Alumni in the News

Steve Parker (D.M.A., Music, 2012) is the recipient of this year’s Tito’s Prize, a $15,000 cash award funded by the Texas vodka company and administered through Austin arts organization Big Medium, who give the winning artist a solo show staged during the East Austin Studio. Initiated last year, the Tito’s Prize is the largest cash prize granted to an Austin visual artist.

Daniel Madrid (M.M., Music, 2013) has been hired as the Executive Assistant to the General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera House.

Harrison Butler (M.F.A., Theatre, 2010) has been named the new executive director of the Theatre of Arts Acting Conservatory in Los Angeles. TOA is the longest continuously running acting conservatory in Los Angeles, located in the heart of Hollywood. Butler is the 14th executive director to be hired in the history of the institution.

Jieun Beth Kim (M.F.A., Studio Art, 2013) has been named the new exhibit coordinator for the city of Austin's central library. Kim will manage 2700 sq. ft of gallery space while collaborating with outside stakeholders on projects related to the visual arts. Photo by Beck and Hall Photograhy, www.beckandhall.com, @beckandhall

Nicholas Osella (B.F.A., Design, 2017) has had a successful early career collaborating on photo projects and clothing lines through his company, StudioWOS.

Oluwaseun S. Olayiwola (B.F.A. 2018) is currently a Fulbright Scholar pursuing an M.F.A. in Choreography at Trinity Laban in London, England. As an advocate for the arts and a Nigerian-American artist, Oluwaseun hopes to engage residents with dance during his two years in the program and contribute toward the Nigerian diaspora’s representation in the arts landscape.

Alumnus Cosme Flores (B.F.A., Acting, 2018) was recently cast as "Ben" in Power Rangers: Beast Morphers, set to air on Nickelodeon in 2019. Featuring an all-new cast of heroes and villains, Beast Morphers will expand the Power Rangers universe with tactical leather suits, 'Beast Bot' sidekicks and elevated battle footage.

Rose G. Salseda (Ph.D. in Art History, 2018; M.A. in Art History, 2009) has been appointed acting assistant professor at Stanford University's Art & Art History department.

 Stephanie Chiarello (B.A., Dance, 1998) created and directs "Over the Lege," a political comedy satire variety show based on the Texas Legislature. "Part 3: Return of the Legi (slature)" will show in October at the Long Center in Austin. 

David Baker (B.F.A., Acting, 1986) performed in the Off-Broadway production of Tracy Letts' play, "Mary Page Marlowe" at Second Stage Theater. Baker also performed in season 2 of Amazon’s Emmy-winning comedy, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." photo by Sara Krulwich/The New York Times