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.
SPCPA Alumni Spotlight
Congratulations to SPCPA alum Maria Briggs, who just opened her 10th Broadway show in Schmigadoon! this past week!
Maria is performing the demanding role of swing—a performer who must learn and be ready to step into multiple ensemble tracks at a moment’s notice, making it one of the most challenging and essential roles on Broadway.
Her incredible career also includes Broadway productions of Cats, Hello, Dolly!, Anastasia, Frozen, Mean Girls, The Music Man (where she also served as Dance Captain), Spamalot, Elf, and Pirates! The Penzance Muscial, along with the national tour of White Christmas, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and performances at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.
Congratulations, Maria, and have a fantastic run!
More from the official Schmigadoon! site: schmigadoonbroadway.com/cast-creative/
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SPCPA Students & Alumni Take the Stage!
We are thrilled to celebrate members of our SPCPA community who are bringing their talents to the stage in The Wizard of Oz at Children's Theatre Company!
Congratulations to current students Brody Breen, Aliya Bailey, and Truman Bednar, along with SPCPA alum Bella West, who is also understudying the iconic role of Dorothy. What an incredible opportunity!
The show opens April 21 and runs through June 14, and we couldn’t be more proud to see these artists shining in the professional community.
Let’s show our support—be sure to check out the production and cheer them on!
Tickets: www.childrenstheatre.org
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On Tuesday, SPCPA welcomed back alumnus Erik Nordstrom (@lubridermis_)(Vocal Track), who returned to sing and speak with vocal and musical theatre students in the very room where he once studied! He shared insights from his journey studying Vocal Performance and Music Education at Lawrence University, followed by earning his Master’s degree and Artist Diploma at the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. Erik is currently in his second year as a Resident Artist with Pittsburgh Opera. This summer, he will be singing with the Glimmerglass Opera, performing the role of Judd in Oklahoma!. Thank you, Erik!
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SPCPA Alumni Spotlight: Zach Manske
Since graduating from SPCPA, Zach Manske has built an exciting and dynamic career in the world of professional dance. After earning his BFA in Dance from the University of Southern California's Gloria Kaufman School of Dance under the direction of Jodie Gates, Zach went on to join the Grand Rapids Ballet as a company dancer.
Since 2022, Zach has been a Company Artist with the internationally renowned The Joffrey Ballet—one of the premier ballet companies in the United States, known for its versatility, innovation, and world-class artistry.
This weekend (April 17–19), you can catch Zach performing in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Berkeley, California, choreographed by Alexander Ekman.
Tickets: calperformances.org/events/2025-26/dance/the-joffrey-ballet-midsummer-nights-dream/
Zach’s artist profile: joffrey.org/the-company/company-artists/zachary-manske/
We are so proud to see Zach’s continued growth and success on some of the biggest stages in the country. Congratulations, Zach!
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SPCPA Alumni Spotlight: Noah Coon
Since graduating from SPCPA, Noah Coon has carved out a dynamic and accomplished career as a musical theater artist. After earning his BFA in Musical Theatre / Dance from Roosevelt University (Chicago College of the Performing Arts) Noah has performed across the Twin Cities with some of the region’s leading companies, including the Guthrie Theater, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Children’s Theatre Company, History Theatre, Old Log Theatre, and with Collide Theatrical.
Noah has also performed in Regional Theaters across the country and several national tours.
This spring, Noah returns to the SPCPA community in a special way, performing as Larry in A Chorus Line at Park Square Theatre, a production our 9th–11th grade students will attend together on the last day of school! A Chorus Line features 2 SPCPA alum, 2 SPCPA teachers–and the assistant director is a current SPCPA senior!
Congratulations, Noah!
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SPCPA Alumni Spotlight: Kaitlyn Andrews
From the studio to the sky—Kaitlyn Andrews continues to redefine what it means to be a performance artist.
After graduating from SPCPA, Kaitlyn studied theater at Northwestern University, where she immersed herself in experimental and physical performance. That work led her to Actors Gymnasium, where she discovered her passion for aerial rope.
Today, Kaitlyn is a professional aerialist, clown, and circus coach based in Chicago—bringing bold physical storytelling to life both on the ground and in the air.
Most recently, Kaitlyn performed in AQUÍ O ALLÁ, a clown piece exploring displacement, belonging, and found family. Directed by Raquel Torre and presented by Actors Gymnasium & La Vuelta Theater Lab, the show recently closed after a powerful run.
You can catch Kaitlyn performing in the air across Chicago at various events and productions.
Congratulations, Kaitlyn!
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SPCPA Alumni Spotlight
We’re thrilled to celebrate alum Rebecca (Beck) Fulin, a dynamic trumpet player and driving force in the Duluth music scene. Beck has been working tirelessly across the area, leading multiple jazz groups and serving as Artistic Director of the Duluth Community Jazz Band—recently wrapping a season Beck planned and prepared.
Beck’s musical footprint in Duluth is expansive, performing with groups like The Becktet, The Solicitors, and Jazzquatch, and continuing to build a vibrant, collaborative jazz community.
Coming up next: catch the Duluth Community Jazz Band at the JAM Festival in Duluth on April 30!
And this summer, don’t miss one of the more creative projects we’ve heard about, Beck leads a band called, D-Town Driftway – A live Mario Kart band starting May 29, where musicians perform the Mario Kart 8 soundtrack in real time as the game is played. Yes—menu music, race themes, intros, outros, and more. It’s as fun as it sounds.
Congrats, Beck!
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SPCPA Alumni Spotlight
We’re excited to celebrate SPCPA alum Phineas Pope (Class of 2020)!
Since graduating, Phineas earned his Bachelor of Arts from Drake University, where he studied piano. (Fun fact: the photo here captures Phineas doing exactly that during his time at SPCPA!)
If you’ve been listening to MPR and thought you recognized a voice—you’re right. That’s Phineas! He is now a newscaster with Minnesota Public Radio, bringing stories to life across the state.
Take a listen to his latest work on MPR here: www.mprnews.org/people/ppope/1
Congratulations, Phineas!
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SPCPA Alumni Spotlight:
We’re proud to celebrate SPCPA alum Jamie Lien (Class of 2017)! Jamie earned her BFA in Acting from Michigan State University in 2021 and is now based in New York City, continuing her work as a professional actor.
Be sure to check out the newly released trailer for When We Get There—featuring Jamie—right here: www.imdb.com/title/tt14630308/
Current students can see a photo of Jamie in her senior J-Term project, Shipwrecked, on the skyway wall. Congratulations, Jamie! We love seeing our alumni bringing their artistry to life on screen and stage.
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