Northern Michigan University's Theatre and Dance program will host its Alumni Awards from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Forest Roberts Theatre. The event will honor exceptional achievements in theatre, dance and entertainment arts.
The weekend's festivities will begin Friday, April 25, with a welcome reception at 6 p.m. in the Forest Roberts Theatre lobby, followed by the Theatre and Dance Senior Showcase performance at 7:30 p.m. and a post-show reception at 8:30 p.m., also in the lobby.
“This event promises to be a remarkable gathering of NMU Theatre and Dance alumni, NMU community members, theatre patrons and donors, all coming together to honor the contributions and accomplishments of our outstanding alumni,” said Bill Digneit, NMU Theatre and Dance producer and department head.
The Circle of Champions distinction is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the success and legacy of NMU's Theatre and Dance program. This year's honorees are Steve Young and Tricia Kinley, both retired and residing in Lansing.
Young is the chair of the NMU Board of Trustees and a former owner and executive at the Lansing-based lobbying firm Governmental Consultant Services, Inc. He spent more than 40 years in state government affairs in Lansing.
Kinley spent 25 years in state government affairs, serving with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and former Gov. Rick Snyder. She recently completed a term on the Mackinac Bridge Authority. Both Young and Kinley are avid supporters of the performing arts and frequently attend live entertainment events.
The Outstanding Alumni–Hall of Fame Award recognizes those who have built sustained and impactful careers in the entertainment arts. This year's recipients are 1989 graduate Kevin Mayfield and 1962 alumnus Dr. Gregory Kunesh, who recently passed away in February.
Mayfield is an AV project/site manager and sustaining technician with a career serving theme park attractions, museums and retail establishments. He worked at Universal Orlando for 24 years before joining Electrosonic.
Kunesh was the founder of the University of Oklahoma's musical theater program and a retired director. During his tenure at OU, he served as a faculty member in the School of Drama, director of the School of Drama, and director of the A. Max Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre. He retired in 2005 as chairman and professor emeritus, but returned in 2009 to serve as interim director until July 2011.
The Outstanding Young Alumni award honors individuals 40 years of age and under who have achieved notable success in professional or educational theatre, dance, or arts-related industries. This year's recipients are Kristen Priest and Courtney Anderson Kelly (Brown), both from the Class of 2014.
Priest is a theatre professional and educator passionate about storytelling, mentorship and community arts. After earning her bachelor's degree in theatre and entertainment arts from NMU, she completed an MFA in television, film and theatre production at California State University, Los Angeles. Priest has worked with organizations including the Ford Amphitheatre, Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles Opera, FX Network and CryptTV. She currently teaches advanced English and drama at Saranac High School in Michigan, where she directs three productions annually.
Anderson Kelly (Brown) is a freelance costume designer and wardrobe technician based in Michigan. She earned her MFA in theater with a focus on costume design and technology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. As an undergraduate at NMU, she was active as a production stage manager and in the costume shop and wardrobe crew. She currently serves as an adjunct instructor and resident costume designer at Saginaw Valley State University.
The Rising Stars Award celebrates alumni within 10 years of graduation who have achieved significant early success in the entertainment arts. This year's inaugural honorees are Audree Stephens, class of 2020, and Caitlin Palomaki, class of 2023.
Stephens is a screenwriter, musician, director, producer and actress. She graduated with a B.S. in theater and a minor in dance. Since then, she has acted professionally in theater and film, started a successful indie rock band called Iridescence, written and directed three short films and music videos, and signed an 18-month option contract for her thesis script, But I'm a Virgin.
Palomaki earned her bachelor's degree in music education and worked closely with NMU's theater program as an actor, music director and pit conductor. Now in her third year of teaching at Ishpeming Public Schools, she leads the middle and high school choirs and serves as drama club adviser. Under her direction, the school's theater program has flourished, with more than a quarter of the student body participating. Palomaki was recently named the district's 2025 Teacher of the Year.
For more information on this event, please contact Digneit via email at wdigneit@nmu.edu or 906-360-0751.