If these Winship walls could talk.
Another great e-postcard from Design & Technology Professor Jim Glavan and his experiences with Theatre and Dance students in Taiwan.
The group returned from a three-day weekend in Hualien on the east coast of central Taiwan. They visited the village of Xinshe, the Kavalan cultural center where they stayed with local tribal families, shared group meals of food collected from the land and prepared by the tribal chefs, and learned about the importance of the banana tree in their major art-form, banana fiber weaving.
The students continue to teach classes in millinery (hat making), draping and master building. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and creates new and unique experiences and perspectives for our Design & Technology students.
Inspired Teaching: Essays on Theatre Design and Technology Education, edited by alumnus Erik Viker (MFA 2003), was released at the 2013 USITT Conference and Stage Expo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The collection of insights on best teaching practice is available as either a print-on-demand or e-book from the USITT online bookstore in April.
The book includes essays provided by over 20 members of USITT, including alumni Viker and Cliff Simon (MFA 2002).
Cliff Simon is an associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has designed at the Truck and Warehouse Theater, the Lamb’s Club, Playwrights’ Horizons, T. Schreiber Studios in New York, the George Street Playhouse in New Jersey, the Cleveland Play House, ZACH Theatre, Tapestry Dance Company, Rude Mechs, Zilker Summer Theatre, and the Riverside Playhouse in Vero Beach.
Erik Viker is an associate professor of theatre and the production manager for Susquehanna University where he teaches courses in stagecraft, production, stage management and dramatic literature.
Visit our alumni spotlights and learn more about fellow Longhorns life beyond the 40 Acres.
Opening Reception: April 28, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Exhibition Hours:
April 28, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
April 29 – May 2, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
May 4, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
About PORTFOLIO 2013
The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance presents PORTFOLIO 2013, 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!
Parking Information for the April 28 Reception
The University requires all faculty, staff, students, and visitors to pay for parking on campus. Please be aware when you come to a performance that UT parking has changed and new signage has been posted in regards to the changes. All parking on campus – both ADA and non-ADA requires a permit or payment of fees.
Attendees may purchase parking in advance at a discounted rate for $6 for the reception online at utparking.clickandpark.com/venues. The discounted parking is only available online until 10:00 p.m. the day prior to the event.
For more information, contact Theatre and Dance at 512-471-5793 or theatreanddance@utexas.edu.
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Since graduating in 2012, Wilberth Gonzalez has costume designed for the theatre, a children’s television pilot for PBS, and a feature film. He is currently working for the La Joya School District as the costume designer for the district’s children’s theatre. He also designed for McAllen Ballet’s production of Alice in Wonderland.
Alumna Allison Ebling is making her mark at ZACH Theatre. She is the audio board operator for many of the Austin-based theatre’s productions and most recently was associate designer for Ragtime and White Christmas at ZACH. Learn more about her accomplishments since graduating from UT.
And now an e-postcard from some of our talented UT students teaching and studying in Taiwan!
Theatre and Dance Professor Jim Glavan and UT students Kristen Weller,
Nellie Kurz, Sweta Vakani, and Emily Robertson study and teach in Taiwan at Taipei National University of the Arts. They are in residence for the entire spring semester, arriving just before Chinese New Year and staying until the steamy days of July.
They are teaching historical western draping techniques and western millinery practices. There are fifteen TNUA students in the classes with them.
The TNUA campus where Jim and the students live during their study abroad experience is perched on a mountain in a treasured park on the outskirts of Taipei. TNUA is a university that teaches contemporary fine art and performance as well as traditional Chinese Art.
This intensive immersion experience will see the chance of a lifetime for these students and their mentor.
Photos courtesy of Jim Glavan.
Alumna Robin McGee (MFA 1992) is currently teaching costume design at The University of Florida at Gainesville as a visiting artist. She has designed over 100 productions of all kinds around the country. Her vast experience includes everything from Vegas style showgirls for Comedy Central to singing animals in the opera A Muskrat’s Lullaby to detailed period clothing in The IT Girl and Noel Coward’s Fallen Angels with a couple of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Clowns in between.
Learn more about Robin’s work on her website rlmcgeedesign.com
Michael McBride (BFA 1967) is a trustee of the United Scenic Artists Pension and Welfare Funds. During his extensive career, McBride served on the scenic staff of ABC, working in all phases of network production in New York and Washington, D.C. In 1995, he joined the staff of United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 and went on to serve as its National Business Agent.
Kris Swift (BA 2000) was a contestant on HGTV’s seventh season of Design Star. He’s working on two network pilots, and running his new Austin-based company Future Design Now.
Light | Night the bike light dance project was a success!
The performances’ prologue featured fantastic baton twirlers and a delightful unicycler. This trio eased the audience into their journey through a colorful transformation of visibility. Between hypnotizing hula hoopers, magical ensembles, a poetic interlude, live drums deepening the beat of the music, and a powerful climax, the performance left the audience with a seemingly organic awareness of the voice of lights at night, especially on bikes. As the audience dispersed, those who biked road away with a new glow of their new free bike light.
Thanks to all who joined us Saturday evening!
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