Alumni News

Ry Bradley Nominated for California Country Artists in the Best Album category

Alumni Ry Bradley is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter rising to prominence in the country music scene. Bradley is based in California but travels frequently  to Nashville to perform and co-write songs with Nashville songwriters.  Ry performs constantly in venues ranging from bars to...

Alumni Kelly Moran’s album “Bloodroot” was named one of the top 25 classical albums of the year by the New York Times

‘BLOODROOT’ Kelly Moran, keyboards (Telegraph Harp). When writing for “prepared” piano, some composer-performers focus on timbral effects to the exclusion of all else. Throughout this rewarding set of miniatures, Ms. Moran avoids this pitfall. The avant-garde touches she employs may be...

Artforum names UCI faculty and alum in the "Best of 2017" issue

Congratulations to the Department of Art faculty and alumni from the were recently named in Artforum's “Best of 2017” issue. Rhea Anastas (faculty) Curator Jamillah James selects Cauleen Smith’s  "Lessons in Semaphore", curated by Rhea Anastas at UCI’s University Art Galleries, as one of...

Quinn VanAntwerp to perform in Broadway in Concert Series

"Theatre West's acclaimed Broadway in Concert series returns for the company's 65th anniversary season with an exciting line up of stars. Cast member from Broadway and film production of Jersey Boys' Quinn VanAntwerp in Oh What a Night (Saturday, February 3, 2018; and Los Angeles and...

UCI Drama alumni performing in the Broadway musical 'The Book of Mormon'

True to the Department of Drama's long-standing reputation of training the future stars of Broadway, three UCI Drama alumni are currently performing in the Broadway musical 'The Book of Mormon': Jacob Haren (BFA 2013) can be seen on Broadway; Jacob Ben-Shmuel (BFA 2017) and Oge Agulué...

UCI Drama alumni in 'Frozen' at Disneyland Resort’s Hyperion Theatre

Two UCI Drama alumni are currently working on Frozen at Disneyland Resort’s Hyperion Theatre; Ashley Moniz (BA 2009) is performing as Anna, and Nathaniel Chase (MFA 2017) is working as an Assistant Stage Manager.

UCI Drama alumni Karyn Lawrence works as Lighting Designer in several shows

Karyn Lawrence (BA 2007/MFA 2012), winner of a 2016 NAACP Theatre Award for Best Lighting for her work on Fences, has worked as Lighting Designer on five shows this year thus far, including Next to Normal at East West Players and Moby Dick at South Coast Repertory.

UCI Alum inspired by Dance Professor to Teach

“I was also very influenced and encouraged by Jo Dierdorff and Rita Chenoweth, my professors at RCC, my choreography teacher at Cornish College of the Arts, Wade Madsen, and my faculty advisor and mentor at UCI, the great Donald McKayle.”

DanceWatch: Dancer Ching Ching Wong says good-bye

"Ching Ching Wong has danced for NW Dance Project for the past seven years. When she and I sat down this past weekend to talk, we estimated that she had danced approximately 70 new dances in her seven years with the company. If you’re wondering if that’s a lot? It is. It’s a whole lot. Wong’s...

What this UCI Alum Says About Her Tony-Nominated Role in "Come From Away"

“I learned so much about who I am and who I want to be. And at the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, they don’t have a program to mold one into a certain kind of actor; they give you exactly what you need… UC Irvine was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.” – Jenn Colella

UC Irvine MFA Graduate Joshua Romero on Playing Statue

Article by Rachel Lee UC Irvine MFA graduate Joshua Romero works for an events company that requires him to stand perfectly still while painted to resemble marble, bronze, or gold.  

"Telematic Bridges" music course links students in California and Colombia

In August, 2017, UCI's Trevor School partnered with Santa Ana High School to lead a week-long "telematic" course for two groups of high school students, one in California and one in Manizales, Colombia. The two groups of students and instructors were linked by high-bandwidth internet using cutting-...

Hamilton Stage Management Team Slated for L.A. Panel

The Stage Managers' Association of the United States (SMA) presents IN CONVERSATION WITH THE HAMILTON STAGE MANAGEMENT TEAM (Angelica Tour), hosted by Actors Co-op Theatre Company, a panel moderated by Joel Veenstra, SMA Western Regional Representative and Associate Head of Stage Management at UC...

Faculty and Alumni Duo Excels on Rare All-Beethoven Program

John Schneiderman (guitar and terz guitar) and Hideki Yamaya (7-string guitar and guitar-in-D), provide us with a sumptuous recording on their period instruments (both originals and modern copies). 

From UCI to 'SNL'

Chris Kelly is the second Anteater alum to join NBC's celebrated sketch comedy show.

Recent MFA graduates in Los Angeles Exhibitions

Actual Size Los Angeles presented three consecutive exhibitions by the graduating artists in the MFA program at UC Irvine. Each week will featured two artists in conversation. Links to exhibition images below. JASON GOWANS & CHRISTINA TSUI  | June 10 - 13, 2017 MARIAH...