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Alumni News

Alumni News

Photo Valerie Curtis-Newton
February 18, 2025
Valerie Curtis-Newton, professor and head of directing and playwriting at the University of Washington’s School of Drama, was recently featured in American Theatre Magazine's roundtable discussion titled "Teaching the Moment." This conversation examined the influence of political forces and the changing landscape of university theatre programs, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities that educators encounter during these transformative times. Curtis-Newton shared valuable... Read more
headshot
May 15, 2025
Executive coach and actor Montana Von Fliss helps global leaders find their voice. Montana Von Fliss (MFA, Acting, Class of 2008) merges theatrical training with executive presence as the founder of Montana & Co., a communication coaching firm serving clients from Microsoft to Google. With over 30 years of experience as a performer and 16+ years as a coach, Montana empowers... Read more
Headshot of Sunam
May 15, 2025
Seattle-based artist and UW Drama alumna Sunam Ellis (PATP Class of 2015) is making an impact both on and off stage. Her recent work reflects a return to acting and a deepened commitment to building inclusive, caring classroom and rehearsal environments. As a director, Sunam emphasizes the importance of seeing the "whole picture"—ensuring that every voice in the room is heard, valued, and elevated. Her creative approach continues to inspire... Read more
A picture of Ada standing in front of nasa
May 15, 2025
Ada Limón (BA, Drama, Class of 1998), an acclaimed poet and the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate (2022), continues to break new ground with her latest collaboration with NASA. In a fascinating fusion of poetry and space exploration, Ada’s poem hitching a ride on a Jupiter-bound rocket speaks to the boundless possibilities of art and science. A Guggenheim Fellow in 2020, Limón’s work explores the intersection of human experience and the cosmos. To learn more about how a poem launched to... Read more
Co-Director sebastian Bravo-Montenegro & Karis Ho. Photo credit Alex Banh
April 17, 2025
Photo credit: Alex Banh Northwest Asian Weekly spotlights Mother of Exiles, the latest production in UW Drama’s Producing Artists Lab series. Written by Jessica Huang and directed by MFA students REN and Sebastián Bravo Montenegro, this time-hopping, intergenerational drama explores immigration, family, and resilience—with humor, heartbreak, and hope. Actor and alum Karis Ho leads as Eddie Loi, a pregnant immigrant... Read more
Photo of woman holding child
October 31, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCT.31, 2024 Contact: Courtney D. Clark Email: cclark75@uw.edu Phone: 206-221-6797 Press image(s): Download THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE By Bertolt Brecht | Translated by Alistair Beaton... Read more
Ron Simmons
June 17, 2024
A huge tree has fallen in the Black Broadway community,” Tony-nominated producer Lamar Richardson tweeted. “Ron walked so that many of us could run in this industry.”   The School of Drama expresses deep sorrow at the news of the passing of Drama MFA alum Ron Simons (November 30, 1960 – June 12, 2024).   Originally from Detroit, Mr. Simons aspired to pursue a career in acting but initially veered into the... Read more
Source: LA Times
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