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 Dunford Director OUR STUDENTS 90 Music Majors 129 Theatre Majors 25 Music Minors 7 Theatre Minors STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS White/ Non-Hispanic (39%) Hispanic or Latino (24%) Black/ Non-Hispanic (23%) Multirace (10%) Asian/ Pacific Islander (4%) 2016 APPLICANTS 343 Applications % 22 US States 27 8 Countries CLASS OF 2016 34 Graduating Seniors GRADUATING STUDENT DEGREES BFA Theatre (12) BA Theatre (9) BMus Performance (6) BMus Jazz Studies (4) BA Theatre Design (2) BA Music (1) NON-MAJOR PARTICIPATION Over 2,700 students from 66 majors 69% of the performers in STM music across campus took a theatre or music ensembles were non-majors. general education (gen ed) course. GEN ED STUDENT DEGREES Liberal Arts - Undecided (28%) Biological Sciences (10%) Psychology (8%) Computer Science (5%) Accounting (4%) Finance (3%) Other (42%) PUBLIC EVENTS 38 Public Concerts 10 Performance venues around Chicago 32 Mainstage Theatre Performances 9% Growth in audiences 17 Student Music Recitals 2 World premieres co-commissioned by the Wind Ensemble 10 Student Theatre Performances 1 World premiere theatre production SCHOOL OF THEATRE & MUSIC ENSEMBLES Chamber Choir Electric Guitar Ensemble Flames of Funk Jazz Ensemble Jazz Vocal Ensemble Jazz Workshop Mariachi Fuego Orchestra Pep Band Percussion Ensemble Summer Wind Ensemble University Band University Choir Wind Ensemble Women’s Choral Ensemble BFA ACTING BA THEATRE & BA THEATRE DESIGN, Students pursue a structured course PERFORMANCE PRODUCTION, of study that focuses on developing Students take full advantage of a wide & TECHNOLOGY the actor for professional work or range of courses across the discipline graduate training. and focus study through three tracks: Students develop a strong foundation general, performance, authorship. in theatre through core courses, then FACULTY SPOTLIGHT deepen study in areas of design, production & technology. Yasen Peyankov, Head of Theatre CURRENT STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Yasen Peyankov is an Artistic Director Kevin Patterson and member of the leadership team Current student Kevin Patterson NEW DESIGN FACULTY SPOTLIGHT at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He won a 2016 Jeff Award as part of the Collette Pollard, Associate Professor recently directed their production of “Outstanding Ensemble” in Raven Collette is an award-winning scenic Between Riverside and Crazy and in the Theatre’s The Scottsboro Boys. Highly designer based out of Chicago. Her fall will direct the world premiere of recommended as one of the best work has been seen all over the The Fundamentals by Erika Scheffer. shows of 2015 (Chicago Tribune), the country and internationally. She show returned for a second run in July received her BFA with honors in scenic STUDENT ENSEMBLE SPOTLIGHT 2016 with Kevin reprising his role as design from the Theatre School at Red Light School District Haywood Patterson. DePaul University in 2000 and earned her MFA from Northwestern University The Red Light School District is a in 2007. She taught at Columbia completely student-run improv troupe College Chicago and Northwestern based in STM. The group is directed by University. Collette is a Jeff Award ensemble members who have studied winner and a Suzi Bass Award at prestigious training studios such as nominee. She received the Michael IO Chicago, Second City, and Comedy Merritt Maggio Emerging Designer Sportz Indiana. Red Light utilizes this Award in 2010. Additionally she is training to create a collaborative a company member at The House troupe that values relationships and Theatre of Chicago where she has team building. designed over 20 shows since 2004. Collette brings her expertise and vision to the newly revised STM design, production, and technology program. “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.” - 2016 theatre graduate BA MUSIC BMUS PERFORMANCE BMUS JAZZ STUDIES Students engage in a broad study of Students study the foundations of Students develop the tools for a music with a liberal arts foundation; music and ensemble. They benefit professional career in jazz and the and take advantage of over 200 other from solo performance opportunities related fields of contemporary music. disciplines at UIC. and weekly lessons with leading They receive weekly coaching from top professional Chicago musicians. They Chicago jazz musicians, jazz-centric participate in weekly master classes coursework in theory, and arranging, MUSIC FACULTY SPOTLIGHT with acclaimed artists, and a variety and consistent performance Michael J. Anderson, Head of Music of ensembles with ample concert opportunities both on and off campus. Our Head of Music is currently also exposure. serving as the President of the International Federation for Choral Music. He leads efforts to build % communication and exchange between 61 choral musicians around the world. Applications to our BMus program Most recently, he spoke at the opening grew exponentially this year. Students ceremony of the 13th International are supported by a growing roster of Choral Festival in China, with the adjunct instructors. Chinese Minister of Culture. The event was attended by 6,000 officials and We also saw a significant rise in inter- diplomats. 238 choirs from 44 countries departmental transfers. This is largely participated in the festival. due to our thriving ensembles program which engages students from across STUDENT ENSEMBLE SPOTLIGHT the university, raising our profile within Downtown Voices the university and providing talented students of all majors with the This student-led ensemble was opportunity to continue their music recently re-formed by a group of ALUMNUS SPOTLIGHT practice. vocal majors, growing to a 16-part Justin Boyd, BMus 2015 auditioned ensemble. This year, for the Justin is pursuing a Masters of Music, first time, Downtown Voices competed Jazz Composition and Arranging in the Great Lakes International at DePaul University while working Championship of Collegiate A as a teaching artist with CPS and Cappella (ICCA) and reached the maintaining a busy performing quarterfinals. 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. BA MUSIC BUSINESS FACULTY & ALUMNI NEWS Students combine music study From new graduates to long-term faculty, the School of Theatre & Music with courses from UIC’s College community is working in all corners of the music and theatre industry. of Business Administration in accounting, marketing, and finance. FACULTY They complete up to two internships Chris Madsen presented his tips for Jazz Educators at IMEA 2016 and published the in Chicago’s music industry, and presentation in JAZZed. develop essential business and music knowledge and skills necessary to Tanera Marshall‘s voice and dialect coaching credits for 2015-16 include Chicago pursue a career in this ever-expanding Fire (NBC), Zoo (CBS) and the film Allegiant. field. 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. “Highly desirable, entry- Marc Mellits was the featured composer at the music festival “Les Inouies” in level positions in the music France this summer where his new work Green received it’s world premiere. industry have become further out of reach Derrick Sanders directed three films for Center Stage’s initiative My America Too, inspired by recent events in communities such as Ferguson and Baltimore. of musicians in recent years. Roles as analysts Rachelle Tsachor published research on movement in multiple publications this and assistants in A&R, year, including Frontiers in Psychology and Movement for Actors. marketing, and other RECENT ALBUM RELEASES FROM MUSIC FACULTY: creative paths require Elbio Barilari: Volcano Radar: Electro Parables/Electro