Theatre Studies at Concordia University Texas

Past guest artists have included costume designers Cecelia Gay, Jessi Rose, and Alex Waring; fight choreographers Clint Lienau and Adam Miller-Batteau; lighting designers, Yi-Tai Chung, Kristin DuBois, Erin Fleming, Liam Dolan-Henderson, Mercedes McCleary, and Kendra Wiley; puppeteer, Kevin Long; set designers, Hsiao-Wei Chen, Bren Coombs, Sam Gonzalez, and Michael Krauss; and lighting and sound designer/technician Smokey Westerfeld.

Concordia University Texas Faculty

Dr. Kelly Carolyn Gordon (Ph.D. Theatre and Certificate in Women’s Studies, University of Georgia; M.A. Directing, Emerson College; M.S. Organizational Leadership and Ethics, St. Edward’s University; SAG/AFTRA Eligible) is the Director of the School of Fine Arts and Director of the Theatre Studies program at Concordia University Texas. A freelance director, actress, dramaturge, and writer, Gordon has taught at Brevard College, UNC-Greensboro, UT-Dallas, and Ohio University. She trained at Piven Theatre in Chicago, and La Mama's International Symposium for Directors in Umbria, Italy, as well as earning a certificate from the Management Development Institute of Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. Her writing has appeared in Theatre History Studies, Lighting Dimensions, The Encyclopedia of Modern Drama, The Dallas Morning News, Ecumenica, and The Encyclopedia of Motherhood. In 2009, she was awarded the Robert A. Schanke Theatre Research Award by the Mid-America Theatre Conference In 2012, The American Theatre and Drama Society recognized her work with The Vera Mowry Roberts Research and Publication Award. Gordon earned a Meritorious Award for Innovation and Cultivating Artistic Voices from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 6 in 2020. She has recently appeared on Walker, Fear the Walking Dead, and the HBO limited series, Love and Death. Gordon is the granddaughter of actor Eddie Bracken.

Madison Murrah (Costumer) is a costume designer, actor, cosplayer, and content creator from Dallas, TX. Previously, Madison's costuming work was seen in Kindertransport and The Spitfire Grill at Concordia University Texas, Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play, Edit Annie, Throwbacks: Reruns, and Dragonfly Princess at The Vortex Rep; Pippi Longstocking, Junie B Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, Jungle Book: Jangal Ki Kihani, Sir Knightsalot and the Great Dragon Dance-Off, and the upcoming The Rainbow Fish Musical at Scottish Rite Theater. See more on Instagram: @madisonmurrah

Lindsey Rae Thurston (Instructor, Stagecraft II) is a Costume Design MFA graduate from the University Texas at Austin’s Live Design program. She has worked at theaters across the west including The Phoenix Theater Company, Arizona Broadway, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the Utah Festival of Opera and Musical Theatre. She also has many years of film experience and has worked on many commercials, union projects, and indie films. She is an owner at Hook & Eye, LLC, a couture and costume fabrication studio in Austin, Texas. There she contributes her talents to the team, working on projects ranging from wedding alterations to costume construction for film and stage to custom couture pieces for musicians and the Tyler Rose Festival.

Nick Vallee (Black Box Technical Manager, Lighting Designer, Scenic Designer) is a versatile and innovative lighting and scenic designer with a passion for transforming stories into immersive visual experiences. With a background in both theatre and design, Nick brings a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of how light, color, and space can shape the emotional and narrative arc of a production. In addition to theatre, Nick also works in live music, creating dynamic lighting environments for concerts and performances. He specializes in designing visuals that amplify the energy and atmosphere of live events, ensuring that each performance feels unique and captivating. Whether in concert or on stage, Nick thrives in high-energy, fast-paced settings, delivering designs that resonate with audiences. Known for his collaborative approach, Nick works closely with directors, musicians, and production teams to create cohesive, imaginative environments that captivate and engage. Recent credits include Hello Dolly, Footloose, and The Spitfire Grill. Nick holds a degree in Theatre Studies from Concordia University Texas and continues to explore new ways to push the boundaries of lighting, scenic, and sound design.

2024-25

• "Proof" by David Auburn

2023-24

• "Kindertransport" by Diane Samuels

2022-23

• "American Son"
• "The Spitfire Grill"

2021-22

• "14"
• 'Til Death Do Us Part: A Vintage Radio Special

2020-21

• "An Anthology Project"
• "The Suffragist Project"
• "Murder-Ween: An Evening of Spooky, Vintage Radio Plays"

2019-20

• "Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)" by Ann-Marie MacDonald
• "Little Shop of Horrors," book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken

2018-19

• "A Moment of Silence" by Mohammad Yaghoubi
• "Tartuffe" by Moliere

2017-18

• "SEVEN," conceived by Carol Mack, written by seven award-winning playwrights: Paula Cizmar, Catherine Filloux, Gail Kriegel, Carol K. Mack, Ruth Margraff, Anna Deavere Smith, and Susan Yankowitz
• "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman with additional material by Jay Reiss

2016-17

• "The Way of the Water" by Caridad Svich
• "An Enemy of the People" by Henrich Ibsen

2015-16

• "Bocon" by Lisa Loomer
• "Permanent Collection" by Thomas Gibbons

2014-15

• "Antigone" by Sophocles
• "The Exonerated" by Jessica Blank and Eric Jensen

2013-14

• "The Container" by Clare Bayley
• "The Clean House" by Sarah Ruhl

2012-13

• "Doubt" by John Patrick Shanley
• "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged [Revised]" by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield

Auditions and participation in design/tech roles are open to all members of the Concordia University Texas community. No experience is necessary; we will train you!

Students may participate in productions beginning their first semester, with the option of earning academic credit.

Typically, students are asked to perform a memorized, one-minute monologue from the period and style of the play for which they are auditioning.

Rehearsals are held in the evenings and occasionally during the daytime if the actor’s schedule permits. We try our best to work around actors’ work, athletics, and school schedules.