SMTD Faculty, Student and Alumni News

Oakland University's School of Music, Theatre and Dance has enjoyed a productive summer and fall filled with performances, creative accomplishments, professional opportunities and recognition for its faculty, students and alumni. From international study experiences and new musical releases to professional theatre engagements and student achievements, here's a look at some of the latest highlights:

Assistant Professor of Theatre Oscar Quiroz played Orlando in Shakespeare Royal Oak's production of "As You Like It" during July and August.

Theatre students who traveled to Greece this summer returned to campus to present "Medea" in Varner Recital Hall Sept. 4-6. The production earned a Certificate of Merit for Ensemble Work, with Abby Schmidt receiving special recognition as the production's Irene Ryan nominee.

SMTD alumni also remained active on professional stages. Musical Theatre alum Cassandra Svacha directed Shakespeare's "A Winter's Tale," which was selected for performance at the Windsor Fringe Festival. Musical Theatre alum Anna Kamryn Marck appeared in the cast.

OU music students in Buenos Aires

Music students recently wrapped up a 12-day study abroad program in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where they studied tango, folk singing and dance while participating in intercultural exchanges throughout the city. One highlight was collaborating with local teachers on the tango piece "El Ultimo Cafe." Students also visited the recording studio of Ariel Pirotti, a professor of tango music at La Universidad de Las Artes, for a session focused on the genre.

Music faculty members Jeffrey Heisler, professor of music, and I-Chen Yeh, instructor of piano and coordinator of instrumental collaborative piano, released "reFRAME," their third album as the Heisler/Yeh saxophone and piano duo. Released in September on the AMP Recordings label, the album features works by Katahj Copley, Avner Dorman, Cait Nishimura, Marc Mellits, Astor Piazzolla and John Williams. The collection explores new interpretations of music for saxophone and piano, highlighting the instrument's expanding repertoire and the creative possibilities of musical collaboration.

Theatre Design and Technology alum Liv Kunkle also contributed to Wishing Well Theatre's production of "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," designing its costumes.

Oscar Quiroz as Proteus

Assistant Professor of Theatre Oscar Quiroz continued his busy summer with two additional professional engagements. He played Proteus in "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" at Wishing Well Theatre in Fenton, Michigan, and Pascal in "Maestro" by Michael Alan Herman at Theatre Nova in Ann Arbor.

Professor Emerita of Theatre Karen Sheridan served as dialect coach for "Aping Jane" by Aurora Real de Asua, a developmental production about Jane Goodall at Tipping Point Theatre in Northville, Mich.

Four OU faculty members were selected to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' Department Chair Leadership Institute. Melissa Hoag, Doris and Paul Travis Professor of Music and chair of the Department of Music; Yongjin Lu, professor and chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics; Guangzhi Qu, professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering; and Tomoko Wakabayashi, professor and department chair/coordinator in the School of Education and Human Services, participated in the Sept. 9-10 training in Washington, D.C. The semester-long cohort brings together academic leaders from across the country for professional development, peer learning and collaboration.

Joshua Tomlinson

Assistant Professor of Music Technology Joshua Tomlinson presented his composition "Uisage Beatha" at the 2026 Seoul International Computer Music Festival in Seoul, South Korea. One of only a handful of Americans represented, Tomlinson presented the work for two- to eight-channel audio to an audience of electroacoustic composers and performers.

Congratulations to OU alumnus Travis Darghali, who booked a role with the national touring company of "Hadestown."

Musical Theatre alum Faith Green booked a singing engagement aboard a Silversea cruise ship through RWS Global Studios. Musical Theatre alum Deagan Krohn also booked a singing engagement with Oceania Cruises' Insignia.

Current student Rowan Braun, who graduates in December, was named the recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences' Meritorious Achievement Award.

The Acting Program welcomed guest instructor Joe Wright for a smallsword masterclass, giving students an opportunity to develop their stage-combat skills.

The Repertory Dance Company continued an annual OU Dance Department tradition with a performance of “Bodies in Protest” at the Elliott Clock Tower on Oct. 2. The event marked the company's first under the direction of Assistant Professor of Dance Krisilyn "Tony" Frazier.

Woodwind Day at OU

The Department of Music welcomed nearly 100 middle and high school woodwind students and their families to its annual Woodwind Day on Oct. 4. Participants attended a recital by OU woodwind faculty, featuring the premiere of a piece arranged specifically for the event. Students also took part in instrument-specific masterclasses, workshops covering college auditions, ensemble etiquette and career paths in music, and a mass woodwind ensemble.

Theatre students presented "Gloria," a Pulitzer Prize finalist by MacArthur Fellow Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Oct. 14-18 in Varner Studio Theatre. Directed by Broadway veteran and Assistant Professor of Theatre Jacob ben Widmar, the production explored workplace ambition, professional jealousy and the aftermath of an unexpected act of violence. The cast included performers from across Michigan, including Oxford native Zander Brown, whose connection to the community added personal resonance to a play examining violence, trauma and the ownership of personal stories.

On Oct. 22, Drake Dantzler and Victoria Shively presented "Dear Theo," a recital inspired by the work of Vincent van Gogh, in Varner Recital Hall.

Theatre students also presented two productions in repertory in Varner Lab Theatre Oct. 29-Nov. 1. "Kodachrome" featured performances Oct. 29, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, while "Love-No Filter" was performed Oct. 30, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

Dryden Zurawski with Olive Ferguson and Carleigh Ray

Acting alum Dryden Zurawski understudied the role of Scratch in "Witch" by Jen Silverman at Idle Muse Theatre in Chicago, performing the role Oct. 2. Acting alum Olive Ferguson and Musical Theatre alum Carleigh Ray were among those in attendance to support him.

Musical Theatre alum Annika Andersson wrote "The Trick of Threes," a play with music that premiered with Instrumental Theatre Company in Chicago. Professor Emerita of Theatre Karen Sheridan attended the final preview Oct. 3.

Acting major Wyatt Cleaveland and recent Acting alum Adam J. Rivera appeared in the cast of "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" at Meadow Brook Theatre. The production, directed by Acting alum and Meadow Brook Theatre Artistic Director Travis Walter, ran through Nov. 1.

Professor of Music Patrick Fitzgibbon was the featured guest artist with the Miami University Steel Band for its Oct. 29 concert. He also will premiere a new composition for big band and steel pan soloist with the Hillsdale College Big Band Nov. 13.

Brady Jacot and Joe Bailey

Acting alums Joe Bailey and Brady Jacot also appeared in "Equus" by Peter Shaffer at the Ringwald Theatre in Ferndale, Mich. The production ran through Nov. 2, with Professor Emerita of Theatre Karen Sheridan serving as dialect coach. Bailey, an alum from the 1990s, is the Ringwald's artistic director; Jacot graduated in 2024.

Professor of Theatre Lynnae Lehfeldt will play Mrs. Reynolds in "The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley" by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon at Tipping Point Theatre in Northville, Mich. The production runs Nov. 18-Dec. 13.

Musical Theatre alum Antonio Vettraino is in rehearsals for "Rent" at Flint Repertory Theatre. The production runs Nov. 27-Dec. 13.

Professor Emerita of Theatre Karen Sheridan will direct Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" at Wayne State University. The production opens March 5 and runs in repertory with "Blood at the Root" by Dominique Morisseau, directed by John Sloan III. The productions run through April 3, 2027.

SMTD students and alumni continue to pursue advanced study and professional opportunities. Musical Theatre alum Letty Costilla has begun a master's degree in steel pan performance at Northern Illinois University. Music alum Jake Voight has been accepted to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at West Virginia University.