If these Winship walls could talk.
UT Theatre and Dance Community Among Top Picks
Minus 16, Catalyst, 2012 Photo: Jeff Heimsath
For the 20th year, an informal affiliation of local arts critics has recognized the year’s most exceptional achievements in dance, classical music, the visual arts, and theatre. Department of Theatre and Dance productions, students, faculty, alumni and friends are well represented on this year’s list of nominations. Winners will be announced of the Critics’ Table Awards will be announced on June 4.
Performances listed below are produced by The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance unless otherwise noted.
DANCE
Dance Concert
Short Work
Tango Vesre by Alvin Rangel, MFA ‘12
Watch the Gap by Ellen Bartel, MFA ‘12
Choreographer
David Justin, Oblivion’s Ink, Department of Theatre and Dance Associate Professor and Co-Artistic Director of Dance Repertory Theatre
Dancer
Alvin Rangel, Tango Vesre, MFA ‘12
Ensemble
Ellen Bartel (MFA ’12), Mari Akita, and Adam Sultan in Program C: Butoh (Big Range Dance Festival)
Dance Repertory Theatre dancers in Minus 16, Catalyst
DESIGN
Scenic Design
Rowan Doyle, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, MFA ‘12
Michael Raiford, Hairspray/Spring Awakening/God of Carnage (ZACH Theatre), MFA ‘09
Chris H. Yoo, 360 (round dance), MFA candidate
Costume Design
Yao Chen, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, MFA candidate
Proletina Veltchev, Love’s Labour’s Lost, MFA ‘12
Lighting Design
Kate Leahy, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, MFA ‘12
Cheng-Wei Teng, Love’s Labour’s Lost, MFA ‘12
Video Design
Joao Beira, Too & For (Catalyst), Choreographer Yacov Sharir
Jeff Kurihara, Broken Pieces/Just for the Night (New York Stories), MFA candidate
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, 2012 Photo: Trent Lesikar
THEATRE
Production, Drama
Direction
Daria Davis, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, MFA candidate
Acting in a Leading Role
Jon Cook, The Aliens (Hyde Park Theatre), BA ‘12
Acting in a Supporting Role
Kim Adams, Ghosts/The Pavilion (Penfold Theatre Co. in partnership with Breaking String), BA ‘09
Kelli Schultz, Next to Normal (ZACH Theatre), BA ‘12
Rommel Sulit, Bacha Bazi (Boy Play)
Ensemble Performance
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
David Mark Cohen New Play Award
360 (round dance), Steven Dietz, Department of Theatre and Dance Professor
Bacha Bazi (Boy Play), Gabriel Jason Dean, MFA ‘12
River City, Diana Grisanti, MFA ‘12
Static, Tom Horan, MFA ‘12
Music Direction
Allen Robertson, Hairspray/Next to Normal (ZACH Theatre), MFA ‘92
Movement
Quetta Carpenter, Love’s Labour’s Lost , Department of Theatre and Dance Lecturer
Tom Truss, Hair (Texas State University-San Marcos), MFA ‘09
The fourth edition of Gregg Hillmar’s (MFA ‘86) book “Light Plot Deconstructed” hits the shelves in March. Written for Vectorworks Spotlight 2012, the theatrical lighting industry standard CAD software, this tutorial manual is based on Gregg’s successful Vectorworks Spotlight demonstrations and training courses. Gregg provides a short, accessible, and easy to follow look at Vectorworks Spotlight as an addition to the Vectorworks Manuals.
Gregg (MFA, 1986) is a scenic and lighting designer based in Richmond, Virginia. Gregg’s work has been seen at theatre, dance and opera productions across the country. Non-theatre work includes designing galleries, lighting museum exhibits, and designing convention booths and stages. Gregg has written about Vectorworks in many industry publications and has provided training for professional theatres, dance companies, businesses, educational institutions and individuals. He has done training seminars at USITT, LDI, SETC, and other industry organizations and conventions. Gregg is an associate professor of theatre design and technology at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. He is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829, the union for professional theatrical designers and artists, and can be visited on the web at www.hillmardesign.com.
Date: April 23, 2012
Event: The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance presents PORTFOLIO 2012, an exhibition celebrating the work of emerging artists in costume design, lighting design, scenery, media and technology. The annual showcase offers behind-the-scenes access as attendees see imagination manifest itself in works for the stage and film.
In conjunction with PORTFOLIO 2012, the department will host a public lecture by scenic designer Thomas A. Walsh on April 29. Walsh has been recognized with an array of awards including an Emmy for his designs for CBS’s critically acclaimed series, Buddy Faro, and his origination of the hit ABC series, Desperate Housewives, a show for which he designed the pilot and its first 84 episodes.
When:
Opening Reception and Exhibition: April 29, 4-6 p.m.
Exhibition: April 30-May 3, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; and May 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lecture: “Narrative Design Training for the Digital Sandbox” by Thomas A. Walsh, April 29, 6 p.m.
Where:
PORTFOLIO 2012 and Thomas A. Walsh’s lecture will be held in the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre, located in the F. Loren Winship Drama Building (WIN) at the intersection of 23rd Street and San Jacinto Boulevard.
Tickets: Admission is free and open to the public.
Background:
PORTFOLIO 2012 highlights the work of 35 artists from The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance. Showcasing initial ideas born in drawings to fully realized works, the annual exhibit includes costumes, millinery, armor and lighting and scenic designs for the stage and film.
A nationally recognized program, the Department of Theatre and Dance has numerous successful alumni, including Tony Award-winning designer Kevin Adams (Spring Awakening, American Idiot). PORTFOLIO 2012 offers attendees the exclusive opportunity to view innovative works and meet the artists, who are preparing to launch their careers.
Guest artist Thomas A. Walsh is a narrative designer whose body of work encompasses feature films, IMAX, television, documentaries, theatrical dramas and musicals. On Broadway he designed the world premieres of Zoot Suit and Children of a Lesser God, the latter of which received the Tony Award for Best Play (1980). Walsh is the president of the Art Directors Guild and co-chairman of its Film Society.
Walsh’s lecture “Narrative Design Training for the Digital Sandbox” explores the expansion of digital media and the collaborative nature of creation for film, television and the stage.
Contact: Cassie Gholston, gholston [at] austin.utexas.edu, (512) 232.5301
Join the conversation on facebook.
Opening Reception: April 29, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Exhibition Hours:
April 29, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
April 30 – May 3, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
May 5, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Public Lecture by guest artist Thomas A. Walsh
“Narrative Design Training for the Digital Sandbox”
April 29, 6:00 - 6:45 p.m.
About PORTFOLIO 2012
The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance presents PORTFOLIO 2012, an exciting exhibition celebrating the work of emerging artists in costume design, lighting design, scenery, media, and technology. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
Come see how imagination manifests itself on stage and film!
Above: Costume design by Yao Chen for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
In conjunction with PORTFOLIO 2012, the Department of Theatre and Dance will host a public lecture by scenic designer Thomas A. Walsh on April 29 at 6:00 p.m. in the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre.
Walsh is a narrative designer whose body of work encompasses feature films, IMAX, television, documentaries, theatrical dramas and musicals. He has been recognized with an array of awards including an Emmy for his designs for CBS’s critically acclaimed series, Buddy Faro, and his origination of the hit ABC series, Desperate Housewives, a show for which he designed the pilot and its first 84 episodes.On Broadway he designed the world premieres of Zoot Suit and Children of a Lesser God, the latter of which received the Tony Award for Best Play (1980).
Walsh’s lecture “Narrative Design Training for the Digital Sandbox” explores the expansion of digital media and the collaborative nature of creation for film, television and the stage. Admission is free and open to the public.
Tell us you’re coming and join the conversation on facebook!
For more information, call 512-471-5793.
Tanya Schurr’s job isn’t your typical “9 to 5”. As the production coordinator for Flow Nonfiction, the 2008 bachelor of arts alumna juggles office management, accounting, and produces on and off-set film shoots. Every day has a new set of challenges to tackle. And Schurr wouldn’t change a minute of it.
A self-proclaimed “theatre nerd” in her youth, Schurr discovered a love for stage management in high school and elected to pursue her degree at The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance. She explains, “After looking at competitive and high dollar schools like NYU, Carnegie Mellon, and conservatories like Webster, I felt that I might want to take a few non-theatre courses and earn a more well-rounded education. I looked back at my hometown and UT was my answer. I remember meeting with faculty member Denise Martel. I was in awe of the possibilities offered.”
Martel quickly became one of Schurr’s mentors. Schurr shares, “Denise’s stage management classes were so much about what to expect as a real world stage manager. We created production binders, shadowed other stage managers, and had a chance to step behind the scenes of many main stage shows at Bass Concert Hall to meet Broadway crews who offered priceless advice and connections to the business. Denise was the one that saw potential in me and gave me the opportunities to stage manage shows from the start.”
During her junior year, Schurr volunteered to stage manage Wireless-less, a new play produced in conjunction with the University Co-op Presents the Cohen New Works Festival. The fortuitous meeting of Schurr and Wireless-less playwright David Modigliani (MFA 2007) led to their ongoing collaboration. Schurr went on to serve as assistant producer for Modigliani’s acclaimed documentary Crawford, and then joined Modigliani at Flow Nonfiction, an Austin-based production company that makes documentary content for socially conscious companies.
Schurr’s favorite project to date is Flow Nonfiction’s short film Espwa, which means “Hope” in Haitian Creole. Partnering with Procter & Gamble’s Tide Loads of Hope program, Flow Nonfiction filmed the company’s volunteers delivering donated washers and dryers to a local hospital and orphanage in Port Au Prince following the Haiti earthquake. Schurr says, “The post-earthquake conditions were devastating, but the positive Haitians we interviewed and the beautiful, smiling children we spent time with at the orphanage gave me a sense of hope. It was a truly eye opening experience and has made me a stronger person.” Flow Nonfiction is currently working on a film about meningitis awareness for the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas.
It has been four years since Schurr’s graduation, and her work and talents are making a national impact. Reflecting on her time at the university, Schurr offers her insight for students. “Take advantage of the incredible opportunities both in and around the Department of Theatre and Dance. Take the Business Foundation courses and you’ll be glad you did no matter where you end up. Join a campus organization, like Rotaract,” she advises. “Most importantly, build strong relationships with people, which as a theatre kid, shouldn’t be too tough! It’s all about enjoying the time you have and appreciating the community that you’re a part of.”
Photography courtesy of Flow Nonfiction
Rozanne Seelen (BFA 1956) is the owner of New York City’s The Drama Book Shop, recently honored with the Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre. Rozanne shares that “our mission is to provide not only a place to buy books but also a place where people can gather and get the help they need for their careers”. Rozanne and her staff will celebrate The Drama Book Shop’s 100th anniversary in 2017.
Alina Juanita Bushong (BA ‘11) recently served as a costume designer for Twitchy Dolphin Flix’s Goin’ Gorilla and an independent film entitled Patient Zero.
K. April Blackburn-Soroko (BFA 1993) is the Assistant Professor of Scenic Design at The University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida as well as the Resident Scenic Designer for the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre since 2007. She is also a Resident Designer at Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota. Recent works include: Beehive: The 60’s Musical, Race, The Savannah Disputation, The 39 Steps, The Last Romance and Next to Normal.
She has designed ten productions at Triad Stage in Greensboro, North Carolina, which recently received a National Theatre Company Grant by the American Theatre Wing and was named as one of the 10 most promising theatres in the country. Last October April designed scenery and costumes for a production of The House of Bernarda Alba at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in collaboration with the University of Miami Theatre Arts Department. She is married to Lee Soroko (MFA ’92) and has two beautiful children, Zoe (aged 15) and Nikolai (aged 12).
James “Jim” Culley (MFA 1984) will retire within the next year after teaching 25 years at San Jose State University in California. He plans to continue teaching half time and designing for Children’s Musical Theatre San Jose. Latest designs include: Legally Blond, 9 to 5, Emma, and Dead Man’s Cell Phone.
