SPOTLIGHT ON: Nate Schwalm

Thespian of the Month for March

Year: Junior
Major: Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Disease
Hometown: Shamokin, PA

There are a number of Thespians who work hard with little fuss and fanfare, and Nate exemplifies this type. Consistently holding a production staff position (currently master electrician for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Nate is continuously present throughout TAPS week, load-in weekend, and tech week in Schwab. When he's not hanging or focusing lights, he's helping construct the set, and generally being an all-around guy. In addition to mainstage show duties, Nate is a co-chair of the children's show committee, which just performed Rainbow Fish at Schlow Memorial Library. With co-chair Steph Bernard, the cast, and the production staff, Rainbow Fish held three very successful performances for almost 200 children and their families. Thanks, Nate, for all that you do to make our productions happen!

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SPOTLIGHT ON: Shana Lombardi

Thespian of the Month for February

Year: Senior
Major:Bio Behavioral Health
Hometown: Tamaqua, PA

Shana kicked off February as director of a wonderful production of The Vagina Monologues. As sponsor of the event, Thespians was well represented by Shana, a member since 2006. Her talent in choosing a cast of unique women and aiding them in putting their personal touch on each monologue made this year's performance a memorable one. Shana was also a driving force in fundraising for the event and for a donation to a local women's shelter. In addition to Vagina Monologues, Shana was a dancer for Thespians in the Penn State Dance Marathon, which raised $7,490,133.87 this year to fight pediatric cancer. After working all year on our THON committee to go canning, write letters, make t-shirts, and keep in contact with our THON family, Shana, along with fellow Thespian Lauren Grimes, spent 46 hours on her feet in the Bryce Jordan Center in this annual celebration of hope and strength. Great job, Shana!

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SPOTLIGHT ON: Kaitlin Boland

Thespian of the Month for January

Year: Junior
Major: Theater
Hometown: Sellersville, PA

Kaitlin has just returned to PSU and Thespians from a semester abroad in London, England. Kaitlin has been thousands of miles away, but you would never guess it! Her absence in the fall, though still felt, was minimized by attending meetings and even auditioning for our spring MasquerAIDS show via webcam. She is coming back with a bang this spring as performance coordinator and cast for MasquerAIDS, chair of the semi-formal committee, and was recently named director of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Kaitlin's infectious joy and love of theater is sure to make working on and watching Joseph an experience you will not want to miss. Thank you, Kaitlin, for staying involved with Thespians even while abroad and we look forward to working with you this semester!

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SPOTLIGHT ON: Nick Mittereder

Thespian of the Month for December

Year: Junior
Major: Journalism
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Nick is a member of our newly-inducted pledge class of fall 2008 with a unique pledge experience.  He became a pledge in fall 2006 for The Rocky Horror Show, but then left Penn State, only to return this fall and seamlessly rejoin the ranks of Thespians' pledges.  In addition to completing his pledge requirements, Nick is active on the marketing committee as website liaison and as a dancer-hopeful for THON.  He also appeared as the Narrator in the fall children's show, Amelia Bedelia, and will be in several musical numbers in MasquerAIDS in February.  We were sad to lose Nick in 2006, but very glad to have him back and as a new member.  Welcome to Thespians, new members, but a special welcome back to Nick!

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SPOTLIGHT ON: Meghan McNamara

Thespian of the Month for November

Photo by Kendall Ireland

Year: Sophomore
Major: Biology
Hometown: Broomall, PA

Meghan took on a huge responsibility for this semester's production of Once Upon A Mattress by stepping up from assistant director to director. Directing a main stage show is no easy task, and fortunately Meghan decided to accept the challenge. Through the ups and downs, twists and turns of the entire production process, Meghan and the rest of the rehearsal staff need to be applauded for working through their differences and learning a great deal along the way. In this live and learn environment, the cast and crew were really able to shine. Meghan was inducted into Thespians last spring and served as assistant stage manager for Jekyll & Hyde. Thank you, Meghan, for challenging yourself and directing a wonderful, hilarious show!

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SPOTLIGHT ON: Matt Lesniewski

Thespian of the Month for October

Photo by Kendall Ireland

Year: Sophomore

Major: Political Science, Security and Risk Analysis

Hometown: Erie, PA

As a new member inducted last spring, Matt has dived headlong into Thespians with a warmhearted enthusiasm that everyone responds to.  He began his Thespians career in the chorus of Assassins last fall, when he also began pledging.  This year Matt is playing the role of Sir Studley in the male chorus of our production of Once Upon A Mattress.  He also serves as the cast liaison and media coordinator on the marketing committee and is active on the children's show, THON, and activities committees.  It is his extensive involvement in Thespians' committees that deserves the most praise: helping select and write a story for our fall children's show, canning and being a part of our team for the THON dodgeball tournament, and organizing daily games of Ultimate Frisbee during the warmer weather earlier this semester.  Ultimate Frisbee was concluded recently with a victorious game against No Refund Theater, another student-run theater organization on campus.  Congratulations Matt!