Robinson plays Johnny Bevan and, like her castmates, also portrays other roles in the five-person production.

tells the wildly improbable and hilarious true story of the covert operation that helped turn the tide of World War II. The production moved from the New Diorama Theatre to London’s West End before opening on Broadway in 2025, where its original 16-week run has been extended eight times, now through January 2027.

The show has received rave reviews from The New York Times Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Variety and more. Since opening at the New Diorama Theatre in London in 2019, Operation Mincemeat has been nominated for 64 awards and has won 13, including an Olivier Award for Best Musical and a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Jak Malone’s portrayal of Hester Leggatt.

Prior to Operation Mincemeat, Robinson performed in Blithe Spirit, Cinderella and A Child’s Christmas in Wales at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia; Peter and the Starcatcher and Henry V at the Theater at Monmouth in Maine; and Man of La Mancha at Act II Playhouse in Ambler, Pennsylvania, for which she was nominated for a Barrymore Award.

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Murphy is co-founder and managing director of Philadelphia’s .

“Amy Murphy embodies the very spirit of a °”ÍűTV education — creativity paired with leadership, and vision matched with action,” said University President Jonathan Green. “Her commitment to excellence, education and community impact makes her an exceptional choice to address the Class of 2026.”

The Arden Theatre Company was founded in 1988 by Murphy, Terrence J. Nolen and Aaron Posner. The company began producing at the 70-seat Walnut Street Theatre Studio. In 1995, the Arden purchased and renovated a 50,000 square foot building in Old City, creating a thriving two-theatre complex, and a unified location for classes, education programs, administrative offices and production shops. In 2013, the Arden opened the Hamilton Family Arts Center, which houses six classrooms, a teacher resource center, the Arden’s rehearsal hall, scenic design shop and paint deck, and a third performance space.

The Arden’s presence has helped Old City emerge as one of the region’s most popular destinations, with a significant economic impact on the neighborhood. The move was also the catalyst for the creation of Arden Children’s Theatre in 1998, the city’s first resident professional children’s theatre. Arden Children’s Theatre was founded on the dual premises that children’s theatre must maintain the same high production values as their nationally respected Mainstage shows, and that theatre should be affordable for children and their families.

The Arden’s Education programs includes Arden for All, a theatre access and education program for underserved young people; Arden Drama School, offering after-school, Saturday and summer camp classes for pre-K through 12th-grade students; Teen Arden, an immersive after-school access program for Philadelphia-area teenagers; and the Arden Professional Apprentice Program, a nationally renowned comprehensive theatre management training program. The Arden has received 456 nominations and 77 Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre.

Degrees will be conferred for approximately 540 °”ÍűTV students on Saturday, May 9, at 1 p.m. in the Robert I. Estill Field House. During the ceremony, an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters will be presented to Murphy, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication and theatre arts from °”ÍűTV in 1985.

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Miranda Preputnick ’27, a communication arts and theatre management double major from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has rotated between the positions of production stage manager and an assistant stage manager. Preputnick has gained experience on the technical side of theatre, such as lighting, sound, costumes and props, as well as attended rehearsals and called cues for the stage actors. She had the opportunity to participate in multiple productions this summer, including The Seeker: A Dolly Parton Tribute Concert, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) and Pete the Cat.

For Preputnick, the variability of live theatre was the greatest challenge she navigated ­­— but also the most exciting.

“The unpredictability is actually one of my favorite things about live theatre,” said Preputnick. “You never really know what’s going to be thrown your way, and having to make changes and decisions on the fly are what makes each performance unique and such a special experience.”

Laney Castagna ’26, a management and professional sales double major with a minor in marketing from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, interned as a marketing apprentice at Gretna Theatre. Castagna attended rehearsals to capture behind-the-scenes content for social media, the website and other digital platforms, as well as managed the theatre’s online community engagement by responding to comments, sharing audience-generated content and helping to maintain a strong digital presence. She also supported reaching audiences beyond social media by distributing brochures across the state.

“The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that marketing outcomes are never guaranteed,” said Castagna. “Some content I expected to perform well online didn’t resonate as anticipated, while other posts exceeded expectations. This experience has taught me to embrace experimentation, remain flexible and understand that public engagement can be unpredictable — an important lesson for anyone entering the marketing field.”

Castagna is passionate about working in a collaborative, positive environment where team members are engaged and enthusiastic about the organization’s mission. Post graduation, she is looking forward to working in sales or marketing.

Founded in 1892, Gretna Theatre is one of the oldest summer theatres in America. Norah Castagna ’28, a management and theatre design & production double major and Laney’s sister, also interned at the theatre as a sound apprentice.

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“I have lived in Pennsylvania my entire life, so I specifically applied to internships that would get me out of my comfort zone,” said Horst, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting at °”ÍűTV’s School of the Arts. “As I get more involved with theatre, I have found that the more connections you make, the more opportunity is presented to you.”

At Sugden Community Theater, Horst is getting in-depth, hands-on experience in technical direction, scenic construction, scenic painting and design as he prepares for its upcoming production of 42^nd Street. Specifically, Horst is gaining more experience with technical creation. He has worked heavily on the rigging system, which allows for quick changes of scenery, and the “flying” of backdrops or scenic elements. He has also been working with newer theatre technologies, such as the pneumatic castor swivel wheel system. He has also gained experience in welding.

For the past year, Horst worked as the senior staff carpenter in the scene shop at °”ÍűTV’s Degenstein Center Theater, where he learned the basics of scenic carpentry and design. That know-how helped him to create a rĂ©sumĂ© full of relevant experience for his internship.

“The ethics that The Naples Players uphold and the respect that the management has toward the staff will be something I will look for in every job to come,” Horst said. “I am also enjoying the comradery with the other interns. Being in the presence of other creative and artistic minds is so beneficial in my professional journey and growth as a human being.”

Horst’s love of theatre continues to grow as he immerses himself in all aspects of the art form.

“I was inspired to go into theatre from a young age because I loved acting. It gives me the opportunity to use my creativity to become someone I am not,” the Lebanon, Pennsylvania, native said. “I love being able to challenge myself when it comes to acting. In the fall, I will perform as Alan in Equus. This show will be one of the most challenging roles I will come across in my career. I love being challenged.”

After graduation, Horst plans to act and audition for theatre and film. When he is not acting, he will use his carpentry knowledge to help build and design scenery for theatre and film.

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The Class: Stagecraft, THEA-142

The Professor: Erik Viker, theatre

Long before the curtains part, students in Erik Viker’s Stagecraft class are already hard at work behind the scenes. Each year, as SU theatregoers book their seats, this cast of student stagehands creates the scenery that astounds audiences on opening night.

Viker, professor of theatre, described the course as an “immersion-learning” introduction to theatre technology, adding that students “bring scripts to life” as they learn the basics of scenic construction, installation and operations.

Though the course is required for theatre majors, Viker’s crew welcomes students from all departments.

“Non-majors seem to find this different type of learning enjoyable,” Viker said. “Stagecraft class is a valuable part of an overall liberal arts education, which should always help students learn how to think critically, communicate effectively and solve problems.”

Whether one is a major or non-major, performer or technician, Viker — who has been teaching Stagecraft since his arrival at SU 20 years ago — promises the results can be showstopping.

“There is a moment in every production when the audience and the artists come together and are changed, emerging from the experience somehow greater than they were before,” he said.

Viker’s students give the course a lot of props. One such student is Emily Chambers ’26, a theatre production & design major from Pittsburgh who completed the course. She was hired as a staff carpenter as a result of the skills she demonstrated in class.

“I absolutely loved Stagecraft, and I’m honored to be on staff this semester,” Chambers said. “The ability to bring stories to life through our sets is amazing to see firsthand.”

Learn more about °”ÍűTV’s theatre majors — theatre performance, theatre production & designÌęČčČÔ»ć theatre studies.

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Alexis Jefferson will make her professional directorial debut at the Pablo Center at the Confluence’s Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

After a rigorous application process, she was selected to direct the festival’s New Works: Improbable Fiction Series in the Diverse Perspectives category. The series allows writers and artists from across the region and the country to showcase their talents in the form of original theatrical works.

As director, Jefferson will be able to select the play she wants to direct from approximately 250 submissions and will participate in the casting process as well.

Though it is her first professional staging, her upcoming production in Wisconsin is not her first directing experience. At °”ÍűTV, she directed the comedy-drama Benchmarks by Glenn Alterman. She also wrote a play for SU’s 24-hour Film Festival.

“I love to be able to see what I have envisioned come to life on stage,” Jefferson said of directing. “And I love working with people and pulling things out of people and then putting that on stage.”

Jefferson, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in theatre with an emphasis in performance. Her ultimate career goals are to write, direct and act in films. After her experience with the Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival wraps up in July, she hopes to transition into filmmaking.

“I aspire to tell stories that aren’t often told and to create art that reflects our world through the representation of various cultures, identities and stories,” Jefferson said. “I believe that art can create change or be used as a catalyst for change, so I hope that through the stories I tell and create, I am effecting positive change.”

Taking His Talent to Charm City

Jacob Brenner views graphic design less as an art and more as a problem-solving device.

After earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts, the Carlisle, Pennsylvania, native will join Mission Media, a brand marketing agency in Baltimore. Brenner graduated summa cum laude with departmental honors.

“Graphic design is a good mix of everything I enjoy — creativity, problem-solving and making things for other people,” Brenner said. “Graphic design is everywhere, and everyone needs it.”

Brenner credits Amanda Lenig, department chair and assistant professor of graphic design, for alerting him to the opportunity. He said the interview process “just felt right,” and he secured his employment in early February.

“Amanda Lenig cares so much about the success of her students,” Brenner said. “She’d tell me when work needed to be improved, let me know when I missed the mark. And she celebrated every success to show me how much I’d improved.”

Since his first year at °”ÍűTV, Brenner worked at the Lore Degenstein Gallery, serving as manager during his junior and senior years. He has also worked as the graphic designer for °”ÍűTV’s Career Development Center.

“The graphic design department at SU is tough. But I am so much better for it,” Brenner said. “The program has pushed me to be the best I can be, taught me how to think critically, take and implement critique, and just be a good human. And I think that’s the most important thing.”

Answering the Call at Princeton Theological Seminary

Sydney Mastropasqua said her majors in psychology and religious studies and minor in music were all integral to the call she is answering: pursuing a Master of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary.

“Studying psychology and religious studies together allowed me to gain a holistic education, which will be beneficial for my calling to the ministry,” Mastropasqua said.

The New Jersey native plans to eventually pursue a doctorate, with the goal of teaching at the undergraduate level or serving as a university chaplain. Mastropasqua said she chose Princeton because the university’s values align with her own.

“At Princeton, I know I will be able to express my love of learning, love of music and love of Christ with a diverse community equipping me to then go out into the world and serve with an understanding of faith, scholarship, community and service for ministry after seminary,” she said.

A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Mastropasqua, who graduated summa cum laude with departmental honors, said she was called to the ministry while a student at °”ÍűTV.

“When I first came to °”ÍűTV, I was a psychology major only, but as I got more involved in religious and spiritual life both at school and at my home church, I knew getting a bachelor’s degree in religious studies was my calling,” she said. “I am so excited to fulfill my calling and am confident God has and will give me the gifts to sustain and carry others throughout their journey with our heavenly Father.”

Educating Children at the NY Botanical Garden

Catherine Forman graduated magna cum laude with departmental honors with a Bachelor of Science in biology and ecology, as well as a teaching certification, all of which will support her when she joins the staff at the New York Botanical Garden where she will create educational programming for students ages 9 to 14.

“Over my time at °”ÍűTV, one of the biggest challenges I have faced is communication of scientific information to individuals who are not a part of my field. I want to bridge that communication gap,” Forman said. “If we as scientists cannot communicate information or our findings in an effective way to individuals who are not a part of our field, then what is the purpose of what we do?”

During her four years at °”ÍűTV, Forman worked under her advisor Jack Holt, professor of biology, as manager for the °”ÍűTV Living Collection, teaching assistant, and research and camp counselor for the Stream Ecology Institute. In addition, through Matt Wilson, director of °”ÍűTV’s Center for Environmental Education and Research, she worked with the Chesapeake Conservancy to create educational signage for the CEER and Freshwater Research Institute to elaborate upon the projects and goals of the facilities.

“These experiences were gratifying and reaffirmed that I have a passion for teaching,” Forman said. “Dr. Holt encouraged me to take an education-based course for one of my electives, which developed into my pursuit of a teaching certification in addition to my degree.”

Ultimately, Forman, of Long Valley, New Jersey, wants to pursue this work as a career — creating interactive, educational programing that provides accessible, simplified information regarding a wide variety of topics related to ecology and biology, from botanical gardens, zoos and museums to national parks, conservancies and classrooms.

“The list is endless,” she said.

A U.S. Army Posting in South Korea

Second Lt. Samantha Marsh will leave the United States for South Korea to serve as a medical services corps officer in the U.S. Army in the 568th Ground Ambulance Company.

“I have always wanted to go overseas, and when the opportunity came to compete for a spot to do so, I made sure to put forth my best effort,” Marsh said. “This has been a long journey in getting to where I am now and where I am going. I am lucky to be a part of the small percent of newly commissioned officers who are able to go overseas as a first duty station.”

Marsh, a native of Danville, Pennsylvania, graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. During her four years at °”ÍűTV, Marsh has been active in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, a four-year program designed to prepare college students for Army service as commissioned officers in the active Army, or part-time in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard. She graduated from °”ÍűTV as a Distinguished Military Graduate.

Marsh’s ultimate career goals include becoming a major in the U.S. Army, as well pursuing a doctorate in counseling or clinical psychology.

“I want to reach as many people as possible,” Marsh said, “and get to a place where I can really create change within the mental health world in the Army.”

Joining the Big 4 in Las Vegas

On a whim, Thomas Simmers applied for a Las Vegas position with Big 4 accounting firm Deloitte — not expecting to get the job.

Simmers, a New Jersey native, is now headed for Vegas.

“I didn’t really expect to get the job,” Simmers said, “but since I did, I’m more than happy with my decision.”

Every student in °”ÍűTV’s Sigmund Weis School of Business is guaranteed an internship, something Simmers took advantage of by completing not just one but two international internships — the first with Forte Markets, a legal tech firm based in London, and the second with Trashcoin, a recycling startup based in Germany.

Simmers, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in accounting, also was awarded his Certified Public Accountant license. In just four years, he earned the necessary 150 credit hours to sit for the CPA exam. As a result, he secured his Deloitte position in November of his senior year.

“Dr. Ozlanski, Dr. Liu, Dr. Pomykalski and Professor Lauren Smith have all guided me and allowed me to choose a path that would be better suited to my personal goals,” Simmers said. “I would not be where I am today without all four of them.”

More Class of 2023 Placements

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The JET Program is a competitive employment opportunity that allows young professionals to live and work in Japan. Most participants serve as assistant language teachers in public and private schools.

“Teaching abroad has been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and in looking for a program to apply to, JET offers unrivaled support before, during and after the program concludes,” said Yurko, a double major in creative writing and theatre performance at °”ÍűTV. “Japan has such an engaging history and beautifully unique culture, and at the core of the JET program’s ethos is not only sharing your home culture but also immersing yourself in Japanese culture.”

Yurko has not yet learned where her posting will be in Japan, but was able to list prefectures in which she had interest. Yurko chose Kyoto, Fukuoka and Hokkaido. “While I do not know where I’m going, I’m positive any placement I receive will provide me with a unique and memorable experience,” she said.

The JET Program typically receives 4,000 to 5,000 applications each year from U.S. applicants. Of these, 1,000 to 1,100 are selected for participation. °”ÍűTV has a program dedicated to assisting students in applying for prestigious scholarship programs like JET and the Fulbright. That program is led by Karol Weaver, professor of history.

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The set was composed of two primary elements, Stroman said. The first was a tall platform with large doors that, when opened, revealed a space painted to look like stone. The second element is what students called the whirligig: a three-pronged unit that rotated to reveal different places in the set. Urinetown took place across three primary scenes: the streets, Mr. Cladwell’s office and the sewers. The whirligig allowed for the quick transition between these three locations.

Color was also a major factor in Stroman’s design choices, he said. The streets and sewer were painted in warm browns, oranges and yellows to reflect what Stroman called the “dark and dingy” conditions of the characters who lived there. Mr. Cladwell’s office, by contrast, was painted in cool colors and white for a sterile feel.

The set was built by Stroman; director Aaron White, adjunct faculty in theatre; and theatre students.

“Involving students in our set design and construction gives them valuable experience that directly translates to not only their theatre coursework, but also their future careers in theatre,” Stroman said.

Stroman said ideas behind the set design came, in part, from choices made by White and Liz Ennis, former costume designer.

“The director’s concept for this production was to set the play in an indeterminate future that also reflected the 1920s,” Stroman explained. “This was primarily seen through the costumes by Liz Ennis.”

Stroman designs the scenery and lighting for all °”ÍűTV theatre productions. He also works with several local theatres as a set and lighting designer.

Votes for the Peggy Ezekiel Award are cast by members of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology Ohio Valley Section board, which is made up of professional designers in multiple fields of theatre design.

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“The way I can best describe it is that the whole park is a ‘show,’ with on-stage and backstage areas, and all the employees are cast members,” Carey said. “My role was in quick-service food and beverage, specifically the Epcot World festivals that run throughout the year.”

Carey’s internship is the first step in his entry into the Disney College Program, a national paid internship program in which students gain on-the-job experience working in Disney’s parks and resorts, participate in college coursework, network with leaders, take part in personal and career development classes and build transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, guest service and effective communication.

A theatre production and design major from Brewster, New York, Carey will spend the fall 2022 semester at Disney in Orlando. He hopes to one day become a Disney Imagineer, the creative engine that designs and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships, and oversees the creative aspects of Disney games, merchandise product development and publishing businesses.

“Specifically, I would love to be a lighting designer for the nighttime shows,” Carey said. “Doing the Disney College Program is a great way to get my foot in the door with the company, and having the ability to make connections with other cast members this early in my college career is extremely beneficial.”

Besides adjusting to the Florida heat and humidity, Carey also had to adapt to a hallmark of the Disney College Program that moves students to different locations throughout Disney’s parks.

“Once the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival ended, I was deployed to work at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I had to get a new costume, take on a new role with different responsibilities and adapt to a completely different work environment that has different ways of doing things,” Carey explained. “In the end, my deployment ended up working out well for me! I was offered the opportunity to pick up shifts in Hollywood Studios whenever I wanted and made great connections with my leaders.”

In the coming months, Carey will tour rides and see how they prepare to open for guests, get a behind-the-scenes look at Disney’s security, and go backstage at Disney’s many stage shows to see how the actors prepare for things like jumping from a tall building.

“Just like at SU, I’ll be able to learn about things that I don’t necessarily have an interest in pursuing as a career path, but still find interesting,” Carey said.

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Trifles is a well-known one-act play with a typically simple scenic design – a country kitchen. “By ‘exploding’ the kitchen and creating ‘islands’ on which the two live actors were performing, we not only maintained the required six feet of social distancing, but also filled the stage using light to help illustrate actions that we would normally see being performed on stage,” Stroman explained. “Instead, these actions were read to the audience by a narrator, helping to tie the Zoom actors in with the live actors.”

Votes for the awards are cast by members of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology Ohio Valley Section board, which is made up of professional designers in multiple fields of theatre design.

“It means a lot to win these awards because it provides a sense of accomplishment and validation to have my peers think highly of my work,” Stroman said. “I was excited and happy to win these awards and it was also a relief, as a lot of work goes into not only the designs that were submitted but also the submissions.”

Stroman has also been instrumental in implementing the theatre department’s theme of sustainability in creative ways in scenic design. The first production of the fall 2021 semester, The Mermaid of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, saw the Degenstein Center Theater filled with garbage collected from students and professors alike to reinforce the themes of waste and pollution.

“Of the lumber that was purchased for The Mermaid of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, at least 95% of it was used directly in the show,” Stroman said. “What can be reused for other purposes – such as teaching students how to use power tools – is used and limits the amount of direct waste.”

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