As a performer, there’s nothing like the feeling of peeking through the curtain on opening night and seeing familiar faces in the crowd excited to support you. For the UT Department of Theatre and Dance, those faces include Alice (M.A. 1976) and Chip Gentry (M.A. 1979, M. Ed. 1996), retired mathematics alumni turned devoted theatre patrons and season subscribers. What began with a single dance performance in spring 2019 quickly grew into a deep appreciation for the department’s bold creativity and the students who bring it to life. We spoke with the Gentrys, who have become part of the fabric of the community they admire, about their experience attending Texas Theatre and Dance productions, from experimental new plays to dazzling musicals and dance performances.
Meet the Casts of UTNT (UT New Theatre) 2025
UTNT (UT New Theatre) is a collaborative showcase of new plays and readings by M.F.A. candidate playwrights from Texas Theatre and Dance and the Michener Center for Writers. Now in its 18th season, UTNT (UT New Theatre) continues to serve as a launching pad for the next generation of playwrights and directors. Many of the works debuted here continue on to be professionally produced across the country, giving the audience a special chance to get a taste of the future of theatre, right here in Austin. This year’s UTNT (UT New Theatre) presents works that span centuries and locations, featuring performers, designers and collaborators from The University of Texas at Austin and beyond.
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Harnessing the Energy of the Cypher: Why CYPHERS is Performed “In the Round”
“This is not going to be your traditional black box theatre performance,” shares Gesel Mason, choreographer, professor, dancer and artistic director of CYPHERS. Mason stands in a corner of the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre, gesturing towards the rows of seats, the DJ booth and the circular projection screen suspended above the stage. The stage is surrounded by seating on all four sides, breaking the barrier between audience and performer. We spoke with Mason, student choreographer Megan Davidson and dancers Madeleine Birmingham and Bryli Lee Jameson to understand why audiences seated “in the round” is significant for CYPHERS and what opportunities it has presented for performers and viewers alike.
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