25th Anniversary of Lillian Theater is Celebrated in Grand Style

February 11, 2019

The CDH community celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Lillian Theater, January 18-20, 2019, with a full weekend of special events. 

"The 25th anniversary of our beloved Lilian Theater is quite a milestone in our award-winning theater program," explained Katie Kreitzer, Theater Director. "We could not wait for our alumni and friends to come back together to celebrate the impact this theater has had on each of us."

The weekend included several big events:

Comedy Night in the Lillian Theater - Friday, January 18

Hosted by Tony Rivera '06, alumni and current students performed improv and sketch comedy.

Improv Show Alumni Cast  

Katie Chojnacki, Patrick Connors, Aaron Cook, Emmi otronero Koepke, Tyler Davis, Conner Davis, Marty Donakowski, Bob Galligan, Elijah Heggrenes, Brid Henry, Chris Hill, Kaitlyn Kaufenberg, Kevin Lally, Taylor Laur, Alex Niember, Nick Niewinski, Sophie Perron, Bennet Riesgraf, Tony Rivera, Ben Schlueter, Tommy Schneeman, Isaiah Sullivan, Abby Sunberg, Diliet Tekie, Pat Tracy, Suzanna Weiss, Cecilia Zappa Harry.

Panel of Professionals - Saturday, January 19

Several alumni who have careers in the entertainment industry discussed their career paths and the many options for jobs within the industry. The professionals also took questions from the audience. A common theme emerged when they discussed how much the CDH theater program and its dedication to the CDH values impacted their life's work.  

Featured on the panel were:

Erik Wallin ‘99–General Manager of St. Ann’s Warehouse, New York, NY

Nestled under the Brooklyn Bridge in a 25,000 square foot warehouse, St. Ann’s fills a vital niche in New York City’s cultural landscape as an artistic home and destination for the American avant-garde, international companies of distinction and talented, emerging artists ready to work on a grand scale. 

Chandler Poling ’00 - Co-founder of White Bear Public Relations, Los Angeles, CA

As a public relations firm that specializes in publicity for Composers, Music Supervisors, and International Film & Music Festivals, he works to increase awareness and build platforms to promote their clients in the entertainment industry.

Anne Romens ’02 - Program Director, Arts Midwest, Minneapolis, MN

Romens oversees strategic planning,  fundraising, grant-making, and operations for a national social change initiative that leverages the relationship between existing public values and arts and culture.

Napoleon Tavale ’03 – Actor and Theater Teacher, Los Angeles, CA

As an actor, Tavale has appeared in several series on television including Hawaii Five-0, Criminal Minds, and General Hospital.

Nick Pitera ’04 – 3D Modeler, Pixar Animation, San Francisco, CA

Pitera works full-time at Pixar Animation Studios as a 3D modeler. In addition, he performs as an independent recording artist and voice actor and is a viral YouTuber.

Amy Schneider ’05 - Technical Designer and Head of Automation, Global Scenic Services, Stratford, CT

Schneider has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway and on many other fashion shows and events in the NYC area.

Bobby Sevenich ‘08  - Executive Assistant, Paramount Pictures, Los Angeles, CA

Sevenich is the Executive Assistant to the Head of Publicity and Communication for Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment & TV Licensing. His team develops PR campaigns for Paramount’s theatrical, catalog, and acquired films and shows.

The Big Show - Saturday, January 19

For the main attraction of the weekend, more than 400 people attended a high- energy show that featured both alumni and a CDH cast of current students performing some of the important works over the past two decades. Kreitzer developed a show that highlighted how the theater program has incorporated the CDH values through the years.

The students who participated in the CDH cast included:

Jimmy Reardon, Harry Olander, Matt Sticha, David Nadeau, Will Dusek, Elliot Fobbe, Eli Awada, Hunter Hansen, Cole Thornton, Andrew Bussen, Emma Schuld, Addison Keske, Fiona Mundy, Anni Cunningham, Lola Gerstner, Elizabeth Everson, Annie Stang, Lily Schertler, Sarah Craighead, Lidya Berhane, Haidyn Kruse, Alice Spong, Maddy Kestner, Caroline Conley, Claire Davies, Bella McDonnell, Alex Connors, Maddie Plasch, and Delaney Siegler.

Several alumni who could not attend also sent video messages. Listen to Ian Anthony Dale '96, currently acting in CBS's hit series "Hawaii Five-0," share his thoughts on how CDH theater impacted his personal and professional life.

An amazing number of alumni returned to perform in either the Improv Show or The Big Show.

The Big Show Alumni Cast 

Kelly Barrett, Amia Bridgeford, Charlie Clayton Willson, Shane Cody, Kelly Barrett Haugen, Brenna Colin, Katie Conley Grossman, Brenna Conlin Healy, Jake Cunningham, Laura Dellis, Teagan Fee, Conor Finnerty-Esmonde, Andy Frye, Bob Galligan, David Grossman, Angie Haigh, Angie Hanzel Palomo, Elijah Heggrenes, Jake Hermann, Chris Hill, Mikey Jay, Mark Kennedy, Johanna Kennedy, James Kunz Kennedy, Anna Maxam, Elena Modl, Andrew Nyberg, Katy O'Leary, Julia Odima, Willie Pearson, Nick Pitera, Shawn Powers, Jason Radford, Matt Riehle, Anne Romens, Katie Schearer, Bobby Sevenich, Isaiah Sullivan, Joe Summers, Abby Sunberg, Napoleon Tavale, Nedward Tavale, Ben Tierney, Katie Tinucci, Abraham Tueber, Janelle Walford Burrell, Kevin Walsh, Ali Wroble,  and Moses Young.

Prior to The Big Show, John and Sue Schmid Morrison '57 were presented with the Lillian Legacy Award for their generous support of the theater program at CDH. It was because of their gift that the theater was built in1994, giving a space and a home to the CDH theater program.

Mass and Children's Showcase - Sunday, January 20

The weekend wrapped up with a mass in the Lillian Theater. The children of alumni were invited to share their talents at a Children's Showcase to the delight of all.

Editor's Note: Look for the next CDH Traditions magazine for even more information and photos from the Lillian Theater 25th Anniversary Celebration.