A Desperate Housewife Comes to Campus

Maria Cominis to Welcome Fellow Acting Pro Kathy Joosten Jan. 31

January 28, 2008

by Gail Matsunaga

“Desperate Housewives” fans may recognize Maria Cominis for her recurring role as Mona Clark, the gossipy mom on Wisteria Lane. At Cal State Fullerton, the assistant professor of theatre and dance prepares her students for their “roles” in the bachelor of fine arts program.

Thursday, Jan. 31, Cominis will welcome Emmy Award-winning actress Kathy Joosten (Mrs. McCluskey on “Desperate Housewives” and Mrs. Landingham on “The West Wing”) to campus to present a workshop, “How to Get a Grip on the Business of Show Business.”

Open to all students, “The workshop will cover the realities of show business and how to get a grip on moving into the industry after academia,” says Cominis, who, with Joosten, is a member of the Los Angeles-based theater company Theatre Neo. “Kathy will talk about pictures, agents, casting directors and who-you-know.”

Cominis’ credits include daytime dramas “One Life to Live” and “All My Children,” national touring shows, off-Broadway and regional theater, and voice-overs for Comedy Central. This spring, she is directing “Fortinbras” for Theatre Neo.

Later this year, she will bring Julia Sweeney of “Saturday Night Live” fame to campus for a Q&A session with students.

Sponsored by the Theatre and Dance Department and the Career Center, “How to Get a Grip on the Business of Show Business” begins at 11 a.m. in Room 121 of the Performing Arts Center.