Alumni in the News

Jessica Nicole Webb (B.A., Theatre and Dance, 2009) has been cast as Alex Dettmer on CBS’s The Young and the Restless. Her January role on the soap opera will run for at least five episodes.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Robert Schenkkan’s (B.A., Drama, 1975) latest film, Hacksaw Ridge, has been nominated for three Golden Globe Awards (Best Picture, Director, Actor). Schenkkan co-wrote the screenplay. 

Bonnie Cullum (M.F.A., Directing, 1989) was interviewed by BroadwayWorld.com about her East Austin theatre, The Vortex. 

United States Forest Service commissioned a painting from Kathryn St. Clair (B.F.A., Studio Art, 1993) to be a part of Forest Service Permanent Art Collection. 

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.