Department of Theatre and Dance Staff


Vaishali Laveti Academic Assistant to the Chair Trahern 205 (931) 221-6767 lavetiv@apsu.edu Pronouns: She/Her/Hers	Bio Coming soon!
Danny Chomicki Scene Shop Supervisor Trahern 240 (931) 221-1076 chomickid@apsu.edu	Bio Coming Soon!
Amy Frederick Collabrative Pianist Trahern 240 fredericka@apsu.edu Pronouns: She/Her/Hers	Amy Frederick is a versatile freelance musician specializing in piano, Hammond organ and keyboards. Amy has established herself as a dynamic performer within Nashville’s rich music scene, regularly performing with a range of local and touring acts spanning rock, R&B, blues, country, pop and jazz. In addition to collaborating with choirs, improv comedy troupes and churches, she hosts a podcast in which she interviews both professional and up-and-coming keyboardists. Notably, Amy is a member of Piper & The Hard Times, who recently claimed victory at the 2024 International Blues Challenge and won Best Emerging Artist at the 2025 Blues Music Awards in Memphis. In 2025, she embarked on an international tour with BMG Artists’ “Trailblazing Women of Country.” This fall, Amy is excited to bring her expertise to the Theatre Department at Austin Peay State University, where she looks forward to coaching students and helping them reach their potential.
Shanna Tucker Costume Shop Manager Trahern 211 tuckersm@apsu.edu Pronouns: She/Her/Hers	Shanna Marie Tucker has been working as a costume professional for over 20 years. Her journey into theatre production started with an obsession with historical fashion during her teens, making her first historically accurate corset at the age of 14. She has worked in the costume shops for Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, Seaworld San Antonio, and Houston Ballet, toured with Disney on Ice and Playhouse Disney and most recently worked as a dye specialist for Animax Designs, Inc. Her specialties include fabric painting and dyeing, digital patterning, and machine embroidery design. While during her career Shanna has attempted to finish her college education, having studied art, theatre, and fashion. She is currently working on her BFA in Studio Art. Shanna hopes to eventually earn her Master’s in Historical Fashion and Textiles.

Vaishali Laveti
Academic Assistant to the Chair
Trahern 205
(931) 221-6767
lavetiv@apsu.edu

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Bio Coming soon!

Danny Chomicki
Scene Shop Supervisor
Trahern 240
(931) 221-1076
chomickid@apsu.edu

Bio Coming Soon!

Amy Frederick
Collabrative Pianist Trahern 240
fredericka@apsu.edu

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Amy Frederick is a versatile freelance musician specializing in piano, Hammond organ and keyboards. Amy has established herself as a dynamic performer within Nashville’s rich music scene, regularly performing with a range of local and touring acts spanning rock, R&B, blues, country, pop and jazz. In addition to collaborating with choirs, improv comedy troupes and churches, she hosts a podcast in which she interviews both professional and up-and-coming keyboardists. Notably, Amy is a member of Piper & The Hard Times, who recently claimed victory at the 2024 International Blues Challenge and won Best Emerging Artist at the 2025 Blues Music Awards in Memphis. In 2025, she embarked on an international tour with BMG Artists’ “Trailblazing Women of Country.” This fall, Amy is excited to bring her expertise to the Theatre Department at Austin Peay State University, where she looks forward to coaching students and helping them reach their potential.

Shanna Tucker
Costume Shop Manager Trahern 211
tuckersm@apsu.edu

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Shanna Marie Tucker has been working as a costume professional for over 20 years. Her journey into theatre production started with an obsession with historical fashion during her teens, making her first historically accurate corset at the age of 14. She has worked in the costume shops for Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, Seaworld San Antonio, and Houston Ballet, toured with Disney on Ice and Playhouse Disney and most recently worked as a dye specialist for Animax Designs, Inc. Her specialties include fabric painting and dyeing, digital patterning, and machine embroidery design.

While during her career Shanna has attempted to finish her college education, having studied art, theatre, and fashion. She is currently working on her BFA in Studio Art. Shanna hopes to eventually earn her Master’s in Historical Fashion and Textiles.