If you had known Austin when he was 8 years old, playing on the offensive line in football and competing in martial arts tournaments, your first thought likely wouldn’t have been, “Let’s get this kid some jazz shoes!” Nevertheless, he found his way to theatre and dance and has been loving it ever since.
Background/Bio
After finding his tribe and his passion for performance through community theatre, Austin attended and graduated from the North East School of the Arts in 2021 as a Musical Theatre and Dance double major. He then went on to Texas State University where he is currently a Senior BFA Musical Theatre Major (Class of 2025).
While at Texas State, he’s played roles such as Curtis Jackson/Fight Captain (Sister Act), Robert/Ensemble (RENT), Cinderella’s Father/Spirit (Into the Woods), and Wickersham (Seussical). He also has been on the other side of the table as Fight Choreographer for Urinetown and Fight Choreographer/Assistant Dance Choreographer for Guys and Dolls. In terms of professional credits, he is proud to have worked with the iconic Woodstock Playhouse where he played Moonface Martin (Anything Goes), Brick (Escape to Margaritaville), Toymaker/Ensemble (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and Samuel Ratchett (Murder on the Orient Express).
Artistic Mission
Austin is dedicated to telling stories that strive to bring about change through presenting audiences with unique perspectives. In particular, he is drawn to stories that don’t shy away from the complexities of human nature, including the presence of violence in our world. While often uncomfortable, these narratives allow us to explore the consequences, emotions, and moral questions surrounding conflict—giving audiences a space to process, reflect, and even find catharsis in a safe environment. He believes theatre has a unique power to confront difficult truths while fostering empathy and deeper understanding.
Some Fun Facts
Austin is a die-hard fantasy nerd who is obsessed with anything and everything related to Dungeons and Dragons. Currently, he’s reading through various works within Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, having recently finished Era 2 of Mistborn, and when he’s not listening to those audiobooks, he’s playing EPIC: The Musical on repeat. He also loves to go for bike rides, spend time with his family and dogs, and play with swords!
