Alumni in the News

Gay Gaddis named one of Curator Gallery’s artists of the year

Jan. 12, 2017 | The Curator Gallery

Gay Gaddis (B.F.A., Studio Art, 1977) was named one of the Curator Gallery’s artists of the year. Her work will be on view at the New York City gallery through Feb. 18. Photo of Sizzling Summer by Gay Gaddis.

A vibrant painting of a Texas summer sky.

Jelisa Jay Robinson a finalist for Seattle Public Theatre’s Emerald Prize

Jan. 12, 2017 | Seattle Public Theatre

Jelisa Jay Robinson (B.F.A., Theatre and Dance, 2014) is a finalist for the Seattle Public Theatre’s Emerald Prize. The $10,000 prize will connect a nationally recognized playwright to the Seattle area's performance community so the region's voice is heard in national conversations. The winning playwright will be announced March 4.

Jelisa Robinson

Emilio Aguilar appointed Artistic Director of Costa Rica’s Teatro Espressivo

Jan. 9, 2017 | Teatro Espressivo

Emilio Aguilar (M.F.A., Design and Technology, 2005) has been appointed Artistic Director of Teatro Espressivo. Espressivo is one of the most important and vibrant theater companies in Costa Rica. Before this appointment, he worked as resident designer for the theater.

Emilio Aguilar

Nikiko Masumoto performed at the White House

Dec. 19, 2016 | Fresno Bee

Nikiko Masumoto (M.A., Theatre, 2011) recently performed a short piece from her one-woman show What We Could Carry at a White House event. The presentation, "Generational Experiences of Asian Americans," featured speakers from the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities as well as Muslim, Arab, Sikh and South Asian communities. 

Mikko Masumoto performing at the White House

Robert Schenkkan’s film nominated for three Golden Globe Awards

Dec. 16, 2016

Robert Schenkkan’s (B.A., Drama, 1975) movie for HBO, All The Way, was nominated for Critic Choice Best Movie Made for TV and Best Actor in a Movie made for TV. Bryan Cranston was nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Actor in a Made for TV Movie.

Robert Schenkkan stands on a mountain top

Melinda Wright hired as music venue manager at University at the Incarnate Word

Dec. 16, 2016

Melinda Wright (B.F.A., Theatre Studies, 2015) recently started her position as the music venue manager at the University of the Incarnate Word. This new position was created to help with the management of the new Luella Bennack Music Center.

Allison Ebling joins ‘The Bodyguard’ as head of audio

Dec. 16, 2016

After completing an international tour of Annie in Southeast Asia, Allison Ebling (B.A., Theatre and Dance, 2011) is joining the first national tour of The Bodyguard as head of audio. 

Robert Fahey performs in Florida production of ‘La Cage Aux Folles’

Dec. 16, 2016

Robert Fahey (B.F.A., Drama, 1961) appeared last spring in a production of La Cage Aux Folles at The Players Centre for Performing Arts in Sarasota, Florida. After 29 years in theatre and product development in New York City, Robert moved to Sarasota in 1990 and into restaurant management and marketing. Nine years ago he returned to "the boards."

Bob Fahey

J. Quinton Johnson joins the cast of ‘Hamilton’

Dec. 16, 2016 | College of Fine Arts

J. Quinton Johnson, a former student in the Department of Theatre and Dance, has been cast in the role of Hercules Mulligan/James Madison in the Broadway production of the Tony Award-winning smash hit Hamilton.

J. Quinton Johnson stars as "Benny" in "In the Heights" in 2014 in the Department of Theatre and Dance. Photo by Lawrence Peart.

Bill Green performed with The Drilling Company Shakespeare in New York City

Dec. 16, 2016

Bill Green (B.F.A., Drama, 1950) performed roles of Friar in Much Ado About Nothing and Adam in As You Like It in The Drilling Company Shakespeare productions in Bryant Park in New York City in the summer 2016.

Bill Green