Alumni

You’ll find our alumni in many places – watch them on television programs, at the movies, see them on the stage, hear them streaming, read their published work, see their pieces in galleries and public spaces – nationally and across the globe! Over the years, SPCPA graduates have attended and been awarded scholarships to a number of top colleges. Some of these include: CALArts, Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia College, Columbia University, Cornish College of the Arts, DePaul University, Evansville University, Grinnell College, The Juilliard School, New York University, Northwestern University, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Sarah Lawrence College, St. Catherine University, Tisch School of the Arts, The University of Minnesota- Twin Cities (+ BFA Guthrie Training Program), The University of Iowa, The University of Minnesota-Duluth, The University of St. Thomas, Vassar College, and Yale University.

Our alumni say it best

generous collaboration

“SPCPA is where I learned what it means to maintain an artistic practice. It’s where I learned the importance of generous collaboration, to come from a place of curiosity and play, to organize and to be organized, to manage a chaotic schedule, to take the fear we artists feel and try my best to convert it to fuel, openness, humility, solidarity… Who would I be without SPCPA?”

- Eli Newell
Regional Theatre actor, director, writer

cultivate my adult self

“SPCPA supplied me with the space to cultivate my adult-self and the tools to dive deeper into creation. Being a thinker and mover is one of the most important things I bring to my work with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company.”

- Shane Larsen
Dancer, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company

i felt celebrated.

“SPCPA was the first time I felt at home with my peers. I felt celebrated, supported and I’m so grateful for the time we spent together sharing our love of acting. I still connect to this part of myself through the projects I love most, be that in improv or collaborating in films.”

- Alyssa DiVirgilio
Professional actor

Mom, I think I found my people.

“The day I met SPCPA students for the first time, I remember coming home, dropping my backpack to the floor, falling on the couch (very dramatically) and saying, “Mom, I think I found my people.”

- Rebecca Hurd
Regional Theatre Actor

Invest in Yourself.

“There is a freedom of exploration at SPCPA, whatever your interests may be, and a constant encouragement to invest in yourself. I didn’t know how much I needed that until I was there.”

- Ryan Colbert
Regional Theatre Actor, Guthrie Theater

learn how to adult​.

“SPCPA taught me a lot about independence, time management, and responsibility. An open campus is a great way to learn how to “adult”. It taught me that a career in arts/entertainment is legitimate and valuable!”

- Karina Strom​
Assistant to Lorne Michaels, Saturday Night Live

I Am a Professional.

“SPCPA taught me so many valuable lessons about art and life and also developed me as a multifaceted artist. Becoming educated on such a diverse range of dance forms has helped me become the dancer and choreographer I am today. I am a professional ballet dancer and choreographer that is currently based in Grand Rapids, Michigan working with Grand Rapids Ballet.”

- Zach Manske
Professional Dancer, Joffrey Ballet

I Felt Inspired.

“I had an amazing experience at this arts school! From the moment I walked through the door, I felt inspired by the creativity and talent all around me. The faculty and staff were incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, always pushing me to be my best and never giving up on me. Not only did I develop my artistic skills in ways I never imagined, but I also made lasting friendships with fellow students who share my passion for the arts. The resources and opportunities available at this school are unparalleled, and I feel so grateful to have been a part of such a vibrant and welcoming community. I would highly recommend this arts school to anyone looking to grow their talents and discover their potential as an artist.”

- Tristan Price
Recording Artist

SPCPA IS THE REASON I'M A PLAYWRIGHT TODAY.

“Without a doubt, SPCPA is the reason I am a playwright today. I honestly hadn’t realized that writing scripts professionally could be an option for someone like me until I was part of a playwriting workshop for J-Term and fell in love with it. SPCPA helped me realize my voice was worth believing in and gave me the skills, resources, and support to make this my career.”

- Caity Shea Violette
Award Winning Playwright

SPCPA taught me to be unapologetically myself.

“SPCPA played a massive part in making me who I am today. Both artistically and personally. It taught me to unapologetically be who I am in all walks of life. I simply do what I want because I enjoy doing it and that is what SPCPA gave to me. Now I am in sales and doing film work when I can, YOU CAN DO BOTH AND LIVE IN BOTH WORLDS! I have multiple past and continuing film projects that have premiered in theaters across the US and can be seen on many streaming platforms, working with some of the worlds most amazing film talent. All of this while succeeding at the the best sales job someone could ask for. Thank you SPCPA for teaching me it’s ok to be who I am.”

- Cody Fleury, Film Actor

You Don't have to be perfect.

“You don’t have to be perfect or the best talented. Experience exploring the endless opportunities of finding who YOU are and what is going to make you unique. Remember this….. when at first you don’t succeed, try and TRY again!”

- Corbin Hunter
Professional Dancer, Toured with Beyonce

SPCPA encourages students to be themselves and find their voices.

“I have been able to apply some of the communication skills I mastered while training and performing at SPCPA to my career as a journalist. But it’s not just the skills: It’s the way SPCPA fostered an environment that encourages students to be themselves and find their voices….I really owe some of my strong sense of self and comfort communicating news to SPCPA.”

- Amudalat Ajasa
Journalist, Extreme Weather and Climate Reporter for the Washington Post
Dizzy Fae
Pop Rock Recording Artist
opened for Lizzo on yearl-long tour
Rachel Keller
Actor, Best known for the TV shows LEGION, FARGO, TOKYO VICE, and for her portrayal of Sonya in the Tom Hanks film, A MAN CALLED OTTO
Hippo Campus
American rock band signed to Grand Jury Records. Jake Luppen (lead vocals/guitar), Nathan Stocker (lead guitar/vocals), Zach Sutton (bass/keyboard), and Whistler Isaiah Allen (drums/vocals), and DeCarlo Jackson (trumpet)
Emily Scinto
Professional actor, dancer & singer
Eric Mayson
recording artist
Essence Renae
Film and TV actor including, Bosch: Legacy (Amazon Prime)
Kourtni Lind-Watson
Dancer, Choreographer
Dance Supervisor for the International Broadway Tour of HAMILTON
Dylan Wald
Principal Dance, Pacific Northwest Ballet
WE NEED YOU.

SPCPA opened in 2005 with a mission to prepare students who wished to pursue the professional arts after high school. The purpose of this page is to celebrate those who did that. We have done our best to include as many of you as possible here, but we have missed many, many of you.

If you are a former SPCPA student and continue to pursue the professional arts (theatre, dance, music, visual art, creative writing) and are not listed here, please send your name, what you are doing, and a preferred photo to info@spcpa.org so we may include you on this page.

Jemar Michael
TV Actor, Dear White People
Davon Suttles
Professional Dancer, Choreographer, Producer
MILES TAGTMEYER
Primetime Emmy Nominated Actor
Sam Meryhew
Professional Dancer
Patrick Hyatte
Professional Violinist
Alex Eady
Professional Dancer, Ananya Dance Theatre
Alexander Hille
Principal Dancer, BJM - Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal
Angela Steele
Professional Actor, Dancer, Singer
Dana Diederich
Professional Talent Agent
Dylan Frederick
Broadway (The Inheritance) and TV Actor
Risa Dorken
Professional Actor, General Hospital, ABC
Jeff Rolfzen
Recording Artist (The Lark and the Loon)
ANNEKE DE JONG
Professional Ballet Dancer
New Black City
(Zhane Jackson, Lydia Jones, Destiny Anderson and Monique Roquemore)
Charmaine Douglas
(THE CULTURE)
Monty Hays
Professional Actor (The Prom, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres)
Kade Strunk
Filmmaker
Ashton Schneider
Professional Theatre Administrator, History Theatre
Camille Hortmann
Professional Dancer
GRACE JANISZEWSKI
Professional Dancer
Sequoia Hauck
Artistic Leadership - Jungle Theater, Filmmaker and Theatre Artist
Will Couture
Professional Dancer
THE HAPPY CHILDREN
(Band - Caleb Hinz, Mitchell Seymour, and Judah McCoy)
Deja Stowers
Award-Winning Professional Dancer, Choreographer
Laren Chang
Professional Dancer, TU DANCE
Chesa Greene
Regional Theatre Actor
Celena Morgan
Professional Musical Theatre Actor
Will Kjeer,
Professional jazz pianist
Noah Coon
Professional Actor, Dancer, Singer
Hope Nordquist
Professional Actor, Dancer, Singer
Nathan Barlow
Professional Actor, Recording Artist
SUZETTE GILREATH
TU DANCE
Peter Campanelli
Recording Artist
Joe Kellen
Arts Administrator, Southern Theater
Lexie Modica
Singer-Songwriter & Recording Artist
Megan Wind
Professional Dancer, Choreographer
Ava Harmon
Director of Operations, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Opera Singer
Maria Briggs
Broadway Dancer, Actor, Singer (Music Man, Cats, Frozen, and others)
Why Not
Indie Rock Band. Henry Breen (Bass, Singer, Songwriter), Josh MacGregor (Drums)
Rush Benson
Professional Actor, Dancer, Singer
Jason Flowers
Professional classical pianist
Dr. Angel Andres
Professional Violinist
Joe Peterson
Professional Violist
Spencer Dickhaus
Professional Dancer, Netherlands Dans Theater
MORE TO COME!

alumni news

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Get your tickets now to see SPCPA Alumni, NOAH COON and BELLA WEST, in Collide Theatrical‘s production of The Great Gatsby. It’s directed by longtime SPCPA Musical Theatre teacher and Collide Theatrical’s Artistic Director, REGINA PELUSO. Collide Theatrical is a dance storytelling company, telling narrative stories through a variety of dance styles and live music. It’s happening at Luminary Arts Center. Formerly the Lab Theater, SPCPA has performed there many times for J-Term, it has undergone a beautiful renovation – check it out! Tix: www.collidetheatrical.org/gatsby

#spcpaalum #spcpacommunity
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Get your tickets now to see SPCPA Alumni, NOAH COON and BELLA WEST, in Collide Theatricals production of The Great Gatsby.  Its directed by longtime SPCPA Musical Theatre teacher and Collide Theatricals Artistic Director, REGINA PELUSO.  Collide Theatrical is a dance storytelling company, telling narrative stories through a variety of dance styles and live music.  Its happening at Luminary Arts Center.  Formerly the Lab Theater, SPCPA has performed there many times for J-Term, it has undergone a beautiful renovation - check it out!  Tix:  https://www.collidetheatrical.org/gatsby 

#spcpaalum #spcpacommunity

Be sure to check out SPCPA alum, RACHEL KELLER (2010), in a series that is now streaming on NETFLIX. Dirty John, season TWO, has received strong reviews, and more notice for Rachel, who plays Linda Kolkena opposite Christian Slater and Amanda Peet. Rachel is best known for playing mutant Sydney Barrett in the X-Men series Legion, and she also appeared on FX as Simone Gerhardt in the second season of Fargo. At SPCPA, Rachel played Alice in the 2009 J-Term production of You Can’t Take It With You and Principal Renzelli in the J-Term production of Good & Plenty at Mixed Blood Theater in 2010. Congrats to Rachel – we look forward to seeing what’s next in store for her!

#spcpaalum
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Be sure to check out SPCPA alum, RACHEL KELLER (2010), in a series that is now streaming on NETFLIX.  Dirty John, season TWO, has received strong reviews, and more notice for Rachel,  who plays Linda Kolkena opposite Christian Slater and Amanda Peet.  Rachel is best known for playing mutant Sydney Barrett in the X-Men series Legion, and she also appeared on FX as Simone Gerhardt in the second season of Fargo.  At SPCPA, Rachel played Alice in the 2009 J-Term production of You Cant Take It With You and Principal Renzelli in the J-Term production of Good & Plenty at Mixed Blood Theater in 2010.  Congrats to Rachel - we look forward to seeing whats next in store for her!

#spcpaalum

1 CommentComment on Facebook

She’s also in a Man Called Otto, highly recommend it if you haven’t seen it yet.

It’s not just the SPCPA ARTS teachers who are current working professional artists. A number of the academic teachers are as well. Go see Chemistry teacher, DUSTIN HAUG, in the world premiere of ARENA DANCES/Mathew Janczewski’s ERASED STEPS, August 24 and 25. The piece also features many with SPCPA connections: former dance dept. chair, Gabriel Anderson, former long-time dance teacher, Laura Selle-Virtucio, and alumni, Isaiah Langowski and Maeve Seymour. Tickets: www.arena-dances.org/erasedsteps/

#spcpacommunity #spcpaalum
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Its not just the SPCPA ARTS teachers who are current working professional artists.  A number of the academic teachers are as well.  Go see Chemistry teacher, DUSTIN HAUG, in the world premiere of ARENA DANCES/Mathew Janczewski’s ERASED STEPS, August 24 and 25.  The piece also features many with SPCPA connections:  former dance dept. chair, Gabriel Anderson, former long-time dance teacher, Laura Selle-Virtucio, and alumni, Isaiah Langowski and Maeve Seymour.  Tickets:  https://www.arena-dances.org/erasedsteps/

#spcpacommunity #spcpaalum

1 CommentComment on Facebook

Thank you SPCPA!!

So many current and former SPCPA students are in EXCALIBUR at Circus Juventas. Zeke Pranis-Ricci, Delaney Dresser, Ariana Forsland, Gwen Forsland, Lydia Westerlund, Maggie Miles, Tic Treitler, and Paige Olson. Get your tickets now, it closes August 13! More info: www.circusjuventus.org.

#spcpaalum #spcpacommunity
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So many current and former SPCPA students are in EXCALIBUR at Circus Juventas. Zeke Pranis-Ricci, Delaney Dresser, Ariana Forsland, Gwen Forsland, Lydia Westerlund, Maggie Miles, Tic Treitler, and Paige Olson. Get your tickets now, it closes August 13!  More info: www.circusjuventus.org. 

#spcpaalum #spcpacommunity

Congrats to Hippo Campus! They headlined a SOLD OUT show this week at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre (yes, THAT Red Rocks)! Hippo Campus is comprised of SPCPA alumni, Whistler Allen, DeCarlo Jackson, Jake Luppen, Nathan Stocker, and Zach Sutton. Also, for more SPCPA connection, playing keyboards on the current tour is Sam Rosenstone, partner of current SPCPA Dance Dept. Co-Chair, Laura Osterhaus Rosenstone. Hippo Campus plays Wisconsin and MN in the next couple of months-check out the full tour here: hippocampus.band/ photos: Brittany Dawn Stoddard

#spcpaalum
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Congrats to Hippo Campus!  They headlined a SOLD OUT show this week at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre (yes, THAT Red Rocks)!  Hippo Campus is comprised of SPCPA alumni, Whistler Allen, DeCarlo Jackson, Jake Luppen, Nathan Stocker, and Zach Sutton.  Also, for more SPCPA connection, playing keyboards on the current tour is Sam Rosenstone, partner of current SPCPA Dance Dept. Co-Chair, Laura Osterhaus Rosenstone.  Hippo Campus plays Wisconsin and MN in the next couple of months-check out the full tour here:  https://hippocampus.band/  photos: Brittany Dawn Stoddard

#spcpaalumImage attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment

9 CommentsComment on Facebook

So happy for you Zach and all. Livin’ the dream.

Well dang lol . Good for them Hippycampus boys !

See y’all in Salt Lake City 🫰🏻

Awesome!

Congrats!!!!!

Red Rocks! So cool!

So cool.

Yay!!!!!!

Message me please, I’m selling my tickets below face value I can’t go anymore

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