The Theatre Department consists of faculty and professional staff specializing in theatrical design, construction, history, text analysis, education, performance, direction, voice, and movement. Our faculty serve as working artists and scholars in their areas of specialization, contributing their talents to academic conferences, publications, performances and related activities on campus, in the community, and in professional theatre venues. Our faculty and staff members take pride in quality teaching and value collaboration with our students and colleagues.
Theatre Faculty

Andrew Kahl
Department Chair
Professor of Acting & Directing
- MFA, Acting, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- BA, Dramatic Arts, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Advisor, Identity Play Reading Series
Certified Associate Teacher, Fitzmaurice Voicework
Specialties:
Directing, Acting, Voice and Diction, Auditioning
Affiliations: Actors' Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, Voice and Speech Trainer's Association
Year of hire: 2005
Andrew.Kahl@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3125 / 106 Fine Arts / Andrew Kahl's Website

John Bagby
Professor of Theatrical Design
- MFA, Scenic & Lighting Design, University of Texas at Austin
- BA, Design & Technology, University of Northern Iowa
Specialties:
Scene Design, Scene Painting, Scale Model Building, Prop Design, Lighting Design
Affiliations: USITT
Year of hire: 2001
John.Bagby@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3418 / 106 Fine Arts

Bethany Marx
Associate Professor of Theatrical Design
- MFA, Costume Design, University of Massachusetts
- BFA, Costume Design & Technology, University of Evansville
Specialties:
Costume Design, Costume Technology, Pattern Drafting, Costume History, Make-up Design
Affiliations: USITT
Year of hire: 2015
Bethany.Marx@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3780 / 106 Fine Arts / Bethany Marx's Website

John McCaslin-Doyle
Professor of Theatre History, Dramatic Literature, & Acting
- PhD, Theatre, Bowling Green State University
- MAT, Teaching, University of Puget Sound
- BFA, Acting, University of Colorado-Boulder
Specialties:
Directing, Acting, Theatre History, Dramatic Literature, Play Analysis
Affiliations: Popular Culture Association, ATHE
Year of hire: 2005
John.McCaslin-Doyle@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3516 / 106 Fine Arts

Kiara Pipino
Assistant Professor of Acting, Directing, and Movement
- MFA, Directing, University of Arkansas
- PhD, Architecture for Performance, University of Genoa, Italy
- BFA, Architecture, University of Genoa, Italy
Certified Teacher, Michael Chekhov Technique, GLMCC
Specialties:
Acting, Directing, Movement for Actors, Mask Work, Shakespeare, Greek Theatre
Affiliations: Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, ATHE, Dramatists Guild
Year of hire: 2018
Kiara.Pipino@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-2148 / 106 Fine Arts / Kiara Pipino's Website

Nancy Bondurant-Couch
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Theatre
- MFA, Children’s Theatre, Virginia Tech
- BA, Religion, Emory and Henry College
Specialties:
Directing, Acting, Children's Theatre
Nancy.Bondurant-Couch@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3456 / 106 Fine Arts

Nathan Elsener
Adjunct Theatre Faculty, Theatrical Designer
- MFA, Scenic/Lighting Design, Florida State University, 2002
- BA, Theatre Arts, West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1996
Specialties:
Lighting Design, Scene Design, Stagecraft
Nathan.Elsener@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3456 / 106 Fine Arts

Carmela Marner
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Theatre
- BA, Central School of Speech & Drama, UK
- BA with Honors, Brown University
Specialties:
Directing, Acting, Improvisational Theatre
Affiliations: Actors' Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, UK Equity
Carmela.Marner@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3456 / 106 Fine Arts

Professional Staff

Scott Segar
Technical Director,
Production Manager, Theatrical Designer
- MFA, Lighting & Design Technology, University of Texas, Austin
- BA, Theatre, Allegheny College
Advisor, Mask & Hammer Theatre Club
Advisor, Terpsichorean Dance Club
Specialties:
Lighting Design, Scenery Construction, Rigging, Prop Design
Affiliations: USITT
Year of hire: 2003
Scott.Segar@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3414 / 151 Fine Arts

Matthew Grenier
Assistant Technical Director, Theatrical Designer
- BS, Mechanical Engineering, Binghamton University
Advisor, Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor Society
Certified, Toastmasters International, CC & ALB
Specialties:
Lighting Design, Scene Design, 3D Computer-Aided Design, Scenery Construction, Rigging, Sound, Prop Design
Affiliations: USITT
Year of hire: 2012
Matthew.Grenier@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3414 / 151 Fine Arts

Marjean McCaslin-Doyle
Costume Shop Supervisor, Theatrical Designer
- BA, Art/Textiles/Music, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Licensed Cosmetologist/Esthetician/Manicurist,
Clover Park Vocational Technical Institute
Certified, Theatre/Film/Special Effect Make-up,
Joe Blasco Technical Institute
Specialties:
Costume Design, Hair Design, Make-up Design, Masks, Wig Master
Affiliations: Costume Society of America
Year of hire: 2005
Marjean.McCaslin-Doyle@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3716 / B-3 Fine Arts

Cheryl Schwarting
Department Secretary
Spring 2020 In-Person Office Hours
Mondays, 8am to 4:30pm
Wednesdays, 8am to 12pm
Cheryl.Schwarting@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3456 / 106 Fine Arts
Dance Faculty

Shannah Kane
Adjunct Dance Faculty
- Co-owner/Operator, Elite Dance Academy
Specialties:
Modern, Jazz
Shannah.Kane@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3456 / 106 Fine Arts

Jillian Skidmore
Adjunct Dance Faculty
- Owner/Operator, Jillian's Dance Arts
Jillian.Skidmore@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3456 / 106 Fine Arts

Wendy Wade-Sullivan
Adjunct Dance Faculty
- Owner/Operator, Wendy Wade Dance Studio
- Teacher, Stanley-Wade School of Dance
- Certified Teacher, Kripalu Yoga
Specialties:
Creative Movement, Jazz, Ballroom, Yoga, Pilates
Wendy.Wade@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3456 / 106 Fine Arts

Patrick Welsh
Adjunct Dance Faculty
- BFA, Dance Performance, SUNY Purchase
Specialties:
Modern Dance Performance, Dance Composition, Puppetry and Mask Work
Patrick.Welsh@oneonta.edu
Ph. 607-436-3456 / 106 Fine Arts