Recent News

Hinge Baby, written by alum Danny Tejera (M.F.A. 2020) and Tatiana Pandiani, was selected for Lucille Lortel Theatre's Alcove New Play Development Program. They're joining a cohort of fellow playwrights writing works that address the climate crisis and imagine possible futures beyond our current times.

We spoke with current students Esmeralda Treviño, Dominic Gross and Kira Small, alumni Sophie Anne Miller and Nya Garner and faculty members Corey Allen and Nanette Acosta about their experiences performing, designing and directing for Illinois Shakespeare Festival's 2024 summer season. 

Jaymes Sanchez (M.F.A. 2022) and KJ Sanchez (faculty) will both participate in one of The Orchard Project's various new work labs. Jaymes Sanchez will participate in the 2024-2025 Greenhouse Lab, while KJ Sanchez joins their Writers in Residence for their 2024 Performance Lab.

With the limited release of faculty member Annie Baker's feature film Janet Planet in late June 2024, news outlets around the nation have covered Baker's film debut. We've collected a roundup of features, from interviews with the renowned playwright-turned-filmmaker to reviews of her stunning new film.

From a debut film, residencies, internships, performances and prizes, UT Theatre and Dance artists are leaving their mark on the theatre and dance world. Check out our summer updates roundup to see just a few of their innovative summer projects.

Ph.D. candidate Khristián Méndez Aguirre and undergraduate student Demian Chavez Galvan are among 18 artists from around the world selected for this year's Candela Playwrights Summer Fellowship, which provides support for musical theatre writers of Latin American and Caribbean heritage.

Abe Koogler (M.F.A. 2014) has published five of his scripts in a collection entitled Abe Koogler Selected Plays, featuring a forward Koogler and the first publication of his play Advanced Man, which was developed as part of UTNT (UT New Theatre) in 2014.

In May 2024, M.F.A. candidate Daniel Ruiz Bustos traveled to Barcelona to take part in La Fura dels Baus' Redes Neuronales - Workshop #20. We caught up with Ruiz Bustos about his experience working with artists and researchers from around the world through this art and science workshop.

The Department of Theatre and Dance is pleased to celebrate the hiring of Katherine Freer, who will join the department in the fall semester as an assistant professor as part of the UT Live Design and Production program (integrated media for live performance). Freer, who has served as a lecturer at the department since 2022, is a multi-media artist, filmmaker, organizer and educator with a prolific background in story, science and civic engagement.

Director Jenny Lavery (M.F.A. 2024) spoke with BroadwayWorld about the magic of bringing The Wizard of Oz to the stage at San Pedro Playhouse. The production also features David Gonima (student) as "Scarecrow" and Jackie R. Pérez (B.A. 2018) as the stage manager.