Alumni to Watch

Looking for a great airplane read? Try Jo Ann Yeoman Tongret’s (M.A., Theatre, ’96) Dream Dealer. The book follows the incredible life of Stuart Walker, pioneer of the American repertory theatre and successful theatre and film producer and director in the 1930s and 40s.

“I hope the book is not limited to theatre people because his story is one of passion and survival, things everyone needs in their lives,” said Jo Ann. “He was amazing in that he was able to truly work his whole life, and make a living, in the arts; a field where you have to make your own work. He launched the careers of hundreds of famous theatre professionals and worked with some of the biggest stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age.”

Though Jo Ann has had a successful career in theatre performance and choreography, including productions in New York’s Lincoln Center, she didn’t stray far from home, teaching musical theatre scenes and repertory, acting, auditioning, Broadway dance and more for the ASU Herberger College of the Arts School of Music.

In the summer of 2007, JoAnn will travel to Massachusetts to research a new comedic play she’s writing about powerful women in 18th century theatre. Jo Ann received the 2007 Outstanding Achievement Award from Women Who Care.

Dream Dealer is available in paperback for $14.95 at starcloudpress.com.