Alumni in the News

Pamela Ribon (B.F.A., Drama Production, 1997) was named to Variety’s list of “10 Screenwriters to Watch 2016.” 

Hardy Koenig (B.A., Drama, 1990) received tenure and promotion in spring 2016, after five years as artistic director. He is in his second year as Head of the Department of Theatre at North Dakota State University.

Hacksaw Ridge, the latest film co-written by Robert Schenkkan (B.A., Theatre Studies, 1975) released on Nov. 4. It is directed by Mel Gibson and stars Andrew Garfield.

James Walters (B.F.A., Drama, 1969) spoke with the College of Fine Arts about the past 10 years working with the popular TV crime drama NCIS.

Jaime Castañeda (M.F.A., Directing, 2006) listed by American Theatre magazine as one of the 6 Theatre Workers You Should Know.

The College of Fine Arts profiled Kara Liotta (B.F.A., Dance, 2008) to highlight her success as a fitness instructor and model in New York City.

James Walters (B.F.A., Drama, 1969) continues his position as a set designer for CBS’s television series NCIS for a 14th season. He’s worked on the show since 2006.

Selina Rosales (B.A., Directing, 2015) was named the new Program Assistant at the American Theatre Wing. She supports all core programs and services of the organization, which include the Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative, The National Theatre Company Grants, The Jonathan Larson Grants, SpringboardNYC, and the Obie Awards.

Marian Kansas (B.A., Directing, 2016) and Nicole Oglesby (B.A., Theatre and Dance, 2016) launched a new feminist theatre company in Austin called The Heartland Theatre Collective. They will premiere their first show, Dust by Oglesby and directed by Kansas, Oct. 6 -10, 12 - 15 at The Pony Shed at The VORTEX. Dust is a full length play about three sisters fighting to stay alive in the Texas panhandle during the dust bowl in the shadow of a dying farm and a miraculous apricot tree. Photo by Daniel Berkowitz.

Stephanie Chiarello Noppenberg (B.A., Dance, 1998) will direct, produce, write for and host a live political comedy satire show at Austin’s Institution Theater called “Over the Lege” running Sept. 9 through Oct. 1. “Over the Lege” exposes the shenanigans of the Texas Legislature through song, dance, sketch and improv. She also performs in the musical improv troupe "That Racket".