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 former 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) email: hablumner@smcm.edu; telephone: 240-895-2064

Leonard Cruz (2012), assistant professor of dance/movement and performance. World dance, including dance from the Pacific islands, modern dance, dance for the camera, dance improvisation and composition, dance history, performance, urban education. B.A., M.A., University of California, Los Angeles; M.F.A., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. (Office: MH 112) email: lacruz@smcm.edu; telephone: 240-895-4237

Michael Ellis-Tolaydo (1986), professor of theater, film, and media studies, former Steven Muller Distinguished Professor of the Arts, and Associate-Artist-in-Residence at Washington, D.C. Theater J, 2012-2013 season. 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) email: mellistolaydo@smcm.edu; telephone: 240-895-4244

David Ellsworth (2007), associate 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) email: 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) email: 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) email: jrklein@smcm.edu; telephone: 240-895-4251

Jessica Lustig (spring 2013; 2013-2014 academic year), visiting assistant professor of scenography (scenic and costume design). (Office: MH 156); telephone: 240-895-4444

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

Merideth M. Taylor, professor emerita of theater and dance. email: mmtaylor@smcm.edu