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Alum Walter Thompson-Hernandez standing side profile in front of a cloth backdrop and dusk sky.

Filmmaker & Alum Walter Thompson-Hernandez ‘09 Talks About His New Storytelling Course at UP

Alumni

Performing and Fine Arts

January 23, 2026

Since leaving The Bluff in 2009, UP alum Walter Thompson-Hernandez has spent much of his time traveling the world. As a filmmaker and global subculture writer for The New York Times, his work has taken him everywhere from Rio de Janiero to Barcelona. But this spring, the LA-based writer and filmmaker is returning to University of Portland—this time, as an instructor.

Brewer Williams and Casey James

UP Singers Casey James and Brewer Williams Score at Regionals; Qualify for Nationals

Performing and Fine Arts

March 27, 2024

UP sophomore Casey James delivered a first place singing performance at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Northwestern Regional competition in March.

From left to right: Susan McDaniel, Taylenne Ubieta Johnson, Brewer Williams, and Nicole Leupp Hanig

UP Singers Shine in Statewide Classical Festival En Route to Regionals

Performing and Fine Arts

February 14, 2024

University of Portland music majors Taylenne Ubieta Johnson and Brewer Williams sang their way to second place finishes at the Oregon-wide Cascade Chapter Classical Festival February 3-4 in downtown Portland. Both qualified for regionals in the singing competition staged annually by the by the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

music-and-guitar

The First Real Six-String

Portland Magazine

Performing and Fine Arts

July 25, 2023

The story of an instrument and two of its makers, more than a century apart.

photo of Franz Hall

University of Portland presents 2018-2019 Faculty Awards, May 7

Performing and Fine Arts

Mathematics

Chemistry

History

Theology

Philosophy

Business

May 8, 2019

The University of Portland’s 2018-2019 Faculty Awards were presented on Tuesday, May 7, at the annual Faculty Awards Dinner.

Photo of Mead Hunter

Retiring UP theater professor and dramaturg Mead Hunter says that when teaching works, it is a two-way reaction

Performing and Fine Arts

College of Arts and Sciences

May 2, 2019

Mead Hunter retires from the PFA theater department after seven years. He has loved teaching undergraduate students at UP because he learns from them while he's teaching. He will miss the UP family, and miss his students most of all.

photo of jazz ensemble

Performing & Fine Arts performances

Performing and Fine Arts

April 9, 2019

‘Pippin’ April 10 – 14, 7:30 p.m. and April 14, 2 p.m. A theatrical ensemble arrives, having found someone to play Pippin in “Pippin, His Life and Times.” Young Prince Pippin longs to find passion and adventure in his life. Along the way he discovers the true meaning of magic, happiness, glory, love and war in this iconic and unforgettable musical comedy.

Michael ONeill

Perfect Timing

Alumni

Portland Magazine

Performing and Fine Arts

February 22, 2019

Michael O’Neill ’10 (MFA) travels the world with an international organization called Clowns Without Borders.

February Performing & Fine Arts performances

Performing and Fine Arts

February 14, 2019

‘Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead’ February 13-16, 7:30 p.m. and February 16, 2 p.m. In this “unauthorized parody” of an iconic comic strip, CB questions the meaning of life and death following the demise of his dog. His friends have their own problems and aren’t much help. But his interest in an artistic boy — the target of his group’s bullying — sets events in motion that propel teen angst to its very limits. The play explores mature themes that relate to growing up.

Choral Christmas Vespers Concert

University of Portland presents Choral Christmas Vespers Concert, December 1

Performing and Fine Arts

November 21, 2018

The University Singers and the Women’s Chorale will ring in the holiday season with a selection of traditional songs at the Choral Christmas Vespers Concert on December 1, at 7:30 p.m., in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher at the University of Portland.

Mocks Crest presents The Light in the Piazza

Mocks Crest Productions presents The Light in the Piazza

Performing and Fine Arts

June 7, 2018

Mocks Crest Productions will present The Light in the Piazza, a contemporary musical operetta based on a 1962 film of the same name, on June 9-10, 14-17, and 21-24.

Matthew Postle

54th Annual University of Portland Jazz Festival, April 11-12

Performing and Fine Arts

April 3, 2018

The University of Portland 54th Annual Jazz Festival takes place April 11 and 12 as bands from all over the region come together to perform and express their love of Jazz music.

Photo of David De Lyser, PFA chair

New PFA Chair David De Lyser hopes students’ craft lasts a lifetime

Performing and Fine Arts

February 6, 2018

David De Lyser became PFA chair in January. He hopes to help continue to build the University’s department of performing and fine arts in both quantity of students participating and in the quality of student theatrical and musical performances, as well as student production of fine arts.

Dr. Michael Connolly, DMA

Dr. Michael Connolly directs his 30th, and final, Advent Concert on December 9

Performing and Fine Arts

College of Arts and Sciences

December 1, 2017

The University of Portland's annual Advent Concert is always a highlight of the performance year, but this year’s concert will mark a special milestone, as concert director and long-time professor of music Dr. Michael Connolly, DMA, prepares to retire.

Bonnie Toon-Sweeney

Bonnie Toon-Sweeney Memorial Scholarship supports next generation of theater professionals

Performing and Fine Arts

College of Arts and Sciences

Development

October 26, 2017

The family of the late Bonnie Toon-Sweeney ’94, a longtime figure in the Portland theater community, has endowed a $50,000 scholarship in her name that will assist students studying theater at the University of Portland to complete their degrees.

Photo of actor Kunal Nayyar '03

Kunal Nayyar ’03, actor staring in the CBS television comedy The Big Bang Theory, returns to the University of Portland on October 11

Business

Alumni

Performing and Fine Arts

September 20, 2017

Actor and alumnus Kunal Nayyar '03, currently staring in the hit CBS television comedy The Big Bang Theory, returns to the University of Portland for a public conversation on October 11.

Cassi Khol and Robert Winstead

Mock’s Crest Productions presents “The Pirates of Penzance,” June 9-25 at the University of Portland

Performing and Fine Arts

June 5, 2017

Mock’s Crest Productions will present Gilbert and Sullivan’s beloved operetta of mistaken identity, “The Pirates of Penzance,” in the Mago Hunt Center Theater at the University of Portland (9000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland) on June 9-11, 15-18, and 22-25.

Adele Kennedy '17

Three University of Portland students take top honors at Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in Washington, DC  

College of Arts and Sciences

Performing and Fine Arts

Awards and Rankings

April 25, 2017

Three students from the Department of Performing & Fine Arts (PFA) at the University of Portland were awarded national fellowships at the 49th Annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, held April 17-22 at the John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts in Washington DC.

Seven students win honors at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

College of Arts and Sciences

Performing and Fine Arts

March 6, 2017

A group of 38 University of Portland students and five faculty spent February 20-24 at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for a week of competitions, workshops and performances, and seven students received awards and honors.