MFA Acting

The West Virginia University College of Creative Arts has named 24 students as Canady Scholars. To be considered for the award, students must have a high grade-point average, faculty references and be fluent in two languages.

The Canady Scholarship is awarded thanks to the Valerie Canady Charitable Trust Foundation. The scholarships are named for Valerie Canady, a Morgantown native and WVU summa cum laude graduate, who was among the 270 people who died in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in Dec. 1988. Canady, who worked for H.J. Heinz Co. in their London office, was an accomplished linguist and artist in different media of expression, especially in piano.

It is with great sadness that WVU’s College of Creative Arts shares the passing of Travis Stimeling, professor of musicology.

Travis David Stimeling of Buckhannon, WV, born April 7th, 1980, passed away in their home in Morgantown, WV, on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023. From the beginning, Travis had music in them. They grew up singing and playing guitar in church and found a path to West Virginia Wesleyan College with their trombone, graduating with a BA in Music in 2001. There, they were under the mentorship of David “Doc” Milburn who was deeply invested in Travis, so much so that Travis lovingly carried on his legacy through their own teaching. 

Longtime West Virginia University Professor of Piano Peter Amstutz visited Bangkok, Thailand, over the summer for the grand opening of a new music school named in his honor.

The Amstutz Music School was founded by WVU School of Music alumna Onpavee “Kune” Nitisingkarin and co-founders Patthikarn Laoprapassorn and Yosathon Laoprapassorn. 

October 24, 2023

Dear Pride Supporter:

Music Schools at Major Universities from Across the United States Will Join This Once-in-a-Lifetime Discussion Chronicling the Career of the Music Industry’s Most Iconic Executive

The West Virginia University School of Music is proud to present a virtual fireside chat with music industry legend Clive Davis live on Zoom on Monday October 16 at 4:00pm. WVU alum and conductor of the American Pops Orchestra Luke Frazier and WVU Faculty member Travis Stimeling will serve as co-hosts for this event. This event, which is intended for students in the School of Music, will be open to the public and streamed to music schools at major universities across the United States.  Mr. Davis – a five-time Grammy Award Winner and Inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame -- will share anecdotes, advice and insights from his illustrious five-decade career.  He will also answer questions from students and faculty from the WVU School of Music. 

BFA Theatre Design & Tech.

Presented by WVU’s School of Theatre & Dance, Anatomy of a Suicide runs in the Gladys G. Davis Theatre at the Canady Creative Arts Center through Oct. 1

Anatomy of a Suicide by Alice Birch explores the lives of three women within a family construct – grandmother, mother, and granddaughter. The play weaves a complex narrative around themes of depression, addiction, suicide, and the generational impact of trauma. Trapped in their specific cultural milieu of the 1970s, 2000s, and 2030s, the lives of these central characters play out simultaneously echoing their despair as parallel.

Danielle Krysa will present the Deem Distinguished Lecture in the West Virginia University School of Art and Design on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at the Canady Creative Arts Center.

Krysa is the writer behind the contemporary art site, The Jealous Curator, and has curated art shows all over North America. Danielle is also an artist herself, and her narrative mixed media work is held in private collections worldwide. She is the author of several art books, including “Creative Block”, “Your Inner Critic Is A Big Jerk”, “A Big Important Art Book - Now with Women”, and two children’s books; “How To Spot An Artist” and “Art and Joy.” 

Representing West Virginia University and the entire Mountain State, “The Pride of West Virginia,” the Mountaineer Marching Band, will participate in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, marking the second appearance for the band in the historic parade.

Macy’s Parade officials were in Morgantown Saturday (Sept. 16) to surprise band members with the news of their selection prior to the WVU football game. See video from the announcement.