Faculty
William Digneit
Department Head, Producer/Artistic Director
wdigneit@nmu.edu 906-227-2044Additional Title:
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.
Jill Grundstrom
Assistant Department Head, Director of BA/BS Dance, Associate Professor
jgrundst@nmu.edu 906-227-2047Additional Title:
Artistic Director, North Coast Dance Festival and Wildcat Performing Arts Academy
Degrees:
- B.S., Northern Michigan University
- M.A., New York University
- Ed.S, Northern Michigan University
- Doctoral Candidate, Columbia University
Office Location:
216 Thomas Fine Arts
Jill Grundstrom began teaching at NMU in 2010.
David Pierce
Director of Production, 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
Director 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
Assistant Professor, CO/LAB Dance Company Artistic Director
karijohn@nmu.edu 906-227-2744Degrees:
- B.F.A., University of Utah
Office Location:
220 Thomas Fine Arts
Karina Johnson began teaching at NMU in 2021.
Lex van Blommestein
Director 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.
James "Jimmy" Ludwig
Director 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.
Rachel Wells
Technical Director
rwells@nmu.edu 906-227-1657Degrees:
- B.F.A. Western Michigan University
- M.F.A. Indiana University
Office Location:
McClintock 107
Rachel began teaching at NMU in 2024.
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
Director 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
Director of B.A./B.S. Theatre and Entertainment Arts (Tech and Design), Assistant Professor
erossi@nmu.edu 906-227-1276Additional 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
Executive Administrative Assistant
carobert@nmu.edu 906-227-2050Office Location:
213 Thomas Fine Arts
Caroyln Robertson began working at NMU in 2021.
Jalina McClain
Managing Director of The Wildcat Performing Arts Academy
jolgren@nmu.edu 906-227-2267Additional Title:
Adjunct Faculty & 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
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.
Kaitlyn Frotton
Assistant Professor
kfrotton@nmu.edu 906-227-2041Degrees:
- B.M. Musical Theatre, Rider University
- M.A. Classical Acting, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
Office Location:
211, Thomas Fine Arts
Office Hours:
Wednesdays 12:45PM-4:45PM
Kaitlyn Frotton began working at NMU in 2024.
James Davis
Assistant Professor
davisjam@nmu.edu 906-227-2073Degrees:
- M.S. in Entertainment Business Management, Full Sail University
- B.F.A. in Theatre, Wayne State University
James Davis began working at NMU in 2025.
Chris Houston
Assistant Professor
chhousto@nmu.edu 906-227-2036Degrees:
- B.A. in Performing Arts, Saint Mary’s College of California
- M.B.A. in Leadership and Innovation, Edinburgh Napier University
- Doctoral Candidate, Columbia University
Chris Houston began working at NMU in 2025.
Courtney Anderson Kelly
Assistant Professor
coukelly@nmu.edu 906-227-2064Degrees:
- M.F.A. Theatre with a concentration in Costume Design and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- B.A. Theatre from Northern Michigan University
Courtney Anderson Kelly began working at NMU in 2025.
Staff
Keli Crawford Truckey
Artisitc Associate, Panoswski Partnership
kcrawfor@nmu.eduShe has served as a stage director and adjunct professor at Northern Michigan University for over 20 years.
Emily Kendall
Associate Scene Shop Supervisor
ekendall@nmu.eduAdditional Title:
Adjunct Instructor of Stagecraft
Degrees:
- B.S. in Theatre and Entertainment Arts and Criminal Justice, Northern Michigan University
Emily Kendall began working at NMU in 2021.
Emily Burbey
Design, Marketing, and Audience Coordinator
emburbey@nmu.edu 906-227-2760Degrees:
- B.S. Graphic Design, Northern Michigan University
Office Location:
Box Office | Forest Roberts Theatre
Emily Burbey began working at NMU in 2022.
Darrius Morton
Adjunct Professor of Voice
dmorton@nmu.eduDegrees:
- B.M. in Vocal Performance from St. Olaf College
Tony Beacco
Adjunct Professor of Voice
abeacco@nmu.eduDegrees:
- Bachelor of Music Education, Northern Michigan University
- M.A. Voice and Conduction, Ball State University