technical theatre arts

ICYMI: Rowan University Dance Team Ranked Fifth in Nation

Posted on by Adeline McDonald
Group photo of Rowan Dance Team at Nationals.

This year, the Rowan University Dance Team competed at the Universal Dance Association (UDA) Nationals in Florida, where the team placed fifth in the Open Division Hip Hop category. Here, members of the Dance Team reflect on their time at the competition and talk about their dynamic as a team. 

What makes the Rowan Dance team different? 

Jordyn Dauter, a first-year Dance & Exercise Science from Quakertown, Pennsylvania says: “Everyone on the team has something unique to offer, whether that is something specifically to dance, or other elements like attitude or leadership skills. We all have something special to offer, which makes our team diverse.”

Teammate Amber Schott, a junior Psychology major from Bayville, NJ (Ocean County), adds, “Definitely the dynamic of the team. I made my best friends here at Rowan through this team and I always feel super supported and encouraged in reaching my dance goals.”

Rowan Dance Team outside at the Florida competition.

Senior Kaya Snow, a double major in Dance and Theatre Arts with concentrations in Acting and Musical Theatre from Oak Ridge, NJ (Passaic County), says, “We’ve really gone through some huge changes in the last few years and we’ve come out stronger through it all. I’m so glad that we decided to pursue UDA Camp and Nationals my sophomore year because it really has changed the entire dynamic of the team for the better.”

Kristin Mostrangeli, a sophomore Psychology major from Hamilton, NJ, (Mercer County) puts it simply: “Since we get to spend so much time together, we really become so close with each other as a team.”

Dance team outside

What is your most memorable memory with the team?

Junior Inclusive Elementary Education Bianca Moffa from Maple Shade, NJ (Burlington County), shares, “Hearing our university get called as a finalist qualifier will definitely be a core memory for sure. I am so proud to be a member of this team and to see all our hard work pay off by becoming 5th in the Nation in Hip Hop.”

Do you have a Rowan University or Dance Team experience you’d like to share?

Nicholette Voci, a junior Law & Justice and Psychology double major from Washington Township, NJ (Gloucester County), says that “being able to dance at football games, volunteer events, and be in Florida with my best friends is the best experience anyone could ever have in college.”

Sophomore Sociology major Taryn Larsen from Toms River, NJ (Ocean County), reflects on her time with the Rowan Dance Team by saying “it is the perfect mix of practice each week, meeting new friends and performing.”

A member of the Rowan Dance Team smiles at Nationals.

How was your experience at Nationals 2022?

Reflecting on her experience, Mia Tabasco, a first-year Sociology student from Haddon Township, NJ (Camden County), says, “It was so incredible. I’ve been dreaming of going to UDA for the longest time and I’m so proud of our team for making finals. We’re a new team and we made our names known.”

Sophomore Exercise Science major Adrianna Laezza from Monroe Township, NJ (Middlesex County), shares that the journey to the UDA National competition was a big deal to her. “It was the best feeling in the world to perform on stage again. I got to compete at UDA which was a dream I have had since I was 12 years old.”

Valentina Giannattasio, a first-year double major in Dance and Marketing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, says, “It was definitely one of the best experiences of my life. I still cannot believe we performed there with all those astonishing dancers. I am proud of how far we have gone. Now we are Top 5 in the nation for Hip Hop!”

Dance team performing

What is the best part of being a member of Rowan University Dance Team?

Alyssa McAvoy, a sophomore Music Industry Technology and Business major from Shrewsbury, NJ (Monmouth County), says, “I love that I am still able to dance in college and the friends I have made through being on the team!” 

Junior Engineering Entrepreneurship major Isabel Rivera from Flemington, NJ (Hunterdon County), puts it simply. She says, “The best part about being a member of the Rowan University Dance Team is “being surrounded by people who will motivate you no matter what.”

First-year Spanish Education major Lily Cummings from Pittsgrove, NJ (Salem County), reflects on her first year on the Rowan Dance Team by saying, “It allows me to grow in my ability as a dancer and dance throughout college without it having to take up my whole life. It also provides so many exciting and memorable experiences along with amazing new friendships.” 

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Story by:
Loredonna Fiore, senior public relations and advertising major

Photos by:
Valentina Giannattasio, first year dance and marketing double major

Header photo courtesy of:
Rowan University Dance Team ProfLink



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Alumni Success: Felicia Brown Talks Career, Future Goals and Her M.A. in Arts Administration

Posted on by Adeline McDonald
View from the stage at Rowan's Pfleeger Hall.

Today, we feature Felicia Brown, a graduate of Rowan’s Arts Administration masters program through Rowan Global. Currently, Ms. Brown serves as the Career and Technical Education (CTE) theatre educator at Trenton Central High School. She sits down to explain how the arts have taken her all across the world.

Would you mind introducing yourself and telling us a little bit about who you are and what you do?

Hello! My name is Felicia Latoya Brown, and I am currently a CTE [Career and Technical Education] theatre educator at Trenton Central High School. Prior to that, I taught at Life Center Academy. I am the regional programming director for the Alliance for Theatre and Education. Along with this, I am on the board for the Ritz Theatre Company as well as a member of the Speech Theatre Association of New Jersey and the Educational Theatre Association in which I am a Thespian Troupe director.

I’ve taught short theatre programs in Kenya, Brazil and Costa Rica, one of which included drama therapy for former child prostitutes. I’ve also performed internationally in Egypt and Slovakia, and that’s just the short list. 

Felicia directs Seussical Jr.
Directing Seussical at the Life Center Academy

Tell us a little bit about your educational background. 

I did my undergraduate degree at Eastern University. I always tell people it was a triple major, double minor. My major was English with Communications for Secondary Education and a minor in music and theatre. Rowan was where I got my second master’s degree, which was in Arts Administration. My first master’s degree was in Theatre studies, which got me the fancy term of Theatreologist.

What made you want to pursue your second master’s at Rowan University? 

What initially drew me to Rowan was their online program. I was interested in Arts Administration mainly because I have this huge crazy dream of running my own full-scale arts production company that would encompass every aspect of the arts.

I got into these classes at Rowan and every single professor asked me about my future dream business. They go, “Is it a museum? Is it a theatre? Is it a dance studio?” And I just reply, “It’s everything.”

Every professor I had definitely encouraged me and knew how amazing my dream business would be if I ever got it up and running but they wanted me to focus on just one aspect of it for their course. 

Felicia performing on stage during a theatre production surrounded by three other actors
Felicia performs in a Ritz Theatre Company production

Was there ever a professor who allowed you to focus on your dream in full and not just an aspect of it?

There was one professor who allowed me to come up with what my season would look like if I had my dream business up and running, which allowed me to think about it further. If I had it up and running like I want, there would be a dinner theatre, a children’s theatre, a community theatre, as well a professional equity house. That’s about four or five spaces that would have shows happening [at the same time] along with outdoor performances that would take place during the summer.

My professor wanted me to think about how I would make all of these shows connect so that I have people interested in coming and seeing shows in whatever space they may be in. I came up with a PowerPoint presentation that took you through the whole thing. It was nice for my dream to be encouraged in that way and to be able to share it with others. 

How would you describe your time at Rowan?

My time at Rowan was very interesting. When I started the program, it was still under theatre arts and it was called Theatre Arts Administration. It changed to just Arts Administration while I was in the program, which was cool with me. I liked it! It was a challenge though.

One of the most challenging courses I had taken wanted me to learn QuickBooks and how to handle the financial aspects of running an organization. I was just like, “Numbers? I’m an artist! Numbers and the arts don’t go together!” It’s funny to me now, but it wasn’t an easy feat during the time. Ultimately, I’m glad I took that course because it helped me so much. I truly believe that every single person that runs any kind of artistic organization needs somebody who has gone through an arts administration program. 

How have the arts education programs in New Jersey changed over the years? 

There’s this beautiful learning that’s happening right now. Priscilla, a colleague I met through Rowan, works with Arts Ed New Jersey, and she told me how the program is looking to teach anti-racism through Art Education. They’re conversations happening amongst the leaders of the Artistic Educational Programs in New Jersey where these leaders sit together and ask themselves, “Alright, how do we make sure the work we bring to our students is anti-racist?” These conversations weren’t happening 10 years ago and certainly not when I was growing up. Now, they’re in the forefront of our teaching, and I’m happy to be a part of it.

How can arts educators and administrators across the country make sure they are incorporating anti-racist practices into their teaching? 

It starts with just asking the right questions. To make sure educators are invoking these anti-racist practices while teaching students, they can take a step back and ask themselves: “What are things that we need to do to change? How can we make ourselves better? How can we be an anti-racist organization?” 

I sit on the board for the American Alliance for Theatre and Education as regional programming director and that has been the whole thing for this past year: Asking ourselves what are the changes that we need to make in our organization to make sure more voices are heard. It’s not that we need to lose room at the table. We just need to make more room at the table for other. 

Felicia on stage alone during a production of The Crucible.
Felicia on stage during a production of The Crucible for the Ritz Theatre

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Story by:
Bianca Gray, senior English major

Photos courtesy of:
Felicia Brown
Ritz Theatre Company photos, Steve Rogina
Life Center Academy photo, Rebekah Yeretzian

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Breaking Down Camden Cliches with Alexander Dossantos

Posted on by Adeline McDonald
Alex stands on Bunce Green overlooking Bunce Hall.

Today we speak with senior Alexander Dossantos, a first-generation college student and dual Theatre major with a concentration in Tech and Design and Art major with a concentration in Studio Art. Alex works full-time for One Theatre and several other venues in Philadelphia while remaining a part-time commuting student. Alex proudly hails from Camden, NJ (Camden County) and is part of the Photography Club.

Is there anything you can share as a resident of Camden to dispel the negative stereotypes or talk about your experience? 

Rutgers and Rowan have been taking the time, effort and resources to make it as safe as possible and to clean up downtown Camden and turn it back into what it used to be.

Alex looks away on Bunce Green.

A lot of people hear “Camden” and think that there’s still violence and shooting. I sit there and think “Camden used to be the number 1 most dangerous city.” It’s nowhere near the top 10 anymore. Between the police force — being torn down to the basics and being built back up — Rutgers, Rowan, Camden County Community College, Campbell Soup and Subaru, they’re bringing business back. A lot of what people here is old news.

Alex sits on a bench on Bunce Green.

Yes, there are still parts that are iffy but they are nowhere near where the campus is. I had a good childhood. 

What are some of the things you liked to do growing up? 

I’ve always played baseball. I started playing tee-ball when I was 5 or 6. I played all the way up until I came here. Sports don’t really line up with theatre because of our schedule with theatre. It never lined up for me to even try out for the baseball team or any club sports. That was a sacrifice I had to make. I like working on cars. When I wasn’t playing baseball or hanging out with friends, I was working on cars.

Anything to add about Camden?

What it comes down to is that you get out what you put in. If Rutgers and Rowan weren’t putting in so much effort and money, Camden would still have that really bad reputation. All of the good business and all the people are coming back, it’s making it a place where you can be proud to come from. I don’t hide it.

I’m proud that I was born and raised in Camden. Now, I’m at a university. Anywhere you go, you’ll find the bad things if you look hard enough. The bad things shouldn’t outweigh the good that’s coming out from it too.

Alex stands in front of a large tree on Bunce Green.

I personally went to a youth group growing up and that helped me get to a good place in my work ethic right now [where] I love to learn. Their program is growing and growing. They help more students and kids [get] away from that stereotype [of], “Oh you come from Camden, you amount to nothing.” [And finally get] to, “I live in Camden. I’m proud that I live in Camden. Now, I’m a proud student or graduate of a university.”

How come you did not choose a course on the Camden Campus? 

I was part of a test program for Camden High School students where they let the senior students take college courses in high school. I was part of the engineering program at Camden County Technical School on Berlin Cross Keys. [Technically], I transferred in with credits but I came here as a freshman.  

Alex looks away on Bunce Green.

They didn’t offer the programs I was looking at when I applied. I applied to the theatre department and the engineering department. They said I have to choose one or the other. I had a conversation with someone from my school about the whole engineering career path and we discovered that it really wasn’t what I wanted to do. What I wanted to do related more to theatre because I always wanted to be part of the design process but also the fabrication process. So [becoming] a theatre technician was the way I wanted to go. 

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Story by: 
Marian Suganob, public relations and advertising graduate

Photos by:
Stephanie Batista, junior music industry major

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#PROFspective: Theatre and Art Double Major Alexander Dossantos

Posted on by Adeline McDonald
Alex adjusts his camera settings on Bunce Green.

Today we speak with senior Alexander Dossantos, a first-generation college student and dual Theatre major with a concentration in Tech and Design and Art major with a concentration in Studio Art. Alex works full-time for One Theatre and several other venues in Philadelphia while remaining a part-time commuting student. Alex proudly hails from Camden, NJ (Camden County) and is part of the Photography Club.

What have you been involved in on campus? 

I’ve been part of our honors society for the theatre department. We have a couple different clubs related to the theatre department. We have Rowan Lab Theatre, Campus Players, and USITT. 

USITT is a national organization for theatre technicians and designers. Every year there’s a conference that [travels] all over like Disney or Busch Gardens. They do open interviews, portfolio reviews, and colleges [attend]. If you want to get your master’s degree, there’s an opportunity to see different colleges that you wouldn’t normally see if you lived on the East coast and were looking at the West coast. You can talk to [school representatives], [receive informational materials], and interview! We’ve had people who have gone to the conference and gotten full rides to universities just for their portfolio.

Alex stands in front of a tree on Bunce Green.

What’s been your involvement with USITT? 

USITT is kind of new to our campus as a club, but for the most part, we usually have a “Tech-spo” where the tech students display what we’ve done throughout the year. Covid canceled our “Tech-spo” last year. Hopefully next year, it’ll be as big as it has been in the past couple of years.

Were you one of the students that brought this to campus? 

I wasn’t part of the eboard that pitched the idea, but I’ve been consistently involved in it and trying to get more people involved.

Most rewarding experience with this club?

We got to do the virtual conference this year. We were able to all sit down and get the registration done. The thing that we really liked to do was the “Techspo,” being able to organize all the tables, getting people signed up, and just have our own little miniature conference. 

How has that helped you grow professionally?

Our professors have a lot of [influence in] how we go forth in our professional life [during and] after Rowan. Robert Thorpe is my mentor. I chose to focus on lighting. I’ve worked very closely with him. I’ve actually been able to work in Philadelphia because of that.

As vast and as big of a field that theatre is, the technicians are very tight-knit. Our professors know so many different people all over the place. When they need someone, they contact Bob or Tom [who] share those opportunities with their students. I currently work in Philadelphia.

Alex stands outside on Bunce Green.

What are you doing over in Philly? 

I work as the master electrician in One Theatre and overhire as an electrician in multiple theatres and venues. Hopefully, once things start opening up, I’ll be doing more overhire with the Union. 

Another club that really helped me with figuring out what my design style is was Rowan Lab Theatre. We put on three productions every year. It’s all student-run. The design team is made up of students. The directorial staff is students. It’s just a great way to work with people who aren’t our professors. We have guidance from our professors, but here we have free rein to experiment, learn, make mistakes, and then learn from those mistakes.

Are you involved in any other clubs on campus?

I was involved in the Rowan Auto Club, but Covid restrictions closed it down. There are no car shows because we can’t be on campus with many people. I’ve been doing the Photography Club, and we’re hoping to do more with that. We’ve been doing online competitions.

Are you on the eboard for the Photography Club? 

No, I figured that we should let someone who is a sophomore or junior to take the reins would be best. [This academic year], I won’t be here as much. I’ll still be a student, but I won’t be here as often. I always say, if anyone has questions or anything, I’d be willing to answer them.

Alex takes a selfie with his DSLR camera.

How did all of this in the big picture, shape your Rowan experience?

When I started here, I was a very shy person. I wasn’t really open. [Now I’m hosting] meetings where there are 15 people in a production team and running work calls to get the lights done. It’s definitely developed my workflow and work ethic to more than what it was when I started. For the amount of time I’ve been here, I’ve had a lot of fun.

A lot of people ask, “Why did you go into theatre and art?” I say, “It’s what I want to do, I don’t want to sit behind a desk. That’s not me. I like to work with my hands. If my hands get dirty, that’s okay. I like that. That’s how I was raised. That’s how I like to work. That’s how I am.”

How did you first get interested in this field?

In high school, instead of just going home and doing nothing I started looking at the different [afterschool] activities. One of the guys I did soccer and baseball with did one of the shows in the off-season with our high school theatre department. He asked me to join and I fell in love with doing stagecraft: the lighting, sound and stage construction. By my senior year, I was looking at colleges and one professor suggested Rowan stage production. I wanted to stay close and not go too far. Rowan was one of the most affordable universities in the area. I also had a couple of friends who went to the theatre department at Rowan.

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Story by: 
Marian Suganob, public relations and advertising graduate

Photos by:
Stephanie Batista, junior music industry major

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Beyond the Classroom: Jesse Panico, an Act for Theatre Arts

Posted on by Adeline McDonald
Rowan Music Performance major Jesse Panico next to the Henry Rowan statue

Meet Jesse Panico, a junior Music Performance major with a specialization in Voice from Magnolia, NJ (Camden County). He is also the senior student technician for Rowan’s Theatre Arts Management.

Rowan offers many flexible job opportunities for its students. After meeting his (now) supervisors at Theatre Arts Management through other networking, Jesse asked them for a job, filled out some paperwork “and since then it’s been wonderful!” Jesse said.

Jesse helps runs events in both Pfleeger Concert Hall and Boyd Recital Hall. 

“It greatly benefits me working there because I’m always there and the bookings are often from my own peers. Being able to work a recital (in Boyd Hall) and the person working it is someone you know and trust really takes the pressure off of the person performing,” he said. The work he does in Pfleeger Hall is little bit of everything, from ushering to lighting. 

His behind-the-scenes knowledge with Theatre Arts has helped him with his own student work as well. 

Rowan Music Performance major Jesse Panico in the Rowan Opera

“Knowing everything off-hand helps me plan as a student. When I was planning my Junior Recital, I knew how far to plan in advance, what works and what doesn’t,” Jesse said. 

“Rowan best prepared me by giving me to opportunity work with the technical side of what I want to do. I love to perform. It is very near and dear to my heart. It gives me insight on how to do certain things on stage — such as, many people think to stand right in the middle of the spotlight. But you actually should stand in front of the spotlight so you don’t have the lower half of your body cut off,” he said. 

Jesse noted that Theatre Arts Management tries to emphasize working all parts of the theatre so you get a better understanding of what goes into everything.

“I have developed a lot of people skills from starting as a house manager, which deals with the public saying ‘No ma’am, you can’t bring food in.’ A lot of the training was learning as I go. The high-stress environment helped me to learn quickly. I’ve learned everything from lights and rigging to building the sets.

“I feel at home in Pfleeger Concert Hall,” Jesse said.

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Story and photography by:
Justin Borelli, senior advertising major

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Rowan Lab Theatre Takes the Stage

Posted on by Adeline McDonald
Rowan Lab Theatre logo

Over the past few weeks, Lab Theatre e-Board (executive board) members have built up their name and reputation through social media with their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat @RowanLabTheatre. I personally have received follows from all accounts, so great job with the publicity, team! Rowan Lab Theatre, a student-run, student government club, serves as a student-elected, […]

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Rare Opportunity for Student to Light Up the Stage

Posted on by Adeline McDonald
student lighting director sits at a computer working

Inside Tohill Theater, it is nearly pitch black except for the glow of two computer screens. Behind the screens sit a team of magicians, creating a story on stage – not with acting, but with light. Onstage is the classic horror story of Carrie, made famous by the 1970’s film featuring a bloody prom, and […]

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