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We are so grateful that we were able to spend the day with alum @silverleigh - an incredible artist / human💜

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Thank you for making our event a success! Be sure to follow us and stay tuned for more amazing opportunities from your friends here at NYDAC! #cmu #cmudrama #cmualumni #carnegiemellon

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I am deeply honored and humbled to share that I have been named the Paul Mellon Distinguished Professor of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University.

Established in 2000 through a generous gift from the estate of Paul Mellon, this distinguished professorship honors his lifelong commitment to the arts and humanities. The son of Andrew W. Mellon, Paul Mellon also played an important role in the merger of the Mellon Institute of Research and the Carnegie Institute of Technology that created Carnegie Mellon University.

I am profoundly grateful to Provost Jim Garrett and to Carnegie Mellon for this recognition—and especially to Dean Mary Ellen Poole for her continued support, encouragement, and belief in me and my work. To have my contributions as an artist, educator, and advocate honored in this way is deeply meaningful.

This appointment also belongs to the extraordinary students, colleagues, collaborators, and artists who have shaped my work and challenged me to keep asking what theater can make possible.

It strengthens my commitment to nurturing the next generation of directors, advancing inclusive and accessible approaches to performance, and creating spaces in which artists can take risks, encounter difference, and imagine new ways forward.

I receive this honor with deep gratitude, renewed purpose, and great hope for all we have yet to imagine and create together.

The work begins anew.

#CarnegieMellonUniversity #Theatre #ArtsEducation #Director #accessibletheatre
📸@wurtzelphotos

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bits & bobs of summer ’26

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TODAY WE OPEN MIDSUMMER! 🌙🧚💜

Edinburgh friends—and friends of friends! Please come join us for some midsummer magic.

Today we officially open MIDSUMMER! at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, in the absolutely beautiful Spiegeltent Bijou at Assembly Festival in St Andrew Square.

Nine extraordinary young actors.
Twenty-six roles.
Ninety minutes.
One wild, joyful, theatrical ride.

Jeff Whitty’s brilliant modern American verse translation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream commissioned by Play On! Shakespeare, collides with Gilded Age Pittsburgh, Appalachian music, house music, love, mischief, transformation—and more than a little magic.

I could not be prouder of this remarkable company and the work they have brought all the way from Pittsburgh to Edinburgh.

If you’re at the Fringe—or know someone who is—PLEASE come see us! And please share this post, spread the word, and send your Edinburgh-bound friends our way.

There is nothing quite like making theatre for a live audience, and we would LOVE to share this one with you.

Come get lost in the woods with us. 🌲✨❤️

🎭 MIDSUMMER!
📍 Spiegeltent Bijou, Assembly Festival, St Andrew Square
🏴 Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026

Tickets & info: https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/midsummer

Special thanks to my fantastic AD: @matiu.kereama

CAST:
@celiaevanz
@moyoifafore
@logan_yao_
@christian.trimmingham
@jakainyasia
@siahvashb
@rustyodaniel
Von Makarian
Costumes: @brij_costumedesign
Sound: @rachel__laurence
Scenic: @grapefruit1119
Lighting: Julie Adams
Dramaturg: @mary_mag29

#MIDSUMMER #EdFringe #EdFringe2026 #AssemblyFestival Shakespeare CMUDrama #cmucenterfornewworkdevelopment

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A photo dump of life lately 🏙️ 🗽🌴 🎥 CMU NY Expo and being on set.

Incredibly grateful for my community, who showed up in many different ways to support us and make our short film into reality.

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Behind‑the‑scenes chaos. Still missing the magic of our inaugural Impulse Festival. We hope you were there, otherwise you were square. I mean, just look at how much fun we had! 📸🎤🤩

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Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama and The Drama League have announced a new partnership launching the Directors Retreat, a week-long residency for directing fellows to be held at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh as part of The Drama League’s expanded 2026–2027 Directors Project.

“The Directors Retreat reflects our shared commitment to advancing the future of American theatre by supporting visionary directors with space, mentorship, and meaningful artistic community,” said Kim Weild, Chair of the John Wells Directing Program at CMU.

🔗Read more at the link in our bio!

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This year’s Impulse festival hosted a workshop reading of The Wizard Unworthy, written by Hannah Honey Shepard @hhoneyshep and directed by J. Cody Spellman @jcspells a twisted fantasy that had the whole room buzzing.

The Wizard Unworthy is a psychedelic horror-fantasy about a drunk and retired wizard, Garathiander (Garath), who struggles with the grief of losing his sister and may soon lose himself to madness...or a flesh eating monster.

THE WIZARD UNWORTHY
Written by @hhoneyshep
Directed by @jcspells
Stage Manager: @_ana.schroeder
Dramaturgy: @doolittle.moira13

CAST: @iftheriver @mid_131 @trumancolumbus_ @maddhous

Center for New Work Staff
Co‑Artistic Directors: @brannon.bowers @rickedingernyc
Associate Producer: @a.hanson1
Program Assistant: @isaiahaaronjones
Producing & Marketing Assistant: @griff_frye
Graphic Designer: @cemartine.z

📸@dsrphoto

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This year’s Impulse festival hosted a workshop reading of the beautiful and witty I’ll Be Mother by Liggera Edmonds-Allen @liggeraea directed by Aurelia Clunie @aclunes

I’ll Be Mother is a comedic scene cycle in which a Mother and Child switch roles to try and understand each other better, and to love each other fully before they die.

I’LL BE MOTHER
Written by @liggeraea
Directed by @aclunes
Stage Manager: Haley Baynard
Dramaturgy: @clairethurston_

CAST: @yinraquino @peanutfung

Center for New Work Staff
Co‑Artistic Directors: @brannon.bowers @rickedingernyc
Associate Producer: @a.hanson1
Program Assistant: @isaiahaaronjones
Producing & Marketing Assistant: @griff_frye
Graphic Designer: @cemartine.z

📸@dsrphoto

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MFA #2 ✅

I never thought I would quit my job and go back to grad school… and here I am. Best decision ever.

To all of the artists and professors that I’ve met at CMU and Pittsburgh these last 3 years, especially my @cmu.directing cohort and our fearless leader, @kimweild, you have changed me for the better (not trying to quote Wicked). May we continue to be in each other’s lives, support one another, and make art together … the world needs more of this right now.

To my father, who I lost at the beginning of this process, but I could feel him guiding me these last 3 years.

To my mother who single-handedly supported me so I could fulfill my dream. My rock. I am everything that I am because of you and your undeniable strength.

These past three years have shown me that despite life’s challenges, I’m stronger and more capable than I realized. Skills that serve me as a director. I’m grateful to @cmudrama for giving me the space to show up as my authentic, unapologetic self, and have the opportunity to create work that represents my roots and identity. I hope that more institutions continue to make space for our stories.

Thank you @zulyinirio for bringing my flag to commencement (you can see her hand me the flag in the video 😂). This Miami girl carries her roots proudly wherever she goes. 🇨🇺🫀

#cmugrad #acubangirlatcmu #latinaswithmastersdegrees

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The second featured show of the Impulse Festival will be “I’ll Be Mother” by Liggera Edmonds-Allen (@liggeraea), directed by Aurelia Clunie (@aclunes) on Friday, May 1 at 7pm at Three Stories in downtown Pittsburgh.

I’ll Be Mother is a comedic scene cycle in which a Mother and Child switch roles to try and understand each other better, and to love each other fully before they die. Developed at CMU’s renowned MFA in Dramatic Writing program, this new one act play asks if it’s okay to blink when time moves so fast.

Reservations are open for this Impulse Festival feature! Pay-what-you-can tickets available now at the link in our bio.

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