About the Theatre Arts Program

Great Salt Lake Fringe

The Great Salt Lake Fringe (GSLF) Festival was founded by Theatre Arts program faculty Michael and Nina Vought and is a member of the U.S. Association of Fringe Festivals. GSLF provides opportunities for experimental theatre and subject matter, with Westminster alumni and students regularly serving as key staff members and volunteers in addition to regularly presenting or premiering their original works at GSLF. To date, the festivals have paid out over $50,000 to 300+ artists, employed 100+ young people as staff and volunteers, and presented the world premiere of 50+ original productions.

Pinnacle Acting Company

Pinnacle Acting Company, founded by Theater Arts program faculty Jared Larkin and Melanie Nelson, produces classic and contemporary classic theatre with emphasis on award-winning plays. Students, faculty, staff, and other members of the Salt Lake City theatre community regularly work with the company.

Classical Greek Theatre Festival

The Classical Greek Theatre Festival is an annual theatrical event at Westminster created to introduce and sustain the appreciation of ancient Greek theatre throughout Utah communities and campuses. Theatre program students regularly perform, design, build, and stage manage for the festival.

Maya

Maya's ('22) favorite thing about Westminster’s Theatre Arts program is that students don’t just attend lectures to be told about their chosen field of study, they get to create theoretical designs, stage-manage shows, create scenery and costumes, and more, learning through experience. Maya is working towards the bachelor of fine arts degree, pursuing the production and design emphasis and working towards earning an Honors certificate. In her free time, Maya enjoys painting, spending time in the commons with my friends, knitting, and exploring the local area.

Visit Maya's Website

Evan

Evan ('21) came to Westminster to pursue the bachelor of arts degree with an informal emphasis in directing as well as an Honors certificate. Their favorite part of pursuing the program here is that Westminster has allowed them to make valuable connections with people who have a willingness to work hard to create the shows on campus. Evan’s favorite class, Devised Theatre, helped them realize the importance of this devotion and the importance of collaboration for the field. In their free time, Evan loves to spend time in the Jewett Center and attend ASW events. Evan has also had time to pursue work independently, recently directing a show for Sasquatch Theatre Company in December 2019.

Alec Kalled

At Westminster, Alec Kalled ('17) completed a bachelor of fine arts with an emphasis in performance. Originally from Wolfeboro, NH, Alec moved to Salt Lake City to pursue his degree and work regionally. Now, Alec is a graduate teaching assistant at Florida Atlantic University where he is pursuing a master of fine arts in acting, anticipating graduation in August 2020 when he hopes to continue pursuing a career in acting while developing skills in coaching and academia.

Suni Gigliotti

Suni Gigliotti ('16) came to Westminster to pursue a bachelor of fine arts with an emphasis in performance. Now, she is working as a professional actor and has performed with various theatre companies across the valley as well as gained TV and film talent representation through TMG, a local Utah talent agency. Suni has also continued her professional development by getting certified as an actor combatant in multiple weapons and unarmed combat through Dueling Arts International and the Society of American Fight Directors. When she isn’t acting, Suni has dialect coached, directed, fight directed, and produced professionally in the area, and she also participates in a collaborative, narrative storytelling Dungeons and Dragons podcast.