Faculty Activity (Theatre) | Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film | Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts

faculty activity

Michelle Harvey

Assistant Professor of Lighting

A straight on shot of a stage, dramatically lit, a frame of giant playing cards around the edge.

“The Glass Menagerie”
- MTH Theatre Kansas City, 2024

Two actors on a dark stage with projected panels surrounding.

“The Wilds”
- Middlebury College, 2023

Two actors sit on a fire escape of a dramatically lit set.

“Limitless” starring Shin Lim
- Mirage Theatre, Mirage Las Vegas, 2022

Michelle Harvey, an assistant professor of lighting loves what she does. With classroom studies and hands-on experience on the stage, students are learning that live performances are a collaboration of art, and “lighting is the glue that holds everything together."

Rafael Untalan

Assistant Professor of Practice in Acting

Rafael Untalan has been with the JCSTF since 2020. His excellence in teaching was recognized with the College Distinguished Teaching Award in 2024. Untalan is a professional actor who built his career in American regional theatre, and has appeared on such prestigious venues as Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., Cleveland Play House, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, A Contemporary Theatre (Seattle), Portland Center Stage, Theatreworks Silicon Valley and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where he was a member of the acting company for three years.

Untalan continues to work professionally, most recently with the Ashland New Plays Festival and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.  In the summer of 2025, he will be performing the role of David Bliss in Noel Coward’s Hay Fever at the Peterborough Players in New Hampshire.  Untalan earned his MFA at the Academy for Classical Acting at George Washington University.

An actor in costume looks defiant as he holds a staff above his head.

Prospero, "The Tempest"
- Illinois Shakespeare Festival, 2023

A couple actors in tattered robs exchange lines, embracing, one wears a crude blindfold.

Gloucester, 'King Lear"
- Illinois Shakespeare Festival, 2022

An actor in Shakespearean garb holds his arms up in triumph.

Henry Condell, The Book of Will
- Illinois Shakespeare Festival, 2023

Dan Novy

Assistant Professor of Emerging Media Arts

Dan “NovySan” Novy, an assistant professor of emerging media arts, participated as an analog astronaut in what was recognized as the world’s largest analog mission, contributing to a multidisciplinary team focused on simulating the challenges of future space exploration. Novy’s mission took place in October 2025 at the Armenian Space Forum in Armash, Armenia, at the Mars Analog Research Station.

The experience combined scientific research, operational problem-solving and human performance under isolated mission conditions, further strengthening the commitment to advancing innovation, collaboration and space-focused exploration initiatives.

“I really want my students to see that space or exploration, in general, is something that they can do, especially as emerging media artists,” Novy said.

Learn More

A man helps another wearing protective gear adorned with U.S. and Egyptian flag patches.

Analog astronaut Dan Novy dons his containment suit for an EVA (Extra-Vehicular Activity) with the help of his fellow astronaut from the Egyptian Space Agency.

Analog astronaut Dan Novy is ready for his first EVA.

Person in a blue outfit holding an orange object, standing in a rocky, shrub-filled landscape.

Dan “NovySan” Novy gives the OK signal during his first EVA, where he walked outside the space station.

Christina Kirk

Professor, Performance/Acting

The world premiere of JCSTF Professor Christina Kirk’s A House Divided was met with sold-out crowds at the Lied Center in September of 2024. Director Timothy Scholl brought Kirk’s original script to life with numerous JCSTF collaborators including Associate Professor JD Madsen (set designer); and students: Savannah Stermer (stage manager); Anders Woehrer (lighting designer); and student performers Jordan Lockert (John Nicolay) and Ren DeFor (Nettie Colburn).

A House Divided takes audiences on a compelling historical journey into the heart of a Lincoln family conflict that mirrors the tragic events of the Civil War. When confederate Emilie Todd Helm, Abraham Lincoln’s sister-in-law, refuses to pledge allegiance to the Union, word is sent to Lincoln who then has Helm sent to the White House. This riveting evening of theatre is based on actual historic events. Kirk offers, “Lincoln was desperately trying to keep the country from unraveling.” A House Divided weaves history and theatre together in a family tapestry bound by blood and torn apart by immense grief.

A couple of actors in period piece costumes sit on stage conversing.

Mary Lincoln justifies her distressing actions to her husband.

“ . . . you’re not clever enough to protect yourself. That’s why you need my help.”
- A House Divided, 2024

Two women on period piece costumes exchange lines on stage during a performance.

Mary Lincoln shares with her dress maker and confident, Lizzy Keckly, her plans to come to her husband’s aid.

“He is too honest to take the proper care of his own interests, so I feel it to be my duty to electioneer for him.”
- A House Divided, 2024

A man in period piece costume stands on stage.

Abraham Lincoln agonizes over a war that continues to languish, with no end in sight.

“There’s no hope of fixing this long, bloody war. At Gettysburg alone, so many . . . They’re calling it a harvest of death.”
- A House Divided, 2024

Ann Marie Pollard

Assistant Professor of Practice, Voice/Movement

For Ann Marie Pollard, an assistant professor in practice in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, one of the most rewarding parts of the job is watching students grow into the artist they are meant to be, not the artist they think they should be.