University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre & Dance

Assistant Professor Virginia Grise, with help from fellow Assistant Professor David Arevalo, has co-created an art installation for a new community center in Tucson, Arizona.

Read about it here:

New community center supports cultural, neighborhood projects on Tucson's south side The center, at 4001 S. 12th Ave., recently held a grand opening celebration, highlighting the confluence of Mexican, Chinese and Indigenous communities living in the region.

to UTNT (UT New Theatre) 2026. Four new plays, one reading, two theatres and two fantastic weekends of shows ✨

Before leaving for his AIFS Abroad internship with the Cannes Film Festival in France, Jarell Kearney, a rising third-year B.A. in Theatre and Dance student, had minimal experience with French and wasn’t sure he’d be able to find his way in such a different world.

A month and an international film festival later, Kearney has connected with a multitude of artists, seen film premieres from visionary filmmakers and is even conversing en français.

“Needless to say, my worries were immediately destroyed. Nearly every second of this journey has been an absolute blast.”

As they prepare for the fourth season of the BLACK AUSTIN MATTERS podcast, faculty member Lisa B. Thompson and co-host Richard J. Reddick talk to Texas Standard about what’s next and their journey to podcasting.

New ‘Black Austin Matters’ season features WNBA legend, ‘America’s Got Talent’ semifinalist and more The podcast continues to shed light on some of the names — big and small — that make up the capital city's Black community.

Last fall’s production of CABARET was nominated for Outstanding Ensemble by the Austin Theatre Critics Awards! Congratulations to the cast and creative team of CABARET and to the many alumni, faculty and staff nominated for their work in and around Austin.

https://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/here-are-the-nominees-for-the-2025-2026-austin-theatre-critics-awards/

The New York Times spotlights Professor Kirk Lynn and his path to completing Thornton Wilder’s final play, THE EMPORIUM, on stage until June 7 at Classic Stage Company.

Read more here:

Thornton Wilder’s Last Play Vanished Into Thin Air. Or Did It? Decades after “The Emporium” failed to open on Broadway in 1954, one man went on a quest to find it.

Associate Professor of Practice of Acting Christin Davis has been selected for the 2026 Dads’ Association Centennial Teaching Fellowship!

The program recognizes faculty members primarily engaged in freshman instruction. In 2023, Davis spearheaded a new training for first-year B.F.A. in Acting students to address skills in communication and mental health. These tools help students navigate challenges in acting training and beyond. Student feedback shows a great deal of appreciation for her deep care and work, in and out of the classroom.

Alum Karen Rodriguez co-stars in SPIDER NOIR, a Spider-Man based drama series with Nicholas Cage, premiering May 27 on Amazon Prime.

Learn more:

‘Spider-Noir’ Official Trailer Has Nicolas Cage Battling Brendan Gleeson’s Super Villain The Prime Video live-action series based on the 'Spider-Man Noir' comic has Cage as a 1930s-era web slinger.

WE’RE HIRING! The Department of Theatre and Dance is looking for a Visiting Guest Lecturer in Acting with the ability to deliver curriculum related to vocal training for the actor, accents and dialects.

Know someone who might be interested? Invite them to apply: https://apply.interfolio.com/186487

ICYMI: Last month, the UT Live Design and Production Showcase highlighted the stunning work of M.F.A. designers and fabricators in the Department of Theatre and Dance. The event included an exhibition of their work and a fashion show of costume creations.