BRIANÂ TIBAYAN
Brian Tibayan is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Idaho, with a focus on applied theatre and science communication. He earned his MFA in Theatre Arts from the University of Idaho and holds a BA in Broadcast Communication from the University of the Philippines. He integrates empathy-based applied improvisation to improve the communication skills of STEM graduate students, specifically in presentations like the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. He aims to foster a more inclusive and impactful science communication by leveraging theatrical techniques such as storytelling, improvisation, and performative exercises to help researchers better connect with diverse audiences.
In addition to his academic research, Brian is also an actor with experience in numerous theatre productions in the U.S. and the Philippines. His extensive career in radio and television broadcasting prior to pursuing graduate studies has informed his understanding of media and communication, enhancing his approach to both pedagogy and research. Brian has served as a Graduate Assistant for the College of Graduate Studies at the University of Idaho, where he produces and directs videos about graduate student experience and research. His work has also included producing videos that document initiatives such as the Indigenous Knowledge Field Camp and the Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery, both supported by the National Science Foundation.
In addition to his academic work, Brian teaches ED 504: Improv for 3MT Presentations, a course designed to help researchers communicate complex scientific ideas to non-expert audiences. His goal is to help researchers develop confidence, presence, and empathy in their communication practices. A strong advocate for diversity, Brian is committed to elevating marginalized voices in both academia and the arts, with a focus on increasing representation and inclusivity.
In his teaching, Brian emphasizes the importance of active learning through improvisation exercises, helping students develop empathy, adaptability, and connection with their audience. He creates a supportive environment where students can take risks, explore creative ways to communicate research, and build confidence in public speaking. Brian also mentors graduate students outside the classroom, offering coaching sessions to help them refine their presentations and overcome challenges in their academic journeys.
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Creative Pursuits
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Brian appeared as Joseph Pulitzer in Newsies The Broadway Musical (2021) with Troy Community Theatre and portrayed Sir Edward Clarke in Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde (2021) at the University of Idaho Theatre.
In 2020, Brian was a finalist in the Musical Theatre Scholarship Auditions at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 7 (KCACTF7) in Fort Collins, Colorado, and performed in a staged reading of Aloha, Hawai’i: A Historical Untelling at the same festival.
In 2019, Brian played Mr. John Brooke in Little Women The Musical and collaborated with renowned artists like Michael Legg, Marti Lyons, Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin (Mark Twain Award winner), and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok at the Montana Repertory Theatre for new play workshops on The Bakunawa (formerly Butter Knife) and Sanctuary City.
As marketing lead and understudy, Brian contributed to Moscow Art Theatre (Too)’s summer production of The Pillowman (2019). His performances in the world premieres of The Three Keys of Captain Hellfire (2019) and The Last Mother In The House Of Chavis (2018) earned him Irene Ryan Scholarship nominations, leading to his participation in the Irene Ryan Rounds at KCACTF7.
Before moving to the US, Brian performed in various productions in the Philippines, including Tisoy Brown: Hari ng Wala (King of Nothing), King Lear/Haring Lear, Duchess of Malfi/Dukesa ng Malfi, House of Candles, Rivalry the Musical, Fake, and Ermita Quartet’s Salarin (Condemned).
Brian is also a videographer, director, and editor. He has worked as a radio announcer, writer for television, radio, and web, and as a voice-over artist for Fox International Channels (Southeast Asia) and TV5 Philippines. Additionally, Brian has been a university lecturer and led creative teams in the IT industry, blending his expertise in media and education.