Recent News

Faculty member Steven Dietz's Lonely Planet is headed to New York this October, starring Arnie Burton (The Government Inspector) and Matt McGrath (The Legend of Georgia McBride) to kick-start the Keen Company's 2017-2018 season Off-Broadway. 

The Austin American Statesman calls Building the Wall a "taught, timely, must-see new play...an excoriating critique of the virulent rhetoric — and actions — in contemporary American politics." On stage at the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre August 30 - September 10, 2017. 

The Austin Chronicle discusses the creation of Robert Schenkkan's Building the Wall and the challenge of producing a new piece with urgency in a time of political crisis. 

We recently sat down with Building the Wall playwright, Robert Schenkkan, and director, Brant Pope, to discuss where the current state of American politics and artistic expression through the performing arts overlap and how challenging new plays can act as a medium for continued discussion of current issues.

Building the Wall, a new political-thriller, envisions the aftermath following the impeachment of President Donald Trump. Developed with a sense of urgency as a rolling premiere across the country, it will receive its regional premiere at Texas Theatre and Dance this August. 

Professor Susan Mickey was recently nominated for a 2017 Equity Jeff Award for her costume design in Shakespeare in Love (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre). The 49th Annual Jeff Awards honor excellence in professional theatre in the Chicago area. Winners will be announced November 6, 2017. 

In association with Texas Theatre and Dance's production of Robert Schenkkan's Building the Wall, a series of panels are planned to discuss creating innovative theatre. Featuring Writing and Producing New Work in the American Theatre and The Role of the Critic and Scholar in Assessing New Work. These discussions, along with a post-performance talk back with playwright Robert Schenkkan and director Brant Pope, will take place at the Osar G. Brockett Theatre on September 7, 2017. 

Laura Gonzalez, a current B.A. in Theatre and Dance student emphasizing in costume design, recently discussed her summer internship with Seattle Children's Theatre and her experience and designing work for Texas Theatre and Dance in her second year.