The University of Akron School of Dance, Theatre, and Arts Administration

05/01/2020

UA Dance is proud of graduating Dance program majors and minors for the 2020 year. To congratulate our graduating dance students we are featuring each of them here and on our website. https://www.uakron.edu/dtaa/dance/sub-pages/dance-student-focus.dot

Today, give a big congratulations to Amanda Kindt.

Here's what Amanda had to say:

Major:
Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance

How do you plan to engage in the field of dance in the years after graduation?
I have been auditioning this spring semester in hopes of joining a Ballet Company or a dance position with a cruise line after graduation. As things are up in the air with this pandemic, my audition schedule got cut short. However I am optimistic towards the future that I will land a performance job as that is my goal upon graduation. I also may end up teaching dance as that is more of a long term goal, after performing for as long as I can.

Best memory working with UA Dance:
I loved being backstage before a show. You can feel the excitement in the air, especially before opening night. All the dancers would either be running between dressing rooms, singing really loudly, warming up, finishing their makeup and hair, or putting on their costume. It was practically chaos but everyone was always so supportive and would cheer each other on once you got on stage. It was a real family back there.

Best wishes to Amanda!

05/01/2020

Join us on Wednesday, May 6th at 2pm for a virtual discussion with UA music faculty Dr. Lashbrook and Dr. Feyes! We will discuss the ways instrumental and vocal music have and will change due to the current health crisis, as well as ways musicians can stay active and sharp! Follow the link to register:
https://tinyurl.com/Connections-Music

04/30/2020

In 2011, Arts Administration Interim Program Coordinator and Professor and Coordinator of Theatre James Slowiak was awarded the Outstanding Artist in Theatre Award from the Akron Area Alliance on November 20th. Given every two years, Slowiak was nominated for his work with New World Performance Lab and the Colorline Project, both community projects that also incorporated students from the UA Theatre Program. Slowiak said, “I think it is an award for me that extends beyond just me but it is recognition of the kind of experimentation, innovation and collaborative work that I think needs to be supported and recognized.” Performers praised Slowiak and the experiences they had working with him in the November Buchtelite article that featured Slowiak and the award, and his current students concur.
#artsstarthere

04/30/2020

UA Dance is proud of graduating Dance program majors and minors for the 2020 year. To congratulate our graduating dance students we are featuring each of them here and on our website. https://www.uakron.edu/dtaa/dance/sub-pages/dance-student-focus.dot

Today, give a big congratulations to Skyler Bortz.

Here's what Skyler had to say:
Major:
Bachelor of Arts in Dance with Business Cognate & Bachelors of Arts in Psychology

How do you plan to engage in the field of dance in the years after graduation?
I will be continuing to teach dance as it is a passion of mine.

Best memory working with UA Dance:
One of my best memories is being backstage with everyone getting ready for a show and feeling the excitement and anticipation of performing.

Best wishes to Skyler!

04/30/2020

Introducing The University of Akron School of Dance, Theatre, and Arts Administration's Arts Connections Series! Sponsored by the Arts Administration Program, the Arts Connections Series features discussions with arts leaders to connect UA artists with the community.
Join us on Wednesday, May 6th at 2pm for a discussion with UA Chair of the Voice Program Dr. Laurie Lashbrook and UA Assistant Director of Bands Dr. Andrew D. Feyes for a discussion centered on the field of music! Register here: https://tinyurl.com/Connections-Music

04/29/2020

UA Dance is proud of graduating Dance program majors and minors for the 2020 year. To congratulate our graduating dance students we are featuring each of them here and on our website. https://www.uakron.edu/dtaa/dance/sub-pages/dance-student-focus.dot

Today, give a big congratulations to Tiffany Campbell.

Here's what Tiffany had to say:
Major:
Bachelor of Arts in Dance with Business Cognate

How do you plan to engage in the field of dance in the years after graduation?
After graduating this spring, I will be engaging in the field of dance by pursuing a career in arts administration; my goal is to work for a dance company in a business or administration role. I also would love any opportunity to advocate for the importance of arts in our lives. This could entail inspiring others through teaching, outreach, presentations, and other informative ways for people to understand the purpose of the arts.

Best memory working with UA Dance:
One of my favorite memories while being a student at the University of Akron is being a student assistant for three years at The University of Akron’s pre-professional program The Dance Institute. I loved working with and teaching the students and learning the business areas of dance at the office and the managerial aspects of organizing and holding a show. I will also have very fond memories of the people I have met, friends I have made, classes I have taken, and performances I have danced in at The University of Akron for the rest of my life.

Best wishes to Tiffany!

(Photo Credit: Dale Dong)

04/28/2020

UA Dance is proud of graduating Dance program majors and minors for the 2020 year. To congratulate our graduating dance students we are featuring each of them here and on our website. https://www.uakron.edu/dtaa/dance/sub-pages/dance-student-focus.dot

Today, give a big congratulations to Natalie Minns.

Here's what Natalie had to say:

Major:
BA in Dance with Business Cognate

Best memory working with UA Dance:
One of my best memories at UA would have to be the performances! Our family grows so close during show week, and so many memories are made in Daum Theatre!

How do you plan to engage in the field of dance in the years after graduation?
I plan to eventually move to the west coast to dance and perform and eventually obtain my MBA.

Best wishes to Natalie Minns!

04/27/2020

Meet Graduate Assistant Evan Schultz!

Evan Schultz received his B.M. in Bassoon Performance from Cleveland State University and his Master’s in Bassoon Performance from Kent State University. Evan regularly freelances in multiple genres including theatre, chamber music, solo bassoon with piano, free improvisation and performance art in the Northeast Ohio area on bassoon and contrabassoon. He teaches a private studio of students in the Northeast Ohio area. Evan has performed for the Kinhaven Young Artist Seminar as well as the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival. Evan plans to continue performing and serving the arts as a lifelong pursuit.

Read more about our graduate assistants at: http://ow.ly/P9fp50yAL74

04/23/2020

Wow, you all blew us away! We couldn't pick just three, so we will be reading all of your submissions. Tune into our Instagram story (@uadancetheatre) this weekend for the Virtual Playreading Taste-Test. #qUArantine #UATheatre #theartsstarthere

04/22/2020

Join us tomorrow at 1pm for a virtual discussion with Katie Beck of Gum-Dip Theatre and UA's James Slowiak of New World Performance Lab! Follow the link to register:
https://tinyurl.com/DTAA-qUArantine-Theatre

04/20/2020

Join us this Thursday for the third installment of the qUArantine Series! Katie Beck of Gum-Dip Theatre and James Slowiak of New World Performance Lab and UA will be with us this week to discuss the effects of the current health crisis on the theatre community. Follow the link to register!
https://tinyurl.com/DTAA-qUArantine-Theatre

04/20/2020

Ready... set... write! ✒ Send us your finished play, including all five of these ingredients (and the bonus, if you're looking for a challenge!) by Wednesday at noon - this is a STRICT deadline. Let's create together!
#qUArantine #UATheatre #theartsstarthere

04/20/2020

"Working as a graduate assistant in the Arts Administration office has given me invaluable experience as both an arts administrator and as an artist. I'm excited to continue in the program and get to know the Akron art community even better!" - Amy Mellinger, 1st year Arts Administration Graduate Assistant
The deadline to apply for an assistantship is April 30! #artsstarthere

04/17/2020

Looking for a way to stretch your creative muscle while staying at home? Always dreamed about having your work performed for an audience? While we are redefining what these terms mean in isolation, we can still have a little fun! Inspired by college students across the country and based on playwright, Paula Vogel's "bake off" concept, The University of Akron School of Dance, Theatre, and Arts Administration is hosting a virtual 48-hour playwriting challenge. The rules are listed below. ⬇️ Please check back here on Monday at 12PM for your ingredients. We can't wait to see what you make!
#qUArantine #UATheatre #theartsstarthere

04/16/2020

The Chihuly Sculpture, more commonly known as “the rock candy sculpture,” is a fixture in the UA community that graces Guzzetta Hall. In 2005, glass artist Dave Chihuly’s sculpture made its debut on UA’s campus to represent the union between science and the arts. Created with a medium transparent polyurethane that stood the tests of weather-resistance by the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, Chihuly’s sculpture is used as a landmark by students for navigation and has become an iconic photo destination on campus.
#uakron #chihuly #artsstarthere

04/16/2020

TODAY! Join the DTAA Graduate Assistants and NCCAkron Executive and Artistic Director Christy Bolingbroke for the second installment of the DTAA Talk Series! Register before 1pm to receive the link!
https://tinyurl.com/DTAA-quarantine
#artsstarthere

04/15/2020

Join us tomorrow at 1pm for a virtual discussion with NCCAkron Executive and Artistic Director Christy Bolingbroke! We'll be discussing the field of dance and how the current health crisis is changing the field, as well as what artists can do to stay motivated and inspired!

04/15/2020

The Akronist

Graduate Assistant Tessa Gaffney had the opportunity to speak with Wendy S. Duke, who holds a B.A. and M.A. in Theatre Arts from The University of Akron, and recently appeared in our Spring Main Stage production of "Richard III." Check out this The Akronist article to learn about her artistic journey and stay tuned for future interviews of notable alumni! #uatheatre #theartsstarthere

Wendy Duke's theatre career has taken her around the country and back to Akron, where she now leads the award-winning Center for Applied Drama & Autism, which leverages theatre as a community-building tool for advocacy and equity. Thanks to Tessa Gaffney for this well-written profile of an accomplished artist and The University of Akron alumn. Says Duke: "It might not be the pathway to Broadway, but it’s the path to following your dreams and making your own work." https://akronist.com/a-legendary-actress-from-akron-the-story-of-wendy-duke/

04/14/2020

This Thursday! Join DTAA as we talk to NCCAkron Executive and Artistic Director Christy Bolingbroke in our qUArantine Series! Follow this link to register: https://tinyurl.com/DTAA-quarantine

04/13/2020

The University of Akron M.A. in Arts Administration program has assistantships to award! Apply by April 30 to be considered! #artsstarthere #gozips

04/13/2020

Meet graduate assistant... Wm. Tanner Young!

Wm. Tanner Young is a Photographer, Digital Imager, Digital Marketer and Arts Administrator currently residing in Akron, OH. After graduating from the University of Akron with a B.F.A. in Photography, he moved to Chicago and gained much experience in the field through working with various nonprofit organizations, arts festivals, and photo studios. The rebirth of Northeast Ohio’s vibrant and storied arts community is what brought him back to pursue his M.A. He is committed to connecting and spotlighting the arts community of Northeast Ohio and the Midwest. His work keeps him inspired and eager to refine his ideas, set new goals, and explore new prospects with other arts and culture professionals.

Read more about our GAs at: http://ow.ly/k01M50yALH9

04/09/2020

There's been a lot of discussion in the midst of this pandemic about adapting theatre to our quarantine circumstances: digitally and in isolation. While, certainly, this is a necessary endeavor, the UA Arts Administration Graduate Assistants were inspired by New World Performance Laboratory’s Jairo Cuesta to, instead, reflect on that which truly cannot be recreated from the comfort of our homes.

An ode to the magic of performing and spectating together, and a promise to cherish these moments when we are able to experience them again.

Here they are, in no particular order, the things we miss about live performance.

What do you miss? Tell us below. ⬇️ We can't wait to see you again. #theartsstarthere #qUArantine #bwayworldprompts

04/08/2020

Emily Davis Gallery

Around Akron with Blue Green visited The University of Akron last month and stopped by the Myers School of Art to chat with our director Arnold Tunstall about the gallery, Emily Davis, and the 84th Juried Student Exhibition.

If you missed the original airing of the episode on PBS Western Reserve, don't worry! Here are some links:

PBS.org:
https://www.pbs.org/show/around-akron-blue-green/

PBS Western Reserve:
https://westernreservepublicmedia.org/around-akron-with-blue-green.htm

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zg4v6ho8Tw

04/08/2020

Join us TODAY at 1pm while we talk with Alyssa Lombardi and Nakiasha Moore-Dunson! Haven't registered yet? Email [email protected] with subject line "DTAA Talk Series." #artsstarthere

04/07/2020

Considering getting your Master's degree? Now is the time! For this week only, April 6-10, the application fee for UA's M.A. in Arts Administration is waived! Apply for free and be eligible for an assistantship! #artsstarthere

04/06/2020

This Wednesday! Join us (virtually) for the first talk in our DTAA qUArantine Series with Nakiasha Moore-Dunson and Alyssa Lombardi! To register, email [email protected] with subject line "DTAA qUArantine Series." #artsstarthere

04/06/2020

Meet a Graduate Assistant... John Aylward!

John Aylward graduated from the University of Akron in 2012 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and minors in Art History, Commercial Photography, and Digital Imaging. While at the University of Akron he worked at the Emily Davis Gallery as a Gallery Assistant and was one of the co-founders and the First Vice-President of the Folk Photo Association. After graduation, John worked for a variety of art non-profit organizations in Northeast Ohio. He has provided his photographic services for local and regional organizations with: the Akron Art Museum, Akron Community Foundation, Downtown Akron Partnership, Wandering Aesthetics, NASA Glenn Research Center, and Guitar Center being a few. John has seen the art scene grow to a prominence found primarily in bigger cities.

Read more about our GAs at: http://ow.ly/3tUb50yAKyX

04/03/2020

Join us on Wednesday, April 8, at 1:00pm for a virtual talk series with UA Alumni Alyssa Lombardi and Nakiasha Moore-Dunson! They'll discuss how arts professionals in NE Ohio are handling the COVID-19 crisis and how artists-in-training can make the most of this time!

04/01/2020

The University of Akron School of Dance, Theatre, and Arts Administration

Important updates!
Apply today to The University of Akron's M.A. in Arts Administration program. Assistantships are available for the 2020-2021 academic year. The deadline to apply to be considered for an assistantship has been extended to April 30th.
For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.uakron.edu/dtaa/artsadmin/
The University of Akron

04/01/2020

Important updates!
Apply today to The University of Akron's M.A. in Arts Administration program. Assistantships are available for the 2020-2021 academic year. The deadline to apply to be considered for an assistantship has been extended to April 30th.
For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.uakron.edu/dtaa/artsadmin/
The University of Akron

03/30/2020

Meet a Graduate Assistant: Anna-Jeannine!

Anna-Jeannine is a first-year graduate assistant. Born and raised in Knoxville, TN, Anna-Jeannine is the product of a family of artists, musicians, engineers, military servicemen, and teachers. After undergraduate studies in Theatre (Literature, Performance, Design, and Technology) and Communications at Berea College in Berea, KY, Anna-Jeannine gained experience and perspective through internships and graduate work in theatrical costume design, as well as professional experience in marketing, and entrepreneurship in special event entertainment planning and coordination. Over the course of her work and study, she has taught at several levels in both formal and informal settings, and she considers herself a life-long learner and mentor.

Learn more about our Arts Administration graduate assistants on our website: http://ow.ly/X53v50xXs6Y