National & International News

Janine Ploetz writes:  Let me start off with a quick introduction to my new dance, performed in Program D June 13, and 14 at Big Range, which I am calling Fancy.  Fancy, is a short dance whose images and movement are drawn from the disparities between upper and lower class structures and how this shapes attitudes and assumed societal rolls.  The title comes from personal experiences where I would find myself “splurging” or describing a moment as “fancy” due to obtaining something I might otherwise see out of my usually financial or soc/eco norms. Dancing with me are, Lisa del Rosario, Ellen Haulk, Katherine Hodges, and Janine Ploetz.  Adam Sultan provides an original score and Eliot Haynes is creating video…all for Fancy.

Emily Wilson writes:  Quinn William Houben-Wilson was born on January 27th at 12:27 a.m.

He is a complete joy. We are ecstatic and awe-struck. We came home from the hospital and have been spending our time nesting and gazing at this new little creature that has entered our lives.

We've got a blog to keep you all updated with photos and stories of Quinn as he grows. We'll try to post something new at least once a week: http://emily-thebabyblog.blogspot.com/

Terry Anastasiou writes:   This spring I was selected by California Lawyers Magazine as a Northern California appellate "Super Lawyer." I also got on the radar of one of our Los Angeles partners with a show business clientelle, and am now working on cases representing Chris Rock, Woody Harrelson, Paul Haggis, Steven Seagal and Gabrielle Carteris.

Will Moreau Goins writes:  Check out this link for my news-- Indian Voices Magazine ( April issue)  http://www.indianvoices.net/page12.htm

Lily Ross writes:   Justin and I are very excited to tell you all that we are having a baby!  Our new family member should be arriving around September 12th.  Congraulations Lily and Justin!

Jordan Siegel appeared in Baltimore at the Fells Point Theatre in Tracy Letts’ play Bug.

Esther Van Eek, now an assistant professor and costume designer at The School of Dramatic Art Univesity of Windsor, Canada, writes:  Just a note to say how much I appreciated the GW alumni gathering that Carl hosted last week in Cincinnati at the USITT conference.  It was great to see you and connect with other GW theatre professionals.

Marcia LoMonaco writes:   I am living in San Francisco. I love it out here. I am working at a non-profit with high school students. And, I just completed a Yoga Teacher Training and am certified to teach, but I am not sure if I really want to teach just yet. Right now I just like practicing.

Craig Maravich (Geiling)  writes:   Just wanted to share with you some good news - after 4+ years I am returning to the stage.  I will be playing Peter in 'Prelude to a Kiss' at Vermont Stage Company, a smaller professional theatre here in Burlington.  I certainly feel like I'm back on the right path!  I start rehearsals in a little over a week and needless to say I'm pretty excited.  Looks like it should be a decent cast, for the crux of the show is really just Peter, Rita and the Old Man - who is being played by Malachy McCourt. 

Sara Naegelin writes:  I am still dancing. Living in Portland, Oregon. Working from home for a non-profit based in DC. I've been involved in a couple different dance projects lately

Julia Hart wrote in response to the news of Professor Emeritus of Dance Elizabeth Burtner’s death:  my sis just sent me the obit for BB from the Post a few days ago.  102, she must've been doing something right eh?  i found a photo today of her sitting in the audience of Lisner during a rehearsal for one of the DPG's performances.

Suzanne Henrywrote:  Although I now live in Columbus, Ohio with my husband and daughter, we do get back to DC a couple of times a year to visit with friends. Also still occasionally e-mail with Barb Blauhut... I am expecting another baby in early June!  [Ed. Note:  Congratulations, Suzanne!]
Joe Bartusis writes:  It's hard to believe that it will be 30 years (this Fall) since I was in the department’s  production of Story Theater. It turned out to be the zenith of my performing career. However I have gone on to work backstage for a living. I graduated from G.W.U. as a Psychology major. I had concentrated on completing all of my required courses as my first academic priority. That meant that my final three semesters at GW were all electives. I started with Intro to Acting (Alec Baldwin was in my class) and went on to Leslie's Iolanthe then right in to Brad's Stagecraft class. I really felt immediately at home in the theater and regretted not finding it earlier in my time at school.

Fast forward to the present. I have been a freelance Technical Director, Stage Manager and Production Manager for the past 26 years. I work mainly on industrials, including having worked with Carl Gudenius on a few projects. Currently I help produce press events and product launches for Toyota, Lexus and Scion, national sales meetings for various companies as well as association meetings and design conferences. My favorite part of my job is working with great designers helping them to realize their vision within the constraints of time and budget. I also enjoy calling shows and experiencing the flow of a group of professionals working together toward the common goal of a perfect show for the audience. 

I have enjoyed my continuing connection to GW through CAST and hope it continues.

Sharron Rose-- In March, we will be starting the online School of Sacred Mysteries. I am very excited about this new undertaking and I intend to offer Sacred Dance, Chant and Rhythm classes and much more through this school.  Beginning in March of this year, we are inaugurating a new members-only area of the site. Calling it the School of Sacred Mysteries, our intention is to create a destination for inquiring souls, a sanctuary of learning, quickening, cross-fertilization, and fellowship among scholars, students and practitioners who are doing inner work and research in global wisdom traditions of both the East and West, some of which have been marginalized and literally driven underground by theocratic religion and dogmatic scientism in the West for millennia. The members’ forum will allow you to share your own insights, contributions, and questions with fellow members.

Jen Stimmel:  I just wanted to write to update you all on my Peace Corps application.  I was nominated  for a position, though I have yet to find out where/when/what exactly.  All that will follow in a BIG packet of paperwork in the mail.  There is a lot to be done yet - a full medical review, plus another, more formal evaluation - but at least I've got a nomination!   As for now...I am moving to Hawaii in 2 days.  I got a great heads-up on a job out there working on a camp on Oahu for the next six months...hopefully the timing will work out that I'll be heading out for Peace Corps pretty shortly after I'm done in Hawaii.

Elana Lanczi  premiered a new piece of choreography Residue: A Dance Poem
Jan. 30-31, 2009 at Nova Southeastern University for the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences and The Division of Performing and Visual Arts