Our faculty are professionals who bring an array of experience including nationally and internationally produced work. They are dedicated to educating the next generation of theatre and dance practitioners.

Scholars and artists, including Tony-nominated designer Kevin Rigdon, LORT dramaturg Dr. Robert Shimko, and award-winning choreographer Karen Stokes, add to the dynamic supportive environment.

In addition, our program is supported by a highly qualified and talented group of graduate assistants from across the United States.

Performance Area

Jessica Ferrarone — (Head of Summer MA for Theatre Educators), Instructional Assistant Professor, Acting

Jim Johnson — Professor, Voice & Accents

Stuart Ostrow — Distinguished Professor of Musical Theatre

Adam Noble — Associate Professor, Acting & Movement, UH Armory Supervisor

Rosie Ward —  (Head of BFA Acting) Assistant Professor, Voice & Speech 

Jack Young — (Head of MFA Acting) Professor, Acting

Production and Design Area

Kevin Rigdon — (Head of Graduate Design) Professor, Scenic and Lighting Design

Charles Gary Cooper — Associate Professor of Theatre Education

Steven W. Wallace — Professor, Production & Design

Rachel R. Bush — Associate Professor, Stage Management

Nicholas Jackson — Assistant Professor, Technical Direction

Casey Kearns — Assistant Professor, Production & Design

Barbara Niederer — Associate Professor, Costume Design and Technology

Claremarie Verheyen — Associate Professor, Makeup and Costume History

Paige Willson — Professor, Costume Design and Technology

Dance Division

Karen Stokes — Director of Dance Division, Professor

John Beasant III — Assistant Professor, Dance

Teresa Lynn Chapman — Associate Professor, Dance

Rebecca B. Valls — Associate Professor, Dance

Toni Valle — Professor of Practice, Dance

Playwriting/Dramaturgy

Dr. Robert Shimko — Director of the School of Theatre & Dance, Head of B.F.A. Playwriting/Dramaturgy

Theresa Rebeck — Distinguished Professor of Playwriting, Lyndall Finley Wortham Chair in the Performing Arts

Alison Christy -Instructor, Performance Studies 

Adjunct Faculty

Jacqueline Anne Bobet — Adjunct Faculty, Dance

Riolama Lorenzo-Lasa — Adjunct Faculty, Dance

Melissa Noble — Instructional Assistant Professor, Theatre and Dance

Firat Kazbek Özsoy — Adjunct Faculty, Dance

Leslie Scates — Adjunct Faculty, Dance

Jhon Stronks — Adjunct Faculty, Dance

Sophia L. Torres — Adjunct Faculty, Dance

Jon L. Egging — Adjunct Faculty, Theater

Courtney Young — Adjunct Faculty, Theater

Shelley Calene-Black — Adjunct Faculty, Theater

Sophia Watt – Adjunct Faculty, Theatre 

Philip Kershaw – Adjunct Faculty, Theatre 

Alan Brincks– Adjunct Faculty, Theatre 

Heidi Hinkel – Adjunct Faculty, Theatre 

Faculty Emeritus

Joanna Friesen — Professor Emeritus Dance