NEWPORT, R.I. – Offering proof – at least for theater majors – that there is life after college, several Salve Regina University alumni who are working in the arts will meet with current theater students to share stories about their experiences since graduation.
The Theater Arts Career Panel Discussion will be held on Thursday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. in Megley Theatre, located in the Antone Academic Center, corner of Lawrence Avenue and Leroy avenues.
Suzanne Delle, assistant professor of theatre and artistic director of the Casino Theatre, will introduce the panelists, who will each take about 10 minutes share their experiences. An open question and answer session will follow.
Michael Wisnewski, director of the university’s office of career services, will also offer remarks.
The following Salve Regina theatre department alumni will serve on the panel:
Diana Puccio, ’09, earned a B.A.S. in Theatre Arts and Secondary Education. During her student teaching, she taught theatre to students in grade K-12 at Mount Hope High School in Bristol, RI and St. Michael's Country Day School in Newport, RI. She has also worked as a choreographer, stage manager, and assistant director for Triboro Youth Theatre in Attleboro, MA for over 4 years. Currently, she is working as an assistant in the Education Department at Trinity Repertory Company, teaching and assisting after school classes and in-school workshops and also an instructor for Drama Kids International, also teaching classes and direction short plays.
Mike Viccione, ’98, majored in Music and minored in Theater Arts. He worked at the Newport Playhouse for two years where he had a supporting role in Enrico Garzilli's The Smart Set. He has worked in low budget films both behind the scenes and as an actor. Mike also worked as a music engineer at a studio in RI called Soulstice Sound and is currently the lead singer in the band Whalebone Jackson which was just voted the best blues band in RI by the Providence Phoenix. In addition, he is about to become a father for the fourth time.
Bobby Matteau, ’92, graduated with a Theatre Arts Degree. He has performed in49 states (ah... the elusive Hawaii) and in 17 countries starring in national and international tours such as Che in Evita, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (dir. Tom O'Horgan), Claude in Hair (dir. James Rado) and Sancho in Man of LaManchca. Bobby has also toured with The Music Man and The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s. Regionally he has performed Brad in Rocky Horror Show at the Hippodrome State Theatre in Florida, George in Sunday in the Park with George at The Filene's Center in NY, Jinx in Forever Plaid and Paul in Company at Oldcastle Theatre in VT, Wayne in State Fair at Gateway Playhouse in NY and originated the role of Man #2 in Arlen: Over the Rainbow at Florida Studio Theatre. Bobby has also participated in staged readings and concerts of new works in New York City, including The Singing for the Library Reading Series and The Seventh Day at Theatre for a New City. As a director, Bobby has helmed Hair, Once on this Island and The Last Five Years for The Cabaret Troupe at Skidmore College. Bobby is a proud member of Actors Equity.
Pat Toppa, ’89, graduated with a BA in Theater Arts. Since then, besides maintaining a family of four children and three stepchildren and running a B&B, she has worked in many theaters in RI including the Newport Playhouse, The Firehouse Theater, NewGate Theater, Barker Playhouse, City Nights Dinner Theater, and Brown Summer Theater. Pat has also appeared in many commercials and industrial films in RI and MA; most recently she filmed a commercial for Willow Tree Chicken Salad. She also does print work including the very first cover of Newport Life Magazine. Pat was a Kindermusik teacher for many years with The List Academy of Music, and presently does therapeutic musical entertainment in nursing homes in Bristol. She also uses her talents for fund raisers for local nonprofit organizations. Currently she is co-directing and performing in a fund raiser for St. Michael's School which will be held at the Jane Pickens Theater on April 30.