Texas Tech University

Great Start to the New Year!

Rachel Kiwior

January 10, 2023

Musical Theatre Champions

J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts School of Theatre & Dance are kicking off the year with a great start! From recognizing distinguished faculty, to research grants and student champions, the spring semester is looking bright. 

pruchaMallory Prucha, Associate Professor and Head of Design/Technology, was honored as the recipient of this year's Chancellor's Council Distinguished Research Award. The award is given to individuals who exemplify teaching or research excellence throughout the year. These are the highest honors given by the Texas Tech University System to faculty members at its component institutions. Winners of these awards have significantly advanced teaching or research efforts and are noted as leaders among colleagues and in their respective fields. 

duffyDr. Ali Duffy, Professor of Dance, along with her collaborator, Aoife McGrath (Queen's University Belfast), has been awarded a UK Arts and Humanities Research Council award. Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funds outstanding original research across the whole range of the arts and humanities. This grant will fund three international seminars on dance and parenting/caregiving over the next two years - one at Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland, one at Canterbury Christ Church University in England, and a third seminar here at Texas Tech University. These are highly competitive grants, so Dr. Duffy rightfully feels very fortunate that the grant panelists recognized the strength and promise in their proposal and original ideas. 

With a completely student directed scene, the Musical Theatre BFA junior class has won first place at the National Opera Association's Musical Theatre Scenes Competition in Houston, their third consecutive win. Direction by David Postlewate, Music Direction by Mary Lantz, and Choreography by Savannah Rhodes. Watch the students' original submission:

What an excellent way to kick off the spring semester!!