SMTD Faculty, Student and Alumni News

Oakland University’s School of Music, Theatre and Dance has enjoyed a busy spring and summer filled with outstanding performances, student and faculty achievements, alumni successes and exciting opportunities. Here's a look back at some of the highlights:

The department's spring production season opened April 2-4 with "The Government Inspector," presented by the spring company class in Varner Lab Theatre. OU students who traveled to Costa Rica earlier this year also returned to campus to remount their performance for the Oakland University community.

Performers at the World Music Concert

On April 17, students from the African Ensemble (Akwaaba) and Steel Band (Pan-Jumbies) presented the annual World Music Concert in Varner Recital Hall. Directed by Mark Stone and Patrick Fitzgibbon, the performance featured special guest Haruna Walusimbi, royal musician of the Busoga and Buganda kingdoms, and celebrated musical traditions from East Africa and the Caribbean.

The School of Music, Theatre and Dance also recognized outstanding student achievement during the annual MaTilDa Awards, honoring excellence in performance, scholarship, leadership and service.

The theatre department continued a busy April with productions of "White," "Camille," "Incognito" and "Blood at the Root," as well as the Directing II Film Showcase, which featured 11 original short films written, directed and performed by Oakland University students. 

Zander Warstler and DeNetria Gibson

Student accomplishments continued to garner recognition throughout the semester. BFA Acting students Zander Warstler and DeNetria Gibson earned Best Comedic Actor and Best Dramatic Actor honors at the 2026 OU Film Showcase. 

In May, Shakira Rogers, a film major with a theatre minor, had her 10-minute play "Girl Talk" selected for production at the Art Speaks Festival in Midland, Mich. Rogers wrote the play in Kitty Dubin's Beginning Playwriting class.

The theatre department also celebrated its graduating acting seniors as they traveled to Chicago to participate in the annual Acting Showcase.

The Department of Theatre concluded its spring season with "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus: The Musical!," which was presented in Varner Recital Hall before touring local elementary schools.

Later in May, the School of Music, Theatre and Dance partnered with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra and "The President's Own" United States Marine Band to host a clarinet masterclass led by Staff Sgt. Nick Thompson. The event welcomed Oakland University students and area high school musicians for an afternoon of instruction and performance.

OU students in Greece

In June, Oakland University theatre students presented "Medea" at the Hydrama Theater in Hydra, Greece, before touring mainland Greece. The production will return to Oakland University for performances Sept. 4-6.

SMTD alumni also enjoyed a successful spring on professional stages. Eleven alumni participated in Flint Repertory Theatre's production of "Green Day's American Idiot" in acting, production and administrative roles. Alumni involved in the production included Austin McCoy, Alec Diem, Faith Green, Travis Darghali, Chanelle Beach, Cali Hill, Deagan Krohn, Antonio Vettraino, Zena Kissinger, Brady Jacot and Emily Nichter.

Aurum Brass, comprised of students from Oakland University, advanced to the semifinal round of the Ryan Anthony Chamber Music Competition at the 2026 International Trumpet Guild Conference at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.  They performed Morely Calvert's “Suite from the Monteregian Hills” in Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music.

SMTD faculty members continued to earn recognition for their creative and scholarly work.

Assistant Professor of Theatre Jacob ben Widmar received a Faculty Research Grant to develop “Pringle & Finn, The Musical!,” a new Theatre for Young Audiences musical based on the children's book “Pringle & Finn” by Paul Castle. Created with composer Matthew Nassida and lyricist James Powers, the production will receive an invitation-only industry presentation in New York City on Aug. 31 featuring Broadway performers and representatives from leading children's theatres.

Joshua Tomlinson

Joshua Tomlinson, assistant professor of music technology, served as assistant technical director for the 2026 New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival while also presenting his composition "Uisge Beatha" during the festival.

Assistant Professor of Music Amanda Ross will join brass quintet Calypsus Brass in their residency as featured artists at the Caroga Lake Music Festival in Caroga Lake, New York.  Along with a featured artist recital, the group will perform Dvorak's “9th Symphony,” Prokofiev's “Peter and the Wolf,” and more with the other resident artists in the Caroga Arts Ensemble.

Associate Professor of Theatre Whitney Locher is designing costumes for the national tour of "The Bodyguard," which opens Oct. 15 in Toledo, Ohio.

Brandon Lemke

Student accomplishments continued over the summer as Brandon Lemke, a music technology and percussion student, learned that an original composition written as a class project had been accepted for publication by Wildlight Publications.

SMTD alumni also celebrated an international achievement in music. Six Oakland University graduates helped lead the Five Lakes Silver Band to the 2026 North American Brass Band Association Championship in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Dan Head ('14), Dallas Long ('16), Michael Baker ('20), Andrew Cicchelli ('21), Derek Kolp ('23) and Chris Taravela ('23) earned a record-breaking score of 98.567 to capture the championship. This summer, and by invitation only, the ensemble will travel to the Netherlands to compete in the 2026 World Music Contest, held once every four years and featuring many of the world's top brass bands.