Biography

Austin is a native of Gainesville and received his BFA in Production Design from the UF the School of Theatre + Dance.  He then went to Wayne State University in Detroit, MI for his MFA in Stage Management.  After grad school, Austin worked at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Cedar Point, and other theatres up north before moving back to Florida.  He taught Stagecraft at Santa Fe College and was the resident Production Stage Manager for their new Fine Arts Hall for its first 3 years.  In 2014, he rejoied the UF family at the School of Theatre + Dance as a Company Manager.  In addition to SoTD, Austin is the Production Stage Manager for the UF Opera program in the School of Music.  

Austin has helped run Opera festivals in Italy and outreach tours in central Florida.  He has run several special events including the joint School of Music and School of Theatre and Dance's annual fundraiser, Splendor.  He also produced the School of Music's 90th Anniversary Concert.  

He assists with many guests artists traveling to UF throughout the year as well as faculty and students traveling to conferences and other events.  Austin supports the School of Theatre and Dance's building by supervising repairs and spearheading improvement projects.