Inspiring U | Oct 30, 2025
What's New With U? October 2025
Dear Friends,
As we approach the end of a beautiful October in New York, the changing trees remind us that we have to let go of the old to make space for the new. The process of letting go is key to a creative life — what one chooses to leave behind is often as important as what one chooses to move toward.
In our newsletter feature this month, alum Matt Kunkel talks about how he came to learn this very truth while at Usdan. As a Musical Theater major, he realized he did not want to be an actor. This revelation paved the way for his career as a successful director and producer.
Stories like Matt's inspire us, and we hope, in turn, inspire you and the young artists in your lives to find authentic ways to contribute creatively to the world. We always love to hear about current and former Usdan students' creative pursuits, and encourage you to send news to media@usdan.org, or tag us on Instagram @usdanarts.
As we move into November, we look forward to re-uniting with Usdan alumni at our Alumni Engagement Party on Thursday, November 13 in New York City (RSVP here!). Plus, campus tours resume for prospective families. You can register here and/or forward to a family friend who you think would be a great fit for Usdan!
Until then, Happy Halloween!
Don't Miss Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns!
An immersive fall experience for the whole family
Use the code USDAN25 for 20% off admission to the last two nights of the RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns on Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1.
ALUM SPOTLIGHT
Matt Kunkel's life changing realization that he is not an actor
Opening of "Clue" First National Tour at Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, CA (with Work Light Productions as VP of Creative Development and General Manager).
For alum Matt Kunkel, his one year of Musical Theater at Usdan revealed a life-changing thought: he did not want to be a performer.
“I had this revelation that while I am fine at acting, I’m not great, and I’m not brilliant. And that’s OK because there are so many other avenues for me in the business.”
Matt, named one of Newsday’s Rising Stars of Tomorrow, auditioned for Rep (now called Usdan Troupe) in 2010. He was drawn to the descriptions he'd heard of the “magical little Brigadoon in the woods” with a specialized Theater program. It was the first time Matt pursued Theater seriously, He describes that year at Usdan as “one of the best summers for me as an artist and as a human being.”
Surrounded by “wickedly talented” performers, Matt’s understanding of how he fit into the theater world shifted: while he enjoyed performing and continued to do so every once and a while, he realized his practical skills and vision were the unique gifts he could offer to the world of theater.
(Left): Matt Kunkel directing a rehearsal for "Camelot" at the Muny in St. Louis, MO with Robert Petkoff as King Arthur; (Top Right): "Tale as Old As Time: The Songs of Howard Ashman" at the 92NY in New York, NY. Matt worked as the producer, artistic director, and co-writer with director Christian Borle. Photo Credit: Richard Termine; (Bottom Right): Backstage Shot of "The Sound of Music" at The Muny in St. Louis, MO. Photo Credit: Julie Merkle
After his summer at Usdan, he started directing plays and being the stage manager at his public school. He then went to college at the University of Michigan for a BFA in directing. After graduation, he went on to an internship at the largest outdoor theater in the country, the Municipal Theatre Association of St. Louis (The Muny) where he spent four years as an intern and two years as an associate director. At the Muny in 2021, he directed their critically acclaimed 100th anniversary production “An Evening with the Stars,” starring Chita Rivera and Tommy Tune.
“We basically called it Broadway Summer Camp because they bring in all the folks from New York to come and do a fun show with 10 days of rehearsal and seven days of performance.”
As a director, Matt has found amazing opportunities to collaborate with brilliant performers. For one, he describes the distinct memory of seeing Broadway star Raymond J. Lee performing “Part of Your World” in the still active “Voices of Broadway” Assembly (now known as Festival) performance.
Years later, when he worked with Lee on a show, he told him, “You’re never going to believe this, but you came to my summer camp when I was 15. Ray Lee responded, “Oh my God, I feel so old.” They have worked together on a number of projects since.
“On this side of theater, I get to collaborate with so many amazing people. Without Usdan, I don’t think I ever would have the opportunity if I didn’t have the realization to go, ‘Oh, I can do something else in this business other than be a performer.’”
During the pandemic, founder of Work Light Productions Steve Gabriel asked Matt if he might be interested in management and production. With Matt’s self-aware love of the practical side of musical theater, the pivot made sense.
“Producing was something I had always thought of doing.”
Work Light's recent tour of "MAMMA MIA!" was so successful it ultimately led to the limited engagement currently running on Broadway. This past summer, Matt donated tickets to the Broadway production to Usdan's Community Day Raffle. Usdan faculty member Yolanda Penfield was the lucky winner and enjoyed a fun night at the theater with ABBA's electrifying music!
In 2022, Matt made the switch and started working full-time as the Vice President of Creative Development and General Manager at Work Light Productions.
Work Light Productions is a touring theater company, taking musicals such as “Ain’t Too Proud” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” on the road. Current Work Light Tours include “MAMMA MIA!,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “The Who’s Tommy: The Musical.” They also help develop and produce original works, like their adaptation of “Clue” that opened the first leg of their most recent tour in Rochester, NY on October, 21, 2025.
One of Matt’s favorite things about being a producer is the ability to influence the work culture of his shows, setting the tone for how people treat each other and instilling a sense of community while away from home. One way he does this? He offers daily questions for people to fight over, such as “Is a hot dog a sandwich?”
“My life philosophy is always kindness, kindness, kindness,” Matt shared when asked what advice he has for young artists looking to make their way in the world.
Interested in learning more about the production side of performance arts? Check out our new class “Festival Showrunners: Usher, Host & Capture” at usdan.org/classes.
Call for Student & Family Volunteers!
Our Education Department is looking for students and families to help with an audio and video project celebrating Summer 2025. Email education@usdan.org if you are interested in participating!
A Special "Spider U" for Fall
Every summer, students submit original drawings to join the 40+ "U"s that visually represent the many facets of Usdan life. While most years only one drawing becomes an official "U" — with the Summer 2025 "U" being the "Bubble U" designed by a number of different students in 2024 — bassist and Uniquely U recipient Thaddaeus P.'s drawing of the "Spider U" drawing was chosen as the 48th "U," representing autumn at Usdan.
‘It's not about ego; it's a team effort to put on a show’
Usdan alum lost herself as a Musical Theater major & found herself as a Studio Lead at RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns
[CORRECTION]: A previous version of this article suggested pumpkins from the RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns are carved in under five minutes. While the bulk generic pumpkins take a shorter time to carve, the art studio pumpkins take hours and sometimes up to a day to complete.
Michele Gilman went to Usdan in the 70s and early 80s. Now, she leads the pumpkin carving studio for RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns, hosted on Usdan's campus.
What do you remember fondly about your time at Usdan?
MG: Usdan’s atmosphere is so welcoming for creativity. Kids that don’t fit into a regular camp can find their place. My daughter [who went to Usdan up until last year and now also works as a Greeter at the RISE] felt that too.
Theater, and specifically improv, really helped me break out of my shell, skills I’ve used in business, thinking on my feet and presenting.
How did you get involved in the RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns?
I’ve been a fan of the RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns since they started at Old Westbury Gardens. When I would visit, I would think “if only I could get involved.”
In 2023, I received an email that the RISE was hiring, and with 20 years of experience as a sign and caricature artist, I applied. The second year I took over as the studio lead — running the studio and creatively directing the studio, maintaining the sense of teamwork just like I learned at Usdan.
Each week, artists re-carve many of the pumpkins, so they are fresh for the trail. This year, a different artist carved the Ozzy Osbourne obituary pumpkin each of the four weeks.
What is it like to put on RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns?
The RISE is a massive effort. It’s not about ego — but about a team effort to put on a show. Sometimes three people work to ink, carve, and gut the pumpkin. And while we’re working within a similar style, it’s also about being unique and being who you are.
The collaborative spirit is so key, everyone must work together as a team. When I open the studio, I say welcome home because it really feels like that.
What have been your favorite pumpkins over the years?
MG: I tend to gravitate toward creating the portrait pumpkins because it’s so nice to be able to put a person’s face on the pumpkin. The first one I fell in love with was the Tina Turner pumpkin.
Right now, my favorite is to be determined. While I think they all have their strengths, I end up having a favorite by the final weekend.
Interested in visiting RISE of the Jack O’Lantners? Visit jackolanterns.com/usdan for tickets.
We Want to Place an Ad in Your School Playbill!
Is your Musical Theater student in an upcoming play or musical? We want to support them by placing an ad in their school playbill! Email to media@usdan.org with the necessary information to do so!
Usdanites Out & About
On Thursday, October 9, COO Victoria Ellerbe (second from left) and Administration & HR Coordinator Ana Ponce (second from right) attended the Summer Youth Employment Program Awards to celebrate award recipient Maxx W. (third from right), pictured with Maxx's mom, dad, and Labor Specialist Kaitlin Apel at St. Jospeh College.
Maxx spent three summers at Usdan through a partnership with the Suffolk County Department of Labor. Over the years, he has worked as an amphitheater tech and print shop assistant, while also filling as a safety monitor and usher as needed.
"He went from being quiet to being the first one to jump on tasks," Ana said. We're proud of you, Maxx!
Usdan Sculpture major Max S. won first place and Best in Show at the 42nd Annual Queens County Farm Blue Ribbon Fair for a giraffe he made in the Art Village over the summer. He also won first place in the photography competition. Congrats, Max!
See an interview with Max (and some other Art students from Summer 2025) here.
Longtime Theater Lead Teacher Rob Gallagher to star in "Annie" as Daddy Warbucks alongside Musical Theater major Violet C. at the Argyle Theatre in Babylon, NY, opening Thursday, November 13, 2025. For tickets, visit argyletheatre.com/annie.
Over the summer, Rob directed Ben Boecker's original work "Aviva Vs. the Dyyuk" in the 4A session and "Joseph and the Technicolored Dream Coat" in the 4B session. Violet, in her fifth summer at Usdan, also took part in an original work, playing the iconic robot in the junior cast of Billy Recce's original musical "KABLAM!" (4B session). Both "Aviva Vs. the Dyyuk" and "KABLAM!" were commissioned through Usdan's New Works Program — a project that aims to give students high quality original work to perform with the support of experienced Theater faculty.
(L – R): Music Department Chair and Usdan alum Nicole Davidson with alum Melissa Callegari after playing together in the Long Island Flute Club's Professional Flute Choir Concert on Sunday, October 26.
Calendar
October 1 – November 3
RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns
Time slots between 6:45 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Use the promo code USDAN25 for 20% off tickets for Friday and Saturday night.
Thursday, November 13
Alumni Engagement Party
6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 23
Campus Tours
11:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 7
Campus Tours
11:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 11
Campus Tours
11:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m.
Can't make a scheduled tour? Email enrollment@usdan.org to visit campus on a different day.
