Delius Doherty (Theatre ’06) took a series of photos meant to recreate and evoke iconic images from Martin Luther King Jr.’s marches during New York’s George Floyd Memorial March on June 4th. The photos feature company members from Broadway shows like Ain’t Too Proud and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, among other productions. Also included in this photo are HSPVA alumni Justin Prescott (Dance ’06) and Julius Chase (Theatre ’06). The photos were featured in Vogue; the full set can be seen here.
Distinguished Alumnus Jason Moran (Instrumental ’93) has been asked to help curate the permanent exhibits at the new Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens, New York. Jason and his wife, mezzo-soprano Alicia Hall Moran, recently gave a “Jazz Talk” together as part of the “Spoleto at Home” series, which you can learn more about here.
Kearran Giovanni (Dance ’99) will appear as Ruby Daniels in Season 2 of BET’s American Soul. She has also recently been seen in her recurring role on Fox’s The Resident.
Distinguished Alumna Rhoda Boone (Visual Art ’97) was honored when Bon Appetit, the magazine for which she is Food Editor, was recognized by the American Society of Magazine Editors’ “Ellie” Awards for General Excellence, Design, Video, and Leisure Interest. Rhoda produces all video content for Bon Appetit, which you can enjoy here!
Isabella Byrd (Theatre ’05) won the 2020 Lucille Lortel Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Lighting Design in Heroes of the Fourth Turning. She is also nominated for a Drama Desk Award for the same production. In an interview by City Theatrical, Isabella said, “I was lucky to get tons of exposure to the arts at a young age. I had many years of training in ballet and modern dance, and then attended the High School of the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in Houston, Texas. There, I took my first dive into design. I learned the building blocks through friends and faculty and had the chance to explore composing stage pictures really early.”
Starr Busby (Vocal ’05) will be honored with a 2020 Drama Desk Special “Ensemble Award” for Octet.
Distinguished Alumnus Mark Seliger (Media ’77) is auctioning prints of some of his most famous portraits until June 12th; proceeds will go to support pandemic relief efforts. You can read more about him and one of his most iconic pieces here, or visit his website here.
Catastrophic Theatre’s Tamarie Cooper (Theatre ’87), Jason Nodler (Theatre ’87) , and Shayna Schlosberg (Theatre ’06) found a new audience in Chicago with their production of There Is a Happiness That Morning Is. You can watch it too, on their theatre company’s YouTube channel.
Samantha Williams (Theatre ’16) appeared in two from-home performances: a live stream of Lauren Gunderson’s I and You on May 17th, opposite Andrew Barth Feldman, on the new Plays in the House Jr. series aimed at younger audiences. You can also see her perform as Little Red Riding hood in the song “Into the Woods” from the musical of the same name, in a video that benefits the Actor’s Fund.
Distinguished Alumna Mireille Enos (Theatre ‘94) returns for Season 2 of Amazon’s Hanna. See the trailer here!
Teal Thomsen (Dance ‘09) was named by Hemispheres magazine as a “photographer to follow.” Follow her Instragram here!
Colin Wilkes (Theatre ’05) was the Costume Designer for Andy Samberg’s Palm Springs, a hit at Sundance that was co-acquired by Hulu and Neon, which will screen the film at drive-in theaters this July.
Justin Furstenfeld (Theatre ’94), frontman of the band Blue October, is at the center of new documentary “Get Back Up,” chronicling his struggle with addiction and mental illness. The film includes some archival footage from his years studying at ‘PVA. The film premiered on 5/21 with online screenings hosted by Furstenfeld and is availbale at GetBackUp.Tv.
Hannah-Leah Bernosky (Vocal ’20) and Lily Falconer (Theatre ’20) were both featured in the Houston Chronicle‘s story on Houston’s Class of 2020 students.
K. Todd Freeman (Theatre ’83) was featured in the new Half Hour podcast produced by Steppenwolf‘s new ensemble members, where they interview other members of the country’s premiere ensemble theatre. You can listen to his episode here.
The Mariachi Class of 2020 celebrated social-distancing style, with a parade covered by The Buzz in an article by Jaylenn Holmes (Instrumental ’21)!
Shayna Schlosberg (Theatre ’06) and Matt Hune (Theatre ’03 and Acting faculty at ‘PVA) were both quoted in a Houston Press piece on the challenges of Houston’s arts funding and its relationship to tourism money. “Houston should support its artists because Houstonians benefit just as much from our cultural community,” Schlosberg said. “So, what does it say about the way we value arts and the artists that live and contribute to the culture of the city to say, well, we’re not able to profit off you right now, so hang tight!”
Janie Carothers (Dance ’84 and current ‘PVA faculty) was interviewed by Dance Teacher magazine about her work in the classroom, especially in how she prepares senior students for college.
