All the world’s a stage
Find W&M Theatre in Alaska, on the air, everywhere
Meet me in Alaska W&M grad Joseph Biagini found himself working with and for a professor and alumna in Juneau, Alaska. Photo courtesy Amy Altadonna
Meet me in Alaska Associate Theatre Professor Matthew Allar worked with Amy Altadonna '01 for six months as a scenic designer before discovering that she had W&M ties. Courtesy Matthew Allar
At the Audies Associate Theatre Professor Elizabeth Wiley at the Audie Awards, where she was a finalist in the inspirational/faith-based nonfiction category for her audiobook narration of "And Then There Were Nuns." Photo courtesy Elizabeth Wiley/jumpshots.biz
When William & Mary grad Joseph Biagini traveled to Juneau, Alaska, to intern with a theatre production, he was surprised to find there’s no escaping the influence and reach of his alma mater.
As far-flung as Juneau might seem, he found himself surrounded by W&M Theatre: Professor Matthew Allar was working on the production as scenic designer, while alumna Amy Altadonna ’01 was the show’s sound designer.
As if that wasn’t enough, the local newspaper, the Juneau Empire, sent a photographer to the rehearsal for its Capital City Weekly arts insert. You guessed it – another alum.
“It spread into more of a William & Mary event than I ever imagined,” said Allar. “The assembly of all of us way up there meant that there was a huge W&M theatre presence in Alaska working on the show – in a fairly remote place.”
The show is just one instance of the remarkable places you’ll find W&M Theatre. Another might be in your favorite book. Associate Theatre Professor Elizabeth Wiley voices audiobooks in a home closet she’s converted into a sound booth.
Wiley’s recordings have earned her a wealth of awards and nominations, including being named a finalist for an Audie Award, considered “the industry’s Oscars.”
Not surprisingly, her specialty at the university is teaching voice acting. Every year she introduces young theatre students to Swem Library’s Charles W. Reeder Media Center and helps them understand the difference between stage and microphone voice techniques.
Increasingly, she said, students are interested in animation voiceover work, where they’ll find another alumnus, Yuri Lowenthal ’93, who has earned an impressive list of animation and video game credits.
So keep your eyes peeled for W&M in the theatrical arts – beyond the big names like Glenn Close ’74 and Patton Oswalt ’91. We’ll be there.
