Recent News

Spectrum News takes a closer look at Panorama, an annual showcase of all areas of design by Texas Theatre and Dance graduate students. This annual celebration features the work of emerging artists in costume design, lighting design, scenery, media and technology. 

Lindsay Genshaft (M.F.A. 2011) recently received the 2017 Jon Lipsky Playwriting Award for her co-written script Art Emergency: Code Red! presented at the Denver Art museum. 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.

As proposed budgets threaten to cut all federal funding for the National Endowment of the Arts, the Austin Chronicle looks at what impact this could have in Austin. Professor Francie Ostrower (LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Department of Theatre and Dance), provides insight into how this federal funding filters down to states and local arts organizations.

Matthew Hernandez, current student and dramaturg for Texas Theatre and Dance's spring production of Luna, takes a look at inclusivity in the arts using the Guthrie Theater as an example. 

Alumnus Martin Zimmerman's (M.F.A. 2010) On the Exhale features in a piece from The New York Times about how theatre reckons with gun violence in modern society and the ways in which it can change our perspective. 

In his distinguished role, Clinical Assistant Professor Andrew Carlson will help advance the mission of the university through initiatives that promote the best practices in teaching and learning. 

Head of Acting, Robert Ramirez will be directing Julius Caesar this summer as part of Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre. Joining him is acting faculty member, Quetta Carpenter who will be playing "Cassius" (Julius Caesar) and "Princess of France" (Love's Labour's Lost), as well as students Tucker Martin as "Tommy" (The Music Man) and "Trebonius" (Julius Caesar); and Rama Tchuente as "Metellus" (Julius Caesar) and "Maria" (Love's Labour's Lost). 

Alumnus Will Davis, artistic director of American Theatre Company (ATC) 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.