Evening of Dance has Emmy nominee credit; Tina Ulee '99 Takes Students Under Her Wing
From a young girl who cut up and turned new school clothes into attire for her Barbie dolls, to a college student who enjoyed a path-setting education at Keene State, to a Primetime Emmy Award nominee for costume design, Tina Marie Ulee ’99 is a fascinating tapestry.
The Owl graduate, 25 years into her motion picture, television, and theater career, returned to campus recently to work with students on the College’s popular spring production Evening of Dance, a showcase of original faculty work performed by students in a collaborative performance setting.
I was the kid who looked behind the TV for the actors to come out; the kid who watched the credits as I counted each name; the kid who loved performing in the living room but was shy about expressing myself at school. (Working with KSC students) ensures I will never forget some of my best times performing dance.”
– Tina Ulee ’99
Ulee has attended Evening of Dance for two decades as a ticket-holding fan. This year, she was backstage working with students in costume design.
“She comes every year as an audience member, and last year we finally met at our big 50th anniversary extravaganza,” said Cynthia McLaughlin, associate professor in the College’s Theatre & Dance Department (TAD). “We hit it off immediately; we knew we wanted to collaborate.”
What a boon for the College’s TAD students and performance team.
Alumni of the TAD program–in academia, on and off Broadway, and in many other settings–not only demonstrate that graduates are prepared for participation, employment, and advanced study in the performing arts, but in many cases, they return to Keene State to work with and inspire current students.
Working closely with four student choreographers and scenic and lighting designers for Evening of Dance, Ulee guided a costume world for each piece. She also joined students and staff costume designer Mary Robarge to help craft and fit costumes to each unique performer.
During her time at Keene State, Ulee earned a degree in dance and technical theatre with a specialization in costume design.
Ulee came to Keene from Nashua and moved back to New Hampshire two years ago with her husband, Alex Sanchez, and their dogs, Ava and Amelia. She has a broad professional resume as a costume supervisor and key, having worked and lived in NY City, Boston, Mexico, and Iceland, and counts among her recent projects serving as costume supervisor for two TV series, “True Detective” Season 4 and “Kevin Can F Himself”. Also, movies “American Fiction” and “Good Burger 2.”
Last year, Tina received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Contemporary Costumes for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, in this case, “True Detective: Night Country” (Part 5) on HBO. Ulee was the costume team’s co-supervisor for the episode.
Ulee was Keene State’s 2014 Alumni Inspiration Award recipient, and she speaks highly of her days as an Owl, the value of her liberal arts education, and her enduring connection to the TAD program.
She called the Evening of Dance mentoring role a full-circle and “surreal” experience.
“Alumni like Tina keep the conversation going with our students,” says Kirstin O’Brien, chair and associate professor for the Theatre & Dance Department. “They add their knowledge to the mixture of thoughts and questions, igniting new streams of ideas.”
Keene State’s successful grads also share their experiences in the field and “help bridge the gap between the tight theatre and dance family here and the greater world,” McLaughlin added.
Ulee, who enjoys pilates and gardening, and finds respite from work by doing puzzles, answers some of our questions.
You chose Keene State…why?
TU: “Honestly, I didn’t want to go to college, and I was fine with that until a week before college applications were due, and I noticed most of my friends were talking about it. I felt out of the loop. I suddenly thought maybe I should apply. I noticed Keene State had a theatre program and figured, why not? I applied only to Keene State and took my chances. To my surprise, I got in. I was like, ‘Okay, I am going to college.’ ”
Before college, did you know what you wanted to study?
TU: “Thoughts ran through my mind—such as photography, child care, or psychology, but I thought it might be too hard and, honestly, too much money. I thought of being a nanny. But as a kid, I knew I was meant to be in entertainment.
“I was the kid who looked behind the TV for the actors to come out; the kid who watched the credits as I counted each name; the kid who loved performing in the living room but was shy about expressing myself at school.”
What changed?
TU: “Once I got into college, I went for acting but got pulled into costume work when they realized I could sew. When I was just seven, my grandmother introduced me to her sewing machines that she stored in the basement next to my grandfather’s wood shop. I was so fascinated with my grandparents’ crafts. Eventually, my grandmother gave me one of her machines. Sewing became my hobby. Mornings turned into nights quickly. In high school, I took a home economics class, which included sewing projects involving childcare programs. I joined the drama club in my senior year and took a film production class. I could see this was my calling, but I still had no idea where I would land. What I also didn’t know is that I was just getting started.
“Keene State formed my foundation for real life. About four months after I graduated, I moved to Rhode Island, and within two weeks, I landed my first career job at Trinity Repertory Company.”
You remain connected to Keene State. Why is that important to you?
TU: “I owe it to the college. I felt safe and accepted there. I still hold a great bond with my professors. I am proud of what Keene State stands for, especially its Theater and Arts program. I enjoy coming every year to watch Evening of Dance. It ensures that I will never forget some of my best times performing dance.”
What was most enjoyable about working on Evening of Dance?
TU: “Seeing faces old and new, and the joy and glow of the students in their costumes. Their input and personalities are so important to the development of costumes. It shows within each piece. I love to guide and help people achieve, and love watching them climb, especially on their own with the right guidance. Also, working with some of my past professors and other alumni was surreal. It felt good!”
