Faculty

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Bill Digneit

William Digneit

Producer, Department Head

wdigneit@nmu.edu 906-227-2044
Additional 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.

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Ballet photo

Jill Grundstrom

Artistic Director, Assistant Department Head

jgrundst@nmu.edu 906-227-2047
Additional 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.

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David Pierce

David Pierce

Director of Production Management, Associate Professor

davpierc@nmu.edu 906-227-2084
Additional 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.

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Paul Truckey

Paul Truckey

Head of BFA Musical Theatre, Professor

ptruckey@nmu.edu 906-227-2705
Degrees:
  • 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.

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Karina Johnson

Karina Johnson

Head of BA Dance, CO/LAB Dance Company Artistic Director

karijohn@nmu.edu
Additional Title:

Special Instructor

Degrees:
  • B.F.A., University of Utah
Office Location:

220 Thomas Fine Arts

Karina Johnson began teaching at NMU in 2021.

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Lex van Blommestein

Lex van Blommestein

Head of BFA Tech and Design, Assistant Professor

lvanblom@nmu.edu 906-227-2266
Degrees:
  • 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.

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Jimmy Ludwig

James "Jimmy" Ludwig

Head of BFA Acting, Assistant Professor

jiludwig@nmu.edu 906-227-1657
Degrees:
  • 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.

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Braeden Ingersoll

Braeden Ingersoll

Technical Director, Scene Shop Supervisor

bingerso@nmu.edu 906-227-1634
Additional 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.

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Donna Schaffer

Donna Poirier, D.M.A.

Assistant Professor

dschaffe@nmu.edu
Degrees:
  • 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.

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Kristen Beth Ludwig

Kristen Beth Williams

Head of BA Theatre and Entertainment Arts (Performance), Assistant Professor

krludwig@nmu.edu
Degrees:
  • B.F.A., University of Oklahoma
Office Location:

222 Thomas Fine Arts

Kristen Beth Ludwig began teaching at NMU in 2022.

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Em Rossi Headshot

Em Rossi

Head of BA Theatre and Entertainment Arts (Tech and Design)/Assistant Professor

erossi@nmu.edu
Additional 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.

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Carolyn Robertson Headshot

Carolyn Robertson

Executive Administrative Assistant

carobert@nmu.edu 906-227-2050
Office Location:

213 Thomas Fine Arts

Caroyln Robertson began working at NMU in 2021.

Staff

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Emily Burbey Headshot

Emily Burbey

Marketing & Box Office Manager

nmutd@nmu.edu 906-227-2760
Degrees:
  • B.S., Northern Michigan University
Office Location:

214 Thomas Fine Arts

Emily Burbey began working at NMU in 2022.

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Emily Kendall Headshot

Emily Kendall

Associate Scene Shop Supervisor

ekendall@nmu.edu
Degrees:
  • B.S. in Theatre and Entertainment Arts and Criminal Justice

Emily Kendall began working at NMU in 2022.

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Iver Johnson Headshot

Iver Johnson

Adjunct Professor of Dance

frjohnso@nmu.edu
Degrees:
  • Judith Svalander School of Ballet
  • B.F.A. Indiana University

Iver Johnson began teaching at NMU in 2023.