Caitlyn Hooper, Class of 2021
What do you currently do for a living? Do you still have the chance to create art? 
I am currently a teaching artist and the education apprentice at Everyman Theatre. Yes I still create art everyday!
What was your favorite project you worked on at UMBC?
My favorite project was absolutely Hunting and Gathering directed by Susan Stroupe, everything about the process had such a good energy. I learned so much from Susan as a director and working with my fellow castmates was phenomenal.
How has being an alumni of the UMBC Theatre Program impacted your life after graduation?
Being an alum of UMBC Theatre has truly prepared me professional and personally to pursue theatre and make a living in the arts, all the faculty were wonderful mentors and the friends I made in the BFA program are lifelong collaborators
What is the most exciting part of your life right now?
The most exciting part of my life right now is the ability I have to share theatre with students of all ages. It reminds me of why I love and chose to be a theatre artist seeing students find joy in art.
Bradly Widener, Class of 2012
What do you currently do for a living? Do you still have the chance to create art? 
*Recent Promotion* Director of Service & Experience at Trinity Rep in Providence, RI.
I still direct on the side when I can!
What was your favorite project you worked on at UMBC?
Incorruptible, directed by Colette Searls.
How has being an alumni of the UMBC Theatre Program impacted your life after graduation?
It’s opened doors to theatre admin work that I never imagined myself being in. Also, I’ve got a lifelong best friend from the program, and that’s invaluable.
What is the most exciting part of your life right now?
Being married and owning a historic home in Rhode Island!
Michael Patrick Flanagan Smith, Class of 1994
What do you currently do for a living? Do you still have the chance to create art? 
Writer and musician. Yes. The last play I wrote and produced was in 2017. My book The Good Hand came out this past February on Viking Press. It is mostly a memoir about my time working in the North Dakota oil field, but I talk a bit about acting in it. And I write about my relationship with Sam McCready, who taught acting and directed dozens of plays at UMBC.
What was your favorite project you worked on at UMBC?
Diary of a Scoundrel. I had the opportunity to play the lead in this show, directed by Sam McCready, which went on to win awards at the American College Theater Festival and play the Kennedy Center.
How has being an alumni of the UMBC Theatre Program impacted your life after graduation?
Well, I’ve kept creating theater. The training I received was incredible. Acting helped me as a writer as well with dialogue but also with the rhythm and sound of prose. I’ve kept in touch with several of my professors. I’m lucky to know them.
What is the most exciting part of your life right now?
I’m writing for outlets like the New York Times and Washington Post. I’m working on a second full length album of original songs. I’m ruminating on a second book, and getting moving on a couple Hollywood projects as well. I also started doing some landscaping, which honestly is keeping me outdoors and feeling sane.
Lena Salins, Class of 2012
What do you currently do for a living? Do you still have the chance to create art? 
I work as a Production Manager for Theater and Events at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
What was your favorite project you worked on at UMBC?
OTMA, directed by Eve Muson.
How has being an alumni of the UMBC Theatre Program impacted your life after graduation?
UMBC prepared me for my career. I’ve been working full time in theater ever since graduating.
Chad Short, Class of 2017
What do you currently do for a living? Do you still have the chance to create art? 
I’m the Theatre Teacher for Spring Street International School in Friday Harbor, WA. My poem, “Smigarettes,” was published on October 15th, 2021 with Too Well Away Literary Journal – my 5th published poem of 2021! Since graduating, I have had short plays produced, landed acting jobs in Baltimore and Washington State, devised performances with alumni and former staff, and found an ideal work/life balance that enables me to create multiple forms of art, both virtually and in-person.
What was your favorite project you worked on at UMBC?
This ones tough – I’d have to go with Two Gentlemen of Verona – April 2013, directed by Eve Muson. It was my first show on the proscenium stage, and the one to jumpstart my UMBC acting career. I remember being so nervous before opening night, shaking in the wings. The older students helped me through it. I will never forget that show.
How has being an alumni of the UMBC Theatre Program impacted your life after graduation?
I have been able to build lasting and collaborative relationships within the Baltimore Theatre community. Alumni collaboration post-grad is substantial, based on my experience. I was very well prepared for life as an actor.
What is the most exciting part of your life right now?
Being able to create. Having the free time to express myself. And also, passing that passion and energy onto the next generation. Teaching has taught me a lot, and makes me value my craft and the education I received more than ever.
Kiirstn Pagan, Class of 2011
What do you currently do for a living? Do you still have the chance to create art? 
I am a freelance photographer, graphic designer, and videographer.
What was your favorite project you worked on at UMBC?
I stage managed our production of Las Meninas (2010-2011, directed by Eve Muson) overseeing its tour from UMBC to KCACTF regionals at Towson University to KCACTF nationals at the Kennedy Center. It was an overall fabulous experience with an amazing play at the center of it. I learned so much working on this project that I continue to employ in my work today.
How has being an alumni of the UMBC Theatre Program impacted your life after graduation?
UMBC Theatre has remained an ever-present part of my life since graduation: My classmates are some of my closest friends, many of my professors have become friends and colleagues, and I have returned to campus on several occasions to speak with current theatre majors about life beyond graduation and how my theatre degree has helped me shape my career.
What is the most exciting part of your life right now?
I just launched my own business, Kiirstn Pagan Creative Services LLC, helping people, organizations, and brands tell their story through photography, graphic design, and videography. Many of my clients are arts and culture organizations in the Baltimore/DC area, including the UMBC Department of Theatre! I am very much looking forward to capturing all of the department’s productions this year.
Kristen Bishel Browne, Class of 2003
What do you currently do for a living? Do you still have the chance to create art? 
Functional Nutritionist (pediatrics, family, & fertility). I left the theatre industry 7 years ago, but I fulfill my artistic side with the occasional recreational knitting project.
What was your favorite project you worked on at UMBC?
No favorites – every show I had the opportunity to work on (as SM, ASM, or light board op) was so much fun!
How has being an alumni of the UMBC Theatre Program impacted your life after graduation?
I connected with another UMBC Theatre alum after graduation who is the artistic director for the MD Renaissance Festival. I was lucky enough to serve as a SM there for 3 seasons and the connections I made to other local theatre actors and technicians was invaluable – many are still close friends of mine now even though I am no longer involved in theatre.
What is the most exciting part of your life right now?
Keeping up with my children (4.5 yrs old and 18 months old) – they are fun-loving balls of non-stop energy and every day with them is exciting (and exhausting)!
Elizabeth “Liz” Ung, Class of 2017
What do you currently do for a living? Do you still have the chance to create art? 
I am an Actor, Director, and Playwright, an all-around Theatre Artist! I also work as a Student Assistant and a part-time Teaching Artist for various school programs.
Yes, I am very much so! It’s a challenge to find consistent work in my field, but always so grateful for the opportunities that come up and the chances to stretch my creative limits.
What was your favorite project you worked on at UMBC?
Ensemble Theatre and Devising.
How has being an alumni of the UMBC Theatre Program impacted your life after graduation?
I’m still connecting with former classmates and developed many friendships in various productions. Community is such an important part of this career and through theatre events, auditions, and productions, I’ve been able to strengthen our alumni bonds.
What is the most exciting part of your life right now?
Getting ready for Grad School, hoping to enroll at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa for Fall 2022! I’m so fortunate to be performing in these times around the DMV. Currently, I am in Theater Alliance’s devised show “A Chorus Within Her” and will be directing another devised piece at Fells Point Corner Theatre in June 2022.
Ben Nabinger, Class of 2017
What do you currently do for a living? Do you still have the chance to create art? 
Over the summer, I worked as a Costume Production Assistant on a new film directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Spielberg and Tony Kushner. I am in my last year earning my MFA in costume design at UCLA, so I will finish the program in June 2022. I was also able to co-design costumes for a feature film over the summer, and I am currently designing costumes for Pericles, Prince of Tyre through the UCLA department of Theater.
What was your favorite project you worked on at UMBC?
Gidion’s Knot with Studio 3
How has being an alumni of the UMBC Theatre Program impacted your life after graduation?
Connections at UMBC helped get me my first internship out of school, where I eventually became the Costume Shop Manager/Resident Designer.
What is the most exciting part of your life right now?
I am beginning my thesis and advancing to candidacy for my MFA in Costume Design.