Pace University’s Sands College of Performing Arts has announced the addition of three new faculty members for the fall 2025 semester. L Morgan Lee, a Tony Award nominee, will join as clinical assistant professor of musical theater. Shonica Gooden, known for her performances on Broadway, will serve as clinical assistant professor of commercial dance. Matthew Stern, an experienced Broadway stage manager, has been appointed clinical assistant professor and program head of stage management.
“These extraordinary educators bring unparalleled professional experience and a passion for nurturing emerging talent,” said Jennifer Holmes, dean of the Sands College of Performing Arts. “Their artistry, leadership, and commitment to students will further elevate the exceptional training we offer here at Sands.”
The appointments coincide with a period of growth for Sands College. The college is gaining national attention for its programs in acting, directing, musical theater, commercial dance, production and design for stage and screen, and stage management. Recent recognitions include being listed by Playbill among the top 10 most represented colleges on Broadway during the 2023–2024 season; highlighted by Backstage.com as one of the notable acting colleges; and ranked in The Wrap’s top 20 schools for acting and theater.
Sands College is also preparing to open a new Performing Arts Center as part of Pace University’s renovation efforts at One Pace Plaza East in lower Manhattan.
L Morgan Lee made history as the first openly trans actor nominated for a Tony Award with her performance in “A Strange Loop.” She has received additional honors such as an Obie Award and nominations from Drama League and Lucille Lortel Awards. Her creative work includes writing featured in various publications and a short play presented at The Public Theater.
“We are shaping young artists who may one day become some of the brightest lights on Broadway and beyond,” said Lee. “I’m thrilled for a fuller opportunity to walk alongside them—to help nurture their individual voices, refine their craft, as well as share lessons I’ve gathered (and continue to learn) from over more than two decades in this industry. Pouring into their artistry is not simply a job; it’s a privilege that I carry with the deepest of respect and gratitude.”
Shonica Gooden is currently performing with the Broadway company of “Hamilton” and has appeared in other productions such as “CATS” (Broadway revival), “Bring It On: The Musical,” “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” “Memphis,” “Matilda The Musical,” “Sister Act,” and “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope.” Her television credits include roles in Fosse/Verdon, Manifest, Almost Family, Ted 2, The First Purge, and The Dutchman. Gooden leads The Black Artists Dance Collective (TBADC), which provides resources to Atlanta’s BIPOC dance community through education and engagement.
“When I attended the 2025 Senior Dance Showcase, I loved the fact that you could tell that there’s a major value placed on individuality and artists’ identity at Sands College,” said Gooden. “Not one dancer is the same. This isn’t a program for cookie cutter dancers, it’s a program for dancers that understand that versatility and sharing your true self through your artistry are the keys to your success in this industry. It excites me to be an educator in a program that champions those values!”
Matthew Stern brings experience from over 20 Broadway productions including “Come From Away,” “Finding Neverland,” “On the Town,” “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,” “An Evening with Patti LuPone & Mandy Patinkin,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Wicked,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “The Full Monty,” and “Death of a Salesman.” He has also managed national tours such as John Lithgow’s Stories By Heart; Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays; Les Misérables; Grease; In the Fiddler’s House with Itzhak Perlman; worked with Martha Graham Dance Company; Ballet Iowa; Radio City Christmas Spectacular; Blue Man Group at Hollywood Bowl; along with corporate events worldwide.
Stern founded the Broadway Stage Management Symposium—a platform focused on professional development—and serves on The Stage Managers’ Association board.
“I’m thrilled to work alongside the highly regarded faculty at Pace to help train future generations of artists,” said Stern. “Working with young adults is a great responsibility. As the head of the stage management program at Pace, I welcome the opportunity to educate and support stage managers in their journey to find their voice, develop their aptitude for leadership, and advocate for themselves and the artists they support. I look forward to continuing the great traditions and standards at Pace and instilling valuable leadership qualities for people and organizations to thrive.”
Pace University was established in 1906 with campuses located in New York City and Westchester County. It offers undergraduate through doctoral degree programs across several colleges including health professions, arts & sciences, law school, business school—including Sands College—education school—and computer science & information systems.
Sands College provides training across performing arts disciplines with alumni participating in major film productions like “& Juliet”, TV shows such as A Beautiful Noise or Hamilton on Broadway stages among others.