If these Winship walls could talk.
Open the latest scholarly theatre or dance publication, and you are apt to see articles by Department of Theatre and Dance faculty, alumni and students. The recent March issues of Theatre Topics and Theatre Journal are no exception.
Dr. Rebecca Rossen’s article Jews on View: Spectacle, Degradation, and Jewish Corporeality in Contemporary Dance and Performance is featured in the March publication of Theatre Journal. An assistant professor at the Department of Theatre and Dance, Dr. Rossen’s research focuses on 20th and 21st century American dance, theatrical stagings of identity, and the relationship between scholarship and performance. In addition, she is a faculty affiliate in the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, the Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies, and the American Studies Department.
Dr. Rossen recently received a National Endowment for the Humanities research grant for her study “Jewish Identity in American Modern and Postmodern Dance.”
Alumna Claire Canavan’s (PhD 2010) article Created by Ensemble is in the March publication of Theatre Topics. Dr. Canavan is a lecturer at Texas State University-San Marcos.
Theatre Topics also features a book review by alumna Susanne Shawyer (PhD 2008). The current book review editor for this respected journal is alumnus Chase Bringardner (PhD 2007), who teaches at Auburn University. In addition, alumnus Ramon Rivera-Servera (PhD 2003) serves on the editorial board of Theatre Topics. Dr. Rivera-Servera is on faculty at Northwestern University.
Fadi Skeiker’s (PHD 2009) article “Performing Orphanage Experience: Applied Theatre Practice in a Refugee Camp in Jordan” has been published in Applied Theatre Researcher. He is an assistant professor of theatre arts at The University of Jordan in Amman.
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.
Dr. Elizabeth C. Ramirez’s (PhD 1982) La Voz Latina was recently published by the University of Illinois Press. A survey of the Latina theatre movement in the United States since the 1980s, Dr. Ramirez’s collection brings together contemporary plays and performance pieces by innovative playwrights, including Yareli Arizmendi, Josefina Báez, The Colorado Sisters, Migdalia Cruz, Evelina Fernández, Cherríe Moraga, Carmen Pelaez, Carmen Rivera, Celia H. Rodríguez, Diane Rodriguez, and Milcha Sanchez-Scott. A former student of Dr. Oscar Brockett, Dr. Ramirez have been pursuing the study of Latina/Latino performance and criticism for a number of years.
Jim Elliott (MFA 1998) and Gerritt VanderMeer are the co-founders of “The State of Shakespeare”, a virtual master class featuring in-depth interviews with working Shakespearean actors and directors. With a new episode appearing each month, “The State of Shakespeare” podcast offers the latest developments in Shakespeare performance, scholarship and news. Jim currently teaches acting, scene study and film acting at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, speech and presentation at The Cooper Union and film acting at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Peter McKinnon (MFA 1976) recently edited and published the first of a three volume series of books looking at stage design throughout the world from 1975-2015. Entitled World Scenography, the first volume will be launched at USITT in Long Beach in March 2012, with volume two being launched in Cardiff, Wales at World Stage Design in September 2013 and the last volume at the Prague Quadrennial in June 2015. Once completed, the anthology will be the largest and most comprehensive scholarship in the subject of design for theatre design ever published.
David McTier (PhD 1995) has been named a 2012 U.S. Fulbright Scholar to Kosovo, where he will teach aesthetics and direct at the University of Prishtina during the spring term. In August, David will return to the U.S. and resume his faculty position at Sam Houston State University.
Congratulations to the Department of Theatre and Dance productions, students, faculty, alumni and friends named as top picks of 2011 in The Austin Chronicle’s annual list of standout performances.
Selections from “Top 10 Theatrical Wonders of 2011”
8) Lauren Lane – Featured performer, The Cherry Orchard, Department of Theatre and Dance Fall 2011 production
Lucien Douglas and Lauren Lane, The Cherry Orchard; Photo: Brenda O’Brian
Honorable Mentions
And Then Came Tango
Produced in conjunction with The University Co-op Presents the Cohen New Works Festival, And Then Came Tango is a play for young audiences, celebrating the modern family. The creative team, cast and crew of the 2011 production included:
Director: Emily Freeman; M.F.A. in Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities candidate
Dramaturg: Elizabeth Schildkret; M.F.A. in Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities candidate
Costume Design and Construction: Susan MacCorkle; M.F.A. in Theatrical Design candidate
Music Composition: Paul Marbach; B.A. in Music ‘11
Stage Manager: Amanda Koleckar; B.A. in Theatre and Dance candidate
And, featuring performers:
Ariel Livingston; B.A. in Theatre and Dance candidate
Kelsey Rondeau, B.F.A. in Dance candidate
Diana Gonzales; B.A. in Theatre and Dance ‘11
Uyen-Anh Dang; B.A. in Theatre and Dance candidate
Michael Massey; B.A. in Theatre and Dance candidate
Katie Folger; B.A. in Theatre and Dance candidate
Mikey Mintz; B.A. in Theatre and Dance candidate
Courtney Moreno; B.A. in Theatre and Dance candidate
Liz Wasem; B.A. in Theatre and Dance candidate
And Then Came Tango will tour Austin-area schools and return to the Department of Theatre and Dance stage in the fall of 2012.
And Then Came Tango; Photo: David Bjurstrom
Heddatron (Salvage Vanguard Theater)
Director: Dustin Wills; B.A. in Theatre and Dance ‘06
Scenic Design: Lisa Laratta; M.F.A. in Theatrical Design ‘08
Technical Director: Mason Baker; B.A. in Theatre and Dance candidate
Technical Director: Dorian Robison; M.F.A. in Theatrical Design candidate
Selections from “Top 10 Theatrical Delights of the Latter Half of 2011”
7) Daria Davis, M.F.A. in Directing candidate and Director of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Department of Theatre and Dance Fall 2011 production
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; Photo: Trent Lesikar
Selections from “Top 10 Notable Theatrics of 2011”
2) The Book of Grace (ZACH Theatre)
Featuring performer:
Shaun Patrick Tubbs; M.F.A. in Acting ’10
7) Hillcountry Underbelly (The Vortex)
Director: Dustin Wills; B.A. in Theatre and Dance ‘06
Director: Keri Boyd; Director: Dustin Wills; B.A. in Theatre and Dance ‘06
Scenic Design: Lisa Laratta; M.F.A. in Theatrical Design ‘08
Costume Design: Dustin Wills; B.A. in Theatre and Dance ‘06
Featuring performers:
Emily Tindall; B.A. in Theatre and Dance ‘07
Jenn Hartmann Luck; M.F.A. in Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities ‘11
Look for more top picks featuring members of the UT Theatre and Dance community in more Top 10s of 2011.
“Top 10 Arts Events of 2011 in No Particular Order”
“Top 10 Theatrical Wonders of 2011”
“Top 10 Notable Theatrics of 2011”
“Top 10 Theatrical Delights of the Latter Half of 2011”
“Top 10 (+ 1) Dances With Big Heart in 2011”
“Top 10 Classical Music Treasures of 2011”
