Alumni in the News

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. 

The New York Times featured Charm, a play directed by Will Davis (M.F.A. Directing, 2013).

Briana Bower (M.F.A., Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities, 2016) received the Distinguished Thesis Award for her M.F.A. thesis “This Object Holds: Exploring Adolescent Identity Through Object-Based Performance” from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE).

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.

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.

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.

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.