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Award-winning filmmaker Drew Thomas joins CCM’s faculty

Thomas’ professional credits include work on hits like ‘Sesame Street’ and ‘Abbott Elementary’

headshot of Curt Whitacre By Curt Whitacre 513-556-2683
3 minute read July 10, 2024

UC College-Conservatory of Music Interim Dean Jonathan Kregor has announced the addition of Drew Thomas, MFA, to the college’s faculty of distinguished performing and media arts experts, researchers and educators. A director, cinematographer and filmmaker with decades of industry experience, Thomas begins his new role in CCM's Media Production Division as Assistant Professor of Film and Television Production on Aug. 15, 2024.

A photograph of new CCM faculty member Drew Thomas. Photo/provided

New CCM faculty member Drew Thomas. Photo/provided

Thomas cites a matinee screening of the film Raiders of the Lost Ark as the catalyst for his career path. That film led Thomas to the epiphany: “If I was to have an Indiana-Jonesian life of adventure, I would need to create it.” In turn, Thomas went on to create multiple award-winning student films while earning first a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Motion Picture Production and English from the University of Miami School of Communications and then a Master of Fine Arts degree from the prestigious American Film institute (AFI).

In his 25 years as an entertainment professional, Thomas has directed three award-winning feature films, along with dozens of episodes of television and screening content, music videos, documentaries, branded content and more.

As a cinematographer, Thomas has tallied dozens of credits as diverse as Sesame Street, Coachella, Street Outlaws and Netflix’s Rhythm & Flow.

As a camera operator, Thomas has worked on hits like The Office, The Masked Singer, The Muppets, Renaissance: A film by Beyonce and every season of Abbott Elementary. For his work on Abbott, Thomas was twice awarded special recognition from the AFI.

During the 2023 entertainment industry labor strikes, Thomas and his wife relocated their family to Wyoming, OH. “Now a father well into middle age, I am honored to continue work as a professional storyteller, especially in service to organizations that benefit our community,” Thomas says.

Thomas is a proud member of the Director's Guild and the International Cinematographers Guild.

“CCM’s Media Production Division prides itself on its ability to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful careers in TV, film, new media and a variety of other related fields. Thomas’ notable success in many of these areas, his wealth of valuable industry experience and his commitment to educating the next generation of media professionals make him an ideal addition to CCM’s distinguished faculty,” says Kregor. “I want to recognize the exemplary work of our search committee, which was chaired by Kevin Burke and included Melissa Godoy, Moni (Jasmine) Guo, Donald Hancock, Hagit Limor and John Owens.”

Learn More About CCM's Media Production Programs

Next Lives Here

At the University of Cincinnati, we realize the impact our teaching, research, artistry and service can have on our community and the world. So, we don’t wait for change to happen. We break boundaries, boldly imagine and create what’s Next. To us, today’s possibilities spark tomorrow’s reality. That’s why we are leading urban public universities into a new era of innovation and impact, and that's how we are defining Next for the performing and media arts.

We're about engaging people and ideas - and transforming the world.

We are UC. Welcome to what's Next.

Learn more about CCM's other new faculty and staff members

Featured image at top: New CCM faculty member Drew Thomas operates a camera on the set of the hit TV program Abbott Elementary. Photo/provided

Additional Contacts

Rebecca Butts | Assistant Public Information Officer

| 513-556-2675

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