Full Name:
Talleri McRae
Major/Year:
Drama/Theatre for Youth 1st year
Favorite class in Theatre & Dance and why:
Applied Drama and Theatre challenged me in many exciting ways. The class looked at broad applications of theatre, and was part practice, part theory. I really had the chance to put my scholar half and my teacher half together. And who knew I could attempt (and succeed) at scholastic writing!
Favorite thing about Austin:
The relaxed, family–friendliness all around. And, I know it's been said, but the Alamo Drafthouse is incredible! Give me a Friday night, a good movie, and their steak salad! I never want to go to a “regular” movie theatre again…
Favorite place to study:
Mother's Café and Garden. Although it is easy to get distracted by the AMAZING menu, you can also just order an all–natural smoothie and sit inside or out, and get some work done!
Brief biography (including projects, awards, accomplishments):
A recent transplant to Austin, Texas, Talleri is thrilled to be pursuing an M.F.A. in Drama and Theatre for Youth here at UT. Dedicated to quality theatre for all ages, Talleri calls herself a free–lance theatre artist. She is also an actor, a storyteller, and a teacher. In recent years, she has worked with many Chicago Theatre companies including: About Face Theatre, The Goodman Theatre, Next Theatre, AppleTree Theatre, and Special Gifts Theatre. In 2007, Talleri served as a guest drama specialist for grades K–3 at Orrington Elementary School in Evanston, Illinois and she currently serves on the Executive Board of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education.
Current projects/research/interests:
Right now, I'm in the Portfolio Program in Non–Profit Studies through the RGK Center. It's fascinating to examine the Nonprofit sector, and the history of theatre as an art and a business. Right now, I can envision a project (maybe a thesis, who knows) where I look at the needs of theatre practitioners who are both artists and organizational leaders.
