Alumni in the News

Cheng-Wei Teng (M.F.A., Lighting Design, 2012) received the Gold Medal for Professional Lighting at the 2017 World Stage Design in Taiwan for his work Serenade. A freelance designer based in Taipei, Taiwan, Teng’s work includes One Hundred Years of Solitude by Shakespeare Wild Sisters Group, Queen Xiao-zhuang and Dorgon by GaoGuang Opera Company and Mulan the Musical by Tainanier Ensemble.

Benjamin Whitcomb (M.M. 1994, Ph.D. 1999), professor of Cello and Music Theory at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, recently published his seventh book, A Compendium of Chords for the Cello, through AuthorHouse. 

Stephanie Chiarello Noppenberg (B.A., Dance, 1998) created and is directing, producing, hosting and writing for “Over the Lege,” a live political satire comedy variety show about the Texas Legislature that returns this September to the Institution Theater. The musical, sketch and improv show is in its second year.

Alan E. Hicks (D.M.A., Vocal Arts, 2009) has joined the faculty of the University of Houston's Moores Opera Center as assistant professor and associate producer.

Jonas Criscoe (B.F.A., Studio Art, 2006) has work featured in the Contemporary Austin’s Crit Group Exhibition at GrayDuck Gallery.

Robert Di Donato (B.A., Theatre and Dance, 2016) will perform as a member of the clown ensemble for one night at the People’s Improv Theater of New York (The PIT Theater) as part of his clown training with Christopher Bayes, head of physical theatre at Yale School of Drama.

Lilly Lane Stafford (B.A., Theatre and Dance, 2017) starred as Patsy Cline in a TexARTS productions of A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline from July 14-30.

Jelisa Jay Robinson’s (B.A., Theatre and Dance, 2014) play Stories of Us will be presented by Chicago’s Visión Latino Theatre Company on Aug. 10.

Lucy Amen Warner (B.M., Music and Human Learning, 1975), Music Department chair at The Browning School in New York City, has just completed her first children's book Zap! Boom! Pow! Superheroes of Music.

Erica Shamaly (B.F.A., Art History 1994; B.A., Studio Art, 1996) was named the music and entertainment manager at the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department.