Faculty
William Digneit
Producer, Department Head
wdigneit@nmu.edu 906-227-2044Additional Title:
Associate Professor
Degrees:
- B.S., Northern Michigan University
- M.F.A., Florida State University
Office Location:
215 Thomas Fine Arts
Bill Digneit began teaching at NMU in 2017.
Jill Grundstrom
Artistic Director, Assistant Department Head
jgrundst@nmu.edu 906-227-2047Additional Title:
Assistant Professor, Artistic Director of North Coast Dance Festival
Degrees:
- B.S., Northern Michigan University
- M.A., New York University
- Ed.S, Northern Michigan University
Office Location:
216 Thomas Fine Arts
Jill Grundstrom began teaching at NMU in 2010.
David Pierce
Director of Production Management, Associate Professor
davpierc@nmu.edu 906-227-2084Additional Title:
Lighting Supervisor
Degrees:
- A.A.S., Ferris State University
- B.S., Ferris State University
- M.F.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Office Location:
217 Thomas Fine Arts
David Pierce began teaching at NMU in 2014.
Paul Truckey
Head of BFA Musical Theatre, Professor
ptruckey@nmu.edu 906-227-2705Degrees:
- B.S., Northern Michigan University
- M.F.A., University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Office Location:
219 Thomas Fine Arts
Paul Truckey began teaching at NMU in 2002.
Karina Johnson
Head of BA Dance, CO/LAB Dance Company Artistic Director
karijohn@nmu.eduAdditional Title:
Special Instructor
Degrees:
- B.F.A., University of Utah
Office Location:
220 Thomas Fine Arts
Karina Johnson began teaching at NMU in 2021.
Lex van Blommestein
Head of BFA Tech and Design, Assistant Professor
lvanblom@nmu.edu 906-227-2266Degrees:
- B.A., University of Windsor
- M.F.A., Wayne State University
Office Location:
218 Thomas Fine Arts
Lex van Blommestein began teaching at NMU in 2019.
James "Jimmy" Ludwig
Head of BFA Acting, Assistant Professor
jiludwig@nmu.edu 906-227-1657Degrees:
- B.A., University of Michigan
- M.F.A., University of Washington
Office Location:
221 Thomas Fine Arts
James Ludwig began teaching at NMU in 2022.
Braeden Ingersoll
Technical Director, Scene Shop Supervisor
bingerso@nmu.edu 906-227-1634Additional Title:
Adjunct Instructor
Degrees:
- B.A., Simpson College
- M.F.A., Florida State University
Office Location:
McClintock 107
Braeden Ingersoll began teaching at NMU in 2021.
Donna Poirier, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor
dschaffe@nmu.eduDegrees:
- B.M., University of Michigan
- M.M., University of Connecticut
- D.M.A., University of South Carolina
Office Location:
118 Thomas Fine Arts
Donna Poirier began teaching at NMU in 2021.
Kristen Beth Williams
Head of BA Theatre and Entertainment Arts (Performance), Assistant Professor
krludwig@nmu.eduDegrees:
- B.F.A., University of Oklahoma
Office Location:
222 Thomas Fine Arts
Kristen Beth Ludwig began teaching at NMU in 2022.
Em Rossi
Head of BA Theatre and Entertainment Arts (Tech and Design)/Assistant Professor
erossi@nmu.eduAdditional Title:
Costume Shop Supervisor
Degrees:
- B.S, Northern Michigan University
- M.A., Northern Michigan University
- M.F.A, Wayne State University
Office Location:
223 Thomas Fine Arts
Em Rossi began teaching at NMU in 2020.
Carolyn Robertson
Executive Administrative Assistant
carobert@nmu.edu 906-227-2050Office Location:
213 Thomas Fine Arts
Caroyln Robertson began working at NMU in 2021.
Staff
Emily Burbey
Marketing & Box Office Manager
nmutd@nmu.edu 906-227-2760Degrees:
- B.S., Northern Michigan University
Office Location:
214 Thomas Fine Arts
Emily Burbey began working at NMU in 2022.
Emily Kendall
Associate Scene Shop Supervisor
ekendall@nmu.eduDegrees:
- B.S. in Theatre and Entertainment Arts and Criminal Justice
Emily Kendall began working at NMU in 2022.
Iver Johnson
Adjunct Professor of Dance
frjohnso@nmu.eduDegrees:
- Judith Svalander School of Ballet
- B.F.A. Indiana University
Iver Johnson began teaching at NMU in 2023.