theatre faculty & staff
Teresa Durbin-Ames, Ph.D
Chair, Department of Theatre
Associate Professor of Theatre
tdurbin@ashland.edu
Teresa joined the AU faculty in 2000 and is currently an Associate Professor of Theatre, taking over the position of Chair in May 2008. She teaches courses in theatre history, script analysis, and musical theatre. Teresa earned a Bachelor of Science degree from John Carroll University (in chemistry no less!) and an M.A. and Ph. D. in Theatre from Bowling Green State University. Prior to her Ph.D. work, Teresa was Director of Theatre at Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania where she directed Barnum, Quilters, Tally’s Folly, Antigone, Love Letters, and I Hate Hamlet. She spent several summers at the Huron Playhouse where she served as Box Office Manager and Business Manager, and had the pleasure to direct The Secret Garden, The King & I, The Last Night of Ballyhoo and The Pajama Game. She has directed Dancing at Lughnasa, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, A Little Night Music, The Phantom Lady, Three Tall Women and Into the Woods at AU and The Sound of Music and Gypsy for Ashland Summer Theatre Festival. She is a member of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education and a respondent for the American College Theatre Festival.
Professor Ric Goodwin, M.F.A.
Professor of Theatre
Ric recently stepped down as chair of the Theatre Department and next year will celebrate 25 years of service to Ashland University. In his tenure Ric has directed over 50 productions. Favorites include Of Mice and Men, Equus, Cabaret, Richard Taylor's Whistle Down the Wind (North American premiere), and the world premiere of Divide the Living Child, as part of The College of Arts and Sciences Symposium on the Holocaust. Ric has also acted in numerous AU productions. Two highlights include How I Learned to Drive, opposite his daughter Erin (now pursing a acting career in NYC) and Proof. Both productions were directed by Ric's mentor and friend, Professor Emeritus Murray Hudson. Prior to coming to Ashland, Ric taught at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls and worked as a professional film and commercial actor and stuntman in Los Angeles. Ric holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Ashland University, a Master of Arts in Theatre from the University of Akron, and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Wayne State University. Ric is on the State Board for the Ohio Educational Theatre Association and is a charter member of that organization's Hall of Fame. Ric has also been a member of the Society of American Fight Directors and has numerous credits. He has over 100 stage combat, acting and directing credits in professional, community and educational theatre, including productions in California, Missouri, Michigan, and New Hampshire, as well as Ohio.
Fabio Polanco, M.F.A.
Assistant Professor of Theatre
Artistic Director, Drop of a Hat Players
In 2004 Fabio directed the Midwest premiere of Elizabeth Swados’ Missionaries for which he was a finalist for Northern Ohio Live! Magazine’s Award of Achievement in Theatre. Other directing credits include: Dead Man Walking, Anyone Can Whistle; Cloud Tectonics; True West; Jesus Christ Superstar; All in the Timing; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; Sweeney Todd; and Waiting for Lefty at Baldwin-Wallace College. As an actor Fabio recently completed the roles of “Mr. Tesh” in Nikolai Gogol's The Gamblers with the Cleveland Museum of Art as part of their Viva and Gala series and Thenardier in the Broadway national tour of Les Miserables. Other national credits include Missionaries at Brooklyn Academy of Music, directed by Elizabeth Swados and starring Josie DeGuzman; “Ludovico Marsili” in the U.S. premiere of David Hare’s adaptation of Brecht’s The Life of Galileo, directed by Mark Wing-Davey at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in California; the first performance of Arthur Miller’s last play, Resurrection Blues, at The Signature Theatre Company; Willie and Rupert at The Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center; A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre directed by Scott Ellis; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at Idaho Shakespeare Festival; The Mystery of Edwin Drood and A Little Night Music at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis; A Christmas Carol and A Little Night Music at Great Lakes Theatre Festival; The Grapes of Wrath and A Grand Night for Singing at Cleveland Play House; A Little Night Music with Donna McKechnie at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; The Tempest, Man of La Mancha and Twelve Angry Men at Hope Summer Repertory Theatre; Nine at Cain Park, The Fantasticks at Porthouse Theatre; Sunday in the Park with George at Arden Theatre Company, and the U.S. premiere of Domino Heart at Dobama Theatre. Fabio has also made numerous network television and radio appearances, including roles on “Guiding Light” and “As the World Turns.” He received his MFA in Acting from Case Western Reserve University and his BA in Sociology from Temple University.
David Tidwell, M.F.A.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Scenic & Lighting Design
David Tidwell is the Visiting Assistant Professor of Scenic & Lighting Design, having taught at SUNY Fredonia, the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Daytona Beach College and Kansas State. He is a United Scenic Artist Local 829 Scenic Design member and has had the opportunity to design for everything from commercial television to independent films and major corporate trade shows as well as overseas with Hong Kong International School. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the talented and dedicated students, faculty and professional staff here at Ashland. He is supported by a loving wife of 25 years, currently the technical Director at The College of Wooster, one son in New York City and a daughter in college at the University of Nebraska - Kearney.
Angelina Herin, M.F.A.
Assistant Professor of Theatre & Costume Design
Angelina Herin has designed costumes and worked as a makeup artist with companies across the country. She is pleased to have her work presented at Seattle Opera, Village Theatre, American Folklore Theatre, Montana Repertory Theatre, and Theatre South Carolina. In addition, Angelina has had the opportunity to work with several television production companies as a makeup artist and stylist, including Script to Screen, Mad Monkey, and ESPN. Prior to joining the faculty at Ashland University, Angelina worked as the costume shop manager at The University of Montana. Angelina earned her Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design at the University of South Carolina and two Bachelors of Arts in English and Theatre from Eastern Washington University. She is a member of USITT and Costume Society of America (CSA).
J.R. Simons, M.A.
Technical Director
J. R. returns this year as Technical Director. He holds a B.F.A. and an M.A. in Theatre from Kent State University. His varied career includes 10 years as a photo retailer and one-hour lab manager for Ritz Camera Centers, 8 years in sales for Vincent Lighting Systems and three years as a substitute teacher for Elyria City Schools. He has directed over 40 high school, children's and community theatre productions for Elyria High School , Amherst Steele High School, Elyria Summer Theatre, Lorain County Children's Pioneer Theatre (LCCPT), Aurora Community Theatre, Huntington Theatre , Kent Stage Players, Strongsville Community Theatre and Sandstone Summer Theatre. He has been the technical director/set and lighting designer for Avon High School since 1999 and has designed sets and lighting for most of the organizations listed above and has worked as a stagehand for the Stocker Performing Arts Center at Lorain County Community College and for Oberlin's Ohio Dance Theatre since 1998. J. R. is the current Treasurer of LCCPT and a former State Board member for the Ohio Educational Theatre Association, a lifetime member of the International Thespian Society and a member of Alpha Psi Omega and American Mensa. He is co-owner, with his wife, Kim, of The Jovialities Entertainment Co., Ltd., an improvisational theatre company that performs live, interactive, improvisational murder mysteries throughout Northeastern Ohio.
Michelle Williams, M.A.
Coordinator of Performing Arts Publicity and Events
Michelle has been involved in the arts for almost 15 years and has been on the staff of the theatre and music departments at Ashland University since 2004. She volunteered backstage at the Players Guild of Canton for many years as the wardrobe coordinator and joined its marketing staff in 1998. Her previous arts marketing experience also includes the Akron Symphony Orchestra and E.J. Thomas Hall in Akron. She earned her Master of Arts in Arts Administration in 1998 and her Bachelor of Arts in Communications- Mass Media in 1994, both from The University of Akron. She has been told, and it is true, that the length of her job title is matched only by the length of her job description, which includes marketing, public relations, event scheduling and planning, and box office supervision. Michelle also teaches the Arts Managment class as well as an occasional IUL class! As a lover of the theatre, Michelle also volunteers for Weathervane Playhouse in Akron as well as the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival.
Sarah Cyders, M.F.A.
Adjunct Instructor, Stage Movement & Dance
Sarah Cyders began her training at Opus II Dance Studio at the age of 10 and became a member of Ashland Regional Ballet four years later. Sarah developed an interest in teaching while in high school and is a faculty member at Opus II teaching ballet, jazz, modern, and pointe. Recently, she also has dipped into choreography with her piece "Funny Feeling" being honored with a performance at Regional Dance America. Sarah is also a member of Neos Dance Theatre and is the Adjunct Instructor of Dance at Ashland University. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in Spring 2001 from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sarah and her husband Scott reside in Ashland.
Laura White
Administrative Assistant, Departments of Art and Theatre
Laura first worked at Ashland University in 1972 where she started in the Registrar's Office. She returned to AU in 1992 and has been the secretary for the Art and Theatre Departments since 1997. In the Art Department Laura has worked with the Saturday Art School, the Coburn Art Gallery, the Empty Bowls Service Project, and the Art Club. Within the Theatre Department Laura has been involved with the Summer Theatre Festival (2002-2004), Alpha Psi Omega (national theatre honorary), the Holocaust Symposium, and the 2000 and 2006 Ohio Thespian Conferences. Laura became an executive secretary through the Ohio Business College and earned her Associate of Arts in Business from AU in 2000. She is also involved in the family partnership, White's Dairy Farm. Without Laura the creative minds of the Art and Theatre Departments would be lost.
Professor Murray Hudson, M.A.
Department of Theatre
Professor Emeritus
mhudson1@ashland.edu
After spending more than 35 years at Ashland University, Murray retired after the 2004-05 academic year. In 1972 Murray took over a fledgling theatre program and directed its growth, including summer theatre, until 1984. He was named dean of students in 1979 and became vice president of student affairs in 1985. In these positions, he was responsible for many facets of student life, including residence life, international student services, career planning and placement, orientation and Greek life. Murray also chaired the planning committee for the Hawkins-Conrad Student Center. He returned to the classroom in 1998 and served as Chair of the Department of Theatre while also directing challenging and varied projects such as How I Learned to Drive, Cinderella and The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail. Most recently he directed Proof in the fall of 2005 and at the American College Theatre Festival in January 2006 in Bloomington, IL. Murray holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English from Eastern Montana College and a Master of Arts degree in Speech from Miami (Ohio) University.
Susan S.B. Brown, M.F.A.
Department of Theatre
Professor Emeritus
Susan acted as the resident costume designer at Ashland University for 13 years, retiring after the 2005-06 season. In that time she designed more than forty productions and oversaw 12 student designs. In addition, she designed for the 2004 Ashland Summer Theatre Festival as well as for the summer theatre during her first three years at Ashland. For eight years she designed and oversaw the wardrobe for the Department of Music’s annual Madrigal Feaste.
James Reynolds, M.A.
Departments of Theatre and English
Professor Emeritus
Jim, Associate Professor of English, taught for 32 years and directed more than 40 plays at Ashland before retiring in 1998 at age 63. He joined the faculty in 1964 but did not begin directing until 1974. Since his specialty in English is dramatic literature, it is not surprising that fellow emeritus Murray Hudson asked him to step into the role of director. Jim's tenure was truly memorable, and he is certainly missed. Along with the other Theatre Emeriti, Jim has a lifetime pass to all AU Theatre productions!