Theatre School at DePaul University Appoints Two Full-time Faculty Members

The Theatre School at DePaul University is pleased to announce the appointment of two new full-time award-winning faculty members: Narda E. Alcorn, Broadway and regional stage manager, and Coya Paz Brownrigg, poet and director. Also joining the faculty for the 2011-2012 academic year is Sharon Bridgforth, acclaimed writer/artist working in the theatrical jazz aesthetic, who will continue her work with the school as Visiting Multicultural Faculty Member.

With these additions to the faculty, The Theatre School renews its commitment to strive for the highest level of professional skill and artistry a theatre community that is collaborative and offers world-class training for students in all disciplines of the theatre.

Narda E. Alcorn will serve as Associate Professor and Head of Stage Management for The Theatre School, where she received her undergraduate training under the tutelage of Frank Wukitsch, who retired in the spring of 2011. "I am thrilled to be returning to The Theatre School as Head of Stage Management," says Alcorn, "The training that I received at TTS has been the foundation of my professional career and I am both humbled and thrilled to have the opportunity to educate the next generation of stage managers in such an awesome conservatory." AlCorn Most recently served as Associate Professor of Theatre Design and Stage Technology at SUNY Purchase, Conservatory of Theatre Arts, while also serving as an assistant stage manager on THE LION KING on Broadway. She was production stage manager for THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS at the 2011 Spoleto Festival; production stage manager for the Broadway revivals of FENCES (2010 Tony Award Winner) and JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE; production stage manager for August Wilson'S 20th CENTURY at The Kennedy Center; production stage manager for RADIO GOLF (Broadway, McCarter Theatre Center, Goodman Theatre, Seattle Rep, Mark Taper Forum, Yale Rep), GEM OF THE OCEAN (Broadway, Goodman Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Huntington Theatre); stage manager for the Broadway revival of A RAISIN IN THE SUN, and SEVEN GUITARS (regionally and on Broadway); production coordinator for JITNEY at The National Theatre of Great Britain (Olivier Award Winner); and associate production manager at Joseph Papp's Public Theatre for two seasons. She has a BFA from The Theatre School at DePaul University and an MFA from Yale School of Drama, both in stage management.

Coya Paz Brownrigg served as the Visiting Multicultural Faculty at The Theatre School during the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 academic years. She is a poet and director, and is co-founder of Proyecto Latina and the director in residence for the Poetry Performance Incubator at the Guild Complex. She cofounded Teatro Luna in 2000, and served as co-Artistic Director until 2009. Recent projects include: NATION OF COWARDS, a multi-sited performance piece about interracial dialogue; TOUR GUIDES; and MACHOS, which won the 2008 Non-Equity Jeff Awards for Best New Work and Outstanding Ensemble. She is at work on a new play called THE AMERICANS, based on interviews with people in ten states across the United States. Coya holds a PhD in Performance Studies from Northwestern University and is a regular commentator on race, media, and pop culture for Vocalo.org (89.5); and has published several articles on Latina performance, Latina/o identities, and public violence. Coya's artistic work has been profiled in THE NEW YORK TIMES, AMERICAN THEATRE magazine, THEATER JOURNAL, and the CHICAGO TRIBUNE, among others. She has been a featured reader at dozens of poetry events including: Proyecto Latina, Paper Machete, Palabra Pura, and Revolving Door. Coya was named one of UR Magazine's 30 Under 30, a GO-NYC Magazine 100 Women We Love, and received a Trailblazer Award for her servIce To LGBTQ communities. Most recently, she has been awarded 3Arts Residency at Ragdale. "I'm thrilled to return to The Theatre School," she says, "TTS is a genuine community, and my students here have been among the most engaged I've ever taught." She will teach a range of Theatre Studies classes this year, including Hop-Hop theatre and directing.

New Dramatists member Sharon Bridgforth continues her work in the Theatrical Jazz Aesthetic at The Theatre School, in the role of Visiting Multicultural faculty member. During the 2011-2012 academic year, she will deepen her working partnership with Links Hall, will continue to connect Theatrical Jazz Practitioners with the community artists at The Theatre School and in Chicago.

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