Recent News

Faculty member Corey Allen is directing Great River Shakespeare's summer production of The African Company Presents Richard III. Other collaborators include M.F.A. candidate Braxton Rae as assistant director, recent graduate Harri Horsley (M.F.A. 2022) as costume designer and alumna Ashley Bowen (B.A. 2021) among the cast.

Romeo y Juliet playwright Karen Zacarías and director and faculty member KJ Sanchez reflect on the bilingual revitalization of Shakespeare's classic and the hidden opportunities that developed out of its postponed world premiere at California Shakespeare Theater.

Faculty member Dr. Lisa B. Thompson discusses her directorial debut with Ground Floor Theatre's production of Dot. Colman Domingo's blend of comedy and family drama, featuring multiple collaborators from the Department of Theatre and Dance, will be on stage May 13-28, 2022. 

Salvage Vanguard Theater's performances of Bright Mother: An Invitation to Being feature scenic design by Lisa Laratta (M.F.A. 2008), technical direction by Thomas Graves (M.F.A. 2008) and current student Allen Porterie among the ensemble. 

Graduating senior Alexandria Passanisi was recently recognized with the University Co-op George H. Mitchell Award for her honors thesis, entitled "The Missing Elements of Theatrical Representation of Autism Spectrum Disorder."

In March 2022, faculty member Gesel Mason developed her performance piece Yes, And through a residency at Jacob's Pillow. Traveling and collaborating with her were current graduate students Yunina Barbour-Payne, Love Muwwakkil and Eliot Gray Fisher, as well as alumna Khorii Tinson (B.F.A. 2020), among others. 

Theatre and Dance senior Christian Coffey recently revealed that he's portrayed Hook 'Em, UT Austin's beloved mascot, since his freshman year at the university. Coffey reflects on his experiences over the past four years as he nears the end of his undergraduate career.

Faculty member Kirk Lynn is serving as co-writer for the upcoming film What Happens Later, directed by Meg Ryan who will also star alongside David Duchovny. This new take on the romantic comedy genre is based on the play Shooting Star by former faculty member Steven Dietz, who also serves a co-writer for the screenplay along with Lynn and Ryan.