Alumni in the News

Erica Nagel (M.F.A., Theatre, ’08) just received a prestigious TCG New Generations Future Leaders award funding a two year position at the McCarter Theatre. McCarter Theatre Center’s (Princeton, NJ) producing director Mara Isaacs will mentor Nagel in all aspects of creative producing, emphasizing a holistic approach to production, play development and community engagement.

Robert Schenkkan (B.F.A. in Drama, ’75) received two Emmy Award nominations for Best Writing, Miniseries for his work on The Pacific. The World War II drama tracks the intertwined real-life journeys of three U.S. Marines across the vast canvas of the Pacific Theater. The Pacific received a total of 24 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Miniseries.

Schenkkan is the author of The Kentucky Cycle, Tony Award nominee and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In addition to his artistic achievements, Schenkkan has been recognized as a UT Distinguished Young Alumnus, and is a member of the Friar Society. Schenkkan is co-writer on episodes 4, 6, 8 and 10, and co-producer on all 10 episodes of The Pacific.

On September 1, Judy Sebesta (Ph.D., Theatre, 1997) became chair of the newly formed Department of Theatre & Dance at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. Sebesta plans to continue exploring accreditation for the department through the National Association of Schools of Theatre and the National Association of Schools of Dance. For more information visit http://www.lamar.edu/newsevents/news/207_7815.htm

Fajer Al-Kaisi (M.F.A. ’07) in “Aftermath” Written by Erik Jensen and Jessica Blank

Premiere Stages Presents,“Any Other Name,” by George Brant (M.F.A. ’08)

featured in NY Times for his work in “The Exonerated” at New York Theater workshop.

receives Directing Fellowship at Arena Stage and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

As a doctoral graduate under Dr. Oscar G. Brockett, Dr. Steve Baldwin co-produced, researched and wrote “A Journey Through Deaf Texas,” which premiered on June 11, 2009 at UTSA-Downtown Campus in San Antonio. The 54-minute documentary covers the feats. failures and leadership of the Texas Association of the Deaf (TAD). Baldwin, a resident of Austin, developed the film with David Pierce of Davideo Productions of Seguin. In 1990 they both won the Barbara Jordan Award for a mini-documentary.

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play, “God of Carnage”

Kevin Adams and Marcia Gay Harden