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Mark D. Guinn - Professor

Director, School of Theatre

(318) 257-2711 - mguinn@latech.edu

Mark is Director of the School of Theatre at Louisiana Tech University. He is a director, designer, and fight director. Mark received his B.A. from Centre College of Kentucky and his M.F.A. from Memphis State University. He is a Fight Master of Stage Combat with the Society of American Fight Directors and a Certified Teacher with the British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat and the Society of American Fight Directors.

He is the founder of the Stage Combat Workshop at Louisiana Tech University, currently celebrating its’ 33nd season. He has served as Coordinator of the National Stage Combat Workshops in Las Vegas, and was on the faculty of the First International Stage Combat Workshop, the 1994 Paddy Crean Workshop, the Summer Sling in New York, the Texas Intensive, the Lonestar Smash and the British National Stage Combat Workshops.

Mark has over thirty-two years experience in the outdoor dramas of the US. He has collaborated on original productions with Rusty Mundell, William Joyce, Mikel Rouse, and the Flaming Idiots. Some of his recent directorial credits include: A Divine Kerfuffle, River Pirates and the Treasure at Pointe Coupee, Begets: Fall of a High School Ronin, Living Dead in Denmark, She Kills Monsters, The Leafmen and the Brave Good Bugs, a play based on the book by William Joyce. He is currently directing his way through Qui Nguyen’s canon.

Design credits include the scenic design for the stage premiere of KAB Man, Shane, and The Leaf Men and The Brave Good Bugs, lighting design credits include Just Another Play About Rainbows:Volume 1, The Flaming Idiots at the New Victory Theatre, A Christmas Carol at New American Theatre, A Knight at the Fights for University of Nevada Las Vegas, and telescan operator/designer for Madonna’s Blond Ambition Tour, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and the Gypsy Kings.

Cherrie A. Sciro - Professor

Coordinator of Theatre

318-257-2930 - lulu@latech.edu

Cherrie Sciro is the Coordinator of Theatre and Professor at Louisiana Tech. Her most treasured directing experience here at Tech was the 1999 production of Six Women with Brain Death…, which was awarded 21 awards throughout the region and state, including the Richard A. Weaver Best Production Award, a first for the University Theatre. She directed the 2006 fall production of W;t, a play close to her heart because of its promotion of cancer awareness.

Ms. Sciro is also known nationally for her Broadway credits which include Production Coordinator of the Tony Award-winning productions Cats, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and Miss Saigon. As well as Broadway Stage Manager for Song and Dance, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly, an All-Star Tribute to Ethel Merman, featuring Lainie Kazan, Patti LuPone, Andrea Martin, Elaine Stritch and Bette Midler. Stepping out of the theatre, Ms. Sciro served as the Production Manager for the 1999 Hard Rock Rockfest in Atlanta, GA, and the Stage Manager for the 2001 New Year’s Eve in Times Square in New York City. She was also Road Manager for Patti LuPone and Dixie Carter.

Her International credits include the London, England productions of Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Follies, and Sunset Boulevard. She also served as the Production Manager for the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain and Atlanta, GA.

Jeremy Reynolds, Ph.D.

Associate Professor/Production Manager

318-257-5270 - reynolds@latech.edu

Jeremy is an Associate Professor of Theatre at Louisiana Tech University. In addition to teaching theatre design and technology courses, Jeremy also regularly attends and presents his research at Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE), American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR), the Mid-American Theatre Conference (MATC) and other national theatre conferences. Jeremy recently attended the ATHE Leadership Institute where he collaborated with Deans, Associate Deans and Department Chairs from around the country on leadership issues facing theatre education. In August of 2017, he was one of three scholars selected to present his research at the ATHE Conference Plenary session ‘Spectacular Technology’. His paper, “Spectacular Electricity: Technology and Visual Culture in the Late Victorian Theatre”, examines the use of electricity in special effects during the late 19th century and the context of that technology within the visual culture of Victorian London.

Dr. Reynolds has worked professionally all over the country as a Director, Actor and Designer. Some regional credits include directing the world premiere of Person or Persons Unknown in Chicago at the Wing & Groove Theatre Company, resident Sound Designer for the Texas Shakespeare Festival, and as Technical Director for the Washington Ensemble Theatre’s west coast premiere of God’s Ear in Seattle. Jeremy is active in Children’s’ theatre and spent two summers in Anchorage, Alaska working with the renowned Alaska Theatre for Young People. He also recently collaborated on creating a national drama curriculum for 3-6 year olds combining theatre games and activities geared toward aiding developmental benchmarks. Jeremy previously held positions at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, The Evergreen State College and with the Zachary Community Schools. Jeremy holds a Ph.D. in Theatre History and Criticism from Louisiana State University.

Michele L. Dormaier

Instructor of Theatre - Costume Design and Technology

(318)257-4693 - dormaier@latech.edu

Michele L. Dormaier is the resident Costume Designer for the School of Theatre. She holds an MFA from the University of Idaho in Costume Design, an MA from Louisiana Tech University with a focus in Costume Design and Technology, and a BGS from the University of South Dakota in Fine Arts and Humanities. Her expertise and research revolves around costume history, costume design, costume technology, couture and fine sewing and tailoring techniques, costuming for dance, hair and wig design, and the intersection of costume and clothing in the lives and experiences of people. Some of her presentations at national conferences have been: “Costume Character Creation, Simplified”, “Costuming and CosPlay”, “Inclusive Costume and Wardrobe Practices”.

Additionally, her research “The Influence of the East on Western Ballet Costume in the Early Twentieth Century” was presented at the Southeastern Theatre Conference's Research Symposium in Atlanta in April of 2016. 

Michele continues to bring new technology and methods to the classroom and costume studio focusing on inclusive practices in costuming, wardrobe, hair and makeup, and the use of computers for costume design, database and costume studio storage and organization.

She has formerly served as the Company Manager for The Huron Playhouse in Huron, Ohio, the Assistant Costume Shop Manager for the Des Moines Metropolitan Opera, and has designed and built costumes for theatres around the country. Michele has trained as a dancer at American Ballet Theatre in New York, and was in the Professional Programme of The Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Additionally, she has taught dance and choreographed, and is an avid ballroom and swing dancer.

Andrew Ray

Adjunct Instructor - Acting/Directing

adray@latech.edu

Andrew Ray is an actor, fight director and educator who works from coast to coast. He is a Certified Fight Director and Stage Combat Instructor with the Society of American Fight Directors that holds a BA in Theatre from The University of Kentucky and an MA in Theatre from Louisiana Tech University where he studied performance and stage movement. Andrew currently resides in Shreveport, Louisiana but spends a portion of the year in his hometown of Lexington, Kentucky where he serves as stage combat instructor at the University of Kentucky. On top of that he teaches stage combat and directs fights in New York, Illinois, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina Missouri and Florida. He also spends time in Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and New York working as a motion capture performer and fight coordinator. He is one of the lead motion capture performers for the Agents of Mayhem, We Happy Few, Saint’s Row and Borderlands video game franchises. He also works as a motion capture actor for Penn and Teller.

Emily Norris

Graduate Assistant - Recruiting

Emily Norris is a second year grad student in the school of Theatre with an emphasis in acting and stage combat. She graduated in 2020 from the University of Kentucky with a B.A in theatre where her passion for stage combat started. Emily is an Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors and holds certifications in all eight weapons that they offer training in. On stage some of Emily's favorite roles have been: Lieutenant (By A Thread), Sarah Bernhardt (A Divine Kerfuffle), Emily Webb (Our Town), Penny (Bike America), Telephone Girl (Machinal), The Maid (The Lesson), #14 (The Wolves), Penelope/Calliope (Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play), Bianca (Othello), and Briana (Good Kids). Emily aspires to be a certified teacher in stage combat one day and fight direct for local theatres in her hometown.

Logan Sapp

Graduate Assistant - Marketing

Logan Sapp is thrilled to be a part of LaTech Theatre! Logan hails from Owensboro, Kentucky. He completed his undergraduate program at Murray State University. He is an Advanced Actor Combatant with The Society of American Fight Directors. His passion is to create inpactful art and to share his love of Theatre with his students and colleagues. He thanks his friends and family for giving him the strength to pursue what he loves. 
 

Carson Turgeon

Graduate Assistant - Box Office

Carson Turgeon is a first year graduate student in the School of Theatre with an emphasis in acting and stage combat. He recently graduated from Mcneese State University with a Bachelor’s in theatre. He just recently finished a contract with “Tecumseh” the outdoor drama in Chillicothe, Ohio. He is now ready to expand his education into the art form. He holds certifications in 3 combative styles and hopes to attain more. Some of his favorite roles have been Stage Manager (Our Town), Captain Keller (The Miracle Worker), Dennis Shepard (The Laramie Project), and Wayne Hopkins (Puffs or seven increasingly eventful years at a certain school of magic and magic). He hopes to be able to teach at a collegiate level sharing his passion with other aspiring artists.

Olivia Hancock

Graduate Assistant - Costumes

Olivia Hancock is a second year graduate student in the School of Theatre with an emphasis in performance and costume technology. Originally from Ruston, Louisiana, Olivia graduated with her B.S. in theatre from Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 2021. She is an actor combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors and works in the costume studio when not on stage. Her most recent work has been Van's Sister in Dog Sees God and co-costume designer for The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Olivia also has experience in scenic painting, play writing, and ceramics. Olivia would like to see the world filled with creativity and wonder.

Set the stage for a star!

Contact Information

Louisiana Tech University School of Theatre

(318) 257-2711

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