Wade and Theatre Arts Chair Patricia Fitzpatrick / From @sunynewpaltztheatre on Instagram
Jack Wade
At its senior luncheon in May, the Department of Theatre Arts honored Professor Jack Wade as he retired after a 25-year tenure at SUNY New Paltz.
As a professor of design and theatre history and past department chair, Wade has been a distinguished mentor of many designers and performers who have gone on to work in the professional theatre.
Over a career that spans five decades, Jack— a member of the United Scenic Artists union, Local 829—has designed lighting and scenery for more than 200 theatre and dance productions. He began his professional career as resident scenic and lighting designer at the Hedgerow Theatre, where he also acted in roles ranging from Chris Keller in “All My Sons” to Don Pedro in “Much Ado About Nothing.” His first play, “Blood Ties,” was produced there at the end of his residency in 1984.
Theatre Arts alumni are planning a larger retirement celebration event for Wade in New Paltz for Saturday, June 22 (location TBD). For more information, contact David Cavallaro at cavallad@newpaltz.edu.
Read Wade's full retirement announcement, which was shared with campus on April 30.
Photo provided
Brittany Proia
Adjunct lecturer Brittany Proia assumed the role of managing director at Shadowland Stages in Ellenville, NY, after becoming interim managing director in January 2023. The storied professional theatre company is in the midst of its 38th season, with a 2024 lineup including "The Hound of the Baskervilles," "Dear Jack, Dear Louise," "Lend Me a Soprano," and "The Road to Jerusalem."
Proia is directing Shadowland's upcoming production of "Beehive: The 60s Musical," running Aug. 9 through Sept. 8, 2024.
From newplayexchange.org
Dan Daly
Dan Daly has joined the Department of Theatre Arts as an assistant professor of scenic design. According to his website, Daly is "a Brooklyn based scenic designer and visual artist, specializing in site-specific and immersive work." Daly's design work has been seen in numerous shows including the Off-Broadway "Tammany Hall" at SoHo Playhouse, multiple productions with Odyssey Opera in Boston, and "Dark Sisters" at Pittsburgh Opera, among several others. He holds a BS in industrial technology from Fitchburg State University and an MFA in scenic design from Carnegie Mellon University.
Joel Sherry
Theatre Arts welcomes Joel Sherry as its new technical director, effective June 1. Sherry is an artist, designer, builder, and educator with more than 25 years of experience in theater design, production, fabrication, and corporate events. He is well-versed in all areas of production, including concept design and development, technical direction, project management, and fabrication.
