The School of Performing Arts is proud to highlight some of the alumni, faculty, guest artists, and other opportunities that make us a unique, rich, & diverse school.

Alumni Faculty & Staff Guest Artist Other Spotlights

Alumni

Jane Gabbert Headshot
WSU Alumna Jane Gabbert, returns to direct the Bela Kiralyfalvi Playwriting Competition Award Winning play, The Angel of Death.
Zach Powell
Zack Powell graduated from WSU in 2009 with a BFA in Theatre Performance. After graduating, he got a full ride to pursue his MFA in Classical Theatre at Illinois State University, where he also spent a summer studying at the Globe in London...
Photo of the late Karla Burns performing.
Remembering Karla Burns...
Photo of Javier Ignacio.

Javier Ignacio returns to Wichita to lead a song-filled tribute to MTWichita's first 50 years...

Photo of Hunter Jones.

After graduating in 2018 with a BFA In Performing Arts - Dance, Hunter has kept busy and active. COVID-19 hasn't stopped this artist from pursuing her dreams...

Photo of Maria Tate

Maria Tate graduated from WSU in 2006 with a BFA in Dance. Since graduation Maria has performed and/or taught with Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Ballet, Joel Hall Dancers (Chicago), Spark! Circus in Thailand and many others...

Julius Thomas III
Julius returned to Wichita to perform in Smokey Joe's Cafe in Concert at Music Theatre Wichita. The Alumni Association caught up with him for a video chat.
Deiondre's Headshot
Learn more about one of our dance instructors and alumn here at Wichita State, Deiondre Teagle!
Ia Hawkin's Headshot
Ia Hawkins answers our weekly "In the Spotlight" Q&A!
Taylor Poling's Headshot
Taylor Poling asnwers this weeks "In the Spotlight" Q&A!
Natalie Carrera's Headshot
Alumni Natalie Carrera answers our weekly "In the Spotlight" questions!

Faculty & Staff

Aviance Battles Headshot

Learn more about our new part-time recruitment specialist, Aviance Battles...

Ben Juhnke

The School of Performing Arts welcomes our new faculty member, Ben Juhnke, as a Visiting Professor of Performing Arts - Scenic/Lighting Design. Get to know more about Ben...

Jacob McGlaun

The School of Performing Arts welcomes our newest faculty member, Jacob McGlaun. Jacob joins us as the Assistant Professor of Performing Arts - Musical Theatre...

Mina Estrada

With immense experience as a dance educator, community arts advocate & facilitator, and arts administrator/manager, Mina Estrada will make an immediate and important impact on the dance program and entire SPA...

Joseph Urick

Joseph Urick is an award-winning actor from New York City. He has performed nationally and internationally at such theatres as the ZACH Scott in Texas, Florida Shakespeare, the Hippodrome Theatre in Florida, as well as the Papagaou Theatre and Anagyius Theatre in Greece...

Sheldon Mba

Learn more about Sheldon Mba...

 

Guest Artists

Kyle Pleasant Headshot

Learn more about Kyle Pleasant, the director and choreographer of the Jo Zakas Musical Theatre Incubator Program's production of Express...

Carlos Vecar

One of three globally recognized guest artists in residence, Carlos Vecar is a faculty member in the theatre department of the University of Veracruz. Learn more about Juan and the residency...

Karina Eguia

One of three globally recognized guest artists in residence, Karina is a faculty member in the theatre department of the University of Veracruz. Learn more about Karina and the residency...

Juan headshot

One of three globally recognized guest artists in residence, Juan Meza is a faculty member in the dance department of the University of Veracruz. Learn more about Juan and the residency...

Larry Daniels

Learn more about our SPA Day guest artist Larry Daniels...

Darrell Grand Moultrie's Headshot

Learn more about our Guest Artist Darrell Grand Moultrie who created a new work for our WCDT Spring Concert.

social justice dancer

"I am an artist, an activist-educator and an intellectual- I am a kinetic storyteller." Charles Anderson.

Find out more about Charles Anderson & his work at the School of Performing Arts...

McGuire & Simon

Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon are an award-winning musical theatre writing and producing team based in New York City...

Elizabeth Shannon's Headshot

Learn more about the Bela Kiralyfalvi National Student Playwriting Competition 2023 Winner, Elizabeth Shannon.

Emily Orr

Emily Orr is a music director, conductor, pianist, arranger, vocalist, and educator with over 10 years of professional experience. Born and raised in Wichita, KS, Emily comes from a musical family and became involved in multiple facets of the Fine Arts at an early age...

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Find out more about the lyricist of Fox Sisters, Christyn Budzyna...

Anthony DeAngelis' Headshot

Find out more about the composer of Fox Sisters, Anthony DeAngelis...

Jessica Penzia's Headshot

Find out more about the librettist of Fox Sisters, Jessica Penzia...

Crystal Davis
Crystal U. Davis is a dancer, educator, movement analyst, and critical race theorist with over twenty years of experience teaching dance and supervising dance educators in P-12 education...

Other Spotlights

UV graphic

Read more about a partnering with the University of Veracruz in Xalapa, Mexico...