Guest artist Shelley Frazee is back!

Shellee Frazee will be the choreographer for our upcoming musical, Working.

Frazee graduated from St. Ambrose in 2000 with her BA in Theatre. Currently, she works as the Artistic Director at the Beverly Arts Center (BAC) in Chicago, Illinois. As the Artistic Director, Frazee guides the artistic vision of the BAC, a 400-seat theatre that not only holds plays and musicals but also concerts, professional events, and classes in music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and fitness for ages 5 and up. Frazee also helps plan each season at the BAC.

Two years ago, Frazee also came back to choreograph Chicago. When asked why she keeps coming back to Ambrose, having to make a 3-hour drive and take time off of work to do it, she responded by saying that she "never really leaves," she has a strong connection with Cory Johnson, Kris Eitrheim, and the department. It feels like "home and family" are here at SAU. She also mentioned that she has so much "respect for the program and the work done." She feels honored when asked to come back and the "pure joy makes the long drive worth it."

Currently, Frazee is working with SAU Alumni at the Beverly Arts Center. One example is Tim Stompanato '13. Frazee met Stompanato during Chicago and was very impressed with him. She was currently casting for a show at the BAC and asked him to be a part of that. After that show, Frazee hired Stompanato to do some teaching and direction of children's shows and eventually promoted him to the Theatre Coordinator where he currently teaches, hires, directs, acts, and stage manages at the BAC.

Other SAU Alumni that Frazee has worked with at the BAC include Amanda Kochanny '13, Nathan Scheetz '10, and Ryan Westwood '09, who will be performing in a show this coming November and December. Frazee said she enjoys working with SAU Alumni because of the "well-rounded education" they receive while at St. Ambrose. They get opportunities in acting, tech and design while an undergrad and therefore have a "throw anything at me" attitude.

Frazee also gave some advice for current students here at St. Ambrose: "take advantage of any opportunity you can while you're here. Appreciate the incredible role-models and educators working with you. Remember that networking is important, keep connected, especially with SAU, it can really help."