, Period Styles, Playwriting, and Theatre History
David Gardiner is a director and actor who has lived and worked in Europe and the United States. He has directed and acted with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Arizona Theatre Company, the Long Wharf Theatre, the American Southwest Repertory Theatre, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and the Boston Chamber Theatre in the United States. His European credits include work at the Sorte Hest in Copenhagen, the Cassandra Theatre in Oslo, the Chelmsford Rep, the Young Vic, and the Piccadilly Theatre in England. He has taught at Guildford, the Drama Studio, East 15, and the London Theatre School in Great Britain, the National Drama/Film schools in Norway and Denmark, and Universities of Florida and Rhode Island. David is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and both the American and British Actor's Equity Associations. He holds an MA in theatre from the University of Arizona and a CFA from the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago.
SANDY HARVEY
Costume Shop Supervisor
608-796-3794, slharvey@viterbo.edu
Office: FAC #B39 (Costume Shop)
Expertise: Costume construction
Sandy Harvey has worked in both theatre costuming and custom bridal sewing for more years than she cares to count. She has designed various theatre and ballet productions and does quilting, custom sewing, crocheting, and knitting in her off hours. As costume shop supervisor, she manages work flow for all department productions and for a number of touring shows every season. Her current and former students will attest to the fact that Sandy has the best treat table and full refrigerator in the department—her students never leave hungry!
KARLA HUGHES
Assistant Professor, Music Theatre
608-796-3775, kmhughes@viterbo.edu
Office: FAC 430
Expertise: Voice
Karla Hughes is the voice instructor for the music theatre department. She has performed throughout the United States as a singer/actor with opera, operetta, music theater, and theater companies; as a vocal soloist with major orchestras and dance companies; and as a primary dancer with several operetta companies. These companies include the Ohio Light Opera, Michigan Opera Theater, the Milwaukee and Wichita Symphonies, the Skylight Opera Theatre, Chamber Theater, In Tandem Theater, and the Toledo and Milwaukee Ballet Companies. A true crossover artist/teacher, Karla has worked with all types of music, from the operatic repertoire to musical theater belt to pop, rock, gospel, and R&B. In addition to her work as a voice instructor, she has also taught acting and stage movement courses. Karla holds a BFA in music from Colorado State University and a MM in opera performance from Wichita State University. She can be heard on recordings through Albany Records and Newport Classics of Utopia Limited, La Verbena de la Paloma, Princess Ida, A Night in Venice, and Naughty Marietta. You may find out more about Karla by visiting her personal webpage.
CHAD KOLBE
Assistant Professor, Technical Production
608-796-3796, cskolbe@viterbo.edu
Office: FAC #226
Expertise: Technical Directions, Production Management, and Stage Lighting
Chad Kolbe is a technical director and lighting designer. In the summer months, he is the technical director for the Texas Shakespeare Festival (TSF) in Kilgore, Texas—a position he’s held for the last four years. Prior to TSF, he was assistant technical director at the Des Moines Metro Opera, and the master carpenter for the Penumbra Theatre in St. Paul Minnesota. He has taught at the University of Northern Iowa where he served as technical director, lighting designer and instructor for the theatre department. He holds a B.A. degree in theatre design and production, with a secondary emphasis in acting from the University of Northern Iowa, and an M.F.A. in technical direction from Purdue University. He is an active member of USITT.
MARIE LEON LA CROIX, FSPA
Professor Emeritus
Sister Marie Leon La Croix is the founder and the guiding spirit of the Viterbo University Theatre department—an undertaking she initiated more than 50 years ago when she created the Viterbo Players. Called by God to serve as a Franciscan Sister, and called by the order to make theatre a reality at, what was then known as Viterbo College, she accepted that challenge and created the dynamic theatre program that continues today. She served as the department’s first chair, and was instrumental in the planning and building of the Viterbo Fine Arts Center that today houses the theatre, music theatre, music, and art departments. Sister continues to be actively involved in the life of the department through her weekly work in the costume shop and by providing valuable council and support to faculty and students.
FRANK LUDWIG
Associate Professor, Scenic Arts and Technology
608-796-3799, fpludwig@viterbo.edu
Office: FAC #227
Expertise: Scenic, Lighting & Properties Design and Technology
Frank Ludwig is a professional design and technology artist. He has designed sets, costume, lighting, and scenic art for a number of regional theatres in the southeast and central United States including productions at Charlotte Repertory in North Carolina, Seaside Music Theatre and Riverside Theatre in Florida, Mill Mountain Theatre and The Barter Theatre in Virginia. Frank is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829 in the Set Design category and maintains an active presence in the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. He is currently serving as Vice Commissioner for Design within the Scene Design Commission as well as Chair for the set design area of Student Portfolio Review Program. He has taught at the university level since 1991. Prior to coming to Viterbo University he was an Associate Professor at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Frank, his wife, Mary, and their 7 children currently live in La Crescent, Minnesota.
DANA McCONNELL
Assistant Professor, Music Theatre
608-796-3766, dlmcconnell@viterbo.edu
Office: FAC #410
Dana McConnell has directed more than 30 productions, spanning classical and contemporary theatre, musical theatre, and opera, including regional premieres of Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses and Sarah Kane’s Crave. Recent work includes direction of Assassins and The Old Maid and the Thief at Viterbo, and the Opera Workshop production of Cosi fan Tutte and Nickel and Dimed at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. With Black Earth Collaborative Arts, she created original, multi-generational works including Ball’s Out and Sky. The education director for two national tours with the American Shakespeare Center, Dana has also taught as a guest artist at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, the University of Bathurst in Australia, and on the faculty of the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Dana received an MFA in Directing from the University of Oklahoma, a BA from Luther College, and has undertaken additional studies in the Alexander Technique, Bartenieff Fundamentals, contact improvisation and Authentic Movement.
JANET E. McLEAN, PH.D.
Associate Professor, Theatre
608-796-3792, jemclean@viterbo.edu
Office: FAC #218
Expertise: Theatre History, Dramatic Literature, Theatre Education
Janet McLean is a committed theatre educator who leads the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and the Bachelor of Science in Theatre Education programs. She is also the department recruitment coordinator. Janet began her teaching career as a high school speech and theatre teacher at The Dalles in Oregon, and went on to teach at Berry College in Rome, Ga. where she served as teacher, costume designer, and director. Janet has designed and directed many productions throughout her career including Viterbo productions of Macbeth, Doll's House, Oh Pioneers, Duck Variations, and Copenhagen. She is a member of the Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE), and is active in the American College Theatre Festival. A native of Rochester, Minn., Janet holds a Ph.D. in theatre from the University of Kansas, an MA from the University of Idaho and a BFA in Theatre Education from the University of South Dakota.
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GARY MOSS
Adjunct Music Theatre Faculty
608-796-3779, gwmoss@viterbo.edu
Office: FAC #409
Expertise: Voice
Baritone Gary Moss serves as a voice instructor for the Music Theatre program. Gary has performed throughout the United States and Italy with companies such as Santa Fe Opera, Michigan Opera Theater, Toledo Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Washington East Opera, La Musica Lirica, Ohio Light Opera, and has toured with San Francisco Opera. Equally at home in Opera, Oratorio, Operetta and Musical Theater, Gary has performed over 100 roles including Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, Ford in Falstaff, Prince Edwin in The Gipsy Princess, Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance (as well as 6 other Gilbert & Sullivan roles), and Jud Fry in Oklahoma!. Gary can be heard on various recordings on the Albany, Newport, and Naxos labels, in The Gondoliers, Bluebeard, Gimpel the Fool, Mother and Son, and La Verbena de la Paloma. Gary has taught numerous courses including Studio Voice, Vocal Pedagogy, Sight Singing/Ear Training, English, French, Italian, and German Diction, and has directed many Opera Workshop productions. He holds a Bachelors of Music degree from the University of Utah, and a Masters of Music and DMA from The University of Michigan.
MICHAEL RANSCHT
Director of the Fine Arts Center
Adjunct Theatre Faculty
608-796-3737, maranscht@viterbo.edu
Office: FAC #102
Expertise: Stage Management, Arts Administration
Michael Ranscht is the Director of the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center. He is a professional arts administrator, stage manager, and educator. He is also a scene and lighting designer, and has worked as a Technical Director. Michael heads the BFA programs in Arts Administration and Stage Management, and he serves as the academic advisor for students majoring in those areas. Michael is a graduate of Viterbo University with degrees in Theatre and English, and he holds an M.A. in Arts Administration from Goucher College.
HOLLY SAUNDERS
Adjunct Music Theatre Faculty
608-796-3782, hmsaunders@viterbo.edu
Office: FAC #409
Expertise: Voice, Accompaniment
Holly Saunders earned a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from UW-Stevens Point and Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She accompanies for departmental classes and auditions, and also teaches musical theatre voice lessons. Holly was the music director/conductor for Viterbo’s productions of Dames at Sea and Chess, played in the pit orchestras for Violet and Assassins, and was the accompanist for the 2009 cabaret performance at the Pump House in La Crosse. She was awarded the Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year for the Fine Arts Center in 2009. She is also the Director of Music at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska, where she directs two choirs, cantors, and accompanies. Holly and her husband Ryan live in Sparta, WI with their two daughters - Andraya and Isabella.