MEET OUR Current MFA Graduate Students!

Hailey Bault

Hailey is thrilled to further her training through FAU's MFA Theatre Performance program. Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Hailey earned her BA in Communicating Arts: Theatre & Digital Filmmaking at The University of Wisconsin - Superior in 2026. Hailey enjoys all types of performing, whether straight plays, musical theatre, opera, screen acting, simply singing, or anything in between. Recent credits include: Godspell (Joanne), Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really (Mina Harker), Here We Are (She), Twelfth Night (Olivia), The Last Pack - UWS Student Film (Dylan), Trial by Jury (Jury), She Kills Monsters (Agnes Evans), Ride the Cyclone (Student Director), La Cenerentola (Alidora), Sister Act (Deloris Van Cartier), and the debut of JD Atkins's Adventure (Commander Quinn). Hailey received the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play award from the UWS Communicating Arts and Theatre Department for her roles in She Kills Monsters and Dracula and was also a recipient of the university's Chancellor's Leadership Award. In her free time, Hailey has always enjoyed singing in local choirs, playing tennis competitively, writing, traveling/camping, science, and trying new things. 

Instagram: @haileyyy.bault & @haileysstage

Alyssa Bustillos

Alyssa Bustillos is a Mexican American actor, singer, and dancer who calls Las Cruces, NM, and the El Paso, TX, Frontera home. She grew up singing mariachi and dancing ballet folklórico, falling in love with stories of her culture and the world around her. Alyssa graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso, where her favorite roles included Jessica in This Is Our Youth , Bertha Villarreal in Zoot Suit , and Alyssa Greene in The Prom . After graduating, she enjoyed camp counseling at Dallas Broadway Summer Camp. While earning her BFA in Musical Theatre, her hunger for greater challenge led her to Boston for the MT Summer Acting Intensive at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where she deepened her understanding of herself and began approaching her artistry with greater curiosity and agency. She believes humanhood visibility is the first step toward choosing healing, connection, and change. Alyssa is excited to devote more to her craft in FAU’s Graduate Acting program, expanding how she can serve on stage, on set, and within her artistic community. When she’s not on stage or in rehearsal, you’ll find her doodling her dog kid, Zia Xochitl, writing poetry in nature, or getting very sweaty in a kickboxing or yoga session. 

Instagram: @alyssabustillos 

Edrass Chavez

Edrass Chávez-Alvarado is originally from Chicago, Illinois. He has a Bachelor's in Theatre and Music from Monmouth College where he had originally intended to study Neuroscience and become a surgeon. However, after being given the best advice he has ever received, he decided to switch paths and pursue a career in drama. That advice was: "When it comes time to make your mark on the world, don't just make an impact. Leave a crater!"  

Mitch Geiken

Mitch Geiken is 32 years old, and from Cannon Falls, Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Northwester, St. Paul with BS in Ministry with an emphasis in Theatre. Since graduating he has been acting onstage and on camera in the Twin Cities.  Four years ago, he returned to UNWSP to work as a Guest Director for the Department of Music and Theatre, where he received recognition for Outstanding Achievement in Comedic Direction by the American College Theatre Festival for his production of "T'was the Night Before Christmas" by Ken Ludwig . His most recent credits include Fred /Young Scrooge/Spirit of Christmas Future, A Christmas Carol at Open Window Theatre, Director of 12 Angry Men/12 Angry Women at UNWSP, and The Narrator, Puffs with La Marca Theatre. Outside of the theater, Mitch enjoys reading, writing, pickleball, and Dungeons and Dragons. He is a diehard Twins and Vikings fan even though they continue to break his heart every year.  He is excited to get work at FAU and can't wait to be perpetually sunburned for the next two years!   You can follow Mitch on Instagram at @mitchgeiken 

Zachary Lutz

Zachary Lutz is excited to be joining this year’s MFA in Acting cohort. Zach graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2020 with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Since then, he has been based in Fargo, North Dakota. Regional theatre credits include: Richard Dreyfuss in THE SHARK IS BROKEN, Tony Manero in SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, Daniel Kaffee in A FEW GOOD MEN, and Jamie Wellerstein in THE LAST FIVE YEARS. Film credits: Ensemble in GOD SAVE THE QUEEN and Suit Aid 1 in AJ GOES TO THE DOG PARK. Zach likes to spend his free time going on long walks with his wife, practicing guitar, knitting, crocheting, and playing games with friends. 

Website: zachlutz44.wixsite.com/actor 

Instagram: @zjlutz 

Paxton Marner

Paxton Marner is an actor and performing-arts educator from Morgantown, West Virginia. After a couple years in New York following undergrad, he is thrilled to be continuing his education at FAU. He’s moved down to Boca Raton with his fiancée, and they aspire to soon get a dog. 

Gigi Motta

Gigi Motta is a Brazilian actor, singer, and dancer who has been performing on stage since the age of three. She is thrilled to be joining the Florida Atlantic University MFA Theatre Performance program. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Kent State University. Recent performances include You´re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Swing) at Porthouse Theatre, Men on Boats (John Wesley Powell), Everybody (Love), and Somewhere: A Primer for the End of Days (Cassandra). Beyond the stage, she enjoys exploring museums and travelling to experience different cultures. More at @gigimotta

Instagram: @gigimotta

Jared Nobrega

Jared Nobrega is excited to be joining this year's MFA cohort! He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Performance from Rhode Island College. Regional credits: U/S for Creon, Coro, and el Sobador in Oedipus el Rey (The Huntington Theatre); Curio and Second Guard in Twelfth Night (The Gamm Theatre); Frank Thorney in Witch , Paris and Friar John in Romeo and Juliet and Charlie, Tony, and Ronny in Witching Hour Social Club (Burbage Theatre Co.); Adam in The Complete Works , Frank Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor (The Contemporary Theatre co.); Puck and Egeus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Mixed Magic Theatre). Film credits: We Three Pigs (Kaleidoscope Haven Production) and The Rewind (Elazon Entertainment). Jared previously worked as a teaching artist for The Gamm Theatre where he directed many productions, including Julius Caesar, Hamlet, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Because of Mr. Terupt, and The Phantom Tollbooth. 

Website: jarednobrega.com

Instagram: @jared.nobrega

Savannah Raeder

Savannah is so excited to be joining FAU's MFA Performance program! In May of 2025, she graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, TN with her BFA in Theatre Performance. After graduating, she worked for various Nashville theatre companies, including Studio Tenn Theatre Company and Nashville Children’s Theatre, focusing on developing educational programs. Her recent credits include various roles in Bright Star Touring Theater’s Spring 1 Tour in 2026, Frances Davis, A Vote of Her Own (Candace Corrigan) , Storyteller in Smoke: The Ballad of the Night Riders (Bell Witch Fall Festival), Harriet Fitzpatrick in Tom Jones (Belmont University), Jacquenetta in Love’s Labor Lost (Nashville Shakespeare Festival), Emma Nolan in The Prom (Circle Players), Annie Cannon Understudy in Silent Sky (Belmont University). You can follow her on Instagram @savvyjo51. 

Amelia Rummler

Amelia Rummler is an actor, director, and singer who loves finding joy in the everyday and never takes herself too seriously. She holds her BFA in Acting and a minor in Communications from Western Michigan University. Amelia loves the way theatre can make people feel deeply, whether they leave laughing, crying, or simply seeing something a little differently. Her recent credits include Sense and Sensibility (Lucy Steele), Grease (Patty Simcox), More Fun Than Bowling (Lois), and The Play That Goes Wrong (Annie U/S, Crew). In her free time, Amelia loves to bake pastries, go for a swim, and hang out with her friends.

Follow along with Amelia’s journey at ameliarummler.com.

Brianna Pierre

Brianna Pierre is an emerging theatre technician specializing in lighting design, based in Miami, Florida. Her multidisciplinary background includes experience as an actress, dancer, stagehand, production assistant, and teaching artist, reflecting a comprehensive understanding of the performing arts. She is super excited to continue her scholarly journey at Florida Atlantic University and pursue her MFA in Theatre Design and Technology.

Brianna’s recent lighting design credits include The Color Purple (Brévo Theatre), The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Fantasy Theatre Factory), and Desnudos en el Bosque: Studio Macbeth (El Ingenio Teatro). She is committed to creating dynamic visual environments that enhance storytelling and support artistic vision.

Follow Brianna Pierre on Instagram (@BriannaAlierre) to stay updated on her latest work.

Natalia Burmeister

Natalia Burmeister, a third-year MFA Design and Technology specializing in Scenic Design. She graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelors of Science in Architecture in 2023. After which she worked as a studio designer at an architecture and engineering firm based in Cleveland, Ohio. Pursuing a career that can intertwine design and entertainment has been a long time dream of hers. Natalia believes there is an interconnectivity between civilization and architecture. It is our means of navigation, communication, and the overall human experience -- by understanding the multidimensional network we hold with the built environment, we can change the world for the better.

Aurora Colamonici

Aurora Colamonici, born and raised in Rome, Italy, moved to the United States in 2018 to pursue her dreams and career in the arts. She is currently a third-year student in the Master’s Program for Design Technology. Aurora earned her BFA in Drama from Lynn University.  She has experiences as an actress, stage manager, crew, and production assistant.  Aurora has been on the production team for plays and musicals such as Crazy For You, Sweeney Todd, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, and Gigi. A few of her favorite acting credits include Anatomy of Gray (Rebekah), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Gloria) and, Butterflies are Free (Mrs. Baker).