Announcements
Photo credit: Parker Quartet
Fresh off their acclaimed performance at Carnegie Hall, the Parker Quartet will bring the same world-class program to The Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU on Monday, March 24.
In addition to the concert, the quartet will lead a masterclass for School of Music students, providing a rare opportunity to learn from some of the finest musicians in the industry.
“It is a privilege and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students to receive guidance from the Parker Quartet,” said Liz Lee, assistant professor of violin. “They will witness firsthand how world-class musicians interpret and express music, and then experience their artistry live in our own hall. This is a truly special opportunity for our TCU students and community.”
Tickets are not required for this event. Free general admission.
Does Saturday Night Live (SNL) still matter to young comedians?
Department of Theatre alumna Jess Elgene ’17 recently answered this in an Esquire interview, reflecting on SNL’s 50th anniversary. Spoiler: It still means a lot to her!
For Elgene, her SNL screen test wasn’t just an audition—it was the realization of a lifelong dream. “SNL is shrouded in so much excitement and energy that even the audition itself is iconic,” she says. Standing before the show’s producers felt like joining a legacy of talent that launched the careers of her comedy heroes.
Lucia Simek ’14 has been appointed executive director of Dallas Contemporary, one of the city’s leading contemporary art institutions.
Simek, a writer, artist, curator and programmer, has been a key figure in the Dallas art scene for over two decades. She previously served as interim executive director before being selected for the role after a national search.
Simek earned her Master of Fine Arts in sculpture from the School of Art.
Congratulations to our Department of Theatre students, faculty and alumni nominated for the 2025 Irma P. Hall Black Theater Awards, presented by the DFW Black Arts Council.
Student Nominees:
- Peter Radzikevich – Featured Actor in a Musical
- Maria Shorunke – Lead Actress in a Musical & Featured Actress in a Musical
Faculty Nominee:
- Ayvaunn Penn – Best Limited Run Production
Alumni Nominee:
- Cap Milbourn – Best Director / Best Choreographer / Best Play
School of Music Artist Diploma candidate David Mejía ’26 recently performed in the New York premiere of Schiele in Prison, an opera by American composer Jared Schwartz.
The 100-minute performance, featuring 11 singers, a string quartet and piano, tells the story of Egon Schiele, the only artist in over 1,000 years of Austrian history to be imprisoned for his art. The opera explores Schiele’s teenage years and his experience in prison.
School of Music Professor Germán Gutiérrez recently had the honor of conducting the National Symphony of Azerbaijan at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference. Following the performance, he explored the rich history of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, visiting iconic sites such as El Cairo, Luxor, and Alexandria. “It was an incredible experience,” said Dr. Gutiérrez.