Health and Wellness
Dedicated to the physical, mental, nutritional, and vocal well-being of musical theatre students, the Wellness Center is a fully realized support system for Musical Theatre students.
Physical Health
Performing arts physical therapist and faculty member Aliza Rudavsky, PT, DPT, PhD, oversees an on-site physical therapy clinic for students in the School of Theatre. The aim of this clinic is to keep performers healthy, pain free, and at their peak performance. The clinic is intended for both preventative and recuperative care.
Connected to the clinic is Dr. Ravishankar Rao, a family physician in State College. Dr. Rao’s services include injury and illness evaluation as well as ordering of imaging, appropriate treatment, and referrals to specialty care. Recommendations for activity modification and return to activity will be made in consultation with the performer, and he will coordinate care with other healthcare providers involved in the care of the student. We think of Ravi as our “medical liaison” to health care needs of musical theatre students.
Mental Health
For much of their time in classes, rehearsals, and character preparation, our student-artists function within an intense, highly focused mental space analogous to what athletes call “the zone.” They are frequently critiqued in their process to prepare themselves for the extremely high professional expectations in their field. And they know they will be entering an arena so competitive that rejection will be the norm—even a daily occurrence—when auditioning for roles. All of this is enormously taxing mentally and can result in stress and burnout. In addition to this, our students are also going through many of the typical experiences of college students: navigating independence, exploring identities, and forging new relationships and social connections. Psychotherapy can be a safe and welcoming space to explore these struggles, receive support, and learn new skills.
In this component of our Wellness Program, Musical Theatre students are able to confidentially seek consultation, referrals, and treatment for a variety of psychological needs. The psychological services scheduling process is coordinated by Dr. Leann Diederich. In addition to the specific work with individual students, our mental health providers are specifically acquainted with our program and career expectations so they can best consult, refer, and provide services to our students.
Nutrition
Nutritionist and Associate Research Professor Kris Clark heads this initiative. The key component is a fueling station, developed over her time as Director of Sports Nutrition for Penn State Athletics. It is a collection of foods available and provided to students throughout their day in order to fully maximize the nutritional health of our students. The goal is to connect nutritional behavior to the training in musical theatre. The fueling station seeks to position students to optimize energy levels before and after workouts, dance classes, rehearsals, and other physically strenuous components of musical theatre training. It provides foods that are rich in nutrient requirements that are supporting the physical exertion the program requires with nutritional preparation and recovery. A secondary component of the fueling station is our Hydration and Recovery Room – specific to the dance classes in Musical Theatre.
Dr. Kris Clark is also available to our students for private or group consultation about all things Nutrition – including cooking on a budget, cooking for the week, and other areas specific to Musical Theatre students.
Vocal Health
Though essentially a subset of physical health, vocal health is so crucial to the careers of our students that it deserves separate treatment. Musical theatre students use their voices so strenuously that their vocal cords should be regularly monitored to ensure no damage is being done.
Dr. John Paul Gniady is a laryngologist specializing in the care of singers. We began our relationship with Dr. Gniady in Fall 2019 by providing “scopes” for our musical theatre first year students. This baseline vocal cord imaging will allow our students to know their own vocal cords – making it much easier if care is needed for fatigue or other issues. Along with this imaging, Dr. Gniady will provide education to our students in vocal care for singers and be a resource to us in the specifics of vocal issues for singers.
Meet our Wellness Center Colleagues
Kris Clark, Ph.D., RDN, FACSM
Nutritionist
Dr. Kris Clark recently retired as Director of Sports Nutrition for Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics after 26 years in that position. During those years she counseled the over 800 varsity athletes from 26 teams on nutrition issues that ranged from energy needs, eating before and after workouts to recovery strategies and muscle growth. Her work at Penn State led to working with four United States Olympic teams including women’s and men’s soccer, men’s volleyball, and women’s lacrosse. She was the exclusive nutritionist for US Women’s Soccer for ten years.
Kris currently holds an adjunct position in the Kinesiology Department as Associate Research Professor along with managing a private local consulting practice. She is thrilled to be connecting with the Musical Theatre Department as a Sports Nutrition volunteer consultant. After 36 years in clinical practice, working primarily with serious athletes in sports, she is enthusiastic about working with serious athletes in musical theatre!
Dr. Clark has a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from Penn State, a Masters degree in Health Education and a B.S. degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of WI. Her research interests have included food choices for recreational exercisers and athletes, eating for energy and recovery, dietary supplement use, and muscle growth. Clark, a registered dietitian, is currently on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, past president of the Practice Group in Sports Nutrition and past president of the Practice Group in Weight Management. She is a Fellow in and past Trustee Member of the American College of Sports Medicine and a Fellow in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She holds a position on the U.S. Olympic Sports Medicine Advisory Board. Clark is a nutrition resource for numerous popular magazines and is regularly quoted in Shape, Self, Real Simple, Readers Digest, Men’s Health, Glamour, and Good Housekeeping.
Aliza Rudavsky
Physical Therapist
Aliza Rudavsky is a physical therapist and Assistant Teaching Professor at Penn State University. She earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Washington and her Ph.D from the University of Copenhagen. Prior to becoming a physical therapist, Aliza was a professional modern dancer and brings her knowledge of dance and the performing arts into every PT session. She has specialized training in vocal unloading which treats the maladaptive voice cycle in singers and professional voice users. Her research at Penn State involves understanding the relationship between the vocal folds and the pelvic floor muscles. Aliza is thrilled to be involved in the School of Theatre’s Wellness Center and hopes to continue promoting wellness initiatives in the arts.
Leann T. Diederich, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Dr. Diederich received her PhD in Counseling Psychology from Indiana University (Bloomington). She was a Staff Psychologist and Group Therapy Coordinator at the Counseling and Psychological Services at Penn State prior to moving into independent practice in 2014. She is a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania, a member of the American Psychological Association, and the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. She has served as a Board Member-at-Large for the Society of Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy (Division 49 of the American Psychological Association). Additionally, Dr. Diederich maintains an active academic focus as an adjunct instructor at the undergraduate level in Human Development and Family Studies and in the doctoral program in Counselor Education at Penn State. She presents nationally on a range of topics, including co-leadership development, multicultural competency in group therapy, and the impact of visible/invisible identities. Her areas of specialization include working with young adults and early career professionals on improving interpersonal relationships, reducing anxiety and depression, and fostering wellness through living a value-driven life.
Alissa Yamasaki, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Alissa Yamasaki, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and the owner of Ayama Psychotherapy. She enjoys working with others to foster self-examination, especially in the context of the mind-body connection. Dr. Yamasaki holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Penn State University (2006) and specializes in helping people face their anxiety in order to create desired change in their relationships and daily lives. She also loves a good night of sleep and has additional training in providing evidence-based treatment for insomnia and nightmares. Students working with Dr. Yamasaki can expect to examine their own internal dynamics and to be held accountable for their own work between sessions, while seeing the rewards of their hard work manifest in fulfilling ways. Dr. Yamasaki’s experiences as a competitive gymnast through her teens, as well as her study of kinesiology at University of Illinois as an undergraduate, were the foundations of her interests in how the body and mind influence each other. Dr. Yamasaki sees her role in the Wellness Center as bringing her full-circle in her mind-body career, and she is excited to support wellness in the arts!
Dustin Barnes
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Dustin is a clinical therapist and the owner of Dustin Barnes Therapy in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. His passion is to support his clients to find enthusiasm, fulfillment, and satisfaction in their lives. In addition to using evidenced-based therapeutic techniques, he uses a trauma-informed, person-centered, creative, and holistic approach to meet his clients’ needs and accomplish their individualized goals. Dustin works well with individuals who may experience anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, racial trauma, or have felt rejected by their family or religious community. He works well with artists, BIPOC/people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community. Dustin is a singer and songwriter who is actively working on his own personal projects. After completing his Master in Social Work degree at West Chester University, he worked at University of The Arts in Philadelphia as a therapist in the Counseling Center. Dustin is excited to be work with other artists and performers to help them find balance in their professional and personal lives.
Becky Friedenberg, M. Ed.
Pre-Licensed Counselor
Becky is a counselor with Ayama Psychotherapy and also owns her own practice in State College, PA. She has a Master’s degree in Counselor Education from The Pennsylvania State University (2022) and a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from DeSales University (2006). Becky typically utilizes Person-Centered and Acceptance and Commitment therapies in her work with clients, but also believes that expressive arts can be a powerful tool in the therapeutic process, encouraging creativity, authenticity, and self-empowerment. She enjoys incorporating movement, music, art, and drama therapy techniques into her practice. She is delighted to serve as a counselor on the multidisciplinary Penn State Musical Theatre Wellness Team! Becky practices under the supervision of licensed counselor, Sabrina Kirk, LPC.
Ainsley Rager, M.Ed.
Pre-Licensed Counselor
Ainsley Rager, M.Ed., is a counselor with Ayama Psychotherapy. She is thrilled to be working with the Wellness Center! She holds a Masters degree in Counselor Education from Penn State University, and her work especially focuses upon working with diverse populations with concerns related to anxiety, depression, identity, self-esteem, racial identity and trauma, affectional orientation, gender identity and expression and gender dysphoria. She also currently has her own practice, True to You Counseling, and and is a Part-Time Staff Counselor with the Glaeser Center for Counseling at Juniata College. Ainsley practices under the supervision of licensed counselor, Natashja Rinaldo, BSW, MS, LPC, RYT.
Sage Stevens, LSW (they/them)
Licensed Social Worker
Sage is a therapist with Ayama Psychotherapy. They are excited to be working with the Penn State Musical Theatre Wellness Center! They hold a Master’s degree in Social Work from Pennsylvania Western University. Their work focuses on the principles of respect, understanding, and a commitment to affirming the diverse identities and cultures of everyone. Sage welcomes you to explore and express your authentic self in your therapeutic journey together. This includes, but is not limited to individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community, those who engage in sex work, ethical non-monogamy, kink community, disabled individuals, eating disorders, and those who struggle with self-harm and suicidality. Sage incorporates art and dance techniques into their practice when requested. Sage has been on stage starting at the age of 4! They started in ballet, jazz, and modern, and for the last 10 years in the Latin dance communities of salsa, bachata, kizomba, merengue, cumbia, chacha, and more! In their free time, Sage loves to dance, be immersed in nature, spend time with their family and senior rescue pup, and foster animals. Sage is a licensed social worker and working towards clinical social work licensure under the supervision of Kai Thigpen, LCSW.
J.P. Gniady, MD, FACS
Laryngologist
John Paul (J.P.) Gniady, MD, FACS – Dr. Gniady was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended Louisiana State University for college and medical school and then went on to complete his residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Upon completion of his residency, Dr. Gniady travelled to Boston for a year of additional training in Laryngeal Surgery at Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital with the world-renowned Dr. Steven Zeitels. Dr. Zeitels is best known for treating famous singers; ranging from The Who’s Roger Daltry, Steve Tyler of Aerosmith, Adele, and numerous operatic stars. He is however best known within the medical community for advancing the science and art of voice preservation and restoration for a variety of both benign and cancerous diseases of the larynx through the development of new surgical instruments and techniques.
Dr. Gniady helps patients with vocal cord paralysis, spasmodic dysphonia, and voice and swallowing disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease. He has recently joined the Penn State team at Hershey Medical Center and will work with us in Musical Theatre after spending years in Sarasota working with professional singers.
Dr. Ravishankar Rao
Medical Liaison
Dr. Ravishankar Rao, “Ravi,” is family physician in State College, PA. He received his medical degree from Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA; after which he went on to complete residency and primary care sports medicine training at the University of Michigan. He then returned to State College where he works in Orthopedics and Family Medicine clinics with Penn State Health.
With Musical Theatre, Dr. Rao will serve as a point of access for general health and performance related health conditions with goal of expediting access to medical care including further testing and referrals with subspecialists as appropriate. He will help coordinate activity modification and return to activity in consultation with the performer, and with consent, will coordinate with other healthcare providers involved in the care of the student.