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

Carolyn Houston Boone — Associate Professor, Acting

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 — Head of BFA Acting, Associate Professor, Acting & Movement, UH Armory Supervisor

Melissa Noble — Instructional Assistant Professor, Theatre and Dance

Rosie Ward — 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 — Assistant Professor of Theatre Education

Steven W. Wallace — Professor, Production & Design

Rachel R. Bush — Assistant Professor, Stage Management

Nicholas Jackson — Assistant Professor, Technical Direction

Casey Kearns — Assistant Professor, Production & Design

Barbara Niederer — Assistant Professor, Costume Technology

Claremarie Verheyen — Associate Professor, Makeup and Costume History

Paige Willson — Assistant 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

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

Courtney Young — Adjunct Faculty

Chris Hutchison — Adjunct Faculty

Elizabeth Bunch — Adjunct Faculty

Shelley Calene-Black — Adjunct Faculty

Faculty Emeritus

Joanna Friesen — Professor Emeritus Dance