In Manhattan, the legendary stretch of buzzing marquees and bustling theatres between 41st and 53rd streets has been the workplace of many Longhorns through the years, and 2025 was a banner year for our talented alumni. During the 2025 theatre awards season, we caught up with just a few alumni who had a hand in the Tony-award-winning and nominated productions that graced the stages of Broadway.
Kimberly Belflower (M.F.A. 2017) – John Proctor is the Villain – Playwright
What was your role in John Proctor is the Villain and what did that entail?
Belflower: “As the playwright, I was involved with every step of the process: from design meetings to auditions to rehearsals. I made revisions to the script, provided perspective on the world of the play and the characters and collaborated closely with the director, Danya Taymor, in bringing the play to life.
How did your time at UT Theatre and Dance help shape your journey to Broadway?
Belflower: “On a mechanics level, The University of Texas at Austin is where I learned craft — John Proctor is the Villain is the first play I wrote post-UT, and I could have never written it without the tools I gained through my M.F.A. UT also taught me that process > product. Broadway was never the goal with this play, or at all; the goal is to write meaningful plays and cultivate deep, rigorous, joyful collaborative relationships.”
Tony Award Nominations for John Proctor is the Villain:
Best Play, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play, Best Lighting Design of a Play, Best Sound Design of a Play, Best Direction of a Play.
Hunter Regian (B.A. 2017) – GYPSY, SUNSET BLVD. – Co-Producer
What was your role in each production and what did that entail?
Regian: “I served as a co-producer on both GYPSY and SUNSET BLVD. With GYPSY, I helped bring on investors who connected with the legacy of classic musical theatre, but this revival offered something more. It honored the tradition while viewing the role of Mama Rose through a fresh lens, with Audra McDonald bringing a new depth and complexity to one of the most iconic roles in Broadway history.
SUNSET BLVD., on the other hand, was a bold reimagining that pushed the boundaries of what a Broadway revival can be with our star, Nicole Scherzinger. That production was especially meaningful to me, as it became the show that earned me my first Tony Award. As a co-producer, I was responsible for securing financing, all of it from Texas, and supported the show through audience engagement, strategic events and creative problem-solving.
Being a co-producer means connecting the creative and business sides of theatre. You champion the show, support the producers and creative team and help build the momentum that carries a production forward.”
How did your time at UT Theatre and Dance help shape your journey to Broadway?
Regian: “UT Theatre and Dance gave me more than just training. It taught me how to find answers, navigate systems and manage resources. At UT, I learned that you may not always get the opportunity you expected, but every moment can be a chance to grow. That mindset has stayed with me ever since.
I was involved in organizations and activities all over campus, which allowed me to learn from people in many different disciplines. Whether it was working alongside engineers, business students or fellow artists, those experiences helped me develop a broader understanding of how to collaborate across industries. I expanded my skill set and learned how to lead in rooms where not everyone speaks the same creative language, a skill that’s proven essential in my producing work.”
Tony Award Nominations for SUNSET BLVD:
Best Revival of a Musical (Winner), Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Winner), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Winner), Best Sound Design of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Orchestrations.
Heekyung Kim (M.F.A. 2024) – Maybe Happy Ending – Projection Design Animator
What was your role in Maybe Happy Ending and what did that entail?
Kim: “I worked as an animator on the projection design team, focusing on both 2D and 3D animated sequences projected onto immersive LED portals and a large upstage screen. These visuals shaped the emotional and narrative atmosphere of the show—from scene transitions to character environments.
One of the most meaningful aspects of my work was translating, designing and animating Korean typography that appeared throughout the performance on interfaces, signage and key narrative moments. I designed and animated each phrase with attention to pacing, tone and cultural nuance, aiming to make the language feel organically embedded in the world of the story.
It was a rare and rewarding opportunity to contribute to a Broadway production that aligned with my cultural background while also pushing me to innovate.”
2. How did your time at UT Theatre and Dance help shape your journey to Broadway
Kim: “Coming to UT Austin from Korea was a major step for me, especially since I had no personal or professional network in the U.S. I entered the program with a strong interest in how media could shape live performance, and UT provided the structure, resources and encouragement I needed to grow.
What I appreciated most was the freedom to experiment, supported by a solid foundation of classes, production opportunities and access to professional equipment and performance venues. From early on, I had opportunities to take on real-world projects, which allowed me to apply what I was learning while building relationships with artists and institutions beyond campus. Each of those experiences opened the door to the next, ultimately leading me from Austin to New York.”
Tony Award Nominations for Maybe Happy Ending:
Best Musical (Winner), Best Book of a Musical (Winner), Best Original Score Written for the Theatre (Winner), Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Winner), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Winner), Best Costume Design of a Musical, Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Best Sound Design of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Winner), Best Orchestrations.
Allen Porterie (M.F.A. 2024) – GYPSY – Company Management Assistant
What was your role in GYPSY and what did that entail?
Porterie: “I began as a Company Management Fellow on GYPSY in September 2024. Company managers are responsible for the day-to-day business operations of a production. This includes processing payroll, coordinating travel and accommodations for company members, handling occasional personnel matters, and managing visits from high-profile guests. Most of our day is spent in the office, and we head to the theater in the evenings to check in with the company. We work closely with the general managers and producers to ensure everything runs smoothly.
After six months as a fellow, I negotiated a transition into a full-time role as a Company Management Assistant.
This year, GYPSY was nominated for five Tony Awards, and I had the incredible opportunity to attend the dress
rehearsal at Radio City Music Hall on the morning of the ceremony. Seeing the full show come to life just hours before the official telecast—before the seats were filled with guests—was absolutely exhilarating.”
How did your time at UT Theatre and Dance help shape your journey to Broadway
Porterie: “I credit my background in Performance as Public Practice—especially my experience as a teaching assistant for Dr. Paul Bonin-Rodriguez and David Treatman’s Commercial Producing course—for giving me the tools and confidence to navigate that conversation successfully. My ability to critically assess the work on an artistic and administrative level was also bolstered by my time in the Performance as Public Practice program.”
Tony Award Nominations for GYPSY:
Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Best Choreography.
These are just a few of the outstanding alumni working on Broadway in 2025. You can also see UT Theatre and Dance alumni Trey Curtis (B.F.A. 2017) as the titular role in Hamilton and Nya Garner (B.F.A. 2022) in the ensemble of Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway today.
Written by Katy Wiggins-Gallagher.
