New Faces, Big Dreams, and Unforgettable Shows: A Dynamic Year Ahead for SUNY Cortland Theatre

The SUNY Cortland Performing Arts Department is ready to launch a year filled with discovery, artistry, and growth. This fall, we proudly welcome an incoming class of twenty first-year BFA Musical Theatre majors, along with several new faculty and staff members, as we continue our mission to provide rigorous professional training for future theatre artists. The excitement is palpable.

Joining the department are several talented new faces: Rachel Fry, recently seen as Dolly in Hello, Dolly! and Ursula in The Little Mermaid at Cortland Repertory Theatre, and Natalie Ehrensbeck, a Berklee MFA graduate in Musical Theatre Vocal Pedagogy, will expand our dynamic vocal faculty. Tanya Mixon brings her expertise in draping and stitching from companies such as Tri-Cities Opera and Glimmerglass to the costume shop; and nationally recognized theatre educator Joey Steinhagen, founder of Ithaca’s Running to Places Theatre Company, joins as a new instructor of Musical Theatre Performance.

The 2025–26 season promises to challenge, delight, and inspire with a lineup of bold, provocative, funny and enchanting productions:

• September 25–28: Lauren Gunderson’s The Taming kicks off the season under the direction of Department Chair Dr. Deena Conley. This sharp, fast-paced political comedy skewers America’s deep divides with wit, satire, and unexpected sisterhood proving that even the strangest bedfellows might just change the world.
• October 24–November 1: Richard O’Brien’s cult classic The Rocky Horror Show storms the stage in a co-production with Cortland Repertory Theatre, directed by NYC-based Bryan Knowlton. With eight performances including a late-night Halloween spectacular featuring dancing, games, and a costume runway. This outrageous, interactive rock musical guarantees a wildly fun and twisted experience.
• February 26–March 1: The spring opens with Noah Haidle’s Mr. Marmalade, directed by Syracuse artist Tanner Efinger. This darkly comic, surreal tale follows a precocious 4-year-old and her cocaine-addicted imaginary friend, blending satire and fantasy into a bold exploration of childhood, loneliness, and growing up too soon.
• April 10–19: The season concludes with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, a sparkling family treat that brings the beloved fairytale to life with music, magic, and timeless romance. With six enchanted performances, and free admission for K–12 students, this production celebrates the joy of theatre while inspiring the audiences of tomorrow.

Stay connected with the SUNY Cortland Performing Arts Department by visiting www.cortland.edu/PerformingArts and following @SUNYCortPerform on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for behind-the-scenes looks, exclusive content, and daily adventures.