Everybody Black by Dave Harris MFA '20 (2019). Photo: Manuel Rotenberg.
News & Events
The latest from the depatment of Theatre + Dance. For performance events, visit our Season tab.
Spring Shows Meetup 
Friday, January 28 @ 5PM on Zoom.
This meetup will serve as an informal way for those interested in auditioning for winter productions to meet the directors, hear about their visions, and ask questions. We highly encourage you to attend if you plan on auditioning for spring shows.
To join the session, click the Zoom link: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/95067223533
Important Dates - Auditions for Spring 2022 Shows
- Spring Shows Zoom Meet-Up: Week 4, Friday, 1/28, 5pm
- *This Meet & Greet will be a chance to learn more about the Spring Productions from Directors and Playwrights!*
- First Round General Video Submission Deadline: Week 5, Friday, 2/4, 12pm
- Callback Lists shared with actors: Week 6, Friday, 2/11 by 5:00pm
- Callbacks: Week 7, Friday, 2/18, 12-5pm
Friday, January 7 @ 2:30pm
Hello Theatre and Dance Community!
Although we are going to be having remote instruction for Weeks 1 and 2, we are planning to move forward with making crew assignments for in-person Winter productions as we prepare to register students for TDPR 6. There will be a zoom session on Friday at 2:30 for all those interested in enrolling this quarter.
The enrollment for Practicum is determined by the production crew support needs. We have 42 crew positions/class positions available this Winter Quarter.
Please fill out the intake form prior to the general meeting on Friday:
Meeting link for Friday, 1/7 at 2:30PM:
Meeting ID: 910 3814 0556Password: 731157
Please pick one of the five productions on the calendar that you can fully commit to* and a specific area
(costumes, lights, sets, sound) that they are interested in (and haven't taken already from a previous practicum class). You may list your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd preferences.
*Attendance at all technical rehearsals and performances(including crew watch) is MANDATORY. YOU CANNOT PASS THIS CLASS BY MISSING ANY OF THE TIMES AND DATES LISTED FOR SHOWS. SELECT ONLY THE PRODUCTIONS FOR WHICH YOU ARE ABLE TO FULLY COMMIT.
Please prepare to ask any questions or concerns for the meeting this Friday.
winterWORKS Auditions
Week 1, see dates below!
If you have any concerns, or are not able to get back on campus until week 3 please email Yolande and Marcos. We will try to integrate students as and when they return to UCSD, but we need to make a start at creating our works with all available students. winterWORKs auditions will be held this week both via Zoom and in-person.
Marcos' auditions will be held on Monday, January 3rd at 6:00pm in Dance Studio 2.
- Interested students who are unable to join can email m9duran@ucsd.edu.
- A hybrid rehearsal will also be held on Wednesday, Jan. 5th at 6:00pm in Dance Studio 2; students may also join the rehearsal on Zoom: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/
93475886790
Yolande's auditions will be held Tuesday, January 4th at 6:00pm in Dance Studio 3.
- Those who cannot attend in person may join via Zoom: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/
97709531713 - Interested students who are unable to join can emai ysnaith@ucsd.edu
Winter LABS Pitch Night
Thursday, January 6 @ 4:30pm PST on ZOOM
Pitch Night is an open-mic style night of lab pitches. If you’re interested in participating in a lab but don’t know who to do it with, or need some more structure for your ideas, join us for a night of pitching our ideas to each other, with snacks outside after! You can pitch an idea for a lab you want to do and need participants for, you can pitch yourself as an actor, director, designer, stage manager, or whatever you want to do, or anything else you can think of relating to labs. You’ll have up to 5 minutes to give your pitch, but you don’t have to use all of it. It doesn’t need to be a fully thought out proposal, this is just a time to talk about what you’re interested in doing and see if there are any lab opportunities for you!
- When: Thursday, January 6, 4:30-6:00 PM PST
- Where: On Zoom
- To attend, please fill out this form
- To submit a lab proposal, please fill out this form
- Learn more about LABS here: https://theatre.ucsd.edu/season/winter-labs.html
MFA Directing Virtual Information Session
Thursday, November 18 @2:30pm PST on Zoom
The MFA Directing program will be holding a virtual information session on November 18th from 2:30pm-3:30pm. This is designed for the prospective students applying for the Fall 2022 application cycle.
To join the session, click the Zoom link: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/99815345793
MFA Playwriting Virtual Information Session
Friday, October 29 @2pm on Zoom
The MFA Playwriting program will be holding a virtual information session on October 29th from 2pm-3pm. This is designed for the prospective students applying for the Fall 2022 application cycle.
To join the session, click the Zoom link: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/91971944852
Winter Shows Meetup
Friday, October 22 @ 5PM on Zoom.
This meetup will serve as an informal way for those interested in auditioning for winter productions to meet the directors, hear about their visions, and ask questions. We highly encourage you to attend if you plan on auditioning for winter shows.
To join the session, click the Zoom link: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/
Important Dates - Auditions for Winter 2022 Shows
- Winter Shows Zoom Meet-Up: Week 4, Friday, 10/22, 5pm
- *This Meet & Greet will be a chance to learn more about the Winter Productions from Directors!*
- First Round General Video Submission Deadline: Week 5, Monday, 10/25, 6pm
- Callback Lists shared with actors: Week 6, Monday, 11/1 by 5pm
- Callbacks: Week 7, Monday, 11/ 8, 4-10pm (MFA Grad Actors start at 5pm)
FALL LABS Pitch Meeting
Interested in learning more about FALL LABS
Pitch Night is an open-mic style night of lab pitches. If you’re interested in participating in a lab but don’t know who to do it with, or need some more structure for your ideas, join us for a night of pitching our ideas to each other, with snacks outside after! You can pitch an idea for a lab you want to do and need participants for, you can pitch yourself as an actor, director, designer, stage manager, or whatever you want to do, or anything else you can think of relating to labs. You’ll have up to 5 minutes to give your pitch, but you don’t have to use all of it. It doesn’t need to be a fully thought out proposal, this is just a time to talk about what you’re interested in doing and see if there are any lab opportunities for you!
- When: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12TH, 4:30-6:00 PM PST
- Where: Galbraith 144 (masks are required for in-person events)
- To attend, please fill out this form
Dance Meet & Greet
Interested in learning more about Dance @ UCSD?
The Dance Meet & Greet is a virtual meet & greet / Q&A event for dance majors, minors, prospective students, or anyone interested in dance! We will meet for an hour on Zoom to talk about the dance department, plans for the year, and anything else relating to dance. If you have any questions relating to the dance department, we’d be happy to answer them. We hope to see you there!
- When: Tonight, October 11 from 5-6pm
- How to participate: Via zoom: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/
99122885378 Meeting ID: 991 2288 5378
CoisCéim Dance Theatre's UNCLE RAY by David Bolger
Presented by ArtPower
Don't miss this livestream premiere, October 10 at 12:00pm.
UNCLE RAY takes audiences back to 1970s Dublin where as a young boy, David grew up with stories about his magnificent Uncle Ray—whose career took him from vaudeville, to Broadway and then the glitz of Hollywood, eventually playing one of the most famous characters of all time: the Scarecrow. The wonders of reality, imagination and family lore collide in this touching new dance duet by David Bolger.
Click here for tickets and more information.
Click here to watch the trailer.
Auditions for Fall Performances
Be a part of the T+D 21-22 Season!
Upcoming Auditions for Fall 2021 THEATRE Shows:
- First Round General Video Submissions Deadline: Week 0, Thursday, September 23, by 9am PST
- Callbacks: Week 1, Monday, September 27th, 5-10pm PST
See the Audition Timeline for the season posted in THE VAULT (the department’s information sharing platform which you can access from the homepage).
Upcoming Auditions for Fall 2021 DANCE Shows:
Instructor Patricia 'Patty" Huerta will be teaching STUDIES IN PERFORMANCE, a dancemaking class affiliated with the Fall Dance Production.
- In order to enroll in the course, you MUST attend the first class session, an audition/gathering on Friday, Sept. 24th at 12pm in Dance Building Studio 3.
- IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO AUDITION IN PERSON DUE TO PANDEMIC-RELATED TRAVEL ISSUES OR ANOTHER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE, you may upload a video audition to this google drive by 4pm on Friday. Please reach out to tdpromo@ucsd.edu with questions. ⠀
Check out our season HERE.
Stay tuned to your UCSD email for information via the listservs.
Celebrate The Arts
Welcome Week 2021/22
September 23
1-2pm PDT
Virtual Event -visit celebratearts.ucsd.edu to learn more.
Coming in fall quarter: a virtual celebration of the beginning of the 2021/22 school year. Join several departments under the Arts and Humanities umbrella in welcoming the freshman class and learning more about campus arts organizations, departments, and student arts organizations. Produced by ArtPower.
Triton Weeks of Welcome
Events Welcoming New Tritons
September 8 - 25
Various Times
View Full event calendar here
Triton Weeks of Welcome (TWOW) is the official welcome period for new & returning students to UC San Diego. Join us this year as we (re) introduce you to UC San Diego and all the exciting changes to campus. Don’t miss residential move-in events, Convocation, Triton Fest, Meet the Beach, orientations, and much more! Check out the calendar of events on twow.ucsd.edu. #UCSDTWOW
Production Calendar
Collaborators: view tech and performance schedules on the up-to-date production calendar.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Calendar
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion calendar of events.
2020/21 News Stories
2020/21 News
THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN, with scenic design by Professor Robert Brill, began previews on Broadway on October 10.
Danny Burstein MFA '90 wins Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for role in MOULIN ROUGE
Many Theatre + Dance community members participate in San Diego Rep's Latinx New Play Festival
Stewart Blackwood MFA '22 develops app with Center Theatre Group for LA-based immersive sound walk
Preston Choi MFA '23 named Sideshow Theatre's Artist-in-Residence
Ankita Raturi MFA '23 receives inaugural APAFT & AAP playwriting commission
Stew by MFA alumna Zora Howard is a Pulitzer Prize finalist in drama
Cygnet Theatre announces UCSD playwriting partnership - Keiko Green MFA '22 will be first participant.
News Stories Archive
2020 and earlier
Sharece M. Sellem's Daisies On Harlem’s Doorstep Named 2019 Dr. Floyd Gaffney Playwriting Competition Winner. Learn more about the play and playwright >>
Head of PhD Dr. Julie Burelle releases her book 'Encounters on Contested Lands: Indigenous Performances of Sovereignty and Nationhood in Quebec'. Read UCSD's write up on the release >>
Alumna Monique Gaffney named recipient of the Thirteenth Round of Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowships. Learn more about the recipients >>
Engaging The World: the role of the artist in society with Anna Deavere Smith on Wednesday, February 27 at 7pm in the Mandell Weiss Forum. RSVP for the event here >>
Department Chair Allan Havis interview with upcoming guest speaker Anna Deavere Smith for department blog. Check out Smith's responses >>
Department Chair Allan Havis interview with Composer & Sound Design faculty Michael Roth about his career. Read the interview >>
Friday February 1st @ 4:30pm: MFA alumni couple Monica Bill Barnes, BA, choreographer & performer and David WIlson Barnes, BA, actor holding talk in Potiker Theatre. RSVP for the event here >>
MFA alumni Melanie Chen Cole, Jesca Prudencio, Chris Rynne, Bo Tindell, and Paloma H Young and Lighting Professor Alan Burrett receive nominations for Craig Noel Awards in San Diego. More details at sandiegouniontribune.com >>
MFA Acting alumna Alison Tatlock pens the episode of Better Call Saul "Something Stupid" listed as one of 10 Best TV Episodes of 2018. Read the entire 10 Best List at vulture.com >>
THE YEAR TO COME director and UC San Diego Theatre and Dance alum Anne Kauffman featured in Modern Luxury San Diego. Check on the article at modernluxury.com >>
MFA acting alumnus DeLeon Dallas is in Looking For Christmas, with music and lyrics by Clint Black, at the Old Globe. Runs through the end of December. Learn more about the show at theoldglobe.org >>
LJP announces 4 shows including Lauren Yee's CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND. Found out more at lajollaplayhouse.org >>
A write up about MFA acting alumna and Head of Undergraduate Acting Jennifer Chang and the two shows she directed in LA. Available at gmanetwork.com >>
MFA playwrights Emily Feldman, Lily Padilla and Dave Harris all part of the Humana Festival. More details at ActorsTheatre.org >>
AIN’T TOO PROUD cast announced for its Broadway premiere in February/March. Robert Brill, BA, and Professor of Scene Design is the set designer. Check out the story on Broadway.com >>
Head of PhD Dr. Julie Burelle releases first book Encounters on Contested Lands: Indigenous Performances of Sovereignty and Nationhood in Québec. Order the book at Northwestern U. Press >>
UC San Diego welcomes newest Stage Management faculty member, Professor Lora Powell. Get to know Professor Powell >>
MFA Acting alumnus Toby Onwumere lands recurring role on upcoming season of EMPIRE. Check out the story on Deadline >>
Professor Allan Havis named new Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at UC San Diego. Find out more about Professor Havis >>
PhD student Jessica Friedman awarded Selma Jeanne Cohen Award by Dance Studies Association. Read about the award >>
UC San Diego mourns the passing of MFA Acting candidate Brandon O'Sullivan. Learn more about Brandon >>
Top rankings for Department BA and MFA Acting programs by the Hollywood Reporter
Read about the BA ranking >>
Read about the MFA ranking >>
Read about the BA ranking >>
Read about the MFA ranking >>
Dance Faculty Alison D. Smith featured in new dance documentary advocating the value of movement education. Check out the film on Vimeo >>
MFA Playwriting Students Dave Harris and Steph Del Rosso take home awards at KCACTF 2018. Hear more about it here >>
MFA Acting '13 alumna Regan Linton one of the 2018 UC San Diego Triton 40 Under 40 honorees. Read more about Triton 40 Under 40 >>
Issues of Identity: In Conversation with Hilton Als on Monday, February 5 at 6pm. Learn more and RSVP >>
Playwriting professor Deborah Stein's play The Wholehearted to be performed in NYC. Read the details of who's work has been selected >>
UCSD Playwrights featured in the 42nd Humana Festival of New American Plays. Read the details of who's work has been selected >>
UC San Diego Faculty and Alumni gather for Ayad Akhtar's JUNK at Lincoln Center Theater. Read more about the gathering >>
History & Theory Professor Dr. Julie Burelle among 11 faculty members honored with Hellman Fellowships. Check out the story at thisweek@ucsandiego >>
MFA Playwriting alumna Lauren Yee wins the Kesselring Prize. Read more about this distinguished honor >>
Scenic Design Professor Robert Brill to be Alumni Keynote Speaker at UC San Diego 2017 New Student Welcome Convocation & Dinner. Click here to learn more >>
Interim Department Chair Dr. Judith Dolan exhibits her Broadyway designs at the La Jolla Historical Society. Learn more about the exhibit >>
Distinguished Professor Marianne McDonald featured in Rancho Santa Fe Connector magazine. Download a PDF of the article >>
MFA Lighting Design alumni Chao-Yu Tsai wins Silver at World Stage Design in Taipei. Read more about Chao-Yu's award and work >>
PhD Professor Julie Burelle receives UCSD's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Distinguished Teaching Award for 2017. Read more about Dr. Burelle's work >>
PhD Candidate Jason Dorwart inducted into Bouchet Graduate Honor Society at Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Read more about the inductees >>
MFA Playwriting alum Will Snider and MFA Directing alum Will Detlefsen interviewed about their upcoming production Strange Men, part of the Wagner New Play Festival. Watch the interview on YouTube >>
Stage Management Faculty Professor Lisa Porter to Present at Ilan-Lael Foundation's Gateway Conversations. Read more at gatewayconversations.com >>
MFA Acting Alumnus Toby Onwumere Stars in Season 2 of Sense8. Check out Sense8 Season 2's trailer >>
Dance Faculty Patricia Rincon Receives 2017 Chancellor's Associates Faculty Excellence Award. Watch the associated video on YouTube >>
Professor Nadine George-Graves to offer UCNYC course during Summer Session 1, July 3 - Aug 5. Click here for more details >>
Head of Stage Management faculty Lisa Porter collaborates with Grammy award-winning Yo-Yo Ma and Silk Road Ensemble. More details at yo-yoma.com >>
MFA Stage Management alum Samantha Watson with MFA Stage Management alum Lauren Jungle Stage Manage Broadway Run of Significant Other. More at significantotherbroadway.com >>
MFA Scenic Design alum Christopher Acebo Scenic Designs Zoot Suit at the Mark Taper Forum. More details at centertheatregroup.org >>
Jenna Carino, Chris Luessmann, and Sherrice Mojgani Begin Previews for Come From Away on Broadway. Learn more at comefromaway.com >>
PhD Candidate Jason Dorwart nominated for university-wide 2016 UC San Diego Diversity Award. More details coming soon
Professor Pat Rincon one of revered recipients of The Chancellor's Associates Faculty Excellence Awards for 2016-2017. More details coming soon
MFA Playwriting alum Rachel Axler Nominated for Three Emmy Awards & Distinguished Alumni Award. More at UCSD News Center >>
MFA Acting Alum N'Jameh Camara and Gabriel Lawrence in The Acting Company's "Julius Caesar". More at theactingcompany.org >>
MFA Scenic Design alum Neil Patel Production Designs on Hulu's 'The Path'. Check out Season 2 at Hulu >>
The Bitter Game at The Public's Under the Radar Festival featuring MFA Acting '16 alum Keith Wallace, directed by Playwriting faculty member Deborah Stein. Read the NY Times review >>
Read the Village Voice interview >>
Read the Village Voice interview >>
UG Dance alum Natalia Valerdi-Rogers made Residency Programs Manager at Arts for Learning San Diego. More at Arts for Learning San Diego >>
MFA Acting '15 alum Toby Onwumere as Capheus in Season 2 of Netflix series Sense8. Watch now on Netflix >>
Playwriting faculty Naomi Iizuma announced as Roger S. Berlind Playwright-In-Residence at the Lewis Center for the Arts in Princeton. More at arts.princeton.edu >>
Danny Burstein Wins Outer Critics Circle Award. Read more at theatermania.com >>
Los Angeles Alumni Event - May 12. Read more >>
Playwriting faculty, Naomi Iizuka, creating opportunities for women in theatre. Read more >>
MFA Acting Alum, Andrea Portes, sells rights to her book, Liberty. Read more >>
Summer Session 1: The New York Theatre & Dance Scene. Read more >>
Professor Shahrokh Yadegari's Scarlet Stone on BBC Persian. Read about it at kpbs.org >>
Acting Alum Ricardo Chavira books recurring role on Scandal. Read about it at ew.com >>
Playwriting Alum Lauren Yee wins Glickman new-play award (and takes runner up with a second play). Read about it at sfgate.com>>
Lighting Design Alum Jason Thompson wins Kinetic Lighting Award from Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle. Read about it on broadwayworld.com >>
Playwriting alum Ron McCants selected for prestigious Disney-ABC Writing Program. Read more about it from deadline.com >>
Acting alum, Ngozi Anyanwu, wins inaugural Humanitas/CTG Playwriting Prize. Read about it on broadwayworld.com >>
Read about it with American Theatre>>
Read about it with American Theatre>>
Acting Alum, Jiehae Park, named Princeton University Mary MacKall Gwinn Hodder Fellow. Read more >>
Talking Theatre with Todd: A Tribute to Arthur Wagner
Prior to the San Diego Rep show Outside Mullingar, Directed by MFA alum & faculty member Todd Salovey, a talk about the life and contributions to San Diego theatre by Arthur Wagner will take place with MFA alum/lecturer Carla Harting and undergraduate alum Manny Fernande.
Read more >>
Prior to the San Diego Rep show Outside Mullingar, Directed by MFA alum & faculty member Todd Salovey, a talk about the life and contributions to San Diego theatre by Arthur Wagner will take place with MFA alum/lecturer Carla Harting and undergraduate alum Manny Fernande.
Read more >>
Playwriting Alum, David Jakobi's play Mai Dang Lao to receive it World Premier in Chicago. Read more >>
C San Diego mourns the passing of Dr. Arthur Wagner
The Department of Theatre and Dance at UC San Diego mourns the passing
of our founding chairman, Dr. Arthur Wagner. He was 92.
Read more >>
The Department of Theatre and Dance at UC San Diego mourns the passing
of our founding chairman, Dr. Arthur Wagner. He was 92.
Read more >>
1.25 Million Legacy Gift Boosts UC San Diego’s Department of Theatre and Dance
ong-time educator and arts supporter Lois Chant's legacy gift will boost the department’s efforts to continue its top-ranked theater training program.
Read more >>
ong-time educator and arts supporter Lois Chant's legacy gift will boost the department’s efforts to continue its top-ranked theater training program.
Read more >>
Alumni featured in upcoming La Jolla Playhouse season
UC San Diego-trained playwright Jeff Augustin and director Joshua Kahan Brody have been selected to present the world premiere of a new work.
Read more >>
Department featured in Arts & Humanities promotional video
The Division of Arts & Humanities at UC San Diego has released a promotional video that features the Department of Theatre & Dance.
Read more >>
The Division of Arts & Humanities at UC San Diego has released a promotional video that features the Department of Theatre & Dance.
Read more >>
Professors Lisa Porter and Kim Rubinstein pilot "Inspiring Research: Creative Strategies for Communication" workshop
The workshop was developed as part of Gradvantage, a new initiative that aims to prepare UC San Diego graduate students for careers outside of academia.
Read more >>
The workshop was developed as part of Gradvantage, a new initiative that aims to prepare UC San Diego graduate students for careers outside of academia.
Read more >>