Alexandra (Allie) McCaw-Niederer teaches acting in the Department of Theatre. She began her professional career as an actor immediately after college; she moved to New York City and was fortunate enough to be cast in regional theatre productions across the country. In New York she continued her education, taking master classes, bootcamps and workshops from some of the industry’s leading players. Having fallen in love during college with both Linklater and Alexander work, she also participated in additional training in both disciplines.

In 2016, Allie became a full-time company member at Sight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This 2,200-seat theatre was her professional home for the next six years. She performed for millions of audience members each year. You can see Allie as Rachel (Peter’s wife) and Queen Vashti in filmed adaptations of the world premieres of Jesus and Queen Esther (available on Sight-Sound.tv and Amazon).

Alongside her performing career, Allie’s teaching and directing work ranges from youth summer camps to college conservatory programs. She is incredibly excited about helping young performers find and shape their unique voices as artists — she believes a career in theatre is not “one size fits all.” She began teaching at Hope College in 2024.

Her favorite acting credits include roles in Little Women: The Musical and On the Town (plus others listed below), in addition to many roles in Sight & Sound’s original productions. 

Areas of Expertise

• Musical theatre performance
• Audition techniques
• Scene study
• Linklater Technique

Education

• B.F.A., Musical Theatre, Oakland University, 2012

Selected Performance Credits

• Mother Mary, Jesus, world premiere, Sight & Sound Theatre, 2019
• Delilah, Samson, world premiere, Sight & Sound Theatre, 2016
• Jo March, Little Women: The Musical, Roxy Regional Theatre, 2014
• Carol, Laughter on the 32nd Floor, Jewish Ensemble Theatre, 2012
• Woman 2, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Westchester Broadway Theatre, 2013

Outside the College

Allie met her husband Michael when they performed onstage together as Samson and Delilah. They are proud parents to a happy little boy named Benjamin, and spend their “free” time chasing him and their dog Pippa around. Allie is passionate about traveling, baking and the filmography of Meryl Streep.