The Florida State University College of Fine Arts is excited to welcome 15 faculty members into their new roles this August. Ten new permanent faculty and two visiting faculty will teach their first courses at FSU this Fall, while three former visiting faculty will assume new permanent positions in their departments.
“It is my privilege to welcome this exceptional cohort of new faculty members to the College of Fine Arts,” said Dean James Frazier. “Their impressive accomplishments and diverse expertise exemplify the quality and reputation of our programs, and I look forward to the many contributions they will make to our community.”
The diverse scholarship of these new faculty members reflects the breadth of the College’s programs and FSU’s dedication to excellence in the arts. Representing five different countries, and a broad array of academic interests, the group includes award-winning visual artists, experts in stage combat, industrial design and choreography, and numerous published authors—and this list only begins to scratch the surface.
Meet our new College of Fine Arts faculty members:
Jonathan Christensen Caballero
Assistant Professor, Department of Art
Jonathan Christensen Caballero, MFA, is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Utah. His artistic practice explores themes of Latin American labor, oral histories, material culture, and human figurative sculpture. His work has been exhibited nationally and published in several magazines, including “American Craft,” and “Ceramics Monthly.”
Luis Castaneda
Associate Professor, Department of Interior Architecture & Design
Luis Castaneda, MA, has lived and worked in numerous countries and continues to collaborate with artists, architects, educators, and philosophers located across the globe. His work focuses on developing visual identities by incorporating multi-cultural and interdisciplinary design processes and practices.
Jesse Dreikosen
Professor & Director of MFA Scenic Design Program, School of Theatre
Jesse Dreikosen, MFA, is an experienced scenic designer who has received numerous regional and national awards for his designs. After receiving his MFA in scene design from Purdue University, he served as the resident scene designer at New Theatre in South Florida for many years. He also designs around the country for theatres including The Contemporary American Theater Festival, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Texas Repertory Theatre Company, and many more.
Daniel Gott
Assistant Professor, School of Theatre
Daniel Gott, MFA, is an international and interdisciplinary theatre trainer whose work covers Acting, Movement, Voice, and Music. He has specific interests in student-centered learning, trauma and consent informed pedagogies, impulse in performative space, and new actor training methods. Born and raised in the UK, he initially trained and worked as an Actor-Musician, before going on to work extensively in experimental physical theatre.
Marcus Denard Johnson
Assistant Professor & FSU/Asolo Conservatory Director, School of Theatre
Marcus Denard Johnson, MFA, MS, is a 2008 graduate of the Conservatory and has since worked consistently in Theatre as a theatre administrator, theatre administrator, actor, and director. He has previously served as a resident artist for the NYC-based Titan Theatre Company, director of Programs for Opening Act, Inc., an arts education non-profit, and artistic director of Hope Repertory Theatre in Holland, Michigan.
Daniel Leonardos
Assistant Professor, Department of Interior Architecture & Design
Daniel Leonardos, MFA, is a holistic designer who strives to push the boundaries of brand interactions. His research focuses on ways to convey the value of design to exceed the expectations of both clients and users. With a background in both graphic and industrial design and professional experience in the public and private sector, he brings diverse experience to the department.
Trevor Meaghar
Assistant Professor, Department of Art Education
Trevor Meaghar, PhD, joins the arts administration program as an accomplished scholar with a background in music performance. His research explores the evolving role of arts organizations in contemporary society, focusing on cultural policy, arts advocacy, creative placemaking, and cross-sector collaboration.
Alena Mehić
Assistant Professor, Department of Art
Alena Mehić, MFA, is an award-winning visual artist and experienced instructor in painting and drawing. Her paintings, featuring ambiguous images and hypnotic, dreamlike compositions have been showcased in exhibitions throughout the Southern United States.
Elizabeth McQueen
Assistant Professor, School of Theatre
Elizabeth McQueen, PhD, holds a Ph.D. in Theater and Performance Studies and a certificate in Food Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her research examines the contradictions, anxieties, and aesthetics of contemporary performances that utilize food, from transnational performance art to global entertainment venues. McQueen is also the host of the podcast “Esculent.”
Marissa Sweeny
Teaching Faculty II, Department of Art Education
Marissa McClure Sweeny, PhD, is a transdisciplinary educator, artist, and scholar whose work considers early childhood education, art education, and community-based practice. She is the founder and director of SQUAD Art Studio, an alternative community-based laboratory school offering intergenerational, negotiated arts experiences for children and caregivers. Her work has been recognized with prestigious honors including the Charles and Irene Putnam Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Jason Tate
Teaching Faculty I, School of Theatre
Jason Paul Tate is a director, choreographer, performer, and special effects designer. He is the co-founder of Neutral Chaos, LLC, a movement solutions company offering classes in New York City, and the producing entity for several annual stage combat & stunt workshops across the country. Tate has worked internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe, and in 24 states with a wide variety of theatre companies.
Dayle Towarnicky
Assistant Professor, School of Theatre
Dayle Towarnicky, MA, is a theatrical teaching artist and production coach. She specializes in training the speaking voice; guiding actors as they develop skill and artistry with breath, posture, alignment, vocal interpretation, heightened text, and the performance of accents and dialects. Her research is focused on investigating voice-training methodologies through the lens of linguistics.
Helanius J. Wilkins
Professor & Chair, School of Dance
Helanius J. Wilkins is an acclaimed choreographer and educator whose many honors include the Pola Nirenska Award for Contemporary Achievement in Dance, multiple Metro DC Dance Awards, and fellowships from the Ucross Foundation and Green Box Arts. A recipient of major grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, National Performance Network, and Colorado Creative Industries, his works have presented and performed at venues such as The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and have earned international recognition, including Best Experimental Film awards at the New York World Film Festival and L’Age d’Or International Arthouse Film Festival.
Meet our new visiting faculty members:
Xavier Pierce
Visiting Assistant Professor, School of Dance
Xavier Pierce, MFA, is an experienced lighting designer who has worked with many dance and theatre companies across the country. His work has been recognized with numerous awards including the National Black Theatre Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design and the Suzi Bass Award for Best Lighting Design for a Musical.
William Whitener
Visiting Instructional Specialist I, School of Dance
William Whitener has performed worldwide and on Broadway with companies including Twyla Tharp Dance and the New York City Opera and choreographed more than 60 dances across the US and Canada. He has served as Artistic Director for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal and Kansas City Ballet.