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Mark D. Guinn - Professor

Director, School of Theatre

(318) 257-2711 - mguinn@latech.edu

Mark is Director of the School of Theatre at Louisiana Tech University. He is a director, designer, and fight director. Mark received his B.A. from Centre College of Kentucky and his M.F.A. from Memphis State University. He is a Fight Master of Stage Combat with the Society of American Fight Directors and a Certified Teacher with the British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat and the Society of American Fight Directors.

He is the founder of the Stage Combat Workshop at Louisiana Tech University, currently celebrating its’ 33nd season. He has served as Coordinator of the National Stage Combat Workshops in Las Vegas, and was on the faculty of the First International Stage Combat Workshop, the 1994 Paddy Crean Workshop, the Summer Sling in New York, the Texas Intensive, the Lonestar Smash and the British National Stage Combat Workshops.

Mark has over thirty-two years experience in the outdoor dramas of the US. He has collaborated on original productions with Rusty Mundell, William Joyce, Mikel Rouse, and the Flaming Idiots. Some of his recent directorial credits include: A Divine Kerfuffle, River Pirates and the Treasure at Pointe Coupee, Begets: Fall of a High School Ronin, Living Dead in Denmark, She Kills Monsters, The Leafmen and the Brave Good Bugs, a play based on the book by William Joyce. He is currently directing his way through Qui Nguyen’s canon.

Design credits include the scenic design for the stage premiere of KAB Man, Shane, and The Leaf Men and The Brave Good Bugs, lighting design credits include Just Another Play About Rainbows:Volume 1, The Flaming Idiots at the New Victory Theatre, A Christmas Carol at New American Theatre, A Knight at the Fights for University of Nevada Las Vegas, and telescan operator/designer for Madonna’s Blond Ambition Tour, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and the Gypsy Kings.

Cherrie A. Sciro - Professor

Coordinator of Theatre

318-257-2930 - lulu@latech.edu

Cherrie Sciro is the Coordinator of Theatre and Professor at Louisiana Tech. Her most treasured directing experience here at Tech was the 1999 production of Six Women with Brain Death…, which was awarded 21 awards throughout the region and state, including the Richard A. Weaver Best Production Award, a first for the University Theatre. She directed the 2006 fall production of W;t, a play close to her heart because of its promotion of cancer awareness.

Ms. Sciro is also known nationally for her Broadway credits which include Production Coordinator of the Tony Award-winning productions Cats, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and Miss Saigon. As well as Broadway Stage Manager for Song and Dance, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly, an All-Star Tribute to Ethel Merman, featuring Lainie Kazan, Patti LuPone, Andrea Martin, Elaine Stritch and Bette Midler. Stepping out of the theatre, Ms. Sciro served as the Production Manager for the 1999 Hard Rock Rockfest in Atlanta, GA, and the Stage Manager for the 2001 New Year’s Eve in Times Square in New York City. She was also Road Manager for Patti LuPone and Dixie Carter.

Her International credits include the London, England productions of Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Follies, and Sunset Boulevard. She also served as the Production Manager for the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain and Atlanta, GA.

Jeremy Reynolds, Ph.D.

Associate Professor/Production Manager

318-257-5270 - reynolds@latech.edu

Jeremy is an Associate Professor of Theatre at Louisiana Tech University. In addition to teaching theatre design and technology courses, Jeremy also regularly attends and presents his research at Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE), American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR), the Mid-American Theatre Conference (MATC) and other national theatre conferences. Jeremy recently attended the ATHE Leadership Institute where he collaborated with Deans, Associate Deans and Department Chairs from around the country on leadership issues facing theatre education. In August of 2017, he was one of three scholars selected to present his research at the ATHE Conference Plenary session ‘Spectacular Technology’. His paper, “Spectacular Electricity: Technology and Visual Culture in the Late Victorian Theatre”, examines the use of electricity in special effects during the late 19th century and the context of that technology within the visual culture of Victorian London.

Dr. Reynolds has worked professionally all over the country as a Director, Actor and Designer. Some regional credits include directing the world premiere of Person or Persons Unknown in Chicago at the Wing & Groove Theatre Company, resident Sound Designer for the Texas Shakespeare Festival, and as Technical Director for the Washington Ensemble Theatre’s west coast premiere of God’s Ear in Seattle. Jeremy is active in Children’s’ theatre and often spends summers in Anchorage, Alaska working with the renowned TBA Theatre Company. He also recently collaborated on creating a national drama curriculum for 3-6 year olds combining theatre games and activities geared toward aiding developmental benchmarks. Jeremy previously held positions at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, The Evergreen State College and with the Zachary Community Schools. Jeremy holds a Ph.D. in Theatre History and Criticism from Louisiana State University.

Andrew Ray

Instructor - Acting/Directing

adray@latech.edu

Andrew Ray is an actor, fight director and educator who works from coast to coast. He is a Certified Fight Director and Stage Combat Instructor with the Society of American Fight Directors that holds a BA in Theatre from The University of Kentucky and an MA in Theatre from Louisiana Tech University where he studied performance and stage movement. Andrew currently resides in Shreveport, Louisiana but spends a portion of the year in his hometown of Lexington, Kentucky where he serves as stage combat instructor at the University of Kentucky. On top of that he teaches stage combat and directs fights in New York, Illinois, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina Missouri and Florida. He also spends time in Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and New York working as a motion capture performer and fight coordinator. He is one of the lead motion capture performers for the Agents of Mayhem, We Happy Few, Saint’s Row and Borderlands video game franchises. He also works as a motion capture actor for Penn and Teller.

Brigitte Bechtel

Instructor - Design

318-257-4693

Originally from the South, Brigitte made her way up to Boston where she worked primarily as a scenic artist, designer, and educator. Her talents and experiences have led her on adventures with Cobalt Studios, The Cape Playhouse, Emerson College, Mystic Scenic Studios, Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals, Arizona Theatre Company, and Ohio University amongst others. Brigitte is currently based in the Southern US and beyond!  She earned a MFA in Production Design with an emphasis in Scenic and Costume Design from Michigan State University. Her portfolio is available at www.brigittebechtel.com 

Logan Sapp

Graduate Assistant - Recruiting

Logan Sapp is thrilled to be a part of LaTech Theatre! Logan hails from Owensboro, Kentucky. He completed his undergraduate program at Murray State University. He is an Advanced Actor Combatant with The Society of American Fight Directors. His passion is to create inpactful art and to share his love of Theatre with his students and colleagues. He thanks his friends and family for giving him the strength to pursue what he loves. 
 

Carson Turgeon

Graduate Assistant - Box Office

Carson Turgeon is a 2nd year Graduate in the Louisiana Tech University School of Theatre. He plans on becoming a teacher so that he can share his passion and grow this artform wherever he can. When he is not in the playing space exploring other worlds, he enjoys dancing in random places, experimenting with recipes, and thrifting.

Jackson Gemborys

Graduate Assistant

Jackson is a first-year graduate student here at Louisiana Tech University. He is from Durham, NC; where at the age of twelve, he discovered a passion for theatre arts. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Greensboro College, where he majored in acting and minored in dance. Jackson has served three terms of service with the AmeriCorps program: one year with the National Civilian Community Corps; and two years with City Year San Antonio. Jackson wishes to use the knowledge he learns at Louisiana Tech University, to one day become a high school theatre teacher

Hannah Allen

Graduate Assistant

Hannah Allen is a graduate student in the School of Theatre with an emphasis in acting and stage combat. Some of her favorite roles to play have been Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, as well as Esmerelda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Once she finishes school, she has hopes of becoming a professional actor/combatant. She completed her undergraduate in theatre at Bob Jones University. Prior to college, she grew up in Papua New Guinea where she returns each summer to teach Elementary and Middle School theatre. 

Chloe Castello

Graduate Assistant

Chloe is a first year graduate student from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She completed her bachelor's at Northwestern State University in 2021. After graduating she moved to New York for a brief time. During that time she was busy working off-broadway with Jersey Boys and helping guests navigate the mysteries of The Mckittrick Hotel during Sleep No More.

After returning to Baton Rouge she began working for Manship Theatre as a house manager and box office personnel. She also had her first opportunity to fight direct at Scotlandville High School for their spring production. She will be continuing her studies in stage combat and stage management with hopes of one day becoming a certified teacher in the SAFD.

A. Fish

Graduate Assistant

Fish is a graduate student in the School of Theatre with an emphasis on stage combat and marketing. They recently graduated from the University Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in science majoring in digital media and design with a minor in journalism and a bachelor's degree in art majoring in theatre. They are certified in broadsword and unarmed stage combat through SAFD and have attended the Louisiana Tech “Boil” and Mid-Atlantic Melee Stage Combat Workshops. Fish began their collegiate theatre career as the Gravedigger in Shakespeare’s Hamlet at Morehead State University. Most recently, they photographed and designed for two of the University of Kentucky’s Studio Season shows, Stage Managed Little Women and played Burbage in Shakespeare in Love. For their senior showcase at the University of Kentucky they presented headshots, playbills, and posters representing various real and simulated productions. Outside of the university, Fish designed promotional materials for the nonprofit Pope Lick Productions’ Production of The Trestle at Popelick Creek. Fish is ecstatic to be continuing their educational journey and optimistic about opportunities to come.

Amber Garner

Graduate Assistant

Amber Garner is a graduate student in the School of Theatre with an emphasis in acting and costume design. She is very excited to further her education and create amazing art at Louisiana Tech University. She also has a strong interest in stage combat and would like to explore more of the stage comb world. Amber is originally from Frierson, Louisiana and graduated from McNeese State University with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts with a concentration in theatre. Some of her favorite roles have been Pattie (Kimberly Akimbo), J.Finch and others (Puffs or seven increasingly eventful years at a certain school of magic and magic), Costume Designer (The Miss Firecracker Contest), and Lefou (Beauty and the Beast Jr.). After achieving her master’s degree, Amber aspires to educate and inspire future theatrical artists at a collegiate level. 

Set the stage for a star!

Contact Information

Louisiana Tech University School of Theatre

(318) 257-2711

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