PORTLAND — Alexis R.D. Handy of Lewiston graduated May 16 with a bachelor’s of music degree in music performance and a minor in theatre from the University of Southern Maine.

Handy is a 2004 graduate of Lewiston High School and is the daughter of James R. and Sharon D. Handy of Lewiston.
While at USM, Handy studied voice with David Goulet and Edward Reichert. She performed in a number of musicals, including the premiere production of Maine native Brian Simmet’s “Spirit of Reindeer,” in which she originated the role of “Vixen.”

In 2008 she was chosen to sing in the School of Music’s Honors Recital, which recognizes excellence in student solo performance. She also received fourth place and second place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Musical Theatre competition in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

Fans of Community Little Theatre will remember her as the sassy sidekick “Rusty,” in last summer’s production of “Footloose.” She previously portrayed “Susan,” in the Jonathan Larson autobiographical musical “tick, tick . . . Boom!,” presented by the Oxford Hills Music and Performing Arts Association. She has also been seen in community theaters in southern Maine; “Hope” in Biddeford City Theatre’s production of “Urinetown” and most recently, “Helga” in “Cabaret” at South Portland’s Lyric Theatre.

Handy is in the ensemble of Ogunquit Playhouse’s “High School Musical,” which can be seen Aug. 29 and 30.
She recently began rehearsal for the role of “Ulla,” the Swedish bombshell in the Tony Award-winning musical “The Producers,” which runs Aug. 12 to 15, 19 to 22 and 26 to 29 at Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick. Ticket information can be found at www.hackmatack.org.