Alumni in the News

Adam Poncio (B.A., Drama, 1986) was selected by Texas Monthly magazine as a Super Lawyer for 2017-2018 in the area of Employment Law for the state of Texas. Poncio is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in the areas of labor and employment law and civil appellate law in the State of Texas.

Alison Heryer (M.F.A., Costume Design, 2010) is an associate professor at the School of Art + Design at Portland State University. She recently designed two shows at Portland Center Stage, a production of Cosi fan tutte at Portland Opera, and brought her work Picnic to 2017 World Stage Design in Taiwan. Her work as a costume designer includes productions at Steppenwolf, The New Victory Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre and ZACH Theatre (Austin).

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.

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.

Wesley Schulz (M.M. 2008; D.M.A., Conducting, 2010) has been appointed associate conductor of the North Carolina Symphony.