The summer gives The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance students and faculty a chance to explore opportunities, learn new skills and broaden their network of fellow artists and educators. Check out our summer updates for just a few examples of their wonderful work.
Jarrell Kearney, a rising third-year B.A. in Theatre and Dance student, has been spending his summer on the French Riviera through an AIFS Abroad internship and study abroad program. Kearney interned with the interactive and new media team of Cannes Film Festival in June and he’ll remain in France to study the language through July. Though he had minimal experience with French and was unsure how he’d fare, “My worries were immediately destroyed,” he said. “Nearly every second of this journey has been an absolute blast.”
In nearby Florence, Italy, B.F.A. in Acting student Katelyn Quintanilla is studying sustainability in the fashion industry and oil painting. “These classes are providing me with a broader cultural perspective and strengthening my intercultural communication skills with professionals in both fields.”
In New York City, B.F.A. in Acting student Preston Powe is participating in a devised comedy intensive at Stella Adler Studio of Acting.
Back in Texas, students Valeria Blanco Perez, Rebecca Couch, Keiny Cantu and Ella Eavenson were all selected for the College of Fine Arts Arts Administration Fellowship Program. The program offers students fully funded internships with university and Austin-based arts organizations like KUTX 98.9, where Keiny Cantu has been working with the Live Music Content Department, and the Visual Arts Center, where Ella Eavenson has been working as a curatorial research associate. “I am loving it!” Eavenson said, “I have never done anything in this field before, and I am learning so much!”
Theatre education students Anna Blanchard and Sophia Carter are gaining experience working with youth summer stock programs. Carter is working with Zach Theater in downtown Austin as a Teaching Artist Camp Counselor, and Blanchard is working with Class Act Productions in The Woodlands, Texas as a stage manager for several youth summer stock camps and as a social media content creator for their productions.
The Emporium, an unfinished play by Thornton Wilder which has been completed and adapted by Kirk Lynn (faculty), made its long awaited New York City debut at Classic Stage Company from April 30 to June 7. The play garnered significant attention and a profile of Lynn by The New York Times.
Raquel Barreto (faculty) has curated an exhibition of the artist Froiid’s work in Brazil. The exhibition, O Caneco é Nosso, features an installation of 999 plaster replicas of the Jules Rimet Trophy, the original FIFA World Cup prize.
Rosemary Candelario (faculty) is performing new work alongside other piece from her repertoire in Wellington, New Zealand, including aqueous and The Keepers Dance as part of The Keeper’s Dance: An Evening of Butoh.
On June 8, 9 and 10, the department hosted its annual Drama for Schools Summer Institute in the F. Loren Winship Drama Building. Faculty, graduate students and alumni offered over 50 Austin ISD educators a deep dive into drama-based pedagogy. Assistant Professor Lara Dossett (M.F.A. 2014) coordinated the institute, with support from lecturer Gabrielle Lewis (M.F.A. 2024). The instructional team also included current and recent students from the Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities program: Walker Zupan (M.F.A. 2026) current students Madi Palomo, Annase Raji, Irene Zhiyi Chen and College of Education doctoral candidate Jennifer Hewett.
Nanette Acosta (faculty) designed costumes for Barefoot in the Park at Taproot Theatre in Seattle and is designing the costumes for Zach Theatre’s Sally and Tom opening in July.
Virginia Grise (faculty), with help from David Arevalo (faculty), has co-created an art installation for the Louis Market Center for Cultural Organizing, a new community center in Tucson, Arizona.
Have a summer project you’d like to share? Let us know!
Written by Katy Wiggins-Gallagher.
