#ukfinearts

Nik. L. Dumas, UKY Arts Administration Masters (online) 2018.

Nik Dumas, Artistic Administrator for Opera Idaho, shared his experience as a student in UKY Arts Administration online Mater’s program. “One of the many highlights of studying in the Arts Admin program was the amount of flexibility I had. Not only was I ale to comfortably work full-time, but I was able to make time for things I enjoyed as well. Another great point aout the program was the immediate feedback that I received.” 

Dumas said that he appreciated the expertise of all the Arts Admin professors he worked with, and in particular, his academic advisor, Jill Schinberg, who helped him realize that he had a “knack” for working in the arts.

CFA recently caught up with Jenny Thompson, who earned her Masters of Arts Administration from UKY in 2015, and asked what she has been up too since graduation. We were thrilled to learn that she is now the Senior Director of Development & Revenue Strategies at Gibney Dance Company in New York City.

Thompson, who also holds a Bachelor's Degree from NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study in Dance Studies, Choreography, & Performance Writing, tells us that, not only does she still feel comfortable reaching out to her mentors, Dr. Shane and Professor Rabideau, but she occasionally refers to her course materials.

UK Arts Administration, 2003 graduate, Amanda Kool was recently hired as director of legal operations for Commonwealth Commercialization Center (C3), an organization that brings together Kentucky law schools, state and local bar associations, law firms, entrepreneurs, and industry to facilitate connections between startups and high-quality, affordable legal counsel at local Kentucky law firms and provides educational programming for Kentucky lawyers, law students, and entrepreneurs.

Sean Cutshall, earned his BA in Arts Admin from UK in 2006 and graduated from the UK Law School in 2009.

Sean is currently working as a Hearing Officer and Administrative Law Judge for the KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services but he maintains his connection to the arts by working with two local arts organizations: The Bluegrass Area Jazz Association, and the Central Music Academy, as well as several local and regional bands.

Yoon Bae, assistant professor in the Department of Theatre & Dance is receiving glowing reviews for her creative set designs for the Tony-winning musical ONCE, presented by the Pioneer Theatre Company in Salt Lake City through March 2.

Here are a few of the recent accolades for Bae.

Blair Howell writing for Broadway World: “…each scene efficiently flows on the tastefully used rotating set by Scenic Designer Yoon Bae. Rather than the gimmick of a working bar where audience members could order beverages (apparently a copyrighted aspect of ONCE requiring additional production fees), Bae's wood-grained set beautifully evokes various string instruments indicating the power of music to heal and uplift.”

Jennifer Mustoe for Front Row Reviewers: “The scenic design by Yoon Bae is fascinating. While being fairly simple and versatile, the two-fold theme of the story and music are absolutely manifest in the set. The entire show seemingly takes place in the belly of a giant instrument, with the sound hole of a guitar and the strings and keys of a piano most obvious in the design. The rotating centerpiece opens and closes for different settings, invoking the imagery of pages being turned as chapters of the story unfold.”

Hannah LaFond for Deseret News: “Along with the performers, the creative team also left its mark on this production. Often, theater companies give “Once” a very sparse set. However, scenic director Yoon Bae employed a background of cityscapes and rooms with elements that looked like piano keys and parts of a guitar that were arresting without being overdone. The multiple set changes risked being a distraction, but they worked in well with Lainie Sakakura's choreography and the musical transitions. Bae's well-thought-out set design was certainly more involved than past productions, but never detracted from the beautiful simplicity of the story.”