West Virginia University College of Creative Arts has selected the winners of the College’s annual Faculty/Student Mentored Research Awards.

Amy Simpson was selected for the graduate first prize for her research, entitled “The Memorization, Preparation, and Performance of Piano Music: Cognitive Foundations and Current Neuro-Music Research.” She is mentored by Professor Peter Amstutz.

West Virginia University College of Creative Arts and its schools have selected outstanding seniors from the May 2021 graduating class.

Each school selects their top senior based on merit. The top outstanding senior for the college is then voted on by administrators.

With restrictions on gathering in place due to the global pandemic, many performances came to a halt in the West Virginia University School of Theatre & Dance. The school teamed up with West Virginia Public Broadcasting to produce King Lear, which will be broadcast across the state later this year.

“Performing and production is an essential component of theatre curriculum,” said Jerry McGonigle, professor of acting and directing. “For our seniors, this is their capstone project, and for graduate students, it’s their thesis project, so it was important to be able to host this production.”

The West Virginia University College of Creative Arts welcomes Mary Esposito to the staff as assistant director of development.

Esposito brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team from her nine years of employment at the WVU Foundation, where she oversaw annual giving programs including WVU Day of Giving, Women of WVU and Gold Blue and You Faculty and Staff Campus Campaign. She also worked with units all across campus on their annual giving solicitations – including the College of Creative Arts.

In September, junior and senior BFA Musical Theatre students got the opportunity to speak to Emmy-Nominated Broadway actress Sarah Bolt about careers in the musical theatre industry. 

Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre Jeremiah Downes told us that she talked to them about “What it’s like to make theatre in COVID and post-COVID times, what the future looks like for the commercial Broadway, film and TV industries and how to remain true to one’s self as an artist and human. It was an excellent afternoon!”

A new program in the West Virginia University College of Creative Arts will bring students together with successful alumni and friends of the university for one-on-one mentorship and career guidance.

Creative Consultants is a professional mentorship initiative that, through a competitive application process, matches outstanding College of Creative Arts students with extraordinary professionals in the fields of art and design, music, theatre, dance, and arts education, administration and industry. 

The School of Theatre & Dance at West Virginia University has grappled with the issues raised by the Black Lives Matter movement as individuals, and as a virtual community during this time of isolation. This national movement has greatly impacted our discussions, the momentum of our contributions to the industry, and the framework of our offerings at WVU. Before the pandemic took full effect in March, the School had been in active engagement regarding the formation of a Diversity & Inclusion Committee. We are glad to share that we have now formally enacted this committee to begin service in the upcoming semester. There will be more clarification for how this committee will support our program as we all convene, exploring the possibilities and needs for the School of Theatre & Dance. Please keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to contribute to this organization of change. 

Let us be clear in our perspective: