Where Art and Love Took Center Stage

From the moment they crossed paths as students, Adriana Negron ’19 and Coldin Grundmeyer ’20 have shared a journey that shaped by their connection with each other, their craft, and the university that helped set them on their path.

Both credit their time in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Montclair State University as foundational to their growth as artists and professionals. Through rigorous training, mentorship, and a supportive creative environment, they learned what it truly means to work in the industry. Faculty challenged them to raise their standards while nurturing their individual strengths, instilling a work ethic and confidence that continue to guide their careers today.

Their story began during a production of West Side Story in the Alexander Kasser Theater, when Coldin was a freshman and Adriana a sophomore. What started as a friendship quickly grew into something more. Coldin remembers first noticing Adriana earlier that year in Life Hall, doing yoga with her friends. That quirky encounter was unforgettable to him, and the shared production brought them together creatively. From there, they fell in love.

Since graduating, both have built dynamic careers in musical theater, often crossing paths across the country. Adriana recently made her Broadway debut in A Chorus Line – The 50th Anniversary, performing the role of Diana Morales in a production honoring the show’s enduring legacy. She also appeared in national tours of Disney’s Aladdin, CATS, The Prom, and Mystic Pizza at the Paper Mill Playhouse. One of her most meaningful recent moments came when she performed with A Chorus Line in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This was a lifelong dream as she watched the parade from home with her family, now fulfilled.

Coldin’s career has been equally prolific. He led the first national tour of Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: A New Musical in the title role, a standout experience that combined puppetry with storytelling on a national scale. His Off-Broadway debut came in FRIENDS! The Musical Parody, alongside ensemble roles in productions such as Newsies, Bandstand, and Beauty and the Beast.

The couple states that navigating careers in a demanding and unpredictable industry is easier, as they understand each other’s world. Whether traveling to see one another perform or visiting while on tour, with Alaska being a favorite shared stop, they’ve learned to celebrate each other’s successes while staying grounded as a team. More recently, their collaboration has expanded beyond performing as they begin directing and choreographing projects together, discovering the joy of creating art side by side.

Coldin has also turned his focus toward building opportunities for others. He recently helped launch The Actors Studio of New Jersey, where he serves on the Board of Directors as Director of Development. Through producing mainstage shows and shaping the company’s growth, he is committed to supporting professional talent and strengthening the local theater community.

For Adriana and Coldin, the paths they walk today on Broadway, on tour, and in leadership roles, trace back to where it all began. Montclair didn’t just prepare them for careers in the arts; it brought them together, gave them the tools to thrive, and continues to be an integral part of their shared story.