Musical Theatre Alumni Spotlights
Matthew Pakkebier
Class Year: 2023
Majors: Music Theatre
Current Hometown: Beijing, China
Job:
Performer at Universal Studios Beijing
“Continue to seek your education through all the dance, voice, theatre, and music classes. Look for opportunities and classes that you will feel uncomfortable in that will push you and help you grow as a performer.”
Austin Winter
Class Year: ’18, M.M. ’21
Majors: Music Theatre (B.A.); M.M. in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy
Current Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Job:
Freelance Artist
“The culture of Carthage is very eclectic. The environment encourages students to think beyond themselves as ‘one thing.’”
Molly Kempfer
Class Year: ’19
Majors: Music Theatre
Current Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Job:
Actor and Substitute Teacher at Shorewood High School
“I chose Carthage specifically because the audition process showed me that the professors would be genuinely invested in my success and that the students had formed a genuine community.”
Tommy Novak
Class Year: ’11, MM’20
Majors: M.M. in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy, Directing, Acting
Current Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Job:
Teaching artist, director, assistant director, AEA actor and AGMA actor at Lyric Opera, Mercury Theatre, First Stage Children’s Theater, Orlando Rep, Paramount School of the Arts, Carthage College
“Make the most of your education and the opportunity the school provides you.”
Rachel Page
Class Year: ’10
Majors: Music Theatre
Current Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Job:
Performer, pianist, and vocal instructor
“I think the best thing Carthage has to offer is its professors. I felt like each one of my professors had my well-being in mind.”
Deonte Warren
Class Year: 2021
Majors: M.M. in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy
Current Hometown: Clarksville, Tennessee
Job:
Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre Voice at Austin Peay State University
“I use everything I learned at Carthage in my current position. The M.M in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy program prepared me thoroughly for life as an academic and continues to be an invaluable resource!”
Steve Hobe
Class Year: ’15
Majors: Biology (Paleontology Track) and Musical Theatre
Current Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Job:
Senior Coordinator of Education at Adler Planetarium and Supplemental Chorister at Lyric Opera of Chicago
“When I learned that I could dig, prepare, and study fossil bones in a lab; hone my performance craft; and play hockey all close to home, attending Carthage was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
Brianna Borger
Class Year: ’22
Majors: M.M. in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy
Current Hometown: Evanston, Illinois
Job:
Assistant Professor of Instruction & Academic Advisor at Northwestern University
“I utilize the vocal pedagogy knowledge I learned at Carthage with my private voice students daily! While that learning didn’t directly prepare me for my role at Northwestern, the experience I gained watching my Carthage professors at work definitely did. Their mentorship has been hugely helpful in my success at NU.”