Alumni in the News

Altin Brennan Sencalar  (B.M., Jazz Studies, 2017) played and arranged music for the 60th anniversary of Motown Records in Detroit, Michigan. He backed the Temptations, Jennifer Hudson, Neyo, Big Sean, and the Four Tops among others. He was also hired as Adjunct Professor of Music at Central Texas College in Killeen, Texas.  Photo by Sarah Milligan.

Hank H. Hehmsoth’s (M.M., Piano, 1976) work on “Scary Movie” was praised by film reviewer James Jay Edwards and is receiving a Blu-Ray special edition release from the American Genre Film Archive. Hehmsoth was named a 2019 Morroe Berger-Benny Carter-Edward Berger Jazz Research Scholar by the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University and is working with a 2019 National Endowment for the Arts NEA ArtWorks grant. Photo by Milo Hehmsoth

Gregg G Wiggans (B.F.A., Theatre Studies, 2004) directed Steve Yockey’s Pluto which was presented at Broadway’s Circle in the Square. The production received a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere and was shown at Actor’s Express, Forum Theatre, Know Theatre, and Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Photo by DC Anderson

Jacqueline Christina Heard (B.F.A., Dance, 2001) has choreographed the #IMomSoHard Live Tour as well as the comedy special by the female cast featured on Amazon Prime Video. She was also the producer, co-movement director, and dancer in the dance film Syzygy. Photo by Barry Weiss

Andrew William Parker (D.M.A., Woodwinds, 2013) has been appointed Assistant Professor of Oboe as well as Director of Summer Music Camps at the Oklahoma State University School of Music. He currently holds the position of Lecturer of Oboe and Music Technology at Brevard College along with Artistic Administrator at the Brevard Music Center Summer Festival and Institute. Photo by Art of Roxy Photography

Alumna Kimberly Belflower's (M.F.A. 2017) play John Proctor is the Villain was selected as one of 33 new plays on the 2019 Kilroys List, which includes un-produced and underproduced plays by women, trans and non-binary authors. Titles are selected by nomination through the New Play Exchange. 

Recent alumnus Andrew G. Rodriguez (B.F.A., Theatre Studies, 2019) joins the Professional Training Company at Actors Theatre of Louisville. This program guides talented and motivated early-career theatre professionals to undertake a nine-month long training program that combines practical experience with professional development opportunities.

Alumni Travis Tate (M.F.A. 2018) and Graham Schmidt (M.F.A. 2018) have teamed up for Theatre East's 5X5 Drama Series, presenting Tate's work Color at the End of the World. Theatre East is an official partner of NYC Pride and this year's 5X5 Drama Series features original, commissioned work celebrating the LGBTQ community remembering the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. 

Andrew Aaron Valdez (B.F.A., Theatre Studies, 2017) has been named one of Cleveland Public Theatre's 2019/2020 Premiere Fellows. The Fellowship includes a cash award, with additional funds available for projects, professional development and access to space, equipment and other assets.

Jacques Colimon (B.A., Theatre and Dance, 2014) joins the ensemble for the new series The Society, now streaming on Netflix.