Bianca Washington Ciungan received her B.A. at Western Michigan University and her MFA at The Pennsylvania State University in 2012. In her undergraduate studies, Bianca majored in theater performance and minored in communications. Her studies at Western set the foundation of discipline and passion for the arts, which lead her to continue her training at Penn State University’s MFA program. Bianca’s graduate training focused heavily on the Meisner technique, voice and movement with an emphasis on the Alexander technique, and classical material both in Shakespeare and Restoration comedy. She studied abroad in London, South Africa and Toronto, performing and engaging in master classes and research.

After her training, she ventured to New York City to gain a fuller understanding of the industry. It was there where she had the experience of serving as an understudy at the Pearl Theatre Company and as a volunteer at the 52nd Street Project. Upon her return to Michigan, she began adjunct teaching at Western Michigan University, Lake Michigan College and Kalamazoo College.

Bianca has been teaching at the collegiate level for seven years and has educated young people in the arts for more than 10 years. Bianca toured for over a decade with her family’s theatre company, Washington Productions. It was there where she learned the magic and art of the griot (African storytelling) and gives credit to her uncle, Dr. Von Washington, and aunt, Fran Washington, for providing the profound professional experience and education of the craft. She is one of the proud founding members of Face Off Theatre Company, based out of Kalamazoo, Michigan, which focuses on producing and supporting artists of color and their stories in Kalamazoo and other local communities.

Acting credits include: At the Table (Lauren), Disgraced (Jory), Good People (Kate), In Search Of Giants (Alice/Malinda), RACE (Susan), The Colored Museum (Medea/Flight Att.), Radio Golf (Mame), Oedipus (Jocasta), Twelfth Night (Viola) and many more. Directing credits include: Water by the Spoonful, The Meeting, Home on the Morning Train, Brave No World, Student Body, Ships, Shells and Chains, Theatre for Community Health and others.

Bianca is a proud mother and thanks her husband, Costas, for always supporting her and for her father for believing in her from the beginning. She enjoys getting to know students from all backgrounds, journaling, being by the water, making her daughter laugh, being in the presence of her family and living out her faith. Bianca is excited and eager to start at Hope College with her department and looks forward to being a part of the Holland community.