Biography and education
Aaron Brown is currently an Assistant Professor and Head of Musical Theatre at Texas State University. He holds an MFA in Directing from Baylor University and a BM in Music Theatre from Oklahoma City University. Some of Aaron’s past directing credits include the world premiere of ShaWanna Rivon’s You’re Cordially Invited to Sit-In (Stages), Topdog/Underdog (4th Wall), Fairview (4th Wall), Sister Act (Texas State University), 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’s essay is published in Hamilton, History and Hip-Hop: Essays on an American Musical.
Teaching Interests
Research Interests
Featured grants
- Brown, Aaron Matthew (Principal), Austin, Jasmine Terrell (Co-Principal). Casting for Change: Reconstructing Policies for Inclusive Musical Theatre Programs, Texas State Reserach Enhancement Program, Institutional (Higher Ed), $16000. (Submitted: October 2024, Funded: February 2025 - Present). Grant.
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Director, Topdog/Underdog.
November 2024 - March 2025.
Performances:
- February 14, 2025 - Present 4th Wall Theatre, Houston.
- Director, Sister Act.
February 2024 - November 2024.
- Reviewed by: Sabrina Wallace.
- Director, Midnight Society: A New Musical (Stage Reading).
August 3, 2024 - August 2024.
Performances:
- Metzler New Works Festival. 4th Wall Theatre, Houston, TX.
- Director, Fiddler on the Roof.
June 28, 2024 - August 4, 2024.
Performances:
- A.D. Players. The George, Houston, TX.
- Reviewed by: D.L. Groover.
- Brown, A. M. (2024). Here Comes the General: An Examination of the Depiction of the African American Man as the Father of America in Hamilton. In Hamilton: History, Hip-Hop and Politics: Essays on the Afterbirth of a Nation (pp. 139–151). Jefferson, NC, United States: McFarland.
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Best Director-Topdog/Underdog (4th Wall Theatre), The Houston Press. August 2025
- Award / Honor Recipient: Best Play/Production-Topdog/Underdog (4th Wall Theatre), The Houston Press. August 2025
- Award / Honor Nominee: BroadwayWorld Houston Awards - Best Direction Of A Musical, BroadwayWorld Houston. 2024
- Award / Honor Nominee: BroadwayWorld Houston Awards - Best Direction Of A Play, BroadwayWorld Houston. 2023
- Award / Honor Nominee: BroadwayWorld Houston Awards - Best Direction Of A Musical, BroadwayWorld Houston. 2022
Featured service activities
- Reviewer / Referee
MTEA Journal
- Member
Lighting Designer Search Committee
- University Mentor
M.U.S.E. Student Organization
- Member
Presidential Excellence Award
- Vice President
Musical Theatre Educators Alliance (MTEA)
- Member
Musical Theatre Program Recruitment