Christopher F. Kawolsky ’85

Producing Director Christopher F. Kawolsky ’85 reopened the Downstairs Cabaret Theater in February 1992 (after three years of inactivity). Since then, we have produced nearly 300 different productions, ranging from popular musicals such as I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, to the hilarious Run For Your Wife, to the Holocaust drama The Grey Zone, to the world premiere of James Lecesne’s Word of Mouth(which went on to win Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards when later produced by Mike Nichols in NYC), to cabaret artists including Jim Van Slyke, Terese Genecco, KT Sullivan, Mark Nadler, Laura Theodore, D.C. Anderson, Quinn Lemley, and others. In recent years, Downstairs Cabaret Theater has exploded onto the theatrical scene producing some of the most exciting new works as well as the most entertaining pieces in Rochester.

You can see what is playing here: http://www.downstairscabaret.com/

Michael Querio ’87

Michael Querio’s ’87 theatre–the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre in Grand Lake, Colorado–recently hosted a gathering of alumni who have worked there and currently make their homes and careers in and around the Chicagoland area. About 50 people gathered at The Violet Hour–a cocktail lounge in Chicago, to have an evening’s celebration.
A small group of IWU grads got together for a photo….

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In the photo are: (from left to right)— Elizabeth Lanza ’07, Keely Vasquez ’94, Michael Querio ’87, Kyle Blair ’09, Erin Daly ’10, Zez Ready ’11. All were involved in music and theatre at IWU–and currently are working in Chicagoland, except for Michael Querio ’87, who is the Executive Artistic Director.

Scott Huch ’86

Scott Huch ’86, President of the Delta Group, was given the DMAW/EF Board Appreciation Award at The Best of Direct Awards Ceremony at the National Press Club on Wednesday, November 30, 2016.  Scott was recongnized for his leadership in Direct Marketing.  Scott was also among the recipients to have also shown the ability to adapt in a changing marketplace and to have been exemplary in their field.

2016-04-08 Alumni Association Board. Scott E. Huch. Photo by Makenna Merritt '17 for Illinois Wesleyan University.

2016-04-08 Alumni Association Board. Scott E. Huch. Photo by Makenna Merritt ’17 for Illinois Wesleyan University.

Michael Querio ’87

Michael has accepted a new position at the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre–He’s now the Executive Artistic Director.  He is in charge now of all of the running and functioning of the non-profit theatre’s organization.  They continue to have a 4-show season, hire 50 employees annually, and provide outstanding theatre high in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.  For the first time in his career, he’s no longer working at a school–he’s no longer on an academic schedule.  He has retired from his teaching career, working full-time now for the theatre.  It is an awesome change in his professional life.