Department of
Theater, Film, and Media Studies

Faculty

Below is a list of current faculty in the theater, film, and media studies department. By clicking on their names, you can view more detailed biographies.

Holly A. Blumner (2001), associate professor of theater, film, and media studies and coordinator of Asian Studies. Japanese theater and film, Asian theater, theater history and criticism, performance. B.A., University of California, Santa Cruz; M.A., Ph.D., University of Hawai'i at Manoa. (Office: MH 118A) e-mail: hablumner@smcm.edu; telephone: 240-895-2064

Michael Ellis-Tolaydo (1986), professor of theater, film, and media studies, former Steven Muller Distinguished Professor of the Arts. Acting, directing, dramatic literature, Shakespeare, theater history. Graduate, Academy of Dramatic Art, Oakland University; M.A., The American University; M.F.A., Directing, Catholic University. (Office: MH 176) e-mail: mellistolaydo@smcm.edu; telephone: 240-895-4244

David Ellsworth (2007), assistant professor of theater, film, and media studies. Film/video production, screenwriting, non-fiction film history/theory. B.A., University of Virginia; M.A., Educational Media Production, Appalachian State University; M.F.A., Film and Video Production, University of Iowa. (Office: MH 179A) e-mail: dellsworth@smcm.edu; telephone: 240-895-4235

David V. Groupé (2002), technical director/lighting designer. Technical theater, scenic/lighting design. B.F.A., M.F.A., Carnegie-Mellon University. (Office: MH 167) e-mail: dvgroupe@smcm.edu; telephone: 240-895-4245

Joanne Klein (1989), department chair, professor of theater, film, and media studies, former coordinator of the cross-disciplinary minor in women, gender, and sexuality studies. Film studies, film theory and criticism, introduction to film and media studies, documentary practices, dramatic literature, theater history, literary theory, dramatic criticism, feminist studies, directing. A.B., M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley. (Office: MH 179C) e-mail: jrklein@smcm.edu; telephone: 240-895-4251

Mark A. Rhoda (2000), adjunct associate professor of theater, film, and media studies, theater operations specialist. Film history, introduction to film and media studies, topics in film and media (horror film, silent film), performance and cultural studies, dramatic literature and criticism, theater history, directing. B.A., Middlebury College; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley. (Office: MH 179B) e-mail: marhoda@smcm.edu; telephone: 240-895-4231

Merideth M. Taylor (1990), professor of theater and dance. Dance and movement, mask, stage combat, dance history, directing, performance, African American and women studies. B.A., The Evergreen State College; M.F.A. Equivalency, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. (Office: MH 112) e-mail: mmtaylor@smcm.edu; telephone: 240-895-4237

Leon Wiebers (2006), assistant professor of theater, film, and media studies, resident designer. Scenic and costume design, history of costumes and clothes, elements of design, make-up, introduction to theater. B.A., University of Washington, Seattle; M.F.A., Design, University of California, Los Angeles. (Office: MH 156) e-mail: lewiebers@smcm.edu; telephone: 240-895-4444