2024-25 marks the 25th anniversary of UCA’s Artists in Residence program. Funded by the Fine and Performing Arts Fee, paid by all students, the program—as stated in the founding February 18, 2000 Board of Trustees minutes— “expands artistic opportunities and supplements and enhances university life and academic programs.” Since then, AiR has brought more than four hundred actors, choreographers, composers, creative writers, dancers, designers, filmmakers, musicians, visual artists, and others from around the world to our campus to give thousands of public exhibits, master classes, performances, readings, screenings, workshops, and various kinds of student-focused learning activities. Residencies have become a vibrant and vital part of the curriculum for all students at UCA.
Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, we are celebrating the anniversary with special events, giveaways, and, of course, an exciting roster of artists. Join us for this milestone year!
FULL SCHEDULE AVAILABLE ONLINE: uca.edu/cahss/artists-in-residence
Residencies are funded by the UCA Arts Fee with additional support from Engage Management and Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing. All events are located on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas, 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway, AR 72035, unless otherwise specified.
All events are free and open to the public (no ticket required unless specified).
For general information, contact Dr. Gayle Seymour, Associate Dean, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, 501-450-3293, gayles@uca.edu.
SPRING 2025
LAUREN GUNDERSON | playwriting | FEB 10-11, 2025
Lauren Gunderson has been one of the most produced playwrights in America since 2015, topping the list thrice including 2022/23. She is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for I and You and The Book of Will, the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award, and a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and L. Arthur Weissberger Award. She is a playwright, screenwriter, musical book writer and children’s author who lives in San Francisco. She graduated from NYU Tisch as a Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship. For more information, contact Dr. Paige Reynolds, School of Language and Literature, preynolds@uca.edu.
Public Event: An Evening with Playwright Lauren Gunderson
February 10, 2025 | 7 pm | Art Lecture Hall, McCastlain 143
Student Event: Master Class with English, Theatre, and Creative Writing Students
February 11, 2025 | 10:50 am-12:05 pm | Fireplace Room , McAlister Hall
Student Event: Discussion and Q & A, “Revolutionary Women”: Women and Science in the Works of Lauren Gunderson,” co-moderated by Dr. Taine Duncan (Philosophy) and Dr. Kristin Dooley (Chemistry)
February 11, 2025 | 1:40-2:30 pm | Art Lecture Hall, McCastlain 143
SUE SCHROEDER & JAY STAILEY | installation art | FEB 17-20, 2025
Sue Schroeder, in a career spanning 44 years, has created more than 110 original dance works. She holds an MFA in Theater Arts with a dance concentration from the University of Arizona at Tucson. Schroeder is known for her immersive creations for Berlin’s Martin Gropius Bau Museum, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Varmlands Museum, Karlstad, and more. Schroeder is recognized as a leading arts activist, and the founding artistic director of Core Dance. As a contemporary artist and dance maker, Schroeder focuses on the creative process, movement research/exploration, and dance-making as a catalyst for social change. For more information, contact Dr. Gayle Seymour, gayles@uca.edu.
Jay Stailey is an author, storyteller, and certified labyrinth facilitator. He has collaborated with artists and organizations to create numerous labyrinths in the greater Houston Area and other temporary and permanent installations in nine countries, across four continents. He has been both a featured teller and the artistic director of the Texas Storytelling Festival, and has led Sacred Spaces Tours to Ireland, Italy, France, Peru, and Ecuador.
On View: Labyrinth Experience with Sue Schroeder and Jay Stailey
February 18, 2025 | 6-8 pm | Baum Gallery, McCastlain Hall
On View: Labyrinth Experience
February 19-20, 2025 | 10 am-4 pm | Baum Gallery, McCastlain Hall
Labyrinth Workshop with Sue Schroeder and Jay Stailey
Feb. 19, 2025 | 3-5:30 pm | Baum Gallery, McCastlain Hall
Labyrinth Workshop with Sue Schroeder and Jay Stailey
Feb. 20, 2025 | 10:20-11:35 pm | Baum Gallery, McCastlain Hall
Student Event: “Walk” A Meditative Experience with Sue Schroeder
February 20, 2025 | 1:40-2:30 pm | Baum Gallery, McCastlain Hall
JEFFREY OAKLEY | lighting design | & JESSICA REDDIG | stage managing
FEB 17-18, 2025 & MAY 25-JUN 20, 2025
Jeffrey Oakley (they/he) is a recent M.F.A. Graduate from the University of Iowa, and a UCA Theatre Alum. Professionally they have worked with Barrington Stage Company, Cortland Repertory Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Theatre, TEXAS! the Outdoor Musical, and Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre. Their previous design works include SideShow, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide, Men On Boats, Little Shop Of Horrors, and many other exciting productions.
Jessica Reddig (she/her) is a freelance stage manager born and raised in Arkansas. She received her BA in Theatre from University of Central Arkansas and MFA in Stage Management from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has spent her past summers working regionally at Opera Saratoga (Don Pasquale, Cosi Fan Tutte), TEXAS! Outdoor Musical, and Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre (Macbeth and Comedy of Errors). For more information, contact Professor Shauna Meador, Department of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing, smeador@uca.edu.
Class Visit: Professional Issues in Theatre (Jessica Reddig and Jeffrey Oakley)
February 17, 2025 | 9-10:15 am | Snow Fine Arts 217
Class Visit: Stage Management (Jessica Reddig)
February 17, 2025 | 10:30-11:45 am | Snow Fine Arts 217
Student Event: Lighting Design Master Class (Jeffrey Oakley)
February 17, 2025 | time TBD | venue TBD
Class Visit: Fundamentals of Theatrical Design (Jeffrey Reddig)
February 18, 2025 | 9:25-10:40 am | Snow Fine Arts 217
Class Visit: Fundamentals of Theatrical Design (Jeffrey Reddig)
February 18, 2025 | 10:50 am-12:05 pm | Snow Fine Arts 217
Public Event: Life in Art: Looking into Stage Management (Jessica Reddig)
February 18, 2025 | 1:40-2:30 pm | venue TBD
Student Event: Stage Management Master Class (Jessica Reddig)
February 18, 2025 | time TBD | venue TBD
Artists in Residence 25th Anniversary Gala Experience, Lighting Design by Jeffrey Oakley
February 18, 2025 | 6-8 pm | McCastlain Hall (multiple rooms)
Rehearsals for UCA Summer Theatre
May 25-June 13, 2025 | Bridges Larson Theatre, Snow Fine Arts and Black Box Theatre, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts
Opening Night Performance
June 20, 2025 | 7 pm | Black Box Theatre, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts
ARTISTS in RESIDENCE | immersive experience | FEB 18, 2025
Join us for an interactive arts experience as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the UCA Artists in Residence program. Enjoy presentations and performances by AiR alumni Sue Schroeder (dance), Tara Sheffer (film), and Jeffrey Oakley (theatre) in collaboration with Scott Meador (art), Blake Tyson (music), the UCA Jazz Ensemble, and the UCA Chamber Singers. This is a free, public event.
CRYSTAL WAGNER | installation art | FEB 24-MAR 21, 2025
Crystal Wagner holds an MFA from the University of Tennessee. In 2013 she was awarded the highly coveted Pollock-Krasner Grant. Wagner’s interest in combining 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional forms, alternative use of materials, and massive site-specific installations, have led to her artwork being exhibited globally. Commissions include installations for NIKE’s KOBE X Blackout Experience, Bombay Sapphire, TOYOTA, and Warner Brothers, “Get Animated Invasion,” at LA’s Grammy Museum. Her two works for Viacom, including a 117 ft piece at their headquarters in Times Square, was featured by the New York Times and VH1’s Top 20 Countdown. For more information, contact Professor Leslie Macklin, Department of Art and Design, lmacklin@uca.edu
Workshop with Students: Tubemaking and Armature Building
February 27, 2025 | 1:40-2:30 pm | Windgate Center, south entrance
Public Event: Artist Talk by Crystal Wagner
March 4, 2025 | 6-7 pm | Windgate Center 167
Public Event: Unveiling Ceremony
March 20, 2025 | 4 pm | Windgate Center
MELVIN CHEN | violin and piano | MAR 4-6, 2025
Dr. Melvin Chen earned a doctorate in chemistry from Harvard University and holds a double master’s degree from The Juilliard School in piano and violin. Chen’s performances have been featured on radio and television stations around the world, including KBS television and radio in Korea, NHK television in Japan, and NPR in the United States. As a professor, Chen teaches a studio of graduate and undergraduate piano students. In addition, he serves as Director of the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival/Yale Summer School of Music. Chen’s notable solo recordings include Beethoven’s “Diabelli” Variations and piano music by Joan Tower, among others. For more information, contact Dr. Linda Hsu, Department of Music, lindah@uca.edu.
Piano Master Class
March 4, 2025 | 7:30-9:30 pm | Windgate Concert Hall
Public School Visit, Conway High School
March 5, 2025 | 10 am or 11 am | Conway High School
Violin Master Class
March 5, 2025 | 4-6 pm | Windgate Concert Hall
Dinner with Students
March 5, 2025 | 6-7:15 pm | Helen Christian Cafeteria
Chamber Music Master Class
March 5, 2025 | 7:30-9 pm | Windgate Concert Hall
Lecture Presentation
March 6, 2025 | 1:40-2:30 pm | Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall
Public Performance
March 6, 2025 | 7:30 pm | Windgate Concert Hall
VALERIE NARANJO | percussion | MAR 10-11, 2025
Valerie Naranjo holds degrees in vocal and instrumental music education (University of Oklahoma) and Percussion Performance (Ithaca College). In 1988 her playing of the gyil’s traditional repertoire in Ghana’s Kobine Festival of Traditional Music led to the declaration of a chiefly decree in the Dagara nation that women be allowed to play the instrument for the first time. She plays percussion for NBC’s Saturday Night Live Band, and has recorded and performed with Broadway’s The Lion King, The Philip Glass Ensemble, David Byrne, MEGADRUMS, and more. Her recent film score recordings include Final Fantasy – The Dream Within and Frida. For more information, contact Dr. Blake Tyson, Department of Music, btyson@uca.edu.
Percussion Lessons with Students
March 10, 2025 | times TBD | Percussion Suite 154, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts
Percussion Lessons with Students
March 11, 2025 | times TBD | Percussion Suite 154, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts
Student Event: Percussion Clinic Workshop with Valerie Naranjo
March 11, 2025 | 1:40-2:30 pm | Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts
Public Event: Valerie Naranjo in Concert
March 11, 2025 | 7:30 pm | Concert Hall, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts
KERI MIKI-LANI SCHROEDER | book arts | MAR 31-APR 2, 2025
Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder is a book artist based in San Antonio, Texas. She holds an MFA in Book Art & Creative Writing from Mills College. Schroeder produces limited-edition artist’s books and teaches, in addition to producing the Books in the Wild Podcast, and co-owning and designing enamel pins under the pseudonym The Paper Carnival. Her works incorporate sculptural book structures and found objects, combining traditional and contemporary bookbinding and fine letterpress printing techniques. Reoccurring themes include ecology and environmental concerns, memory and mourning, relics and artifacts, and the anomalous and paranormal. Her books are held in prominent collections including those at Bainbridge Island Art Museum, The British Library, and UCLA. For more information, contact Professor Sandy Longhorn, Department of Film, Theater, and Creative Writing, slonghorn@uca.edu.
Student Event: Bookbinding Workshop
March 31, 2025 | 3-4:30 pm | Windgate Center 105
Student Event: Interview with Arkana Editors
April 1, 2025 | 3:30 pm | Win Thompson Hall 331
Student Event: Master Class with MFA Creative Writing Students
April 1, 2025 | 4-5 pm | Win Thompson Hall 331
Public Event: Artist Talk with Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder
April 1, 2025 | 7 pm | Windgate 167
Student Event: Book Boxes Workshop
April 2, 2025 | 3-4:30 pm | Windgate Center 105
Public Event: Artist Talk and Pop-Up Exhibit by Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder
April 4, 2025 | 6 pm | First Friday Conway Art Walk, Creative Institute of Central Arkansas, 1100 Oak Street, Conway, AR 72034
TROY ROBERTS | saxophone | APR 15-20, 2025
Troy Roberts is a two-time GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist. As a go-to first-call musician, his name adorns several essential recordings those by Joey DeFrancesco, Van Morrison, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Orrin Evans Captain Black Big Band, Kurt Elling, Veronica Swift, and numerous other jazz veterans, and newcomers considered taste-makers of their generation. Roberts – an Australian-born, now long-time New York resident – is also a prolific leader with fifteen releases to his name, including NU-JIVE: LIVE at the Perth International Jazz Festival. For more information, contact Dr. Matt Taylor.
Master Class with UCA Jazz Combo
April 15, 2025 | 2:40 – 3:55 pm | Adcock Seminar Room, Snow Fine Arts
Master Class with UCA Students
April 16, 2025 | 11 – 11:50 am | Recital Hall, Snow Fine Arts
Keystone Conversation with Matt Taylor (Chat on creativity + solo performance)
April 17, 2025 | 1:40 – 2:30 pm | Keystone Steps, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts
Public Concert Featuring Saxophonist Troy Roberts
April 18, 2025 | 7:30 pm | Concert Hall, Windgate Center