You’ll find our graduates in impressive positions across the country, using the kind of knowledge and creativity that make people take notice. Graduates of the program have entered respected graduate schools, and you’ll find graduates of the theatre program acting in New York and Los Angeles, teaching, and working as lighting technicians, stage managers, designers, and production managers.
Below is a partial listing of Theatre graduates from the past decade:
Nick Bius – lighting designer – Weekend Theatre, Little Rock, AR
Georgeann Burbank – professional actor – Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre, Little Rock, AR
Matthew Burnett – professional actor – Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, Little Rock, AR
Jordan Burns – dance instructor – Southwest Synergy Dance, Chicago, IL
Sarah de Rueda – Creative Director – Plant Circle City, Indianapolis, IN
Britni Dumas – stage manager/lighting designer – Studio Theatre, Little Rock, AR
Joseph Farley – Assistant Technical Director – Houston Grand Opera, Houston, TX
Tyler Felton – MFA graduate studies in costume design – University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Madison Gallagher – costume designer/seamstress – Denver Bespoke, Denver, CO
Jeffery Gilmore – adjunct professor – Oklahoma A&M College, Miami, OK
Whitney Glover – scene painter – Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe, NM
Stacey Johnson – MFA graduate studies in costume design – Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Jennings Johnson – MFA graduate studies in lighting design – Ohio University, Athens, OH
Ethan Jones – Assistant Lighting Supervisor – North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, MA
Anthony McBride – professional actor – Arkansas Arts Center Childrens Theatre, Little Rock, AR
Brittany McCarter – store manager/seamstress – Bell and Sward, Conway, AR
Andrea McDaniel – Executive Director – Weekend Theatre, Little Rock, AR
Michael McMahen – MFA graduate studies in technical direction – Ohio University, Athens, OH
Stephanie Ouimet – box office manager – Jefferson Performing Arts Society, New Orleans, LA
Evan Park – Technical Director – Stage Door Productions, Memphis, TN
Luke Perkinson – professional standup comedian/producer, Hot Springs, AR
Taylor Pittman – professional actor – Traveling Lantern and Pulse Theatre Companies, Chicago, IL
Jacey Russell – MA graduate studies in acting/directing – Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA
Joshua Simpson – caterer/professional actor, Chicago, IL
Brandyn Smith – Assistant Professor of Theatre and Dance – Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, AR
Caitlin Stoddard – Assistant Stage Manager – Houston Grand Opera, Houston, TX
Bethany Weed – stage manager – Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Boston, MA
Jill Woodward – MFA in stage management, Columbia University; freelance stage manager, New York, NY
A partial listing of recent Mass Media graduates:
Morgan Acuff – Digital Content Producer – THV11, Little Rock, AR
Josh Briggs – Editor – Saline Courier, Benton, AR
Alex Durham – CBS - WLKY-32 – Producer/Anchor, Louisville, KY
Josh Berry – ABC Columbia – Producer/Anchor, Columbia, S.C.
J.D. Roberts – CBS - THV11 – Producer, Little Rock, AR
Cherith Cobbs – KTVE 10/ KAED 14, Producer, Little Rock, AR
Heath Herring – Fashion and adventure photographer (Stetson, Wrangler, etc.), Bismarck, AR
Elizabeth Lau – SSN Media Gateway, Editor/Producer Little Rock, AR
Jacob Lankford – SSN Media Gateway, Editor/Producer Little Rock, AR
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MFA student – UCA graduate program in Digital Filmmaking
Chris Ingram – Newsradio 102.9 KARN – News Director, Little Rock, AR
Arshia Khan – Staff Photographer – Arkansas Life magazine, Little Rock, AR
Martha Myrick – WESH2 – Producer, Orlando, FL
Jonathan Canaday – Southwest Arkansas Radio, News Director, Nashville, AR
Sarah Williams – Dallas American Heart Association – Associate Communication Manager, Dallas, TX
Tara Houser – Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission, Hot Springs, AR
Jamie Fuell – iHeartMedia Inc., Little Rock, AR
Ryan Klare – CBS THV11 – Cinematographer, Little Rock, AR
Julie Robinson – FOX Sports Radio – Host, Hot Springs, AR
Derrick Sims – Fabled Motion Pictures – Producer/Cinematographer/Instructor, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Michael Taggard – Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau – Communications Coordinator, Little Rock, AR
Derrell Young – 103.7 The Buzz, Producer/Host - Little Rock, AR
Jessica Childs – KATV Channel 7 – Producer, Little Rock, AR
Brandon Tabor – KASU Public Radio – Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR
Breanna Wells – Creative Director – VIP2 , Little Rock, AR
Partial Listing of Mass Media graduates who have returned to speak to Henderson students:
Bobby Bones (Mass Media 2002)
iHeart Media
Hosts most popular country radio show in America, carried by over 100 stations.
2018 winner, Dancing With the Stars on ABC.
Brandon Scott (Mass Media, 2004)
Syracuse University
Master's degree in Journalism, 2015 – 2016
Oaklawn Jockey Club
Assistant Director of Marketing, 2009 – Jun 2018
Hot Springs, AR
Cari Elliott (Mass Media, 2012)
Arkansas State University
Masters of Science in Media Management, 2018 – 2019
Experience
National Park College
Graphic Artist, Apr 2016 – Present
The Sentinel-Record
Assistant Editor, Oct 2013 – Apr 2016
Malvern Daily Record
Reporter and Photographer, 2012 – 2013
Summer Intern, May 2014 – Aug 2014
Doug Kramer (Mass Media, 1997)
iHeartMedia
Mornings Big 94.9, Jan 2017 – Present
Clear Channel Radio
on air personality, 1993 – Present
Hosea Sanders (Journalism 1997)
Primetime anchor for ABC-7 Chicago since 1994
Previous television news broadcast in Los Angeles,
Dallas and Little Rock
David Doggett (Mass Media 1991)
Production Specialist
Self-employed, 1997 – Present
Little Rock, Arkansas Area
Noalmark Broadcasting
Operations Manager, 2007 – Aug 2010
Jeffrey Cerino (Mass Media, 2012)
See Spot Run Productions/GWL Advertising
Producer/Project Manager, 2017 – Present
Little Rock, Arkansas
Hortus, Ltd/P Allen Smith Companies
Field Producer, Oct 2014 – Jul 2017
Red Shutter Media
Field Producer/Editor/Camera Operator/Social Media Manager, Feb 2013 – Oct 2014
Jennifer Godwin (Mass media, 2001)
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - ALSAC
Public Relations Liaison, Aug 2017 – Present
Memphis, TN
Little Rock Zoo
Marketing and Communications, Mar 2017 – Present
City of Little Rock
Communications and Marketing Manager, Jul 2015 – Mar 2017
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Associate Director of Digital Strategy/Web Communications Manager, 2012 – Jul 2015
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
News Editor, Oct 2006 – May 2012
Copy Editor, Nov 2001 – Oct 2006
Ronna (Ross) Pennington (Mass Media, 2000)
Henderson State University
Master of Liberal Arts, 2013
College of the Ouachitas
Distance Education Support Specialist, Sep 2017 – Present
Self-employed consultant
Writer, Public Relations, Graphic Design, 2005 – Present
Horizon Publications/Malvern Daily Record
Editor, Nov 2013 – May 2015
Benjamin Franks (Mass Media, 2011)
Petit & Keet Bar and Grill
Beverage Director, Feb 2017 – Oct 2018
Little Rock, Arkansas
SO Restaurant-Bar
Manager / Server, Oct 2015 – Feb 2017
Turn Key
Brand Ambassador, Jun 2014 – Oct 2014
Amanda (Vance) Proffitt (Mass Media, 1994)
AbbVie
Immunology Sales Specialist, Feb 2013 – Present
Abbott Laboratories
Senior Sales Rep, Nov 2007 – Jan 2013
Solvay Pharmaceuticals
Senior Sales Rep, Jul 2006 – Nov 2007
Janssen Pharmaceutica
Professional Sales Rep, Apr 2001 – Jul 2006
KARK-TV
Advertising Sales, Dec 1994 – Apr 2001
Cheryl Hilser (Mass Media, 2008)
Bismarck School District
Paraprofessional, Aug 2008 – Present
Tucson Newspapers
Graphic Designer, 1991 – 2005
Arkansas Gazette
Advertising Traffic Controller, 1988 – Sep 1991
Los Angeles Herald Examiner
Paste-Up Artist, Apr 1982 – Nov 1988
Ben Dial (Mass Media, 2004)
Malvern Public Schools
Assistant Principal High School, Jul 2015 – Present
Malvern Middle School
English and Social Studies Teacher, 2012 – 2015
Zachary Noga (Mass Media, 2015)
Augusta School District
Teacher/ coach, Jul 2018 – Present
Benton Parks & Recreation
Program Planner, Aug 2017 – Jul 2018
Arkansas Travelers Baseball Club
On field Promotions/ Ticket Sales, Apr 2016 – Aug 2017
Patrick Laxson (Mass Media, 1994)
University of Phoenix
MBA in Technology Management, 2003 – 2005
Pulaski County Special School District (Mills University Studies High School)
Oral Communications Teacher / Debate Coach, Aug 2014 – Present
PLX Media
Owner, 2011 – Present
Jay Jackson (Mass Media, 2004)
Little Rock, Arkansas Area
Arkansas Army National Guard
Information Technology Specialist, 2006 – Present
Little Rock, Arkansas Area
Heifer International
Digital Marketing Editor, 2013 – May 2018
Little Rock, Arkansas
Cumulus Media
News Anchor, KARN/KIPR, 2011 – Aug 2015
Little Rock, Arkansas
THV 11
Web Editor/ Community Content Producer, 2011 – Jul 2013
Little Rock, Arkansas Area
Kaitlyn Kitchens (Mass Media, 2015)
The Sentinel-Record
Sports Page Designer, Jul 2015 – Present
Lara Crane (Mass Media, 1995)
Stephen F. Austin State University
MA in Communications, 1995 – 1997
Windstream Communications
Consultant - Benefits & Wellness, Aug 2014 – Present
Sr. Benefits Administrator – Wellness, Oct 2008 – Present
HR Manager, Jun 2006 – Oct 2008
Pulaski Technical College
Adjunct Professor, Business, 2010 – 2013
Alltel
Manager, Staffing, Jan 2005 – Jun 2006
Recruiter, Mar 2002 – Dec 2005
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Adjunct Professor of Speech Communications, 2004 – 2005
Alltel
Communications Specialist, 1999 – 2002
Advertising Specialist, 1997 – 1999
Brooke Balding (Mass Media, 2012)
Arkadelphia Radio
Sales Executive, Jul 2012 – Present
James Leigh (Mass Media, 2006)
The Sentinel-Record
Sports Reporter, Oct 2016 – Present
Nevada County Picayune
Editor, Jan 2015 – Oct 2016
Daily Siftings Herald
Editor, Jan 2015 – Oct 2016
Sports Editor/Social Media Editor, Aug 2011 – Jan 2015
Gurdon Times
Editor, Jan 2015 – Oct 2016
Malvern Daily Record
Reporter, Nov 2009 – Aug 2011
Reporter/Managing Editor, Jul 2005 – Aug 2008
Casey Penn (Mass Media 1995)
Creative Director, Pennwords Writing & Design / songwriter, singer
Diana Harbour (Mass Media, 2005)
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Media, Public Relations, Speech Communication, 2010 – 2012
KATV
Good Morning Arkansas Producer, Jun 2008 – Present
Saturday Daybreak Producer, Jan 2008 – Jun 2008
Production Assistant, Jan 2007 – Jan 2008
Torii Cloud (Mass Media, 2016)
Family in Spain
Au Pair, Jul 2018 – Present
Family in Spain
Au Pair, Jan 2018 – Jul 2018
Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte
North American Language and Culture Assistant, 2016 – Present
Katie James (Mass Media, 2014)
See Spot Run Productions
Producer, Jan 2017 – Present
Associate Producer, Sep 2015 – Dec 2016
Production Assistant, Dec 2014 – Sep 2015
Andy Mayberry (Mass Media, 1992)
State of Arkansas
State Representative, Jan 2017 – Present
Mayberry Advertising/The East Ender
Owner, Mar 2000 – Present
State of Arkansas
State Representative, Jan 2011 – Jan 2015
Alltel
Corporate Communications Manager, 1997 – 2001
Mary Lee Downey (Mass Media, 2004)
Asbury Theological Seminary
M.A.X.M. in Christian Servant Ministry, 2009 – 2012
Henderson State University
M.A. in Liberal Arts/Art History, 2004 – 2006
Community Hope Center, Inc.
Executive Director, Aug 2012 – Present
Community Presbyterian Church
Director of Missions & Congregational Care, Aug 2011 – Present
Florida United Methodist E-Review
Freelance Reporter, 2008 – Jun 2012
Helping Others Make the Effort
Deputy Director, Aug 2009 – Aug 2011
Development Associate, Aug 2008 – Aug 2009
First United Methodist Church
Program Director, 2006 – 2008
El Dorado News-Times
Feature Writer/Designer, 2006 – 2006
Joe Phelps (Mass Media, 2008)
Henderson State University
Master of Arts in Teaching, 2011 – 2012
GateHouse Media
Page Designer, Aug 2015 – Present
Rainwater, Holt & Sexton
Direct Mail Contractor, Jun 2014 – Present
Saline Courier
Staff Writer, Feb 2015 – Aug 2015
Daily Siftings Herald
Lead Reporter/Multimedia Editor, Jul 2008 – Feb 2015
The Gurdon Times
Managing Editor, Feb 2008 – Jul 2008
Colbie (McCloud) Jones (Mass Media, 2014)
Mangan Holcomb Partners
Account Executive, Jun 2018 – Present
Arkansas Minority Health Commission
Media Specialist, Dec 2016 – Jun 2018
The Sentinel-Record
Staff Writer, Nov 2015 – Dec 2016
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Accounts Receivable, Feb 2015 – Oct 2015
Data Entry, Jul 2014 – Feb 2015
Partial Listing of Mass Media graduates who have returned to speak to Henderson students:
Ken Goodman (Communication, 1994)
Ken Goodman Entertainment
Owner, Vocalist, Entertainer, Emcee, Mar 2010 – Present
Murry's Dinner Playhouse
Professional Actor, Jul 2014 – Aug 2016
Little Rock, Arkansas Area
The Vienna Theatre
Owner/Entertainer (Vocalist, Humorist, Raconteur), Mar 2010 – Mar 2013
Hot Springs, AR
Holley Little (Communication, 1993)
FirstStaff
Vice President, 2002 – Present
Little Rock, Arkansas Area
Prostaff/Staffmark
Director of Operations/Recruiter/Staffing, 1994 – May 2002
Greta Goslee (Communication, 2018)
CJRW
Associate Social Media Coordinator, 2018 – Present
Little Rock, Arkansas
Shannon Simmons (Communication, 1998)
FamilyLife
Administrative Project Coordinator, 2015 – Present
Executive Assistant to VP (Chief Marketing Officer), Jan 2012 – Mar 2015
Simmons Organized Solutions
Owner, Jan 2009 – Feb 2012
Justin L. Wise (Communication, 2005)
CENTRAL ARKANSAS VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE CLINIC INC DBA HARMONY HEALTH CLINIC
Executive Director, Feb 2017 – Present
Little Rock, AR
March of Dimes
Division Director, Nov 2015 – Present
American Cancer Society
Senior Manager, Relay For Life, Nov 2015 – Present
ITT Technical Institute
Director of Recruitment, Admissions, Jan 2013 – Apr 2015
Keesha Johnson (Communication, 2000)
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Master of Education in Systems Technology, 2009 – 2011
College of the Ouachitas
Director of Admissions/Registrar, 2013 – Present
AdvoCare
Sales Associate, Jun 2015 – Present
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Assistant Dean, Jul 2009 – Jun 2013
Associate Director of Admissions, Sep 2000 – May 2009
Christi Nation (Communication, 1991)
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Master of Arts in Organizational and Interpersonal Communication, 1992 – 1994
Louisiana State University-Alexandria
Director of Continuing Education and Community Outreach, May 2017 – Present
Henderson State University - Hot Springs
Executive Director, Nov 2013 – May 2017
Levi Hospital
Vice President for Development and Marketing, Jul 2002 – Nov 2013
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Director of Foundation Development, May 2001 – Jun 2002
Cole McCaskill (Communication, 2013)
Hot Springs Metro Partnership
Vice President of Economic Development, Jan 2017 – Present
Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce & Hot Springs Metro Partnership
Downtown Development Director, Jun 2014 – Jun 2017
Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce
Director of Customer Service, Nov 2013 – Jun 2014
Nichola Whitley (Communication, 1999)
RE/MAX of Hot Springs Village
Assistant Realtor, Mar 2010 – Present
Scott Starkel (Communication, 90s)
Northwestern Mutual
Associate Financial Advisor, Sep 2017 – Present
El Cortez Hotel and Casino
Blackjack Dealer, Mar 2013 – Apr 2013
Banc of America Investments
Stockbroker, Dec 2007 – Jul 2012
Online Banking Specialist, Oct 2006 – Dec 2007
Glen Beedle (Communication, 1999)
University of Arkansas
Master of Education in Human Resources/Workforce Development, 2009 – 2011
Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center - USDA
Program Support, May 2016 – Present
Arkansas Department of Emergency Management
Southeast AR Area Coordinator, Aug 2015 – Apr 2016
Finance and Accounting Branch Manager, Feb 2014 – Jul 2015
Dept. of Homeland Security Program Coordinator, Aug 2012 – Aug 2014
City of Arkadelphia
City Treasurer/Human Resources, Oct 2004 – Aug 2012
Grants Administrator, Aug 2000 – Oct 2004
Jim Miller (Mass Media 2009)
Director of Marketing, Mid-America Science Museum
Matthew J. Hass (Communication 1998)
Chief Executive Officer, Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association