Nasta’s capstone project, built for nineteen/i ask that i lay down in the vines: a dialogue, a fiber-meets-performance piece developed during her graduate studies, will be featured in the inaugural issue of , an experimental textile arts magazine scheduled for release this summer. The publication marks an important milestone for the project, which evolved over nearly two years through experimentation and interdisciplinary artistic practice.

In addition to the upcoming magazine feature, Nasta is contributing to a forthcoming fashion sustainability publication with Bloomsbury, currently in peer review. She is also continuing to develop new creative work inspired by 1960s paper dresses and their social and political messaging, building on conversations and feedback following her presentation at the last fall.

Alongside her creative practice, Nasta teaches sewing and fashion courses, sharing her passion for textile arts with emerging makers and young artists. She is also developing resources for a new project exploring historical fashion through classic plays and novels, further connecting performance, costume, literature, and material culture.

Through publication, teaching, and interdisciplinary research, Nasta’s work reflects the innovative and exploratory spirit fostered within Montclair’s Theatre Studies program.

“The program’s faculty were incredible mentors and co-researchers,” Spitz says. “I learned practical skills for higher education administration and student affairs, while also growing as an advocate and researcher.”

During her time in the program, Spitz presented workshops, guest lectures and community conversations on topics including racial equity, disability studies and fat liberation at Montclair, throughout Northern New Jersey and internationally. Her scholarship included peer-reviewed conference presentations at the and the , as well as publication of a peer-reviewed journal article focused on training equity-minded practitioners.

Among her recent presentations and public scholarship were “Student Experiences of Anti-Fatness in Higher Education” at the 2026 ACPA Annual Convention, “Safe and Brave Spaces” at the Collaborative World Building International Symposium in Vienna, and a keynote presentation, “Challenging Ableism for an Inclusive Future,” for the Township of Livingston’s Fashion-Able-Ally event.

Spitz has served as the Department Administrator for Art and Design for the past decade, where she has worked closely with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners. Her work has focused on improving efficiency while centering equitable and consistent administrative practices that support marginalized communities.

In recent years, her advocacy and service efforts have particularly focused on disabled and fat communities through collaborations with the Disability Caucus, Inclusive Excellence and the Office of Student Belonging. In 2025, she received a Presidential Excellence Award in the category of Advocacy and Allyship in recognition of that work.

“As both a professional staff member and graduate student, Stephanie exemplifies the values of equity-minded leadership and engaged scholarship.”

The exhibition takes its title from Amitav Ghosh’s book Nutmeg’s Curse, which examines the lasting impact of colonialism and the spice trade in relation to today’s climate crisis. Influenced by Ghosh’s critique, Heffernan revisits the Dutch still-life tradition through monumental floral compositions filled with vivid color and expressive brushwork. Roses, tulips, poppies, and peonies erupt across the canvases in scene that shift between beauty and catastrophe.

Known for incorporating self-portraiture into her paintings, Heffernan departs from that approach in Nutmeg’s Curse, allowing the monumental blooms themselves to stand in as witnesses to environmental and human devastation. The exhibition continues her ongoing exploration of art history, environmental instability, and the role of painting as a call to awareness and action.

The two sophomores appear in “The Elementary Spacetime Show,” a show about a teenager who attempts suicide and ultimately finds herself in a cosmic Vaudevillian game show. The imaginative new musical by César Alvarez, with a book by Alvarez and Emily Orling, features more than two dozen Montclair student performers, stage managers and musicians. Performed at Montclair’s Alexander Kasser Theatre, students debuted a special concert presentation at Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium on April 26.

Kavuma, who plays a giant mosquito and belts out a showstopping solo, says: “I’m very excited to say I made my Lincoln Center debut at 20 years old.”

For Smith, her role marks her debut production. “It’s an amazing thing. I get to tell people and put on my resume that I performed at Lincoln Center in New York City.”

Ryan Kasprzak, head of Musical Theatre at Montclair State, explained that the creative team behind “The Elementary Spacetime Show” was seeking a company of actors that they felt could sustain the musical in a full production. “We’re grateful that, once they got to work with our students, they felt this is a company of actors who are capable of carrying this piece.”

Despite the show’s heavy subject matter, “there is a surprising amount of levity, which helps the audience access the deeper questions about humanity and what it means to exist,” Kasprzak says.

Montclair students, faculty, and staff benefit from exceptional cultural engagement at Lincoln Center, located just across the Hudson River from campus. The iconic venue has showcased: an opera created by Professor Scott Richards of the Cali School of Music. Additionally, Montclair’s Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Assistant Professor Oscar Perez, performs annually at the renowned Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Most recently, Music History Assistant Professor Leah Batstone presented a pre-performance talk on Verdi’s La Traviata at the Metropolitan Opera, an event attended by Cali School of Music Director Shea Scruggs, along with various faculty members and students.

About the Collaboration

The production came about because of a professional relationship between Alvarez and Theatre and Dance Professor Kathleen Kelley. Alvarez and Orling have been working on the musical for many years. “It has always been part of the plan to fully realize it with students,” Alvarez says. “‘The Elementary Spacetime Show’ is meant to be a space of transformation for young people, and the brilliant young artists at Montclair are the perfect people to bring it to life.”

The production includes students from first-years to seniors. According to Dante Green, a New York-based director who has collaborated with Alvarez and Orling for a decade, the students brought an essential authenticity to the storytelling.

“The students are incredibly talented and very mature and nuanced with their performances,” Green says. “The age of the Montclair students aligns perfectly with the characters, making it a very authentic casting and learning experience.”

Green also suggests that if the show continues development, there exists “a strong opportunity to continue collaborating with the students after this production is over.”

Why Montclair’s Musical Theatre Program Stands Out

Only 12 miles from New York, Montclair’s Musical Theatre program offers students the best of both worlds: Access and opportunities to audition for productions while maintaining a mid-size campus life and small class sizes.

“We are uniquely situated geographically, in the sense that students get a four-year career launch,” Kasprzak says. “They’re going to spend time in New York City, they’re going to go to auditions, see a bunch of different shows, build these creative relationships, and that’s a huge advantage.”

That proximity and the valuable industry connections and experiences attracted both Longview, Texas native Kavuna and Jacksonville, Florida native Smith. “It’s very reassuring to know that our professors are actively working. They’re in the industry. Everyday,” Smith says.

Montclair’s Musical Theatre program has seen an 86% increase in auditions for admission over the last two years, Kasprzak says, noting that this year, 1,600 students auditioned for 20 spots.

“It has become extremely competitive to get into the program, so we’re really taking the top 5% of applicants,” Kasprzak says. “So, while the freshmen maybe don’t have any expectations, I know how gifted they are and how talented and how unique.”

Vibrant Theater Scene in the Garden State

�ѴDzԳٳ���������’s�� program also offers myriad local and regional opportunities, says Head of Theatre Studies Jessica Brater, who directed a student production, a collaboration between Montclair and , at the  in Montclair. “The Quilt Keepers,” a play written by Montclair alumni, Dania Ramos, BFA Acting ’98, weaves a tale of Montclair’s 4th ward.

“Although we’re lucky to be so close and connected to the NYC theater community, there is an active and exciting professional theater world right here in New Jersey,” she says. “Many of those theaters have employed our students both before and after graduation because of the relationships we have built with them.”

The Vanguard Theater’s Producing Artistic Director Janeece Freeman Clark is also an adjunct professor at Montclair. “I know firsthand the caliber of talent, curiosity and heart these students bring. They have been collaborators in every sense, and their various roles of responsibility mirror the reality of professional theater in a way that a classroom alone simply can’t.”

How Theatre Students Engage with the Local Community

Building a show from the ground up, based on an historic neighborhood for a local theater production, helps fulfill the University’s larger role of benefitting local communities, Brater says. “Part of the University’s mission is to bring the resources of the University to benefit communities beyond the campus gates. This works both ways – faculty and students benefit from what we learn from communities, and it helps us in our work as a university to prepare well-rounded citizens,” Brater says.

As a bonus, she adds: “It demonstrates for both students and community members that the arts can be a powerful tool for activism, education and collective memory.”

Advice for Future Theatre Studies Students

Montclair students in “The Quilt Keepers,” which was two years in the making from development to production, have valuable advice for prospective theater students.

• Elijah N. Maldonado, a senior Theatre Studies major, values how the major encourages students “as artists and theater makers to branch out and try new things.” He urges others to seek faculty support for guidance.
• Maxwell Hollis, a sophomore who has explored both acting and lighting design, emphasizes that “professors are willing to work with you one-on-one” and advises students to never be afraid to ask for help to get the most out of the program.
• ����Ծ��ǰ���Kaitlyn Valentin, who gained skills in management and design, suggests students “try everything once” and volunteer for student-run shows. She believes that “a theater person can”t get a job if you’re not multifaceted.”

Join the Next Generation of Storytellers

Are you ready to take your craft from the classroom to the local, area or world stage? Explore our BFA in Musical Theatre, BA in Theatre Studies or many other programs in the College of the Arts.��Apply today.

This year’s theme, A Moment in Time, explores the profound idea that time is a constant force of movement and change. The show is designed to be a space of “distortion and discovery,” inviting the audience to step out of their daily routines to pause and appreciate the unique creativity unfolding before them. From the foundational techniques of introductory courses to the complex silhouettes of advanced draping, the runway will reflect a wide range of styles that challenge and redefine contemporary fashion.

Behind the scenes, the event is a masterclass in professional execution, produced and promoted by the class under the guidance of Professor Seth Howard. These students are responsible for the intricate orchestration of the show, gaining hands-on experience in event management, marketing, and the fast-paced world of fashion production. The runway will feature works from a diverse group of creators, including students from:

• ARTX 120: Intro to Apparel Construction
• ARTX 226: Intermediate Apparel Construction
• ARTX 322: Flat Pattern
• ARTX 422: Draping
• Independent Designers

In a significant addition to this year’s program, the show will debut a special collaboration with Rocky’s Closet, a ����vlog initiative that provides free professional attire to students. A dedicated segment of the show will feature curated looks styled entirely from Rocky’s Closet merchandise. This partnership highlights the university’s commitment to accessibility and demonstrates that professional style is achievable for every student.

The stakes for the evening are high, as a panel of three distinguished industry professionals will serve as the year’s juried judges:

• James Volpe – Principal of White Sneaker Consulting
• Jenni Lee – Fashion Stylist & Brand Consultant
• Utkarsh Gupta – Assistant Product Developer & Designer at Golden Touch (Private Label & Walmart Specialist)

In addition to awards granted by the judges for design excellence, the evening will also see the presentation of academic scholarships to talented students within the College of the Arts, celebrating their hard work both on the runway and in the classroom.

A Moment in Time will take place on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Memorial Auditorium on the ����vlog campus. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the show commencing at 6:00 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are available for $12, or can be purchased at the door for $15.

Accompanied by Professor A. T. Pratt, students from the Products and Zines course participated in the festival, held March 28 and 29 at the Metropolitan Pavilion and hosted by the Society of Illustrators. Now in its fifth year under Professor Pratt’s leadership, the course’s presence at MoCCA has become a hallmark experiential learning opportunity within the department.

Throughout the weekend, students independently ran their own exhibition table, presenting and selling original work to a large and engaged audience. Their offerings included comics, zines, prints, stickers, T-shirts, and handmade objects, many of which sold attendees eagerly supported emerging artists. This direct interaction with the public gave students invaluable real world experience in marketing, audience engagement, and creative entrepreneurship.

The 2026 festival drew thousands of artists, publishers, and fans, reinforcing its reputation as the city’s largest independent comics and cartoon event. For Montclair students, the experience extended beyond sales. It was an opportunity to network with industry professionals, observe current trends in illustration and publishing, and situate their work within a broader creative community.

Over the past two years, the Products and Zines course has seen significant growth, expanding to three sections. In addition to Professor Pratt, this year’s sections were also taught by Professors Andre L Davis and Anthony Gambino, allowing for increased student participation and a larger presence at the festival.

The department also celebrates Professor Pratt’s individual achievement at this year’s festival. He was one of only fifteen artists to receive a MoCCA Award of Excellence for his comic Action Baby Comics: Animal Alphabet, a prestigious recognition highlighting outstanding work in the field.

Participating students included Angel Rodriguez, Ashley Ortiz Tovar, Justinee Massabny, Kelsey Ayala, Liany Sanchez, Jerusa Larancuent, Jazmin Gamboa, Jailynn Winn, Hailey Amanna, Abubacar Keita, Alana Schwartz, Alexa D’Alessandro, Amelie Barritas, Arianny Matos, Camila Pena Marte, Celeste Nova, Cyan Villar, Gavin Kisla, Elias Galdamez, Kaden Zofrea, Katherine Nicholas, Kimberly Peralta, Liz Seidemann, Maura Mayfield, Melissa Aydogan, Nate Quintero, Pauline Magos, Sean Wall, Simone Lino, and Skyla Vera.

The Department of Art and Design is incredibly proud of these students for their professionalism, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Their success at MoCCA reflects the strength of Montclair’s commitment to hands-on, career focused learning experiences that prepare students to thrive in the evolving landscape of contemporary art and design.

What unfolded throughout the week was nothing short of unforgettable. The atmosphere was grounded in culture, mentorship, and purpose, as panelists and attendees reflected on the extraordinary career of Freddie Leiba and the countless lives he has impacted. His legacy is defined not only by professional achievement, but by his commitment to opening doors, creating opportunity, and using fashion as a platform for empowerment and lasting change.

The discussion offered a powerful reminder that fashion history extends far beyond garments and trends. It is rooted in people, leadership, and the meaningful impact individuals leave behind. Through his vision and dedication to mentorship, Leiba has influenced fashion in ways that reach into culture, education, and access for emerging creatives.

The space itself was filled with a palpable sense of gratitude, love, and collective respect, reflecting the vibrant community Leiba has cultivated over the years. To witness and participate in honoring a living legacy was a profound experience for all involved.

Special thanks are extended to Neva Palmer, a ����vlog student, for attending and supporting the event. Her presence underscores the importance of bridging education, culture, and industry, and highlights the role students play in carrying these legacies forward.

With immense gratitude, Professor Panchu celebrates the life, leadership, and enduring impact of Freddie Leiba, a visionary whose work continues to inspire and shape future generations in fashion and beyond.
For more information about The Fashion Alliance Network, please visit .

Fanning earned her BFA from Pratt Institute and her MFA from ����vlog. She teaches Perceptual Drawing and Figure Drawing, specializing in instruction that spans introductory to advance drawing practices, including both general and figure drawing. The fellowship supports the creation of new work and advances the professional careers of New Jersey artists selected solely on artistic merit.

Story by Web and Digital Media Manager Alexandra Thelin Blackowski

Students can play modern board games and dive into immersive VR experiences.

Faculty can incorporate games across disciplines to support critical thinking, collaboration, storytelling, systems analysis, and experiential learning. The Game Hub supports course integration, project-based work, and experimentation with game-based and game-informed pedagogy, whether for a single class session or an entire course.

The Game Hub is an extension of Livia Alexander’s research, which was completed as part of ����vlog’s Higher Education Academic Leadership (HEAL) Program. Alexander is a Professor of Art and Design and, as a participant of the HEAL Program, explored game-based learning and play tools for community building, pedagogy, and interdisciplinary engagement.

The Game Hub has been made possible by University Libraries’ sponsorship and The ADP Center for Learning Technologies’ partnership.

Visitor Information

Location: The ADP Center for Learning Technologies (University Hall 1140), ����vlog

Availability: Monday – Thursday: 9 AM – 8 PM; Friday: 9 AM – 3 PM

About the Higher Education Academic Leadership (HEAL) Program

The HEAL Fellowship program provides opportunities for faculty to identify and study an important problem or challenge facing higher education and propose a scalable and impactful intervention that ultimately supports the success of students, faculty, staff, or the university.

Story by Social Media and Communications Coordinator Lauren Conforti 

Her featured work, Long Day, is an oil painting on unstretched canvas that was created while she was studying abroad in Newcastle, England, from January to June 2025. Mahoney chose to work on unstretched canvas so the large-scale painting, 29 x 60 inches, could be rolled and transported home in a suitcase, a method influenced in part by her interest in contemporary painters working at scale on unstretched surfaces.

The painting depicts the emotional and physical aftermath of a long day and reflects Mahoney’s experience of living abroad and immersing herself in new routines and creative environments. During her time in Newcastle, she filled her days with studio work, dance classes, traveling, and building new friendships. She credits the experience with pushing her to explore new ways of working and thinking about her practice.

“When I returned home, I came across the Visionary Projects open call and decided to apply,” Mahoney said. “A few months later, I received an email saying my work had been accepted to be shown in Manhattan subway stations. It was really exciting.”

–Sophie Mahoney

She noted the importance of ����vlog’s study abroad opportunities in shaping the work. “I don’t think this painting would have been made if I hadn’t done the study abroad program at Montclair State,” Mahoney said.

Through the Visionary Projects initiative, selected artists have their work installed in NYC transit spaces, included in an online artist directory, and made available for purchase. Mahoney’s painting was installed at multiple subway locations, including 18th Street on the 1 line and Cortlandt Street on the R line, giving daily commuters and visitors the opportunity to encounter her work in a public setting.

Mahoney’s selection reflects the professional development encouraged within ����vlog’s Department of Art and Design, where illustration students are supported in pursuing external opportunities, open calls, and real-world exhibition platforms that extend their work beyond the classroom and into the public sphere.

About the Artist:

Sophie Mahoney is a New York–based artist originally from New Jersey. She received a BFA with a concentration in painting from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in May 2022, and a second BFA in Illustration from ����vlog in Winter 2026. Her practice primarily focuses on painting, while also incorporating illustration and sculpture. Her work explores themes of feminism, queerness, body image, and mental health.

For more information about Sophie, please follow these links:

For more information about the organization: