College of Fine Arts

Staff

Deb Alley, Artistic Director

Deb Alley has worked in professional theatre for more than 25 years. She graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from Illinois State University; was co-founder and Managing Director for Columbus Ensemble Theatre; served as the Director of Children's Theatre/Special Events at Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island, IL; worked as a stage manager on three national tours, and was Associate Producer for DramaSearch Productions Company.

Her credits at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival include serving as Production Stage Manager, Production Manager, Company Manager, and Associate Artistic Director. She directed Julius Caesar during the 2006 season and Much Ado About Nothing in 2007. She has directed shows as varied as The House of Blue Leaves, The Laramie Project, Vinegar Tom, My Fair Lady, The Rivals, Caucasian Chalk Circle, Servant of Two Masters, Pippin, The Arkansas Bear, and the world premiere of Nancy Van deVate's one act opera, Where the Cross is Made.

Deb is currently an Associate Professor of Theatre at Illinois State University.

Dick Folse, Managing Director

Dick Folse is the Managing Director for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and has spent ten years facilitating educational outreach for Illinois State University. He is the co-founder of the Blank Canvas program, a program funded through a State Farm Youth Advisory Board grant that promotes college attendance and digital arts to underrepresented community youth.

As life-long friend of the theatre, he is pleased to be part of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival organization. Dick has an Master of Fine Arts in Drawing and Printmaking.

Janet Wilson, Producer

Janet Wilson is the Producer of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and Interim Director of the School of Theatre at Illinois State University. She was a Founding member, Co-Artistic Director and Director of Education for the Firehouse Theatre Project, a professional theatre in Richmond, where she produced and directed numerous productions. She has produced the Illinois State University School of Theatre Actor Showcase & Design Exhibit in such venues as Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Victory Gardens Theatre. Committed to guest artists and social justice issues, Ms. Wilson has spearheaded residencies at Illinois State for social activist Yvonne Bezerra de Mello, Holly Hughes and Curt L. Tofteland. Ms. Wilson is a professional actor (AEA, SAG and AFTRA) and is the producer/director of the ISU faculty production that has toured nationally which features School of Theatre colleague Lori Adams as Fanny Kemble.

James E. Major, Dean

James E. Major is the Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University. Professor Major completed eleven years as conductor of Madrigal Singers and Artistic Director of the prestigious ISU Madrigal Dinners, which observed its 50th anniversary in December, 2005. He served for over eight years as Director of the School of Music. In addition to his administrative and choral responsibilities, Professor Major has taught graduate and undergraduate conducting and advised students in the MM program in choral conducting. Under his direction ISU’s Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers have given concert tours of Europe (1997, 1999 & 2001) and of Eastern and Southwestern United States (1998, 2000, 2004), and performed at ACDA, MENC, and IMEA conventions. Dr. Major was honored by the students in the School of Music as the Teacher of the Year in both 1996 and 1997. Prior to joining the Illinois State University faculty in 1995, he served for twenty-one years as professor of choral and music education, and chair of the Music Education Division, in the School of Music at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, where he continues to hold emeritus status. At Ohio State, Professor Major received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, M.A. from the University of Iowa, and B.M.E. degree from Western Illinois University. Dr. Major is originally from Meredosia, Illinois.

Dan Browder, Production Manager

Dan Browder is pleased to return to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival as Production Manager after a twelve-year absence from the Festival. He served as Technical Director for the Festival from 1988-1998. Dan isa fullprofessor and is the Technical Director for the School of Theatre at Illinois State University, a position he has held since coming to ISU in 1987. He holds an MFA in Theatre Technology from Indiana University, and a BS in Theatre from Portland State University. In addition to acting as Technical Director for over 150 productions, Dan has designed scenery, lights or sound for more than 50 productions for a number of different theatres and video productions.

Besides working for the Festival and University, Dan has done freelance work in theatre consulting, scenicand special effects design and fabrication andrigging installation. Dan is a member of U.S.I.T.T., I.A.T.S.E. Local 193 and is an E.T.C.P. certified Theatrical Rigger.

Illinois Shakespeare Festival

Illinois State University
Campus Box 5700
Normal, IL 61790-5700
(309) 438-8974
shake@IllinoisState.edu