James Madison University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni
James Madison University (JMU), a public research university in Harrisonburg, Virginia, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1908. Originally established as a normal school for women, it has evolved into a comprehensive university with a wide range of academic programs. Over the years, JMU has produced a diverse array of accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields, from the arts and media to business, politics, and athletics. This article explores some of the most notable alumni of James Madison University, highlighting their achievements and the impact they have had on their respective industries.
Arts and Entertainment
JMU boasts a vibrant arts program that has nurtured the talents of many successful performers, writers, and artists. Alumni have made their mark on Broadway, in film and television, and in the music industry.
Performing Arts:
David Little '11: A talented actor, David Little '11 recently played Harpo in THE COLOR PURPLE at Toby's Dinner Theatre, earning a 2013 Helen Hayes nomination as Outstanding Supporting Actor.
Sade Namei '11: Sade Namei '11 recently finished a New York run of Eve Ensler's new play EMOTIONAL CREATURE at Signature Theatre.
Glen North '11: Glen North '11 is part of the ensemble in OKLAHOMA!
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Ali Hoxie '10: Ali Hoxie '10 is a mainstage performer for Disney Cruise Lines, playing Belle in Beauty and the Beast in the Mediterranean Sea and Caribbean.
Jake Odmark '09: Jake Odmark '09 is in the cast of SPIDERMAN: TURN OFF THE DARK, playing the role of Flash.
Lyndsey Cole '06: Lyndsey Cole '06 played Francine and other roles in the national tour and Chicago company of JERSEY BOYS. She also appeared in the 2007 Emmy Awards tribute to THE SOPRANOS.
Megan Tusing '07: Megan Tusing '07 has co-starred in television on BLUE BLOODS, BORED TO DEATH, and LAW AND ORDER: SVU, guest-starred on MERCY and LAW & ORDER: CI, and is the series lead on webisodes.
Keven Quillon '03: Keven Quillon '03 is currently appearing in the Broadway revival of ANNIE, which opened in November 2012. He previously appeared in SHREK THE MUSICAL for almost two years and in a Broadway revival of GREASE for over a year as a featured dancer.
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Mark Jude Sullivan '01: Mark Jude Sullivan '01, a Washington-area actor, played the lead in BIG DEATH, LITTLE DEATH, which opened the new Wooly Mammoth Theatre.
Michael Minarik '00: Michael Minarik ('00) has been performing in ROCK OF AGES on Broadway since it opened in 2009.
James Moye '00: James Moye '00 appeared in the Broadway productions of URINETOWN and THE FULL MONTY, as well as the national tour of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.
Trey Ellet '92: A highlight for Trey Ellet '92 was appearing in the lead role of Mark in the Broadway production of RENT for three years.
Caitlin Miller: After an apprenticeship at Actors' Theatre of Louisville, Caitlin Miller has worked steadily in New York, including the role of Tammy in the hit Broadway musical satire DEBBIE DOES DALLAS, and performances in NOBODY'S LUNCH in New York and HAY FEVER with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.
Read also: Legacy of Fordham University
Marni Penning '92: Marni Penning '92 is a co-founder of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival, for whom she performed more than 35 roles over 10 seasons.
Film and Television:
Matthew R. Staley '00: Matthew R. Staley '00 has worked as an actor in TV and film in such works as GODS AND GENERALS, TUCK EVERYLASTING, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, THE SOPRANOS, CSI, PERSON OF INTEREST, THE FIRM, AND WINTER'S TALE. He is also a sought-after stunt double and stunt coordinator in such screen titles as LAW & ORDER: SVU, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, MEN IN BLACK 3, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, CSI: NY, UGLY BETTY, and many others.
Jeremy Beck '98: Jeremy Beck '98 appeared in the 2004 London premiere of SHAKESPEARE'S R & J and starred in the two-person show QUINNOPOLIS VS. HAMLET in New York. He is also a co-founder of New York's Performance Lab 115, where he wrote and staged THE RING CYCLE: PARTS 1-4 at the Incubator Arts Project of St.
Nate Shelkey '96: Nate Shelkey '96 has appeared on several TV series in the last couple of years, including ANGER MANAGEMENT, HAPPY ENDINGS, THE NEW GIRL, CHUCK, UP ALL NIGHT, JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE, CHUCK, and CONCIERGE.
Jenny Maguire '94: Jenny Maguire '94 has performed on screen in films such as FAIR GAME, THE GIRL IN THE PARK, THE BAXTER, AND REVEILLE, and in television series such as THAT '70s SHOW, LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT, STELLA, ONE LIFE TO LIVE, WAINY DAYS, AND FAIR GAME. She has also played roles in such theatres as Manhattan Theatre Club, New York Theatre Workshop, Atlantic Theatre Company, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Rattlestick Theatre, Alley Theatre, Eugene O'Neill Theatre, and Portland Stage.
Steven Smith '94: Steven Smith '94 is a video jockey and television personality who works for MTV. He began his career as host for various shows on VH1, such as TOP 20 COUNTDOWN and ROCK ACROSS AMERICA. He began hosting programs for FUSE TV in 2003, including the topical comedy series FUSE ACTION NEWS, DAILY DOWNLOAD, STEVEN'S UNTITLED ROCK SHOW, and DISTORTION.
Phoef Sutton '81: Phoef Sutton '81 won a pair of Emmy awards as executive producer for CHEERS. He also wrote for NEWHART and other television sitcoms as well as the screenplays for MRS. WINTERBOURNE and THE FAN.
Reshma Shetty: Reshma Shetty is a British-born American actress best known for her role as Divya Katdare on the USA Network TV series Royal Pains.
Writing and Production:
Jerome Hairston '98: Jerome Hairston '98 is the executive story editor for the TV series DECEPTION, which premiered in January 2013. In 2012, he was executive story editor for the TV show SMASH. He has also been a writer and story editor for LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT.
Ginjer Norris-Clarke '94: Ginjer Norris-Clarke '94 applied the imagination she developed in the theatre program to the authorship of children's books. Her many titles have sold a combined total, notes Amazon.com, "of almost 3 million copies worldwide." Her books FREAK OUT! and GROSS OUT! were on PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY's 2006 and 2007 lists of top 100 best-selling children's books. Her book PLATYPUS!
Scott Organ: Scott Organ, a New York playwright, recently had two of his plays published in THE BACK STAGE BOOK OF NEW AMERICAN PLAYS 2005 edited by Craig Lucas. His short film, PLAYDATE was selected for the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival. PHEONIX, is premiered at the 2010 Humana Festival, is available through Samuel French.
Don Rhymer '82: Don Rhymer '82 was a writer of movies such as THE SANTA CLAUSE 2, RIO, RIO 2, BIG MOMMA'S HOUSE, THE HONEYMOONERS, and DECK THE HALLS.
Karen McCullah: Karen McCullah is an American screenwriter and novelist most known for co-writing comedies such as 10 Things I Hate About You, Legally Blonde, Ella Enchanted, The House Bunny, The Ugly Truth and She's the Man with her screenwriting partner Kirsten Smith.
Music:
LeRoi Moore: LeRoi Holloway Moore was an American saxophonist and founding member of the Dave Matthews Band.
Keith Howland: Keith Howland is an American guitarist and singer. He was the lead guitarist for the veteran pop-rock band Chicago from 1995-2021.
Butch Taylor: Butch Taylor is a composer, writer, keyboardist and long time guest musician with Dave Matthews Band.
Phil Vassar: Phillip George Vassar Jr. is an American country music artist.
Margaret Becker: Margaret Becker is an American Christian rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter.
Ross Copperman: Ross Copperman is an American Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and record producer.
Behind the Scenes:
Anna-Lee Craig '11: Anna-Lee Craig '11 is the second assistant RF/Deck Audio Engineer for the first national Broadway tour of PORGY AND BESS. She has worked as a sound technician, mixer, and designer at theatres such as Playwrights Horizon, St. Ann's Warehouse, New Ohio Theatre, Location One (Soho), and El Portal (North Hollywood). She served as the Assistant Sound Supervisor at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and sound designer and engineer at the Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School.
Stephanie Freed '11: Stephanie Freed '11 is Head Electrician on the tour of AMERICAN IDIOT, having completed its American tour. She was formerly Journeyman Lighting Coordinator at the Spoleto Festival and Associate Producer at the Forum Theatre (Washington, DC).
Bekah Wachenfeld '10: Bekah Wachenfeld '10 is the AEA Production Stage Manager at Round House Theatre. She has stage managed at the Weston Playhouse, Studio Theatre, Adventure Theatre MTC, Forum Theatre, Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts, and ASM for multiple shows at the Walnut Street Theatre.
Jimmy Lawlor '06: Jimmy Lawlor '06 has served as Assistant Lighting Designer on several shows at Signature Theatre and at Arena Stage in Washington, DC. He has designed lights at La MaMa ETC, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, River Valley Repertory, Edmonton Fringe Festival, PS 21 (NY), Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, Ontological-Hysteric Incubator, Columbia University, and many other venues.
Brooke Marshall '02: After her graduation Brooke Marshall '02 worked as a stage manager and production assistant with The Shakespeare Theatre, Theatre Alliance, and Signature Theatre in Washington, D.C.
Lee Kennedy '88: Lee Kennedy '88 was a 2005 Drama Desk nominee for his lighting for the off-Broadway musical THE AUDIENCE. He has designed other shows at various venues Off-Broadway, the Philadelphia Theatre Company, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, among others.
John Burgess '87: John Burgess '87 has worked with Arena Stage, the Kennedy Center, the Folger Theatre, and the Shakespeare Theatre.
Wendy McNeny '84: Wendy McNeny '84 was Equity stage manager for numerous productions and theaters, including the national tour of Lily Tomlin's SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE.
William Coiner '81: William Coiner '81 has stage managed numerous shows, such as the first national tours of RENT, SUNSET BOULEVARD, and ANGELS IN AMERICA.
Linda Chittick Beck '98: Linda Chittick Beck '98 is a Producer, Illustrator, Animator, and Voice-Over Artist with experience working in both large animation houses and boutiques on projects for Disney, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, The History Channel, A&E, and PBS.
Directors and Artistic Directors:
Damon Krometis '04: Damon Krometis '04 was founder and Artistic Director of The Examined Man Theatre in NYC. He is currently an MFA candidate in directing at Northwestern University. He has directed at the Old Vic (London), and in NYC at Center Stage, Cherry Lane Studio, and Manhattan Rep. he has been AD to Mary Zimmerman (Goodman Theatre), Robert O'Hara at Steppenwolf, Yael Farber, and at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Evan Moritz '04: Evan Moritz '04 founded the Annex Theatre (Baltimore), where he has directed THE THREEPENNY OPERA, MATSU KAZE, DR. FAUSTUS, BEOWULF, won the Baltimore Area Best Director award (City Paper, 2010), and is a playwright as well.
Nick Rose '93: Nick Rose '93, a co-founder and producing artistic director of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival, continues to play major roles for that group, including, recently, the title roles in MACBETH and TITUS ANDRONICUS.
Jasson A. Minadakis '92: Jasson A. Minadakis '92 is Artistic Director of Marin Theatre Company (SF).
Journalism and Media
JMU's School of Media Arts & Design (SMAD) has produced numerous accomplished journalists, broadcasters, and media professionals who have made their mark in the industry.
Jim Acosta '93: Jim Acosta graduated cum laude from JMU in 1993 with a bachelorâs degree in mass communications (now SMAD) and a minor in political science. He is known for his coverage of presidential news conferences and recently accepted JMUâs âDistinguished Alumniâ Award. From 2007 to 2023, he worked for CNN, serving as CNN's chief White House correspondent during the Obama and Trump administrations. In January 2021, Acosta was appointed CNN's anchor and chief domestic correspondent. On January 28, 2023, Acosta made his final broadcast on CNN after rejecting a different timeslot from his 'CNN Newsroom' show.
Lindsay Czarniak '00: Lindsay Czarniak graduated from JMU in 2000 with a bachelorâs degree in Media Arts & Design with a concentration in journalism and a minor in studio art. In 2015, Czarniak gave the commencement speech to the graduating class. Czarniak was also a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority at JMU. She formerly worked for Fox Sports as a sideline reporter for NFL games. After spending six years with WRC-TV, the NBC owned-and-operated station in Washington, D.C., Czarniak joined ESPN as a SportsCenter anchor in August 2011 and left ESPN in 2017.
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