UCI Arts Alumnus Andrew Tarr Joins University of Oklahoma Faculty

From visiting professor to full-time faculty, sound designer joins the Helmerich School of Drama

Andrew Tarr, M.F.A. '19, alumnus in drama with an emphasis in sound design at UC Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts Department of Drama, has been appointed to a tenure-track faculty position at the Helmerich School of Drama at the University of Oklahoma (OU). Tarr had been serving as a visiting assistant professor at OU during the 2024–25 academic year before the university extended him a full-time offer, marking the second UC Irvine sound design graduate to secure a faculty appointment in the current academic year.

"I am thrilled to continue here at the University of Oklahoma within the Sound Department to build on the work that I started this year as a Visiting Assistant Professor," said Tarr. "The theatre department here at OU is very strong, and we have a number of great opportunities to mentor students on their design and technical work. My time at UCI helped me hone my skills as a designer and collaborator, and I'm excited to share my training from Professors Mike Hooker and Vincent Olivieri at UCI with an upcoming generation of sound designers."

Tarr's path to this appointment reflects a career of wide-ranging work across theatre, music, and design. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in sound for the performing arts from Purdue University before completing his graduate studies at UC Irvine. His associate design credits encompass some of the country's most respected regional institutions, including Wicked Soul on Cherry Hill and The Inheritance, Geffen Playhouse; Little Shop of Horrors and Cyrano, Pasadena Playhouse; Prelude to a Kiss, South Coast Repertory and Quack, Center Theatre Group.

To learn more about M.F.A. programs in the Department of Drama, visit arts.uci.edu/drama/programs/mfa.