Department of Theatre and Dance

Renée Berthelette

Renée Berthelette is an M.F.A. candidate in Costume Technology, graduating in May 2012. With a B.F.A. in Costume Design and Technology from the University of Rhode Island, Summa Cum Laude, and a background in shop management, Renée has found her passion in costume construction, and has chosen to focus primarily in men's wear. For her thesis work, she is currently developing an interactive website of instructional videos for classic tailoring techniques. Past employers include Trinity Repertory Theatre, Zachary Scott Theatre, and the Austin Shakespeare Company.

Download Renée's resume (pdf – download adobe reader.)

Yao Chen

Eric Gazzillo

Jeffrey Kurihara

Susan MacCorkle

Dorian Robison

Dorian was born and raised in Medford, Oregon. While growing up he found an interest in carpentry, welding, theatre and many other related and unrelated hobbies and passions. The culmination of these interests led Dorian to Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon, where he received a B.F.A. in Theatre, emphasizing a focus in Technical Direction in 2009. Most of Dorian's theatrical work was accomplished at SOU, his outside endeavors include; Assistant Scenic Artist for the film “My Name is Bruce” Technical Director and Scenic Designer for the Hawaii Education of the Arts (HEARTS) production of “Seussical the Musical” and also as an intern at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's scene shop.

Dorian's flickr photo gallery

Laura Spears

Laura is a first year M.F.A. Costume Technology candidate. In 2007, she completed her B.F.A. in Costume Design at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. She is also an alumnus of The Juilliard School's Professional Intern Program. Recent professional credits include work with The Folger Shakespeare Theatre, Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, and The Wolf Trap Opera Company in Vienna, VA. Laura plans to focus her degree in costume shop management.

Stephanie Taff

Stephanie Taff is an M.F.A. candidate in Costume Technology. In 2006, she received her B.F.A. in costume design summa cum laude from Boston University. Before coming to The University of Texas, she worked as the costume crafts artisan for Goodspeed Musicals for a season, and then as a professional beader and beading instructor. She spent last summer as a crafts artisan at Glimmerglass Opera, and looks forward to acting as the crafts assistant at the Santa Fe Opera this summer.

Sweta Vakani

Sweta Vakani is a M.F.A. Costume Technology candidate hailing from New Jersey. She received her B.F.A. in Design/Technology with an emphasis on Costumes from Emerson College in Boston, MA in 2009. She has worked along the east coast for Opera Boston, the Huntington Theatre, Blue Man Group, the American Repertory Ballet, The Lost Colony, and the Sarasota Opera. Ms. Vakani hopes to continue her work in theatre and venture into the film industry. She is thankful for her family's continual support in all of her creative endeavors.