Recent News

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The 2017 Austin Critics' Table Awards Nominees Announced

May 26, 2017

An informal affiliation of local arts critics have recognized the year's most exceptional achievements in dance, classical music, visual arts and theatre. The Department of Theatre and Dance productions, students, faculty, alumni and friends are well represented on this year's list of nominations. Texas Theatre and Dance's In the Red and Brown Water and Momentum were both recognized as part of this year's list. 

Learn about how Sven Ortel uses projections and imagery to tell a story as part of a team of collaborative artists.

Theatre and Dance Faculty and Students on the Team of Roman Holiday

May 25, 2017 | Playbill

Faculty member Sven Ortel along with current students Lacey Erb and Alex Gendel join the design team of the Broadway-bound Roman Holiday - The Cole Porter Musical, starring Stephanie Styles, Drew Gehlind, Jarrod Spector and Georgia Engel and opens in San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre this summer. 

Charles O. Anderson in front of a gray brick wall

Charles O. Anderson Honored with College of Fine Arts Distinguished Teaching Award

May 25, 2017

Anderson’s contributions as an educator and artist were formally recognized at the College of Fine Arts 2017 spring commencement ceremony. He will receive a monetary prize and is invited to present the keynote address for the 2017 winter College of Fine Arts commencement.

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Current Student Sofia Aranha and Recent Graduate Jacqueline Heimel Recognized with the 2017 Roy Crane Award

May 24, 2017 | The University of Texas at Austin | Office of Executive Vice President and Provost

Sofia Aranha (current student) and Jacqueline Heimel (M.F.A. 2017) recently received the university's Roy Crane Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts. Recognizing their work in the performing arts, the monetary award celebrates Aranha's choreography (Dil Se Re and Swadesh: One's Own Country) and Heimel's creation, "Randy the Rooster."

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Alumnus J. Quinton Johnson stars as "Marco" in ABC's Dirty Dancing

May 22, 2017 | Broadway World

J. Quinton Johnson, alumnus of the department, will star as "Marco" in ABC's Dirty Dancing (May 24, 2017). Johnson can also be seen as "Hercules Mulligan/James Madison" in the Broadway smash-hit Hamilton. 

A portrait of Talleri McRae

Talleri McRae recognized by American Theatre’s Roll Call

May 18, 2017 | American Theatre

Talleri McRae (M.F.A., Theatre, 2010) was recognized in American Theatre's Roll Call. She is currently a teaching artist and access/inclusion consultant whose work focuses on fostering the creativity and passion of the disability rights movement and developing meaningful theatre for young audiences.

Will Davis holds papers while directing

Will Davis discusses first season with American Theatre company in Chicago

May 18, 2017 | American Theatre

Will Davis (M.F.A., Directing, 2013), artistic director of American Theatre Company in Chicago discusses his process and planning his first season in his new role that includes work that reckons with race, gender, culture and controversy with American Theatre.

Four alumni form Flat Tire Theatre Company in Los Angeles

May 18, 2017 | Hollywood Fringe Festival

Martin Rodriguez (B.F.A., Theatre Studies, 2015), Amanda Lloyd (B.A., Theatre Studies, 2014), Sarah Marcum (B.F.A., Theatre Studies, 2014) and Shae Tomlinson (B.A., Theatre and Dance, 2015) formed Flat Tire Theatre Company in Los Angeles. They will perform in their second Hollywood Fringe Festival this year with a show titled CringeFest: An Uncomfortable Anthology. 

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Faculty Member Kirk Lynn Selected as Writer for The New Harmony Project

May 17, 2017 | The New Harmony Project

Playwriting faculty member Kirk Lynn was chosen as a writer in full development for The New Harmony Project, which hosts a conference every spring focused on incubating new work that seeks to create uplifting, inspiring work. 

A portrait of Naomi Boyd

Naomi Boyd named endowed professor at West Virginia University

May 15, 2017 | West Virginia University

Naomi Boyd (B.F.A., Dance, 1999) was named an endowed professor at West Virginia University. She is currently the department chair for the Department of Finance and an associate producer in the College of Business and Economics. She is also the founding director for the new Center for Financial Literacy and Education which houses many programs in wealth management, banking and insurance, as well as research opportunities and support for faculty projects to further the center.