Theatre and Digital Filmmaking Faculty and Staff

Bio

Jon Barr is a filmmaker from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has worn many hats throughout his career, including restaurant manager, corporate sales representative, and landscape gardener. Jon returned to school to study film making in his mid-30s and hasn't looked back since. He holds an MFA in Film and Media Arts from Temple University. Jon's films encompass conventional narrative, experimental documentary and animation. Regardless of form, Jon's work often explores themes of power, mentor-ship, and tradition. Jon believes in film's ability to share stories and create emotional impact. He is an Associate Professor of Digital Film making at Eastern New Mexico University where he is privileged to teach screenwriting, directing, and editing to the Land of Enchantment's future storytellers.

Bio

Dr. Eric Derr is a percussionist and audio engineer specializing in sound production for music and film, as well as live performance with electronics. He joined the faculty at Eastern New Mexico University in 2025 as Instructor of Audio Technology, where he teaches courses in film sound, music technology, and audio production. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Derr oversees audio and video operations in the film sound lab, music recital hall, and other performance venues across campus.

He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Contemporary Music Performance from the University of California San Diego, where his research and performance focused on percussion and electronic media. He also earned a Master of Music in Solo Performance from McGill University and a Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from DePaul University. His academic work has consistently bridged acoustic performance and music technology, with interests in electroacoustic composition, modular synthesis, and electronic music production.

As a performer, Dr. Derr has appeared at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Library of Congress, collaborating with ensembles such as the San Diego Symphony, Ensemble Dal Niente, and the International Contemporary Ensemble. He also produces and performs experimental electronic music as bad checks, combining modular synthesis, drum set, and multimedia elements.

Bio

Clara comes from Arizona State University where she is currently completing her MFA in Theatre for Youth and Families with an emphasis in Directing. She has nearly twenty years of professional experience and extensive training in a variety of acting techniques including Lecoq, Viewpoints, Japanese Butoh dance, and Method. Her research focuses on making theatre inclusive and accessible for people with specific learning disabilities.

Bio

Leonard Madrid is a New Mexican Theatre artist. He is currently the Artistic Director of Blackout Theatre in Albuquerque. His plays have received the Kennedy Centers award for Latinx playwrights three times. He has also participated in the Ignition Festival at Victory Gardens in Chicago, The Ground Floor at Berkeley Rep, and the Colorado Play Summit at the Denver Center for Performing Arts.

At ENMU, Leonard Teaches courses in acting and playwriting.

Bio

L.W. Miller is a jack of all trades designer who started exploring acting and theatre at the age of seven. He holds a B.F.A. in Theatre (Sul Ross State University, 2015) and an M.F.A. in Technical Theatre-Design (Sarah Lawrence College, Lighting Emphasis, 2017). Over the past 30+ years L.W. has branched out from acting to include light, set, costume, sound, and projection design. His talents were used to bring to life productions such as An Octoroon, Don?t Dress for Dinner, and An Act of God for Stage West Theatre, Lady Windermeres Fan, House of Bernarda Alba, and Vanya, Sonya, Masha, and Spike for Downstage Theatre Company; Almost, Maine for Eastern University (in St. Davids, PA); Chicago and War of the Worlds for McMurry University. His training in design is bolstered by his experience as a stage manager, director, puppeteer, theatrical combatant, and playwright. The culmination of these studies has been a holistic approach to storytelling that has been a driving force in the creation of new works with collaborators from around the world. A U.S. Army veteran, he has recently made the move to Portales with his son, where he will work as an Instructor/Technical Director for ENMU.

Bio

Florina is a Romanian filmmaker whose work has gained international recognition. Her films have been screened at notable festivals, including Cannes, South by Southwest, Berlin Music Video Awards, Napoli Film Fest, Sarajevo Fashion European Short Film Festival, Slamdance, and festivals in Bangkok and Hong Kong.

In 2008, she directed TRIP, the first Romanian queer film, which won the Best Indie award at the International Film Producers Film Festival IPIFF. That same year, Titz relocated to the USA to pursue an MFA in Film Production. Florina is a Berlinale Talents Alumna, and taught film and video production courses at institutions like the Pratt Institute and the California Institute of the Arts.

Recently, Titz completed post-production on Caihong City, a science fiction feature film with a diverse cast and crew from 35 countries, shot in New York and Romania.

In addition to her narrative films, she has directed award-winning music videos, shorts, and fashion films, such as Silent Strike Its Not Safe to Turn Off my Computer and collaborations with fashion designer Junkoteque.

Titz has also directed work for branded content and advertising projects.

Most recently, she finished production on Why Me Why Not, an extended music video project shot like a narrative film on the island of Oa hu, Hawaii.