We’ve made Shenandoah University a film producer—This is unheard of in academia.
There are no other film-oriented universities who have the deal that we have, in which the school is actually a co-producer and nearly the entire crew is students—with the exception of the producers, the director, the cinematographer and the makeup artist. Students also make up a large majority of the cast. There are 62 total students involved in acting and crewing; and when the actors are not acting, they’re crewing.
This is an experience for Shenandoah University’s students like no other in the US!
Majors For The Movies
Want to pursue a major to land a career in the cast, crew, or management team of movies? Here are some Shenandoah programs that can get you there!
Meet the Shenandoah University Students of Santa Girl.
Josh Cody—Actor (J.R.)
Acting major, ’20
Darcy Pierce— First Assistant Director & Actor (Deirdre)
Acting major, ’18
Allison Noah—Lead Sound Tech
Music Production and Recording Technology major, ’17 & Performing Arts Leadership Management, ’18
Tony Matteson—Production Designer & Actor (Leprechaun)
Acting major, ’18
Rita Welch—Actor (Jelly Bean), Make-Up, Wardrobe, & Lighting
Acting major, ’21
Lucas Pasquier—Actor (Bric-a-Brac)
Acting major, ’21
Michael Kennedy—Actor (Joe)
Musical Theatre major, ’18
Madelyn Pyles—Actor (Cinnamon Bun)
Musical Theatre major, ’18
Emily Foley—Actor (Lulu)
Musical Theatre major, ’20
Rebecca Forrest—Actor (Juniper)
Musical Theatre major, ’20
Dorian Davis—Actor (Billy)
Musical Theatre major, ’20
Lauren Bell—Hair & Make-Up
Acting major, ’21
Caylin Keliehor—Hair & Make-Up
Musical Theatre major, ’21
Lauren Mitchell—Art Director
Technical Design and Production major with a Costume Design concentration, ’18
Taylor Burke—Key Wardrobe
Technical Design and Production major, ’19
Erefa Madunta—Wardrobe & Actor
Mass Communication major, ’18
Avery Sedlacek—Director’s Assistant & Director Shadow
Acting major, ’20
Kira I. Jackson—Actor (Cashier)
Acting major, ’20
Chris Johnson—Actor (Larry Tooth Fairy)
Acting major, ’18
Kathleen Reed—Actor (Barista)
Acting major, ’18
Makayla E. Lepley—Actor (Leslee)
Acting major, ’18
Steven Peyton—Actor (Photographer)
Acting major, ’18
Sabrina Torres—Actor (Laura)
Acting major, ’18
Tyler Clarke—Actor (Briana)
Acting major, ’18
Trevor S. Ontiveros—Actor (Trip)
Acting major, ’18
Ian McCoig—Actor (Chad) & Sound Production
Music Production and Recording Technology major, ’18
Maxwell Hendrix—Actor (Trevor), Camera, Media Management, & Lighting
Mass Communication major, ’19
Martijn Goossens—Assistant Prod.
Mass Communications major, ’19
Akram Alghamdi—Camera
Mass Communications major, ’20
AJ Cabbagestalk—Camera
Mass Communications major, ’21
Gary L. Burley—Camera
Mass Communications major, ’20
Orlando Levins—Camera, Media Management, & Lighting
Mass Communications major, ’19
Travis Barton—Camera & Sets
Mass Communication major, ’18
Megan Vogel—Casting
Mass Communications major, ’20
Tyler Ganis—Casting
Mass Communications major, ’19
Ibrahim Bundu—General Crew
Mass Communications major, ’20
Neil Quince—General Crew
Mass Communications major, ’21
Rachel Sherman—General Crew
Mass Communication major, ’21
Aziz Alturki—Lighting
Business Administration major, ’20
Cynthia King—Lighting
Core Studies major, ’21
Jonathan Brauman—Lighting
Mass Communication major, ’17
Leah Powers—Locations
Mass Communications major, ’18
Monica Baranko—Locations
Mass Communications major, ’19
Marvin Mercado—Locations
Criminal Justice major, ’18
Taylor Stultz—Locations
Mass Communications major, ’21
Tanner Zyontz—Locations
Mass Communications major, ’20
Billy Tuck—Sound Production
Music Production and Recording Technology major, ’18
Derrick Perry—Sound Production
Mass Communications major, ’20
Josh Earls—Sound Production
Music Production and Recording Technology major, ’18
Michael Valentini—Sound Production
Music Production and Recording Technology major, ’18
Nicholas Jones—Sound Production
Music Production and Recording Technology major, ’18
Quinn A. Sherman—Sound Production & Transportation
Music Production and Recording Technology major, ’17
Aurora Lewis—Script Supervisor
Mass Communication major, ’20
Austin Goins—Transportation
Elementary Education major, ’19
Brandon Cash—Transportation
Mass Communications major, ’18
Erin Carroll—Unassigned
Acting major, ’21
Jaycie Buben—Unassigned
Acting major, ’21
Joana Tsuhlares—Unassigned
Acting major, ’21
Jamie Washington—Unassigned
Technical Design and Production major, ’20
Katie Holland—Unassigned
Acting major, ’21
Kiana Johnson—Unassigned
Acting major, ’21
Kinga Motyka—Unassigned
Acting major, ’21
By the time this thing comes out, we’re hoping that every art student has touched it in some way.”
Paul DiFranco | Producer & Distinguished Adjunct Assistant Professor, Music Production and Recording Technology
The acting students… I would put this experience right up there for what their degree will do for them. This is a legitimate experience.”
Blayne Weaver | Director
I pretty much delegate. I’ve been scheduling the whole crew. I send out what we call call sheets every night of who needs to be on set tomorrow. I wear a ton of hats. I’m going to go in knowing all of these people and having all these connections right out of college, which is insane. Not many film students have that opportunity.”
Darcy Pierce | Acting major, ’18
It’s huge, especially as a junior wanting to go into this field, being able to do this. I couldn’t ask for more, honestly. I didn’t expect as much responsibility going into it, but I was given a lot of it, because of work ethic and being able to do things meticulously.”
Orlando Levins | Mass Communications major, ’19.