Alumni in the News

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.

Lindsay Genshaft (M.F.A., Theatre, 2011) received the 2017 Jon Lipsky Playwriting Award. Established in 2014, the award is dedicated to the memory of Jon Lipsky, the late playwright and artist-in-residence for the Museum of Science in Boston, and is given annually to the writer whose script best exemplifies standards of excellence in museum theatre.

Robert Di Donato (B.A., Theatre and Dance, 2016) is a core member of the New York-based performance troupe Queer Scouts. The troupe was selected for a new residency at the Abrons Arts Center in Manhattan after completing a full residency at Dixon Place Theater in New York City. After the completing their residency at Abrons, Queer Scouts is set to develop a new production to perform in fall 2017.

Martín Zimmerman (M.F.A., Theatre, 2010) discussed his play On the Exhale with the New York Times.

Will Davis (M.F.A., Directing, 2013) was recently nominated for outstanding direction of a musical for Evita at Olney Theatre Center in Maryland. The 2017 Helen Hayes Awards will be held May 15 at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C.  

Alumna Pamela Ribon (B.F.A. 1997) was one of the story writers for Disney's Moana, nominated for two Academy Awards (Animated Feature and Original Song).

The film Hacksaw Ridge, co-written by Robert Schenkkan (B.A., Drama, 1975) and directed by Mel Gibson, was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor.

Yebel Gallegos (B.F.A., Dance, 2007) spoke with Salt Lake City Weekly about being a principal dancer with Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company in anticipation of their performance Winter Season.

Fulfillment Center, a new work from Abe Koogler (M.F.A., Playwriting, 2014) will have a world premiere in New York City this summer at the Manhattan Theatre Club. The play begins previews June 6 and opens June 20. 

A Perfect Robot, a play by Sarah Saltwick (M.F.A., Playwriting, 2013), opened at The Vortex in Austin on Jan. 19 and runs through Feb. 11.