Current Students

Chih-Feng Chen

Chih-Feng Chen is a M.F.A in Theatre Technology candidate with a proposed graduation in Spring 2009. He received a B.F.A. in Scenic Design from the Taipei National University of the Arts in 2001. From 2001-2006 he worked at a scene shop as a master carpenter and designed scenery and lighting from time to time. He worked with various companies in Taiwan, like Chinese Opera, dance, youth plays, and straight plays, and toured to different cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, and San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. He was the Assistant Technical Director the Department’s 2006-07 season productions Holes and Slaughter City, and the Technical Director for Portrait in the 2007 University Co-op presents the Cohen New Works Festival. Chih-Feng attended the Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Programs as part of the stage crew during the opera’s 2007 season. This year, he will be the Technical Director for Elephant’s Graveyard and Assassins during the Department’s 07/08 production season.

Scott Darby

Scott comes to Austin from Upstate New York where he received his BA in Theatre Arts from SUNY New Paltz. He spent 17 years as an actor playing such venues as Kansas City Starlight (K.C., MO), Theatre Under the Stars (Houston, TX), and ABC’s All My Children. He is a member of both AEA and AFTRA. While in NYC, he taught Sande Shurin’s Transformational Acting technique. His costume design credits include Lend Me A Tenor at Shadowland Theatre (Ellenville, NY) and King Lear at SUNY New Paltz. In addition, he assisted costume designer Andrea Varga on the Discovery Channel television series It Takes A Thief. Always looking for what is next in his life, he is happy to pack up his two cats and move to Austin to study Costume Technology at UT.

Eleanor Fluharty

Lori Grubbs

Lori Grubbs is a 3rd year graduate student at The University of Texas at Austin. She expects to graduate in May 2008 with a MFA in Theatre Technology with an emphasis in Stage Management. Lori received her BA at Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Theatre and Acting. In her second year of graduate school Lori was the stage manager for the main stage production of HOLES by Louis Sachar and in the spring was the Production Manager for The University Coop Presents the Cohen New Works Festival.

Stephen Henson

Steve is an MFA Technical Direction student and California, central valley native. He graduated from the College of Sequoias with an AA in Theater Arts as well as a Certificate of Completion from the Sequoia Theater Conservatory in 2003. Afterwards he migrated to southern California and achieved his BA in Technical Production and Design from Cal State Fullerton in Orange County. Steve has done professional work with the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts on the Central Coast, serving as the Assistant Technical Director and more recently, the Technical Director. He has also taught Stagecraft and Lighting as well as been the Resident Scenic and Lighting Designer for the College of Sequoias for the '06-'07 academic year. At much younger ages Steve was often found dismantling toys and appliances, sometimes even reassembling them. He's very pleased to have found a career path that will allow him to continue his youthful fascinations. Steve credits his success to a long line of mentors and professionals with whom he feels extremely fortunate to have had working relationships with. He appreciates everything they have offered him and is flattered to be able to take it, and one day pass it on.

Christina Hobbs

Sarah Lankenau

Sarah Lankenau is a second year MFA Costume Techology student. Hailing originally from the midwest, she holds a BA in Theatre from Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Work in Chicago includes costume design for Serendipity Theatre Company, draping/stitcher at The Court Theatre, and wardrobe at Writer's Theatre and The Goodman. Before starting graduate school at UT, Sarah served as the Costume Shop Manager at the Zachary Scott Theatre Center. As a freelance costume designer and technician she has worked locally for the Austin Lyric Opera, Austin Playhouse, and on the Warner Brothers feature film, A Scanner Darkly. In her studies she enjoys Tailoring and Textile Conservation, and in her precious spare time she is a Knitter.

T'Cie Mancuso

Chad May

Natalie Maynard

Natalie is a first year Costume Technician student in the Graduate Department of Theatre and Dance. Recently she ended her fifth season as the Costume Shop Foremen at the Creede Repertory Theatre nestled in the glory of the San Juan Mountains. She is most proud of her work as the costume designer with the Creede Initiative, a program that introduces the whimsical children of Creede to all aspects of theatre. Natalie's past design credits at the C.R.T. include Shirley Valentine, Snake in the Grass, and the world premier of Sight Hound. She has also worked as the first hand at the Virginia Stage Company and even free-lanced here in Austin at the Zach Scott Theatre, State Theatre, and the Scottish Rite Children's Theatre. She is a native of Pennsylvania and holds a B.A. in theatre from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Derek Moon

Derek Moon is a 3rd year Theatre Technology graduate student at UT, focusing in Information Management and Control Systems. After graduating from Grinnell College in 2004 with a B.A. in Computer Science, he was awarded the 5th-year Design Technology Internship and served as Assistant Technical Director for the Department of Theatre & Dance until mid-2005. Derek has worked on over 30 productions ranging from experimental theatre to full-scale musicals, and has also worked on collaborative projects and installations including the UT entry for the Prague Quadrennial 2007 (USITT Award Winner), "Case Study 9983-A and 9983-B" (2007 SIGGRAPH Award Winner), and "Kalydria in Animatronics", a joint project between UT and the University of Costa Rica in San Jose.

In addition to technical theatre, Derek has also worked in construction, teaching/training, and information technology. His academic interests include adaptive multi-media information systems, educational technology, communication analysis, and workflow optimization.

Originally from central Missouri, Derek enjoys returning there often to visit family and friends. When he's not enraptured by a production or project, he enjoys exploring the outdoors and Austin's unique culture.

David Tolin

David Tolin is a first year M.F.A. Candidate in Scenic Technology. He was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming and recently earned his B.A. Degree in Theatre Design/Technology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His major theatre credits include: set design for the 2002-2003 Playwright Repertory Festival, technical direction for La Boheme, and set design for The Masks of Rioclora. Also while in Las Vegas, he completed an internship with Cirque du Soleil's Mystere and worked in the Automation Control Department at Fisher Technical Services, Inc. This season at UT his recent and upcoming credits include: Assistant Technical Director for Ashes, Ashes and Technical Director for Big Love.