Faculty
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