From The 5th Avenue Theatre's Take 5: "Celebrated local scenic designer (and MFA in scenic design alum) Matt Smucker speaks about "playing" an actor, designing for spaces large and small, and creating visual worlds for Oklahoma! and First Date."
'What Sets Us Apart' "... fine-arts students include those in the School of Art, School of Drama, and School of Music. What distinguishes these students, senior Bobbin Ramsey said, is the passion they have for their discipline." (UW Daily, January 31, 2012)
'Pushing The Limits Of Their Own Talent' UW associate professor Valerie Curtis-Newton balances community theater with teaching. "When she was 21, Curtis-Newton's aunt signed her up for an audition with a theater ensemble supported by Operation Push, a coalition of social activists established by Jesse Jackson that fought for civil rights and social justice. The ensemble took Curtis-Newton under its wing and catalyzed her acting, directing, and teaching careers. Today, Curtis-Newton is an associate professor of acting and directing at the UW, head of directing and of the Professional Actor Training Program, and recipient of three fellowships and the UW's Distinguished Teaching Award in 2011." (UW Daily, January 25, 2012)
'Huskies' Dramatic NYC Trip' "The Husky basketball team took a hefty bite out of The Big Apple in December, shooting hoops against Marquette and Duke in Madison Square Garden and attending two Broadway musicals. The theatre portion of the trip was part of an independent study course developed for the team by the School of Drama. It is believed to be the first course offered for credit for a sports team on a regular-season road trip within the U.S. in NCAA history." (A&S Perspectives, January 2012)
Stories of Cambodian returnees form basis of play by Drama Professor Mark Jenkins. A friend's insistence that he take a trip to an unlikely destination led Mark Jenkins to write a play. The friend was Don Fels, an artist who works all around the world doing collaborations with other artists. The destination was Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where Jenkins met the subjects of his play. (University Today, November 1, 2011)
Other Gregory Award nominees include Drama faculty Geoff Korf and Drama alums Richard Nguyen Sloniker, Andrea Bryn Bush, Matthew Smucker, Amiya Brown and Andrew Smith (also Drama faculty). Congratulations to all!
