Theatre Program Team
Theatre Faculty
Production Interns 2025-26
Social Media Intern - Samantha Learson '26
Samantha is a Senior at Fairfield studying Political Science with a Theatre minor. This year, she’s working as the Social Media Marketing Production Intern, helping spread the word about the Theatre Program's shows and events. Over the years, she’s been involved in productions in just about every way: on stage, backstage, and behind the scenes. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook!
Alumni Relations Intern - Katharine Gutkoski '26
Katharine is a Senior with double majors in Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies and Theatre and a minor in Communication. Her past credits with the Theatre Program include Letter Writer in Tiny Beautiful Things, Lillian in Lillian Goes to the Mirror from Director’s Cut, Nora in DollHouse and Annabeth Chase in The Lightning Thief. She has also worked as the Front of House Manager for Mask Play, The 39 Steps: Even More Abridged, and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) (revised) (again). Her favorite show that she's worked on is DollHouse "because it was such a gift to dig into that show and the choices that Nora makes." She is thrilled to join the Production Intern team in a new Intern role and help further shape the program before she graduates in May!
Student Relations Intern - Cara Rommeney '26
Cara Rommeney is a senior Film Television Media Arts Major with a minor in Art History. Cara has worked behind the scenes as an Assistant Stage Manager for Fairfield Theatre Program's productions of Tiny Beautiful Things, Eurydice, The Lightning Thief, and Next to Normal.
Tech Intern - Jacobo Merino Fernandez '28
Jacobo--or Bo--is a Sophomore English: Creative Writing and Theatre double major with a minor in Spanish. Jacobo has worked as the Assistant Stage Manager, head of props, and fight captain on The Complete Works of William. Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] (Again) ‘24 as well as working on props and played a small role as a radio announcer in Steel Magnolias ‘25.
Marketing Intern - Ashley Valilla '28
Ashley is a Sophomore majoring in Marketing in the Dolan School of Business. For the past 5 years, she has worked as a camp counselor for a summer theatre program, where she had the opportunity to guide and mentor young performers through all aspects of theatrical production. Her role extended beyond just instruction—she was actively involved in directing scenes, choreographing, running tech, organizing rehearsals, and creative environments. Now, as an intern with the university's theatre program, she's excited to continue growing as both an artist and educator. Her passion lies in creating inclusive, inspiring spaces where students feel empowered to explore and express themselves through theatre.
Previous Faculty/Guest Artists
Professor Emeritus
Dr. LoMonaco retired as Professor Emeritus of Theatre in 2023.
She founded the academic Theatre Program in 1989 and served as Theatre Fairfield Resident Director for 34 years. She directed 26 full productions, and mentored dozens of student-directed pieces.
She is the author of two books--Summer Stock! and Every Week, a Broadway Revue--and continues to serve as editor for “New England Theatre in Review” for New England Theatre Journal. She curated Bravo! a theatre history exhibition for the Fairfield Museum and History Center, and has curated three performance series for the Quick Center for the Arts.
At Fairfield she taught Directing, World Theatre History courses, American Drama, American Women Playwrights, Acting, and graduate American Studies courses.
She holds a doctorate in Performance Studies from New York University.