Congratulations to the School of Theatre and Dance faculty and students whose work and research received special recognition at the end of the fall 2018 semester.
Andrea Bilkey (associate professor of design) was elected as a Director to the United States Institute for Theatre Technology Board of Directors, term beginning the 1st of July 2019 extending through the 30th of June, 2022. USITT is the most prestigious organization for designers and technicians nationally and internationally, and the Board of Director positions require a national vote.
Mark Charney (director of theatre and dance), Cory Norman (marketing/communication and company manager), Patrick Midgley (fine arts doctoral student), Collin Vorbeck (fine arts doctoral student), and Kelly Murphey (MFA design student) are invited to the American University of Sharjah for the Second International Middle East Theatre Festival this February to feature a new ensemble-written show, Public Domain: A Play with Footnotes, directed by Mark Charney. While there, Dr. Charney and Cory Norman will lead a playwriting slam; Patrick Midgely and Collin Vorbeck will teach acting workshops; and Cory Norman will lead workshops in arts administration and stage management.
Winter Davis (fine arts doctoral student) has been accepted to present at the Arts Patronage in Modern America Conference this June to be held at the Rothermere American Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. In addition to presenting, she has also received a Bursary from the University of Oxford Vice-Chancellor's Diversity Fund and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Jennifer Ezell (fine arts doctoral student) was the Runner-Up at the Texas Tech Arts and Humanities Conference for Excellence in Directing (I Effing Love You Man).
Bill Gelber (associate professor in acting/directing) received an research grant (Engaging with Brecht) from the Scholarship Catalyst Program.
Hannah Haeussler (BA dance) received funding from the Center for Transformative Learning Experience to support her presenting research at the American College Dance Association—South Center Conference in College Station.
Rachel Hirshorn-Johnston (assistant professor in acting/directing) received an research grant (Remember This: Integrating the Arts and Medicine to Transform Cultural Conversations) from the Scholarship Catalyst Program.
Patrick Midgley (fine arts doctoral student), a Eugene O'Neill Foundation Artist-in-Residence winner, has accepted the position of Secretary/Treasurer for the Eugene O'Neill Society.
Garret Milton (fine arts doctoral student) was the Runner-Up at the Texas Tech Arts and Humanities Conference for Excellence in Playwriting (Outbound).
Dean Nolen (assistant professor in acting/directing) received an research grant (HOME) from the Scholarship Catalyst Program. His co-applicant is Shauna Kanter, playwright/artistic director of VOICETheatre NYC and Woodstock, NY.
Lindsay Rigney (MFA arts administration student) received First Place at the Texas Tech Arts and Humanities Conference for Excellence in Directing (TwentyOneTen).
Dayday Robinson (MFA performance and pedagogy student) received First Place at the Texas Tech Arts and Humanities Conference for Excellence in Playwriting (TwentyOneTen).
Seth Warren-Crow (assistant professor in design) received an research grant ("You Talk Funny - A Sociolinguistic Podcast") from the Scholarship Catalyst Program.