Faculty
![Bill Digneit](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2020-08/Bill%20Digneit.jpg.webp?itok=hZ7zkWAw)
William Digneit
Producer, Department Head
wdigneit@nmu.edu 906-227-2044Additional Title:
Associate Professor
Degrees:
- B.S., Northern Michigan University
- M.F.A., Florida State University
Office Location:
215 Thomas Fine Arts
Bill Digneit began teaching at NMU in 2017.
![Ballet photo](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2023-10/Jill%20Ballet%20BW.jpeg.webp?itok=tLEStjU5)
Jill Grundstrom
Artistic Director, Assistant Department Head
jgrundst@nmu.edu 906-227-2047Additional Title:
Assistant Professor, Artistic Director of North Coast Dance Festival
Degrees:
- B.S., Northern Michigan University
- M.A., New York University
- Ed.S, Northern Michigan University
Office Location:
216 Thomas Fine Arts
Jill Grundstrom began teaching at NMU in 2010.
![David Pierce](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2022-04/Website.png.webp?itok=emFK-Th8)
David Pierce
Director of Production Management, Associate Professor
davpierc@nmu.edu 906-227-2084Additional Title:
Lighting Supervisor
Degrees:
- A.A.S., Ferris State University
- B.S., Ferris State University
- M.F.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Office Location:
217 Thomas Fine Arts
David Pierce began teaching at NMU in 2014.
![Paul Truckey](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2021-09/210831%20Theater%20%26%20Dance%20Portraits-3_0.jpg.webp?itok=qVVMAPEr)
Paul Truckey
Head of B.F.A. Musical Theatre, Professor
ptruckey@nmu.edu 906-227-2705Degrees:
- B.S., Northern Michigan University
- M.F.A., University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Office Location:
219 Thomas Fine Arts
Paul Truckey began teaching at NMU in 2002.
![Karina Johnson](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2022-12/Karina_685.jpg.webp?itok=OL_PyZoF)
Karina Johnson
Head of B.A./B.S. Dance, CO/LAB Dance Company Artistic Director
karijohn@nmu.eduAdditional Title:
Assistant Professor
Degrees:
- B.F.A., University of Utah
Office Location:
220 Thomas Fine Arts
Karina Johnson began teaching at NMU in 2021.
![Lex van Blommestein](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2020-08/Lex%20van%20Blommestein.jpg.webp?itok=sRP12nxA)
Lex van Blommestein
Head of BFA Tech and Design, Associate Professor
lvanblom@nmu.edu 906-227-2266Degrees:
- B.A., University of Windsor
- M.F.A., Wayne State University
Office Location:
218 Thomas Fine Arts
Lex van Blommestein began teaching at NMU in 2019.
![Jimmy Ludwig](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2022-08/JWLsuited%20shot.jpg.webp?itok=1GxC7ZD8)
James "Jimmy" Ludwig
Head of B.F.A. Acting, Assistant Professor
jiludwig@nmu.edu 906-227-1657Degrees:
- B.A., University of Michigan
- M.F.A., University of Washington
Office Location:
221 Thomas Fine Arts
James Ludwig began teaching at NMU in 2022.
![Braeden Ingersoll](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2022-07/289046007_5297790026926878_6250961818438414106_n.jpg.webp?itok=TfBBHTZ1)
Braeden Ingersoll
Technical Director, Scene Shop Supervisor
bingerso@nmu.edu 906-227-1634Additional Title:
Adjunct Instructor
Degrees:
- B.A., Simpson College
- M.F.A., Florida State University
Office Location:
McClintock 107
Braeden Ingersoll began teaching at NMU in 2021.
![Donna Schaffer](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2021-08/Schafferheadshot.jpg.webp?itok=bRP0jqcs)
Donna Poirier, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor
dschaffe@nmu.eduDegrees:
- B.M., University of Michigan
- M.M., University of Connecticut
- D.M.A., University of South Carolina
Office Location:
118 Thomas Fine Arts
Donna Poirier began teaching at NMU in 2021.
![Kristen Beth Ludwig](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2022-08/KB%20Williams-9409_0.jpg.webp?itok=OCAxXAGs)
Kristen Beth Ludwig
Head of B.A./B.S. Theatre and Entertainment Arts (Performance), Assistant Professor
krludwig@nmu.edu 906-227-2038Degrees:
- B.F.A., University of Oklahoma
Office Location:
222 Thomas Fine Arts
Kristen Beth Ludwig began teaching at NMU in 2022.
![Em Rossi Headshot](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2022-12/Em%20Rossi%20Headshot.jpg.webp?itok=cMaViDp0)
Em Rossi
Head of B.A./B.S. Theatre and Entertainment Arts (Tech and Design), Assistant Professor
erossi@nmu.eduAdditional Title:
Costume Shop Supervisor
Degrees:
- B.S, Northern Michigan University
- M.A., Northern Michigan University
- M.F.A, Wayne State University
Office Location:
223 Thomas Fine Arts
Em Rossi began teaching at NMU in 2020.
![Carolyn Robertson Headshot](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2024-05/Robertson%20Portrait-2.jpg.webp?itok=vfLh-JRK)
Carolyn Robertson
Executive Administrative Assistant
carobert@nmu.edu 906-227-2050Office Location:
213 Thomas Fine Arts
Caroyln Robertson began working at NMU in 2021.
![Jalina McClain Headshot](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2024-05/JalinaMcClain.png.webp?itok=yJK38iw8)
Jalina McClain
Managing Director of The Wildcat Performing Arts Academy
jolgren@nmu.eduAdditional Title:
Adjunct Instructor, Stage Management Supervisor
Degrees:
- B.S., Northern Michigan University
Office Location:
214 Thomas Fine Arts
Jalina McClain began working at NMU in 2024.
![Dominic Mrakovcich Headshot](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2024-05/Dominic%20Headshot.jpg.webp?itok=Ucr3JxFN)
Dominic Mrakovcich
Sound & Media Supervisor & Engineer
dmrakovc@nmu.edu 906-227-2056Degrees:
- M.M. Music Composition, East Carolina University
- B.M. Music Composition & Percussion Performance, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Office Location:
207 Thomas Fine Arts
Dominic Mrakovcich began working at NMU in 2024.
Staff
![Emily Burbey Headshot](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2023-11/EmilyBurbey_Headshot.png.webp?itok=VNgr0krQ)
Emily Burbey
Marketing & Box Office Manager
nmutd@nmu.edu 906-227-2760Degrees:
- B.S., Northern Michigan University
Office Location:
214 Thomas Fine Arts
Emily Burbey began working at NMU in 2022.
![Emily Kendall Headshot](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2023-10/EKendall%20Headshot.jpeg.webp?itok=kjOVVjFP)
Emily Kendall
Associate Scene Shop Supervisor
ekendall@nmu.eduDegrees:
- B.S. in Theatre and Entertainment Arts and Criminal Justice, Northern Michigan University
Emily Kendall began working at NMU in 2021.
![Iver Johnson Headshot](/theatreanddance/sites/theatreanddance/files/styles/profile_image_large/public/2023-11/Iver_247.jpg.webp?itok=cNsZon_k)
Iver Johnson
Adjunct Professor of Dance
frjohnso@nmu.eduDegrees:
- Judith Svalander School of Ballet
- B.F.A. Indiana University
Iver Johnson began teaching at NMU in 2023.