2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT

The School of Theatre & Music (STM) provides innovative, rigorous, and comprehensive academic and performance programs as part of our diverse, urban context.

Our programs develop practical knowledge, cultural sensitivity, intellectual resourcefulness, and imaginative daring in emerging artists and scholars.

We connect students to Chicago’s abundant, vibrant theatre culture and to the city’s dynamic jazz and classical music networks.

“Our third year as the School of Theatre and Music was a time of important growth. We welcomed new faculty and a record number of students from diverse backgrounds. We rolled out a new Music Business degree, two completely reimagined theatre degrees including a BA in Theatre and Peformance and a BA in Theatre Design, Production, and Technology, and an international exchange program with Eolia Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in Barcelona, Spain. Finally, faculty took advantage of their professional networks to provide students with opportunities to complement coursework with internships, practicums and artistic exchange. Current students, alumni, and supporters are increasingly aware that something great is happening in Theatre and Music at UIC. ”

- Christine Mary DunfordDirector

OUR STUDENTS90 Music Majors

129 Theatre Majors

25 Music Minors

7 Theatre Minors

2016 APPLICANTS

343 Applications

22 US States

8 Countries

CLASS OF 2016

34 Graduating Seniors

BFA Theatre (12)BA Theatre (9)BMus Performance (6)BMus Jazz Studies (4)BA Theatre Design (2)BA Music (1)

GRADUATING STUDENT DEGREES

27%

White/ Non-Hispanic (39%)Hispanic or Latino (24%)Black/ Non-Hispanic (23%)Multirace (10%)Asian/ Pacific Islander (4%)

STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS

NON-MAJOR PARTICIPATION

PUBLIC EVENTS

Chamber ChoirElectric Guitar EnsembleFlames of FunkJazz EnsembleJazz Vocal EnsembleJazz WorkshopMariachi FuegoOrchestraPep BandPercussion EnsembleSummer Wind EnsembleUniversity BandUniversity ChoirWind Ensemble Women’s Choral Ensemble

38 Public Concerts

32 Mainstage Theatre Performances

17 Student Music Recitals

10 Student Theatre Performances

Over 2,700 students from 66 majors across campus took a theatre or music general education (gen ed) course.

69% of the performers in STM music ensembles were non-majors.

Liberal Arts - Undecided (28%)Biological Sciences (10%)Psychology (8%)Computer Science (5%)

Accounting (4%)Finance (3%)

Other (42%)

SCHOOL OF THEATRE & MUSIC ENSEMBLES

GEN ED STUDENT DEGREES

10 Performance venues around Chicago

9% Growth in audiences

2 World premieres co-commissioned by the Wind Ensemble

1 World premiere theatre production

BA THEATRE & PERFORMANCE

BA THEATRE DESIGN, PRODUCTION, & TECHNOLOGY

BFA ACTING

Students take full advantage of a wide range of courses across the discipline and focus study through three tracks: general, performance, authorship.

Students pursue a structured course of study that focuses on developing the actor for professional work or graduate training.

“UIC can’t be beat in terms of location and faculty. I plan to build my career in Chicago, and having gone to school here, I’ve already laid a substantial foundation through the connections I’ve made.”

Students develop a strong foundation in theatre through core courses, then deepen study in areas of design, production & technology.

- 2016 theatre graduate

Collette is an award-winning scenic designer based out of Chicago. Her work has been seen all over the country and internationally. She received her BFA with honors in scenic design from the Theatre School at DePaul University in 2000 and earned her MFA from Northwestern University in 2007. She taught at Columbia College Chicago and Northwestern University. Collette is a Jeff Award winner and a Suzi Bass Award nominee. She received the Michael Merritt Maggio Emerging Designer Award in 2010. Additionally she is a company member at The House Theatre of Chicago where she has designed over 20 shows since 2004.Collette brings her expertise and vision to the newly revised STM design, production, and technology program.

NEW DESIGN FACULTY SPOTLIGHTCollette Pollard, Associate Professor

CURRENT STUDENT SPOTLIGHTKevin PattersonCurrent student Kevin Patterson won a 2016 Jeff Award as part of the “Outstanding Ensemble” in Raven Theatre’s The Scottsboro Boys. Highly recommended as one of the best shows of 2015 (Chicago Tribune), the show returned for a second run in July 2016 with Kevin reprising his role as Haywood Patterson.

STUDENT ENSEMBLE SPOTLIGHTRed Light School District

The Red Light School District is a completely student-run improv troupe based in STM. The group is directed by ensemble members who have studied at prestigious training studios such as IO Chicago, Second City, and Comedy Sportz Indiana. Red Light utilizes this training to create a collaborative troupe that values relationships and team building.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHTYasen Peyankov, Head of TheatreYasen Peyankov is an Artistic Director and member of the leadership team at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He recently directed their production of Between Riverside and Crazy and in the fall will direct the world premiere of The Fundamentals by Erika Scheffer.

BA MUSIC BMUS PERFORMANCE BMUS JAZZ STUDIESStudents study the foundations of music and ensemble. They benefit from solo performance opportunities and weekly lessons with leading professional Chicago musicians. They participate in weekly master classes with acclaimed artists, and a variety of ensembles with ample concert exposure.

Students engage in a broad study of music with a liberal arts foundation; and take advantage of over 200 other disciplines at UIC.

Students develop the tools for a professional career in jazz and the related fields of contemporary music. They receive weekly coaching from top Chicago jazz musicians, jazz-centric coursework in theory, and arranging, and consistent performance opportunities both on and off campus.

Justin is pursuing a Masters of Music, Jazz Composition and Arranging at DePaul University while working as a teaching artist with CPS and maintaining a busy performing schedule. He leads the Chicago-based musicians’ collective, Stereo Genius, and has performed or recorded with: Treologic, Vertikal, Frankie Parker, Floetry, H2O Soul, William Kurk, Alfonzo Hunter, Russoul, Andrew Ripp, Chicago Afro Beat Project, Jade Simmons, Chicago Sinfonietta, Soul People, Rakim, Carl Thomas, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ice Cube, Common, Occidental Brothers Dance Band International, Dionne, Animate Objects, Slum Village and Big Daddy Kane among many others.

ALUMNUS SPOTLIGHTJustin Boyd, BMus 2015

MUSIC FACULTY SPOTLIGHTMichael J. Anderson, Head of Music

61%Applications to our BMus program grew exponentially this year. Students are supported by a growing roster of adjunct instructors.

We also saw a significant rise in inter-departmental transfers. This is largely due to our thriving ensembles program which engages students from across the university, raising our profile within the university and providing talented students of all majors with the opportunity to continue their music practice.

Our Head of Music is currently also serving as the President of the International Federation for Choral Music. He leads efforts to build communication and exchange between choral musicians around the world. Most recently, he spoke at the opening ceremony of the 13th International Choral Festival in China, with the Chinese Minister of Culture. The event was attended by 6,000 officials and diplomats. 238 choirs from 44 countries participated in the festival.

STUDENT ENSEMBLE SPOTLIGHTDowntown VoicesThis student-led ensemble was recently re-formed by a group of vocal majors, growing to a 16-part auditioned ensemble. This year, for the first time, Downtown Voices competed in the Great Lakes International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) and reached the quarterfinals.

FACULTY & ALUMNI NEWSBA MUSIC BUSINESSStudents combine music study with courses from UIC’s College of Business Administration in accounting, marketing, and finance. They complete up to two internships in Chicago’s music industry, and develop essential business and music knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a career in this ever-expanding field.

FACULTYChris Madsen presented his tips for Jazz Educators at IMEA 2016 and published the presentation in JAZZed.

Tanera Marshall‘s voice and dialect coaching credits for 2015-16 include Chicago Fire (NBC), Zoo (CBS) and the film Allegiant.

Jason Martin won the 2015 UIC INSPIRE Award, honoring employees who exhibit long-term, consistent, and outstanding professional service to the UIC Community and a commitment to UIC’s Core Values.

Marc Mellits was the featured composer at the music festival “Les Inouies” in France this summer where his new work Green received it’s world premiere.

Derrick Sanders directed three films for Center Stage’s initiative My America Too, inspired by recent events in communities such as Ferguson and Baltimore.

Rachelle Tsachor published research on movement in multiple publications this year, including Frontiers in Psychology and Movement for Actors.

RECENT ALBUM RELEASES FROM MUSIC FACULTY:Elbio Barilari: Volcano Radar: Electro Parables/Electro Parábolas(Pan y Rosas Discos, Feb 2016)Zvonimir Tot: Standards Live at the Jazz Showcase(Groove Art Records, March 2016)Andy Baker: New Standard Jazz Orchestra: Waltz About Nothing (April 2016)

ALUMNIViolinist Kasia Antosz (BMus 2016) is working as a Graduate Assistant Instructor at Indiana University, while she pursues her graduate studies in Music Education.

Benjamin Ponce (BFA Theatre 2016) is currently Managing Producer for Muse of Fire Theatre Company of Evanston.

Jakob Smith (BMus Jazz 2016) is touring nationally with Annie: The Musical.

Lucas Neff (BFA Performance 2008) will play the male lead opposite Allison Tolman in the new ABC comedy Downward Dog this fall.

We welcome Jenne Lennon (Music 2006) as the new president of the STM Theatre & Music Alumni Association. She is working on a new album and documentary.

Janina Gavankar (BA Theatre 2003), co-starred in NBC’s The Mysteries of Laura with Debra Messing. Upcoming in 2017: Sidney Hall, White Orchid and Cortex.

“Highly desirable, entry-level positions in the music industry have become further out of reach of musicians in recent years. Roles as analysts and assistants in A&R, marketing, and other creative paths require quantitative, analytical, and managerial skills. The BA in Music Business prepares musicians to launch and sustain successful careers in all areas of the music industry, including performance and composition.”

- Robert DiFazioMusic Business Coordinator

From new graduates to long-term faculty, the School of Theatre & Music community is working in all corners of the music and theatre industry.

TEACHING ARTIST SEMINAR & PRACTICUM

KKP CHAPTERAfter almost two and a half years worth of work, this spring marked the establishment at STM of the Nu Pi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, a national co-ed service fraternity. Students completed enormous amounts of paperwork and projects under the guidance of faculty advisor, José Oliver Riojas, in order to make the installation happen. The new UIC chapter is one of the largest installation chapters in the history of the organization and the first chapter located directly in a major city of the US.

STM is developing the teaching artists of tomorrow through a unique new undergraduate experience. A two-course series prepares artists to translate their knowledge of artistic theory and practice to serving as a teaching artist in elementary, high school, and community settings. The teaching artist seminar in the fall introduces students to current research about the ways that artists’ knowledge and creative processes enhance teaching and learning; and provides students with hands-on training. The spring teaching artist practicum then offers an opportunity to develop expertise through internship placements. The course is open to all theatre, music, visual arts, and design artists and is taught by Megan Shuchman, Education Director at Steppenwolf for Young Adults.

NEW & EXCITING AT STM

YOUTH PROGRAMS

1,400 Participants

66 High Schools

7 Programs

Our youth programming serves high school age students around the city, fostering theatre and music practice and appreciation. In addition to the participatory programs listed below, STM is committed to keeping live performance accessible. Low-priced student tickets are available for all our performances and we run a sponsorship program that enables us to provide complimentary tickets to many of the students who attend our theatre shows.

Honors Band Festival

Jazz Festival

August Wilson Monologue Competition

Band & Orchestra Clinic

High School Pep Band Day

Theatre Summer Camp

Symphonic Band Summer Camp

Eòlia Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in Barcelona hosted 2 UIC theatre students for the spring semester and sent two students to UIC in the fall. The participants will be increased to three students from each school in 2016-17, along with a faculty exchange.

Two vocal students auditioned and performed in the summer as part of our new partnership with the Grant Park Music Festival Apprentice Chorale.

Pianoforte Chicago has committed to providing three donated pianos to replace rehearsal instruments in the school.

EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPSNEW

ONGOINGTheatre majors take professional dance lessons for credit at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago who also partners on space-sharing with the School of Theatre & Music.

Bella Voce, Chicago’s premier vocal ensemble, continues as our ensemble-in-residence.

The August Wilson Monologue Competition - a partnership between STM, the UIC CHANCE Program, The League of Chicago Theatres, and the Goodman Theatre - is a national acting competition open to high school students.

Ongoing partnerships with Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Lookingglass Theatre Company provide annual internship opportunities.

Latitude 49 completed a very succesful two-year term as our ensemble-in-residence (2014-2016). Our new ensemble partner will be introduced during the fall semester of 2016.

Stephen BurnsFounder and Artistic DirectorFulcrum Point New Music Project

Sheila J. ChapmanArts Volunteer, Steppenwolf for Young AdultsAlumni Board Member, Silk Road Rising

Paula E. D’AngeloConsultant

Ginger FarleyConsortium memberChicago Dancemakers Forum

Betsy IngramProducerDirector of Finance & Operations, KoboTech Inc. Josephine LeePresident and Artistic DirectorChicago Children’s Choir

Donna MilanovichExecutive DirectorThe Chicago Philharmonic Society

2016 TMAA COMMITTEEJennifer LennonPresidentMusic, 2006

Sonia Zamora TreasurerTheatre, 2003

Michael GonzalezTheatre, 1999

Ginger LeopoldoTheatre, 1997 & 2002

William RaffeldNavy Pier Attendee, 1955

Mary Jo PapichCo-Founder/Past President Jazz Education Network; Retired, Fine Arts Director, D219 Skokie

Nancy PlaxDirector of Community OutreachConnecting4Communities

Nick RabkinArts Research and Consulting

Scott SilbersteinCo-founder and Executive Producer, HMS Media, Inc Janet Carl SmithFormer Deputy CommissionerChicago Department of Cultural Affairs

Willa TaylorDirector of Education and Community EngagementGoodman Theatre

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

THEATRE & MUSIC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

In loving memory of Vince Paglione (1950-2016), long-term supporter of our school and college, and a valued advisory committee member.

theatreandmusic.uic.edu

School of Theatre & MusicCollege of Architecture,Design, and the ArtsUniversity of Illinoisat Chicago

1040 W Harrison StreetETMSW Building, MC 255Chicago, IL 60607