Alumni
The unique structure of the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies enables students to connect and collaborate in novel ways to create a new legacy. The disciplines of dance, theatre, design and performance studies each have a rich and vibrant heritage — we endeavor to honor the past, as together we build a new future.
"The two most important things I learned at UMD were — how to work effectively with other people and how to get a lot of work done in a short period of time. If you can tackle those two things, while also maintaining your sense of humor, then you will succeed."
—Jeremy A. Goldman, B.A. theatre ’00
Our alumni are tremendous assets in our mission to educate the next generation of performing artists. The professional achievement of our former students has paved the way for future alumni to succeed in all aspects of the field. We always welcome our alumni back to campus to take advantage of our facilities, attend a performance and discover what is new and what traditions have remained.
At TDPS, students develop fundamental life skills, intellectual curiosity, creative thinking, problem solving, embodied learning and emotional intelligence — creatively applied to advance human welfare in all its dimensions. Alumni transition to a rich variety of career pathways within and outside of theatre and dance professions, working as arts managers, choreographers, directors, performers, designers, lawyers, business entrepreneurs, professors, published authors, teachers and consultants.
Alumni: Please share your news with us! Email tdpsmarketing@umd.edu to let us know what you’re up to.
Alumni news
Alumni quotes
"The professors, staff and guest directors at Maryland are easily the best in the area. Studying at UMD didn't just prepare me technically to stage manage in the real world; it left me with the contacts and connections I needed to start working immediately after graduation." —Bridget Woodbury, B.A. theatre ’10
"...UMD didn't just teach me how to be a good dancer, but also, more importantly, a thinker and risk-taker." —Ling Tang, B.A. dance & intercultural performing arts ’07
"Faculty and staff in theatre helped me to find my passion and pursue it, even when that passion lay elsewhere than my degree path." —Jennifer Rimmer, B.A. theatre ’04
"The University of Maryland provided the necessary education and resources for navigating the rigor of the academic world, while simultaneously allowing me to explore my passion for creating live performance. The faculty is exceptional and unbelievably dedicated to the students." —Chrystyna Dail, Ph.D. ’10
"My years at UMD were wonderful thanks to the faculty and staff. I always felt respected, comfortable and genuinely cared for during my time as a student." —Jessica Wallace, B.A. theatre ’08
"At Maryland, I learned to think, see, understand and translate dance in its myriad forms. My experiences in the dance program and at The Diamondback were foundational to my evolution as an arts journalist." —Lisa Traiger, B.A. dance ‘85, M.F.A. dance ’04
"I learned to think outside the box and to explore my own ideas instead of looking for the correct answer." —T. Michelle Davy, B.A. dance ’97
"I'm a professional video game programmer, and I mostly credit my theatre education at UMD to my industry success. While a degree in computer science may teach you the nitty-gritty of computer programming, a degree in theatre will provide invaluable large-team production experience, which is so much more important." —Walt Destler, B.A. theatre & B.S. computer science ’07
"The life lessons learned could be adapted to any profession. Being a dancer is about striving for perfection, and this translated to a fabulous work ethic and led to a rich and rewarding career." —Nadine K. Bernard (Haught), B.S. dance education ’74
"My degree helped me expand my worldview, while at UMD and afterwards — it encouraged me to follow my intellectual curiosity into every place, no matter how risky, unfamiliar or mundane and celebrate the possibilities within." —Deb Sivigny, M.F.A. costume design ’04