College News

Texas Woman's University in Denton debuts new musical theater degree

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A Dallas-area university has added a new degree: Texas Woman's University, the Denton institution that stands as the largest state-supported university primarily for women in the U.S., is now offering a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre Degree.

Introduced in 2024, the new Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre degree program at TWU seeks to build an accessible and transformative musical theater program that provides students with a strong foundation in music, 21st-century training, and industry placement cultivating the next generation of diverse and empowered leaders in the profession.

According to a release, TWU is the only university within a 100-mile radius offering a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre degree with some unique features:

Low cost. TWU is the 3rd most affordable co-educational institution in the state of Texas
Grounded in a strong foundation in music
21st Century training
Professional internships
Agent showcase
Empowering the next generation of leaders in the music profession

TWU’s innovative curriculum include classes in:

Vocal Pedagogy
Music and Wellness
Music and Cultures
Repertoire, Scene Performance, Music Direction
Musical Theatre & Opera Performance Lab
Musical Theatre Entrepreneurship
Acting I, II, Movement, Speech, On-Camera
Dance – Ballet I, Modern, Tap, Musical Theatre Dance Styles, Urban and Global Dance

In addition, the program is being helmed by Broadway veteran Julio Matos, Jr. (professional name, Julio Agustin). Matos is an award-winning actor, director-choreographer, writer, and career coach who has mentored hundreds of actors and musical theatre performers at all stages of their careers. He is the author of The Professional Actor’s Handbook: From Casting Call to Curtain Call (2nd edition) and runs workshops centering his ActorUSPs.

With six Broadway shows and countless television appearances under his belt, Julio’s connections to industry professionals are his greatest asset.

TWU’s 2025-26 Musical Theatre mainstage season includes Zombie Prom, Circle of Light Concert, Love & Loss: A Musical Revue, and the Musical Theatre showcase What’s Up, Broadway!

The program had a "soft launch" last year and accepted three students; for fall 2025, they added two more.

Matos, who was only just hired as artistic manager, says they are now officially advertising the degree because they just got the program through the accreditation process.

"We are ready to accept a full cohort of 12 first-year students and up to nine transfer students in 2026-27," Matos says.

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A Familiar Face

Dallas Theater Center names Jaime Castañeda as new artistic director

Photo courtesy of Dallas Theater Center

Jaime Castañeda is the Tony-winning theater's new artistic director.

The Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center has found its next artistic director: Jaime Castañeda, who has a long history with both DTC and North Texas, will become the regional theater's sixth artistic director beginning July 2026. The 2026-27 season will be the first chosen by him.

Jonathan Norton, DTC’s resident playwright, is currently serving as interim artistic director and will continue to lead the remainder of the 2025-26 season, which culminates in the world premiere of his play Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem in May.

“DTC is committed to artistic excellence and community engagement, and we believe Jaime’s experience, creativity, bold vision, and proven leadership, coupled with his dedication to innovation, will guide DTC into an exciting new chapter in the life of the theater," says board chair Lynn Pride Richardson in a release.

In 2012, Castañeda directed DTC’s production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz. But he began his career more than 20 years ago in Dallas-Fort Worth by founding Firestarter Productions while still attending Texas Christian University. In addition to directing at DTC, other local theater credits include Kitchen Dog Theater, Amphibian Stage, and Circle Theatre. Castañeda is a recipient of the Princess Grace Award, the Drama League Directing Fellowship, and holds a BFA from Texas Christian University and an MFA in Directing from University of Texas at Austin.

Most recently, Castañeda directed at such leading theaters across the country as American Conservatory Theater, South Coast Repertory, Huntington Theatre Company, and La Jolla Playhouse, where he previously served as associate artistic director from 2014-2018. He was also artistic associate at Off-Broadway's Atlantic Theater Company from 2009-2014.

"Jaime brings a bold, visceral artistic vision, a deep commitment to new voices, and a collaborative leadership style that inspires artists and audiences alike,” says DTC executive director Kevin Moriarty. “With his Texas roots and national experience, I am thrilled to welcome him home as DTC’s new Enloe/Rose artistic director. I have known and admired his work since 2007, when he was already one of the most exciting emerging directors in North Texas, and I later saw him create unforgettable work for DTC on the Wyly stage and at leading theaters nationwide.”

As artistic director, Castañeda will lead the theater’s artistic vision, direct and produce plays and musicals, oversee DTC’s Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company, and partner with Moriarty, the staff, and the board of trustees to advance DTC’s mission, vision, and values.

Castañeda joins a distinguished line of artistic leadership at Dallas Theater Center, including founding artistic director Paul Baker, Adrian Hall, Ken Bryant, Richard Hamburger, and Moriarty, who served as artistic director from 2007-2022.

“We are extremely pleased with a successful national search that brings Jaime to Dallas Theater Center,” says DTC board member Chris Luna. “His energy is contagious and he understands Texas and Dallas. We look forward to collaborating with Jaime as he continues his innovative approach to regional theater.”

Castañeda was selected for the role following a national search led by Management Consultants for the Arts. The search committee was co-chaired by Luna and Richardson, and included Moriarty, Norton, Jennifer Altabef, Diane Brierley, Lauren Embrey, Sam Holland (Dean, SMU Meadows School of the Arts), Sharron Hunt, Randy Kender, Julie Kosnik, Deborah McMurray, Sam Megally, Liz Mikel (DTC Brierley Resident Acting Company member), Andy Smith, Lily Weiss (executive director, Dallas Arts District) and Donna Wilhelm.

“Growing up in Texas, Dallas Theater Center was one of the first places where I saw what professional theater and excellence looked like,” Castañeda says. “I’m thrilled to come back and build on the history of artists and leaders who have been a part of this organization. I’m eager to join Kevin, the board, and our staff to create lasting theatrical experiences for our audiences.”

Dallas Theater Center's current production of A Christmas Carol runs through December 27 at the Wyly Theatre.

dallas theater center jaime castañeda kevin moriarty theater