É«»¨ÌÃ

Featured Stories

• A stunning concert performance of Turandot showcases Puccini’s brilliance and the future of opera.

• Alum Sarah Cortez shines in her breakout role as "Long Shadows" makes its Texas premiere.

• Anna Mayer will further her work to understand settler colonial legacies within art history and contemporary land use.

• É«»¨Ìà students bring the rich history of the Taylor Estate to life through art and collaboration.

• Professor of Playwriting Lisa D'Amour discusses her new play with American Theatre magazine.

• Alum's “Houston Monarch Story” celebrates community collaboration, with installations at Buffalo Bayou Park and the Houston Arboretum’s Butterfly Bungalow.

• Luisa Fernanda Perez reflects on how mentorship, community, and personal growth have shaped her path from student to curator in the arts.

• Arts Leadership alum Madi Murphy discusses her new role as Associate Curator at FotoFest and her passion for photography in Glasstire interview.

• The award will be presented on March 1, 2025 at Dance Source Houston’s annual Spark event.

• Prokop sat down with Canvas Rebel recently to discuss his creative process, inspirations, and the impact of dance on his life and students.

• In this Q&A, Mitchell shares insights on their inspiration, creative challenges, and journey as a playwright.

• Amanda Cachia, Assistant Director of Arts Leadership, has her exhibition, “Smoke & Mirrors,” currently on view at the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University. 

• Lauren Christlieb welcomes Houston to Red Bird Press, a hub for creativity and connection.

• Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts visiting artists work with students to visualize the structure of sound.

• The School of Theatre & Dance invites audiences to experience a groundbreaking theatrical event.

• Dr. M. Gabriela Estrada and É«»¨Ìà alumni-led TECH23 collaborate with É«»¨ÌÃ’s Brain Center.

• As she retires, Dr. Betsy Cook Weber leaves a lasting legacy in choral studies and continues with the Grammy-winning Houston Chamber Choir.

• Amanda Cachia curates "Smoke & Mirrors," featuring the work of 14 international artists with disabilities.

• Tugce Ozcivan shares the art of balancing passion and perseverance.

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  Three É«»¨Ìà School of Theatre & Dance Students and One Faculty Member Have Plays Selected for the 2024 Texas Educational Theatre Association Conference

  The annual conference takes place in Galveston and is open to applicants from the entire state of Texas.

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  É«»¨Ìà School of Theatre & Dance Announces Its 2024-25 Season

  The School of Theatre & Dance at the É«»¨ÌÃ’s Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts, under newly appointed director Sharon Ott, is pleased to announce its 2024-25 season featuring 11 productions that promise to be a showcase of ambition and creativity.

• Chapman Dance to debut new work at Midtown Arts Theater Center Houston, featuring É«»¨Ìà alumni and students.

• The new four-year degree, a collaboration between É«»¨Ìà colleges and the Texas Medical Center, equips graduates for clinical roles in over 40 settings.

• Assistant Professor of Dance is embarking on two major choreographic undertakings that draw on history to commemorate pioneers of Spanish and Latin dance.

• The Moores Opera Center at the É«»¨ÌÃ’s Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts is excited to announce its 2024-25 season, featuring four captivating performances.

• "This production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is bewitching, vibrant and playful, and simply, a great time." - Houston Press

• “Houston Shakespeare Festival’s production of Romeo & Juliet is one to fall in love with. It’s a perfect night at the theater, whether it’s your first time seeing the show or your hundredth. Turns out, departing from this production of Romeo & Juliet was, in fact, sweet sorrow.” - Houston Press

• The Bayou City’s tribute to the bard is better than ever.

• Beth Matusoff Merfish has been appointed Director of the School of Art, bringing her expertise in art history and passion for public engagement to the role.

• Sharon Ott brings her distinguished career to the É«»¨ÌÃ, poised to craft transformative experiences for students.

• Moores School of Music student to receive $50,000 scholarship.

• Assistant director of arts leadership program receives $180,000 Ford Foundation grant for exhibition.

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  Flutist Jonah Murphy, 24, Wins First Place at Texas Music Festival’s Cynthia Woods Mitchell-Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition

  Competition’s Second Year Honoring the Combined Legacies of Two Legendary Local Music Lover Philanthropists, in Association with Houston Symphony

• Festival pioneers' influence resonates through 33 years of the Texas Music Festival.

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  McGovern College professor and artist traveling to Wales as Fulbright Scholar

  Sculpture department program coordinator Jillian Conrad will create “map drawings” of sacred Welsh sites

• Harvard and Juilliard-trained composer blurs boundaries, creating unique connections in his music performed worldwide.

• Transformative move sets the stage for Houston's arts renaissance.

• Remembering the artist behind "Euphonia," a three-part mural inside the Moores Opera House.

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  Texas Music Festival Announces 33rd Season at the É«»¨ÌÃ

  Summer program at É«»¨Ìà Moores School of Music features concert series and master classes.

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  In Memoriam: Claremarie Verheyen

  It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Clairemarie Verheyen. Upon her arrival in 1988, Verheyen served as an Associate Professor at the School of Theatre & Dance.

• É«»¨Ìà Students collaborate to craft a children's book.

• Stage management major Joseph Blanchard discusses his aspirations and explains why he chose the É«»¨Ìà with É«»¨Ìà Provost Diane Z. Chase.

• The Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts will host a collaboration between Tony Award-winning Broadway composer Jason Robert Brown and acclaimed actress and singer Sally Mayes. This concert serves as the culmination of the "Song Performance for Musical Theatre" course.

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  The Shakespeare Theatre Association Announces Second Major Gift from Kansas City-based Theater League for 2024

  Thirty-three Shakespeare theaters across the United States and internationally are gifted with a grant of $255,000 in general operating support, including Houston Shakespeare Festival.

• School of Art M.A. candidate Phillip Pyle II's thought-provoking series is set to be showcased at FotoFest Biennial.

• Episode 2 of the National Gallery of Art's documentary series 'West to East' highlights Professor of Interdisciplinary Practice Rick Lowe.

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  É«»¨Ìà Concert Chorale Ranked in Top 10 Most Impressive College Choirs

  Moores School Concert Chorale has been named one of the  in the country by College Rank, coming in at No. 10 on the list.

• É«»¨Ìà students give some of the most memorable theater moments of the last year.

• From Design to Installation: A Collaborative Journey with Yellowstone Schools and the É«»¨ÌÃ

• Assistant Professor of Arts Leadership is named one of twenty-seven writers to receive award

• New course will provide students with an exploration of The Beatles and visual culture throughout the 1960’s.

• Formosa Quartet's transformative residency at Moores School of Music

• Founder of Mixed Blood Theatre directs "Skin of Our Teeth"

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  Blaffer Art Museum Remains a Force in Local and International Art Scene at 50 Years

  Past directors, board members and alum reflect on museum’s impact.

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  É«»¨Ìà School of Theater & Dance Expands MFA Acting Program in New Partnership with Alley Theater

  In expanding the existing MFA in Acting program, acting students will now be placed in residence at the Alley.

• National Endowment for the Arts sits down with Amanda Cachia, Ph.D.

• Michael E. Johnson’s work is included in “Spike Lee: Creative Sources,” an exhibition that showcases art from the acclaimed director’s private collection.

• A celebration of independent media and artistic expression.

• KGMCA welcomes three extraordinary artists in dance, guitar, and mariachi, pushing boundaries and fostering cultural unity on campus and in the community.

• For five years, the É«»¨ÌÃ's Mariachi Pumas have been leaving a lasting imprint on the Bayou City.

• Exploring "Make and Take" and the World of Zines with Chasity Porter and Eepi Chaad 

• A student-driven intensive founded by MFA students.

• There has been a long history of collaborations between artists from The Orange Show and É«»¨Ìà (É«»¨ÌÃ). The Orange Show Show, which happened earlier this year, is part of an effort to reforge this history. 

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  É«»¨Ìà Arts Leadership Alum Finds Success In Tech World, Reflects On 10 Years of The Program

  Ariela Ventura, ‘19 artistic ambitions began at a young age—and her career journey has taken her to some interesting places.

• Lauren Hainley bridges the gap between emergency response organizations and Houston artists. 

• É«»¨Ìà and É«»¨Ìà Clear Lake collaborate on bringing "Lyrics from Lockdown” production to the Bayou Theater.

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  É«»¨Ìà Arts Leadership Alum Strives to Bring Inclusivity to Music Education

  Jordon Nickerson channels his unique perspective on problem-solving into a career.

• Janine Arostique, '20 sheds light on her transition from performance to the administrative side of the arts world.

• Alumni Caroline Docwra and Zachary Gresham reflect on 10 years of the program and their roles in the arts in the healthcare space.

• Kaitlyn B. Jones takes lessons learned from the É«»¨Ìà Arts Leadership to the nonprofit world.

• This groundbreaking performance features É«»¨Ìà faculty and alumni.

• Amanda Cachia, Ph.D., has been appointed as the new Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of the Arts Leadership Program.

• In celebration of the 4th annual Mariachi Festival, É«»¨ÌàMariachi Pumas perform on Houston Life's "What's Happening Now" segment.

• Dr. Brian Kai Chin is an accomplished musician and academic leader whose vision focuses on encouraging students to become cultural leaders.

• Music, legacy and resilience with The Spirit Of Houston

• Fleurette S. Fernando helps students navigate the challenging world of arts program management.

• Abbie Edmonson Balances Art and Entrepreneurship with HTX Clay. She’s transforming her passion for art into a meaningful experience for ceramic art enthusiasts.

• ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Performed July 27-August 5

• A Q&A with É«»¨Ìà School of Art painting graduate 

• Lizzo is giving back to É«»¨Ìà for Juneteenth.

• On-campus exhibition runs June 21 – July 31, 2023; explores interaction between humans and their evolving natural environment.

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  Xayvion Davidson Wins First Place and Audience Favorite at Inaugural Cynthia Woods Mitchell-Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition

  First Prize and the Audience Favorite went to Xayvion Davidson, 19, a bassoonist from Nashville who just completed his freshman year at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.

• Houston Symphony and the É«»¨Ìà form the new Cynthia Woods Mitchell-Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition and more.

• The artist, known for the influential Project Row Houses in Houston, discusses music, basketball and art’s ability to improve lives.

• The Arts & Technology Center provides space to hone skills, bringing design into three dimensions.

• Associate Dean of Piano Studies and Artistic Initiatives at Curtis Institute of Music will take the stage at Texas Music Festival.

• This unique cross-cultural collaboration between The Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Moores School of Music's AURA Ensemble was brought to the Moores Opera House Stage at the É«»¨ÌÃ.

• MFA Candidate Creates Art as a Catalyst for Healing

• Kathleen Belcher, Keith Chambers, and Daniel Belcher bring exceptional talent and experience to the Moores School of Music.

• Rex Koontz, Director of the MA Art History program at the School of Art, serves as consulting curator of the show.

• Josh Pazda, ’17, began his career in an entry-level position at the small Houston art gallery that now bears his name.

• Giovanna Bassi, ’15, is completing her dissertation on modern architecture and extractivism in South America at Rice University.

• In addition to offerings at the Menil and other Houston institutions, É«»¨Ìà is placing students at the Blaffer Art Museum, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH), and more.

• Natilee Harren explores the role of experimental scores in postwar artistic movements.

• This genre-bending theatrical piece is written and performed by Moores School of Music alumni, faculty, and staff.
• Blaffer Art and Design is back after a seven-year hiatus and is ready to launch a new generation of designers.
• Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts Presents an Evening with Faith Prince.
• Cynthia Woods Mitchell-Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition Held at Texas Music Festival in Collaboration with Houston Symphony.

• Artist, architect, and industrial designer, Preston Gaines, has created celebrated installations throughout Houston.

• Kanisha Feliciano, ‘19, became the first Latina and second Black woman to perform the role of Christine in “The Phantom of the Opera”.

• Representatives from the College of Pharmacy, the School of Theatre & Dance, and the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication are producing the video to improve medication adherence in Black women.
• A collaboration among professors and students made possible in part by The Mitchell Center through an Innovation Grant.
• The quartet will perform two February concerts announcing their residency at É«»¨ÌÃ. The quartet's appointment supports the school's string and chamber music programs, with individual ensemble coaching, master classes and public performances.
• The 2023 installment of the festival coincides with the launch of the new jazz studies degree program at the school.
• Interview with co-stage directors, Nicole Kenley-Miller and Lawrence Edelson about the World of SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM
• Mitchell Center Visiting Artist Alan Sonfist creates new works at The É«»¨ÌÃ.
• More City than Water: A Houston Flood Atlas incorporates maps created by School of Art seniors.
• In the second of a four-part series on artists and social practice, Lowe shares his vision for community engaged art.
• Jaurius Norman’s senior project Fish’s Belly comes to the stage this November.
• Zayas Sits Down With Stage Management Student Joseph Blanchard to Discuss His Life and Work.

• Key’Aira Lockett, the É«»¨ÌÃ’s Cynthia Woods-Mitchell Dance Fellow, turns pandemic woes into a celebration of community and culture with [ HOME TEAM ].

• Sally Mayes is coming back to helm a new course at the McGovern College of the Arts titled “Song Performance for Musical Theatre.
• É«»¨Ìà to Add New Degree Program in Music Therapy.É«»¨Ìà to Add New Degree Program in Music Therapy.
• The 2020 production of Don Giovanni at MOC has won the American Prize for best university opera performance. The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts is the nation's most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts.
• Viola is choreographed by Keerati Jinakunwiphat and will be performed by the Houston Contemporary Dance Company at Healing Arts Houston conference this fall.

• Bean will lead a breakout session focused on environmental injustices and their impacts at the Healing Arts Houston conference this fall.

• The Alliance Theatre has named É«»¨ÌàStage Management Alum, Kacie Pimentel, its National Vision, Inc. BIPOC Stage Management Fellow for the 2022-23 season.
• Philip Orazio, ‘13, recently joined the casts of All’s Well That Ends Well and King Lear.

• Inspired by community responses, the artist’s series is now on exhibition at the Blaffer Art Museum.

• "When our esteemed Houston Shakespeare Festival stays true to the spirit and tenor of Shakespeare, the results can be terribly good, near great. The indomitable tragedy King Lear is in loving hands this 47th season, an affecting production in which all invest their most." - HP

• Wesley Whitson, an artist born and raised in Houston, began his professional career at the É«»¨ÌÃ. Whitson tell us about his education and career as he returns to perform in Houston Shakespeare Festival this summer.
• Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner honors É«»¨ÌÃ’s Mariachi Pumas director and educator José Longoria with a special proclamation recognizing his significant contributions to the city’s cultural landscape.
• The É«»¨Ìà Dance Program recently named to its full-time faculty Dr. M. Gabriela Estrada, a bilingual multidisciplinary educator, choreographer, journalist, and filmmaker.
• The Blaffer Art Museum presents the first solo exhibition of Oakland-based artist and É«»¨Ìà alumna Maria A. Guzmán Capron.
• Brothers Caleb and Kyle Clark, both É«»¨Ìà MFA Acting alumni, will return to perform in the 2022 season of the Houston Shakespeare Festival this summer. They join talented casts in both King Lear and Cymbeline.

• Liz Gates and Doug Welsh, two graduating É«»¨Ìà MFA, Art students, launched the G5 Summer Intensive in 2021 to support graduate art students unable to obtain summer residencies due to the pandemic.

• In a first-ever, full-scale collaboration between the É«»¨ÌÃ's students and faculty from its Moores School of Music and the School of Theatre & Dance, the university presents the beloved musical Little Shop of Horrors.
• From her first name to her life’s work, Keliy Anderson-Staley, associate professor of photography and digital media at the É«»¨ÌÃ, has always embraced the unconventional.
• When É«»¨Ìà alumni Afsaneh Aayani and Corey Nance had a chance to put their own spin on the iconic monster for the É«»¨Ìà production that launches May 27, they wanted it bigger, badder, and more frightening.

• Sandra Zalman, associate professor of art history, was awarded the 2022 Senior Fellowship from the Dedalus Foundation. The fellowship will support her upcoming book The Modern Remodeled: Museums of Modern Art at Mid-Century and the Construction of the Canon.

• É«»¨ÌÃ’s ‘Little Shop’ to Highlight School’s Broader New Curricula, Now Including American Musical Theater
• Alumni returns to lead the SOTD's return to live Theatre!
• Accomplished film and television actor leads Moores Opera Center singer-actors in a masterclass.
• The Arts Leadership program wins a competitive grant to launch a new class: ARLD 4397/6395 - Arts and Social Justice. 
• Knowles is now sharing his “secret sauce” for success with the masses in a virtual, 15-week master class at the É«»¨ÌÃ.

• A Q&A with Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts, Arts Leadership Student, ShaWanna Renee Goffney.