Matty and Kikau chat with Aaron Brown, Cassie Abate, and Tom Delbello, the co-heads of the Musical Theatre program at Texas State University. Their recommendations include Cowboy Carter, The Art and Practice of Musical Theatre, and Director/Choreographer, Tuan Malinowski.
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Aaron currently serves as a Co-Head of Musical Theatre: Director of Student Relations, Production and New Work at Texas State University. He formerly, served as assistant professor and Co-Coordinator of Musical Theatre at Sam Houston State University from 2019-2023. Some of Aaron’s past directing credits include the world premiere of ShaWanna Rivon’s You’re Cordially Invited to Sit-In (Stages), Houston for the Holidays (Stages), Shakespeare in Love, Airness, Detroit ’67, Once on this Island, Violet, Godspell (WaterTower), Crazy for You, Hamoncé: A Devised Piece, Black Magic: A Shakespeare Adaption, The Pavilion, and Hairspray. His assistant director credits include the world premiere production of Regina Taylor’s Bread (WaterTower Theatre), Ain’t Misbehavin (TUTS), and the regional premiere of Dear Jack, Dear Louise (A.D. Players). Aaron Brown holds an MFA in Directing from Baylor University and a BM in Music Theatre from Oklahoma City University. Aaron is a proud supporter and promoter of diversity in the arts. He is a firm believer that Representation Matters! Aaron is grateful for the love of his amazing wife Holly and their two kids, Eliza Grace and Isaiah Carter Brown.
Cassie Abate is a Co-Head of the Musical Theatre Program. Cassie originally hails from Sarasota, FL and has spent the last 15 years working as a performer, director and choreographer in New York and throughout the country. Cassie received a BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of Miami and an MFA in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University. Other training includes Ann Reinking’s Broadway Theatre Project and Gil Stroming’s Break the Floor in New York City. Cassie was an adjunct professor in the Musical Theatre Program at Montclair State University as well as a Graduate Student Instructor at San Diego State University where she taught dance at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Tom is a Co-head of Musical Theatre: Head of Production and New Works. They hold a Masters in Directing from Texas State University. At TXST, Tom has directed Spring Awakening, Guys & Dolls, Cabaret, Hair, Speech and Debate, the New Musical workshop of Dylan Spencer’s Cat Obedience School, and many other new works. In Texas he has worked as an associate director at regional theatres such as The Zach Theatre in Austin, and Theatre Under the Stars in Houston. Select acting credits include, the world premier and Toronto companies of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Boys in the Photograph and the North American tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat. He has performed at regional theatres across North America and cruised the high seas as a lead vocalist with both Disney Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises.
