Theater Arts Degree Concentration

Gail Steele, Chairperson

Professor Steele is Chairperson of the LAT (Theatre Arts) program and Producing Director for Theatre at the Mount. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Theatre from Bridgewater State University, a Master of Arts degree in Communications from Miami University in Ohio and has more than 43 years of experience in teaching, directing and producing.
On the academic side, Ms. Steele teaches Speech, Acting I and Acting II and Introduction to Theatre, is the academic advisor for students in the LAT program and advisor to the student performing group, The Mount Players.

Under her direction, Theatre at the Mount has achieved local and regional acclaim, receiving numerous accolades and awards from the Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges, the New England Theatre Conference, local newspapers and others. Through her efforts, approximately 20,000 people attend Mount productions annually, including about 1300 subscribers. She has produced over 200 plays and musicals on the Mount stage and directed many productions including The King and I, Nunsense, Silver Bells, and most recently, The Drowsy Chaperone. Her credits also include establishing the Children’s Theatre program at the Mount which brings live theatre to approximately 5000 elementary school children annually – both on the Mount’s stage and “on tour.” She is the founder of Theatre at the Mount’s popular TAMY Awards which recognizes and celebrates excellence in high school musical theatre. Her creative efforts also include many TAM special events including Idol at the Mount, Teen Idol at the Mount, and several seasons of Survivor, the Musical – all to benefit TAM and local charities, including the Boys and Girls Club of Leominster. Ms. Steele also founded Theatre at the Mount’s Summer Drama Camp Programs which attract about 150 students each year.

In addition to her academic endeavors, Ms. Steele is also a member of the Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation Board, is Chairperson of the Sabbatical Leave Committee and is on the Advisory Board for Nashoba Technical High School’s Media Arts and Theatre Program. She has also served on the Honors Committee and has been Co-Chair for the Mount Wachusett Community College’s 40th Anniversary and 5oth Anniversary celebrations.

Jeff Boisseau, Technical Theater Director/Designer

Jeff Boisseau has been the Technical Theatre Director/ Designer at Theatre at the Mount since April 2002. He has been teaching “Technical Theatre Practicum” for 18 years, has had apprentices working for him every summer season and has designed and built over 130 sets, and Sound Engineer for most of the shows, and Lighting Designer when needed.

He has been involved with Theatre at the Mount since 1982 working on more than 80 shows, with responsibilities of Stage Manager, Lighting Designer, Master Electrician, Crew chief, Sound engineer, and Master carpenter.

Jeff has provided technical support for theatre events at Fitchburg State University, Sterling Community Theatre, Hubbardston Community Theatre, ACT Community Theatre, New Players Theatre Guild, Stageworks, Foothills Theatre, Franklin Pierce College, Worcester Light Opera, and many more community theatres and schools.

Jeff came to us from Bose Corporation where he served as Project Manager / Technical Director for live corporate events and shows. He was previously employed by MIT Lincoln Laboratories where he worked on Doppler radar systems. He is a 1984 graduate of MWCC with a degree in Electronic Engineering and makes his home in Ashburnham with his wife Suzanne. He is particularly proud of his daughter Jannelle who works for Signify as a field service engineer and is part of the team that lights the Empire State Building, World Trade One, Madison Square Garden and many other buildings in New York City.

Jodi Lynne, Music and Voice

Jodi Lynne is a proud graduate of the Boston University School of Fine Arts, having received degrees in music education and classical vocal performance studying under Joan Heller and Phyllis Curtin. She has been an instructor in private voice, piano, and acting for over 30 years. Jody prides herself on being able to adapt her teaching style to accommodate the specific unique wants and needs of each individual. She utilizes her experiences as a performer to enhance the lesson experience, teaching audition techniques and preparation, professionalism and etiquette, sharing her various contacts in the business, and more.

She resides locally but spent 15 years living in New York City where she performed, and traveled worldwide appearing in more than 100 musicals, plays, operas, films, and television programs. Most recently Jodi played the role of Aunt March in the National Tour of Broadway’s “Little Women”. She had the privilege of sharing the stage with Olympic Gold Medalist Oksana Baiul in the World Premiere Ice Skating Musical "Cold as Ice”, as well as Broadway Star Walter Charles and Pop Star Sheena Easton in the National Tour of “Man of La Mancha”.

Some of her favorite roles include Christine in “Phantom”, Dolly in “Hello Dolly”, Marian in “Music Man”, Dorothy Brock in “42nd Street”, Nellie in “South Pacific”, Mrs Potts in "Beauty and the Beast”, and Julie Jordan in “Carousel”, just to name a few. When not teaching, Miss Jodi can be seen performing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester and on television and movie sets acting in scenes with some of Hollywood’s talent including Chris Evans, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Isla Fischer, and Marlee Matlin.

Film Credits: The Sleepover (Netflix film), Coda (Feature film), UnHoly (Feature film)
TV Credits: Defending Jacob(Apple TV), Castle Rock(Hulu), The Society (Netflix), Sex in the City (HBO), Godmothered (Disney Plus)
Her resume also includes directing, music direction, owning her own music and movement company, music rehabilitation therapy, and performing as a soloist for weddings and funerals.

Dawn Ross, Dance and Choreography

Dawn Ross has an extensive background in dance, education, and theater and is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in Behavioral Arts and Sciences. Her dedication to dance is evident through her years of competitive dancing with the Umass Amherst Ballroom Dance Team and her teaching roles for the Umass Ballroom Club and other Social Dance Classes. Furthermore, Dawn's involvement with Theatre at the Mount spans over three decades, starting with her membership in the Greater Gardner Youth Choir in 1991. Since her debut in TAM's production of Peter Pan in 1993, Dawn has graced the stage in over 60 musicals, showcasing her talent and commitment to the arts.

Dawn’s first opportunity to choreograph was in 2006 with You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, which led to other successes such as Godspell in 2007 and the musical revue Broadway Beats in 2013. Dawn's unique blend of ballroom dancing skills and staged musical theater choreography has captivated audiences and made her a sought-after choreographer. Her latest work, showcased in TAM's fall kids touring show Tilly the Trickster, has been a hit with both children and adults alike. Dawn is a dance instructor/choreographer for TAM’s Broadway Bound Summer Program, and teaches swing classes and salsa classes as part of TAM’s community outreach.

Dawn has also been making waves in the local high school scene with her exceptional choreography skills. Recently, she worked on the production team for Oakmont Regional High School's Spring Musicals including Mamma Mia in 2022, Mean Girls in 2023, and Footloose! In 2024. These shows not only captivated audiences but also received prestigious TAMY Awards. Mamma Mia won Best Production-Small School, Mean Girls excelled in Excellence in Tap and Best Featured Small Ensemble categories, and both Mamma Mia and Mean Girls were recognized for Best Dance Ensemble.

Dawn has accumulated an impressive list of acting and performance credits. Some of her standout roles include Cindy Lou in Winter Wonderettes at TAM, Mother in A Christmas Story at TAM, Edwin Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Ja'Duke, Judy Haynes in White Christmas at Ja'Duke, Edie O'Reilly in In Good Spirits at ACT, and various dance ensemble roles in productions like Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You, and Escape to Margaritaville at TAM.

THEATRE AT THE MOUNT

Students may audition for award-winning productions presented by the Mount’s resident community theatre. The Theatre at the Mount season typically is comprised of 5 plays and musicals with many roles for students of varying abilities and experience.

MOUNT PLAYERS

The student production company offers a one-act play each semester with many roles for Mount students.

SEMESTER SHOWCASES

At the end of each semester, students in the performance classes (Acting I and II, Voice I and II, Musical Theatre Dance and Hip Hop Dance) present their work in a showcase for friends and family.

SUMMER APPRENTICESHIPS

Students gain valuable hands-on experience and a stipend while working with Tech Director Jeff Boisseau on the TAM summer productions. This includes set design and construction, set painting, props construction, lighting and sound and running crew.

RUNNING CREWS

Students gain valuable behind the scenes experience as part of the running crew for Theatre at the Mount productions and Mount Players productions; work the fly lines, operate a follow-spot, manage props, etc.

Audio

• Yamaha CL5 Digital Audio Mixer
• Dante A/V Network distribution system
• 24 Shure ULX-D wireless lavalier mics
• Custom Vector sound system L-C-R

Lighting System

• ETC Ion Classic Lighting Console
• 12 Chauvet Rogue R2 spot moving heads
• 12 Chauvet Q-Wash 419z moving heads
• 11 ETC Source 4 Led Series 2 Luster Ellipsoidals
• 8 Chauvet Colorado Quad Zoom Led Pars
• 7 Altman Spectra 100 Led cyc lights
• 36 conventional dimmer system
• 24 Source 4 Ellipsoidals
• 8 Fresnals
• 3 Led Follow Spots
• 2 Conventional Follow Spots
• 20 Single purchase Fly lines

2000 sq ft Scenery Shop

• 10” Table saw
• 12” Band saw
• 12” Chop saw
• 10” Radial Arm saw
• 12” Miter Saw
• Drill press
• Compressor
• Jig Saw
• Circular Saw
• Router
• Hand saws
• Screw guns
• Hand tools
• Tape measures, hammers, levels, Etc…

Tech Careers in Theatre

• Carpenters
• Painters
• Scenic designers
• Scenic artist
• Scenic painters
• Welder
• Draftsperson
• Digital Artist
• Master electricians
• Production electricians
• Lighting designers
• Riggers
• Mechanical designers
• Lighting designers
• Lighting board operators
• Follow spot operators
• Sound designers
• Sound board operators
• Prop builders
• Interior designers
• Video technicians
• Technical Director
• Stage Manager
• Stage crew
• Production Manager

Alexander Rivera, 2019 MWCC Theater Arts Graduate

Ben Richard, 2019 MWCC Theater Arts Graduate