PAUL WEIMER - SCENIC FACULTY AND CHAIR OF PERFORMING ARTS
Paul Weimer is an associate professor and chair of Performing Arts at the University of Southern Indiana and the resident scenic designer for USI Theatre. He spent many years in New York City working as an associate set designer on numerous Broadway shows and national tours, including The Phantom of the Opera, Spamalot, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Shrek, Ghost, Matilda & The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, working with directors such as Harold Prince & Mike Nichols. Paul earned a BA from Ohio Northern University and a MFA from the University of Wisconsin/Madison. He is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829 and served on the negotiating committee for the union’s Broadway contract and on the Scenic Design entrance exam committee.
DR. JOSHUA ROBINSON - ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MUSICAL THEATRE
Joshua Robinson is Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at University of Southern Indiana. He holds a Ph.D. from the Indiana University Department of Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance. He holds a master’s degree from Columbia University in New York City and an undergraduate degree from Kean University in New Jersey. Mr. Robinson's research has earned him several honors, including the IU Faculty Memorial Award, The Hubert C. Heffner Award in Theatre History, a Research Fellowship at the New York Library for the Performing Arts, as well as an invitation as participant on the Bruce Kirle Emerging Scholars Panel in Musical Theatre at the Association for Theatre in Higher Education conference as well as the KCACTF/ATHE award for Innovation in Teaching. His publications can be seen in Theatre Topics and Studies in Musical Theatre. In addition to his scholarship, Mr. Robinson continues to pursue a career as a director, actor, and playwright. His work as director has included productions in NYC and the surrounding areas as well as in the educational realm, including productions of Hello Again, See What I Wanna See, and Heathers The Musical at Indiana University and productions of Eurydice, Little Women, Bright Star, Fun Home, and Mac Beth at Southwestern College. Professional credits include Five Course Love, Bright Star, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Titus Andronicus, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Titanic, and A Little Night Music. Recent roles as an actor include Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, Creon in Antigone, Rex in the World Premiere of Prospect Hill, and Dr. Craven in The Secret Garden. As a playwright and lyricist, his work has been featured at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, New York Theatre Barn, and at the Harlem Theatre. His play Valentine, inspired by the 2008 murder of transgender middle school student Lawrence King, won the inaugural New Horizons award for contributions to the LGBT community. Mr. Robinson is currently working on a book about the works of Composer-Lyricist-Librettist Michael John LaChiusa. He is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
ERIC ALTHEIDE - PROFESSOR OF THEATRE
Eric is a professional actor, director and educator, currently serving as Professor of Theatre and the head of the acting program at the University of Southern Indiana. Directing Credits: This academic year will mark 20 productions at University of Southern Indiana including: Fun Home, Stop Kiss, The Mad Ones, The Laramie Project, Songs for a New World, The Revolutionists, First Date, The Curious Incident off the Dog in the Night-Time, Into the Woods, Anon(ymous), Mr. Burns: a post electric play; New Harmony Theatre: Always…Patsy Cline, Talley’s Folly, Souvenir, Fox on the Fairway, Hound of the Baskervilles, The Full Monty, The 39 Steps Performance Credits: Off-Broadway: Summit Conference. New York: Moonchild (NYC Fringe), Touch (New Dramatists), In the Red Sea, Elephants and Coffee, Will and the Ghost (Turnip Festival), Christmas at Carnegie Hall (Narrator). Regional: Retreat from Moscow (New Harmony Theatre), Death of a Salesman (New Harmony/USI), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Weston Playhouse), Fixed (Hangar Theatre), Proof (Georgestreet Playhouse), Ah, Wilderness (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park/St. Louis Rep). Film/Television: Chicago PD, The Producers: The Movie Musical, All My Children, Remaindered, Daylight, Justice. Professional Staged Readings: Ambition Facing West, The Ruling Passion (New Harmony Theatre), Touch (New Dramatists) Eric is also an audiobook narrator with dozens of titles available on audible. Training: MFA, New York University’s Graduate Acting Program; BFA in Performance, University of Evansville. Eric is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild.
JADDYN SAGE - LECTURER/CHOREOGRAPHER/INTIMACY DIRECTOR FOR USI THEATRE
Jaddyn Sage began moving and grooving at the age of three and never stopped. Classically trained in ballet, she grew to love the freedom of expression that dance provided. With a B.F.A in Dance Performance from Ball State University and an M.F.A in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky, Jaddyn has had the opportunity to be involved with the arts in various capacities. From performing with professional dance companies such as OYO Dance Company, New Hippie Entertainment, Meraki Dance Company, and Gale Force Dance Company to artistic directing, and outreach, her passion for the arts have never wavered. Jaddyn is currently the executive director for a local theatre company, Gem Rock. She is thrilled to be teaching another year of dance as adjunct faculty at USI and serving as their in-house choreographer and intimacy coordinator.
KIMBERLY COLEMAN - COSTUME SHOP MANAGER
Kimberly has been a part of the USI Theatre team for many years and oversees the operation of USI Theatre's costume shop. Besides being in charge of all student workers and costume lab students, Kim helps with production, design, and execution of pieces needed for all USI Theatre productions.
ANDREW HAMMOND - TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Andy Hammond is excited to be returning for his 10th season as Technical Director for the USI Theatre program. Andy truly enjoys his time in the scene shop teaching young artists about carpentry, welding and many other specialized skills that help turn them into great stage technicians. Andy also works within the community with EVSC and I.A.T.S.E. Local 102 in a multitude of roles to help with countless events that take place here in Evansville every year. Prior to working in Evansville, Andy was the Technical Director for a production company in Louisville, KY. He would coordinate all of the scenic and staging needs for roughly one hundred shows each year that took him all over the country. When not working, Andy enjoys spending time at home with his wonderful wife and energetic son!
ADAM FUNKHOUSER - SR. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/OPERATIONS MANAGER
Adam serves as the Sr. Administrative Assistant and Operation Manager for USI Theatre. He has over 30 years of experience in Theatre and has a background in Technical Theatre. Having joined USI Theatre in June of 2023 he finally achieved a lifelong dream of a career in the theatre. Previously, Funkhouser designed lighting for Guys and Dolls, scenery and set for Little Shop of Horrors, and sound for The Boys Next Door. He recently performed in the Evansville Civic Theatre’s production of Rope as Sir Johnstone Kentley and serves as a board member for the organization.